this is cool

If I didn't have four trips booked in the next few months....

...I would figure out a way to respond to this call for help from the LMHS:

Laguna Madre Humane Society needs help
I am writing on behalf of the Laguna Madre Humane Society's animals. Due to Dolly the numbers at the shelter have soared and very few people are adopting right now.

Off-site adoptions are done throughout the valley but even that is not getting us the number of homes that we need right now. Our intake last month was three times that of our adoptions. We are pretty much out of room as of today. The board members and volunteers are working on getting the animals to foster homes, rescues, and out-state adoptions. If you could find it in your heart to foster a cat or dog for a couple of weeks we would appreciate it.

All the shelter animals have been vetted, are up to date on shots and neutered or spayed. Food and medical care will be provided for fostered animals.

If you are interested in helping an animal out please feel free to contact myself Jacky Conrad 772-1974 or Rory at the shelter at943-3888 or his cell phone which is 433-6366. Please note the shelter employees are busy with the animals and the phone may go to voice mail.

Please pass this message onto all your friends. Jerry if you have some extra time, I'd love for you to get the message out through your websites.

Thanks to all who help the shelter.
Jacky Conrad

LMHS Board Member

Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project

172 unlitterers participated!

Teaming up with my favorite guy

Last week I went up north to work on a two-day sculpture project in Petoskey, MI in conjuncion with their Festival on the Bay. The twin mountains of sand they provided were huge and daunting, but Dad Feet and I - with some help from my nephew Emerson - managed to get it done on time and under budget.

Reminding me all over again how lucky I am in the parent department. Happy Birthday, Dad -- you're the best!

(Don "Dad Feets" Wierenga turns 78 years young on Aug. 25 -- send him a birthday greeting!)

music to clean up after a hurricane to

Written and performed by my incredibly talented nephew, Eliot Schreiner.

An evening in Pisticci

Tuesday night was the beach party and it seemed appropriate that I break out my ukulele. The event organizers - a young and enthusiastic group from Pisticci - were as or more appreciative of my limited talents as anyone I have so far encountered. They seem to really enjoy American folk music and I wish I knew more songs they could sing along with. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" and "Lovesick Blues" seem to be the favorites.

Last night we showered at Antonio's house and then dined on pizza and beer at La Lanterna in Pisticci proper. This is the town adjacent to the beach where we are building but it was the first time we had actually gone into the city itself. It is als o very historic and lovely even (or especially) at night. I shot lots of photos and video, some of which is already posted on my flickr stream.

Intrigued by the stories my hosts told but frustrated by the language barriar, I googled Pisticci this morning and found -- almost nothing. A few picures and barely a mention in Wikipedia. How can this be?

Link

one of those weird coincidences

Last night we three sculptors had a wonderful dinner with the event organizers at "Agriturismo Tre Pini" - a farm where you can book your vacation. We arrived after dark so our tour of the grounds was somewhat limited but even at that we could see how lovely the setting, including a small lake. The food - all made from ingredients raised right there - was the best I have eaten since I got here (and before!) The hosts most gracious and the wine flowed. Midway through the plata primo I got a text message form John the housesitter - power had returned to Saturn Street, South Padre Island! We drank a round to celebrate and finally, at a very late hour, headed back to our rooms here in Matera. In one of those ironic twists that seem too weird to be true, the power had gone off in our 5-star hotel as the desk clerk in the candle-lit lobby had stayed up late to explain. I spent the night sweltering in solidarity with my friends back home - the ones who don't have power yet, anyway.