Not in my backyard...

...but in a Fishtank in Greendale, WI, swims the Midwest Vocal Express men's a cappella chorus.

photos by Lorin May
We created quite a stir at the Barbershop Harmony Society International contest in Indianapolis, IN, July 7, 2006 with our antics. Taking on roles of fish, turtles, starfish, and coral in an aquarium, the MVE sang the story of longing to be free in the deep sea.

Upon witnessing the dangers of the open water, (sharks, eels, whales, barracuda) we decide our safe and friendly glass-walled confines aren't so bad after all.

The contest set contained parody lyrics to several songs including; “Son of the Sea,” “How Deep is the Ocean,” “Theme from Jaws,” and “Aquarius"

The audience of 10,000 gave us several standing ovations, and the judges rated us 5th in the world.
Then the Barbershoparazzi swung into high gear, taking pictures with fish and turtles, and even trying the heads on for size. The photo frenzy lasted a full hour after the contest had ended, until security at Conseco Fieldhouse had to ask fans to exit the building.

The guy in the Starfish outfit is our Director, Dr. Chris Peterson. You can see more pictures at www.mve.org

Singing with the MVE is one of my hobbies, and I am having the time of my life.

Everything's in bloom

(clockwise from upper left)

Rose Carefree Beauty (Rosa Carefree Beauty)
Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea)
Monarda (Monarda "Raspberry Wine")
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Gallairdia (Gallairdia pulchella)
Allium (Allium Brodiaea)
Day Lily (Hemerocallis Stella de Oro)

Here in the backyard, color is everywhere. Around the world, war seems to be in full bloom. I'll take flowers anyday.

Back from Ireland...

a country, that 15 years ago, faced with climbing unemployement and a sinking economy, invested in the public education of their children, including college. Fast forward to now, with virtually zero unemployment, a booming economy (2nd best in the EU) and a growth spurt that shows no sign of slowing. All for investing in education, instead of trying to dismantle it, and villify the teachers. Now there's a lesson to be learned.

We had a wonderful week on the Emerald Isle, and found their people very friendly, their countryside enchanting, and their pubs entirely smoke-free (gasp!)

By the way, they mow the grass (Festuca glauca) in their parks way before it gets to 7 inches long.

Keep those frayed edges neat...

Nothing beats the look of a fresh trim. Keeping a sharp, straight edge between the grass (Festuca glauca) and other things like posts, stone walls, and gardens really adds some class. Similar to my Black and Decker, is Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Special Counsel, moving his whirling line of questioning along the edge between truth and the White House. Karl Rove escaped indictment (there's a resume builder) by a margin narrower than the bright orange .065in plastic line spinning at my fingertips.

Time to cleanse that palate with the magnificent Alium (Allium Brodiaea.)

It's not all doom and gloom...

Once I met a happy little Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

I soon learned his smart philosophy

On my Weber Grill

He began to trill

and this is what he had to say to me:

Just let a smile be your umbrella

on a rainy, rainy day.

And if your sweetie cries

just tell her that a smile will always pay.

Let the thunder crash

Let the rain come down

You'll never need to wear a frown

Let a smile be your umbrella all the while!

(with appologies to Dan Wilson)

Mow, Mow, Mow your Yard

The lawn (Festuca glauca) looks great! It's a pride and joy of home-ownership when your yard is weed-free, well manicured, and greeny-green. Unlike Scott Walker and Milwaukee County Parks, I mow my lawn before it gets 7 inches long.


Yes, I've had to put a little more money into the LipsYard this year because of rising gas prices, and I even bought a new Gator mulching blade for the ol' Honda.





A little more spent now, beats the huge cost it would take to bring a delapidated, weed infested, pest riddled lawn back to life later.

666!!!

... brought death to our neck of the woods.
Was it the devil-spawn that drove this poor Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) to fly at break neck speed into our four season room window? Or did the PCB's in the food supply allow it's little bird brain to receive too much right-wing talk radio? Perhaps it was flushed out by clear cutting in the old growth forests it calls home? RIP little friend.

Undocumented Aliens

Every year at this time, our yard is overrun by undocumented aliens looking for a free handout. Here's one now (Oryctolagus cuniculus.)









We tire of losing valuable assets like lettuce (Lactuca sativa,) spinach (Spinacea oleracea,) radishes (Raphanus sativus,) and most of all, our beautiful perennial flowers to these unwelcome guest eaters. We have erected border fences but cannot afford to fully staff them. Letters to State Representative F. James Sennsenbrenner and President Bush have been sent, requesting the help of National Guard troops in protecting our borders.

Welcome, I'm in the yard on the left

Welcome to the yard on the left. A place to comtemplate, relax, and rant about the right.
Foreground Sand Cherry(Prunus x cistena,) background Flowering Crab(Malus x zumi var calocarpa.)