2/26 Toward the snowy lands of Wisconsin

Jen beside Paddock Lake - Feb 2008

February brought the long awaited trip to Wisconsin to introduce Jen to my wife's family. Still in the dead of winter, we had to shift our plans to dodge the snow storms that were passing through just before Valentine's Day. With the car all packed and the family dog geared up for the long ride, we headed north from the 70 degree Texas weather for Wisconsin. We were doubly excited because we anticipated meeting one of Jen's friends from the orphanage who had recently arrived in America. That family lives in the Midwest and so we hoped to have a reunion of sorts for the girls.

We planned to meet just north of Illinois' Amish country but had to postpone until the return leg of the trip. The change in plans afforded us some time to ride through the countryside and enjoy the Amish homes and carriages. If you ever find yourself passing through eastern Illinois along I-57, bless yourself with a detour from the interstate and stop in downtown Arcola for a bite to eat. It is a small town America at its best. We had breakfast and bought a freshly baked black walnut angel food cake to celebrate our arrival with the family.



Not long afterward, I stood by the counter at the gas station considering how best to protect the cake in the back seat for the last few hours of our journey. I considered asking the cashier for a box thinking that was the most reasonable course of action to prevent an accidental squishing. I passed on the box idea and headed back to the car with Jen. My wife had walked the dog then left the cake unguarded in the car. Our beloved Scottish terrier, though blind and unsteady in his golden years, had managed to find his way from the back seat and across the console to the front seat. There before him waited what now amounted to a birthday cake for his party of 1. I opened the door to find him and half the cake gone. He had deftly negotiated his way through the plastic wrap and was waist deep in what was certainly a very fine cake. I was crestfallen and disappointed that the cake had lasted about one hour. I suppose in the years to follow it will make for a good story. McDuff, our dog, by the way, sends his compliments to the chef.