Eclipse Mania + Dangerous Iguanas, Not-So-Much Llamas

There Is No Place Like Nebraska!

From Omaha World Herald (8/18):  "Solar Eclipse Preparations. Traffic jams, wildfires among concerns . . . 

• "Potential traffic jams on highways rank as one of the top concerns, especially if cloud cover cover somewhere along the eclipse's 168-mile path through the state sends sky watchers scrambling elsewhere to get a look . . .  
• "Another major concern is wildfires, especially in the Panhandle, which has been dealing with dry conditions in recent weeks . . . 
• "In addition, officials anticipate heavy air traffic from small planes landing at airports along the eclipse route . . . 
• I-80 is expected to be very busy, especially in the Grand Island area. Heavy traffic also is expected on U.S. Hwy 77 between Lincoln & Beatrice."

I can neither confirm nor deny these additional steps being enacted by the highest level of government officials in our State.

1. All vehicles from other Big 10 states, but especially Ohio, Wisconsin, & Iowa, will be stopped on the border, charged a $25 toll, & issued a "Go Big Red" license plate, which will be their entry pass to any eclipse-viewing site in the state.
2. National Guard troops will be deployed along highways to use pepper spray on drivers who unwisely decide to pull over on the shoulder to view the eclipse.
3. Visitors who have already shelled out $300-500 for motel rooms * can expect an additional surcharge for towels, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, & bedding.
4. McDonald's along the route will most likely be charging $10 for a cup of coffee & $11.50 per pancake. Syrup will be extra.
5. You don't even want to know what Scooter's & Starbuck's will be charging.
6. Although special sunglasses have been sold-out for weeks, welders' will be making their masks available for a $100 rental fee.
7. The N.O.O.P. E. E.D. ** will be on hand to provide treatment for those who unwisely look directly into the sun, causing permanent cornea damage. **

* Even at Motel 6

** Nebraska Opthalmologists & Optometrists for the Prevention of Eclipse Eye Damage

*** And you don't even want to know what this will cost you either.

There Is No Place Like . . . New Hampshire?

From Norfolk Daily News (8/15):  "Police catch iguana. Police in Rye, N.H. had their hands full after a pet iguana got loose & bit a cyclist."  I can neither confirm nor deny that a movie entitled "Iguan-ado" is in the works.

Ditto (8/17):  "Well-known escapee joins golfers on course.  Maybe these golfers didn't yell 'fore' but they might have considered 'llama on the links.' Golfers at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Jackson, N.H. were joined recently by a llama that escaped from his pen about 2 miles away . . . the pack animal, named Noir, was friendly & got in pictures w/the golfers. The fugitive is well known to local police. Officers escorted him home in June when he escaped from his enclosure . . . "  I don't think llamas bite, but they do spit. Go ahead--check it out on YouTube.

Dept. of Exotic Cuisine

In June, Lois & I trekked to Northeast MN, it was a wonderful trip except for the fall I took, for which I am still enduring physical therapy. But I digress . . . We bought ourselves a can of "Canada's Pure Saskatoon Jam." * How do we know that this food is the "real deal?"

• It had a French subtitle on the label: "Confiture de Saskatoon."
• The #1 ingredient was Saskatoon berries.
• If you Google "Saskatoon berry," you will encounter a plethora of web sites that will provide you with--among other things--recipes for all manner of exotic, Saskatoon berry cuisine.

We had never heard of such a berry. This jam is delicious, especially on buttered toast. If you're ever in the neighborhood, drop buy & I'll fix you a piece of whole wheat toast, slathered in Saskatoon Jam.

*Note:  We didn't make it into Canada, although we were a mere stone's thrown from our neighbors to the North when we were hiking along one of the river trails we explored.