Today

I love falling back in love with my City. It doesn't happen often. This place is an easy thing to neglect during the weekday or even weekend. Between late hours at the office, a grocery store run to sustain yourself until the next day, and that quick drink with a friend to feel socially viable is typical. During the week it seems life exists but only in motion. Weekends are more colorful but still someone to meet some place to be. So when that one fine day comes with nobody to answer to and no place to be I find myself whimsically lost.

Today started off with Saturday AM Yoga class. This YMCA is special. It makes me feel like I'm part of a community in this upscale real-estate spectacle I call home.  The building is like your favorite pair of jeans. Worn in places that shouldn't, but dependable and always feel good to put on your body. The people are even better. Eclectic group rivaling the united nations for diversity. They are kind and appreciative.

Tess

Drew is my yoga instructor, Troy too. But I usually make Drew's class. He's kind and challenging and welcoming. After a good AM yoga stretch I peddled my vintage Schwin Varsity (my friend helped me name my bicycle Tess) to the farmers market. Fortunately I'm able to go frequently enough to know where my favorite spots are. Pineapple skewer, then lettuce and herbs from the Asian ladies. Today one Asian gal gave me two free tomaotes. She was wearing a purple jeweled shirt. Very fancy for having to be anywhere at 5:30 AM. I told her I liked her shirt and she smiled as wide as the potato on the table. It absolutely made my morning and reminded me to pay attention to detail. Overlook the hustle and bustle into the heartbeat of the people running it. Paying someone a compliment is the best medicine to make any dark day brighter. After the farmers market Tess and I headed down to Grey's Lake. I approached the rental station. For two summers I've been wanting to try to kayak. Today was the day. The last time I had that much fun with $5 was probably the age of seven purchasing slap wrist bracelets. I kayaked around the lake which is equal to a large pond -- but who cares it was terrific. The favorite part was finding the ducks on the south side of the lake. It was the calmest part and consequently the most beautiful. After this I made myself a delicious lunch incorporating my farmers market dill and chives into farm fresh eggs.

The remainder of the day was lazy, a stroll through the western gateway park and a trip to the grocery store in effort to cook up some delicious foods to match my fresh herbs.

Des Moines yet again I’m reminded why you’re my home. Love to your bricks and people.

Good Quote #2. Sometimes the thing ...

"Sometimes the thing you most want doesn't happen. Sometimes the thing you never expect to happen does."

"You meet thousands of people and none of them really touch you. Then you meet one person and your life is changed forever."

-- Love & Other Drugs.

Fear mediocrity over failure

Good Quote #1. Fear mediocrity over failure

Sometimes I like to think of advice I want to give my four year old niece when she grows up. She's fearless it appears. I hope she keeps a fiery tenacity in her belly. She's pictured above, with her Barbie jeep. Earlier that day I caught her in the cattle lot scavenging to find Martha. Anna named Martha, whom is a boy cat. If she knew this and continued with the name Martha perhaps we have a new Johnny Cash on our hands. Its a long road kid, stay fearless, hungry and foolish.

Fashionably Tartan

New terms: Tartan, Pants

Traditional Scot threads

Before coming here I thought wearing the Scottish kilt was something of folklore. Like a unicorn or Humpty Dumpty. But it’s not uncommon to run across a kilt. Most men here wear trousers the kilt is worn for more formal affairs. Formal stretches from business meetings to birthday parties to weddings. The tartan is the pattern on the kilt. What I didn’t know until I returned was tradition as a "true Scotsman" should be wearing nothing under his kilt. Agh!  I’m quite certain this would have changed my entire trip had I know previous.

Very cool to learn traditional tartan colors are determined by family.  Patterns with individual ‘clans’ and families can be traced back perhaps one or two centuries. 

A sgian dubh (Gaelic: "black knife": a small sheathed knife worn in the top of the right hose). 

 

 I asked a tour guide at the Stirling Castle if I could take a picture of his pants. He replied “No,” but could “take a picture of his trousers!” Apparently pants refer to underpants.

Gentleman I asked to see his underpants.





Top of the Rock

“Love is a verb.”― Clare Booth Luce

 

30th Anniversary Veterans

Ran across this Scot couple on the bus to Gullane Bay. They were headed out to New Berwick to celebrate 30th Annv. over a bottle of wine on the beach. The secret to marriage according to them … Be friends, work hard and never go to bed without working out an argument. Sage advice remains consistent regardless of city, country or continent.

 North Sea coast line  “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake.”

 

Golf Maintenance Shed



East Lothian Coastal hike. Starting point: Gullane Bay. Ending point: Accidental Maintenance Golf Course Shed. The Lothian coastal walk extends from Guallane Bay to North Berwick.



It’s approx. a 6 mi. hike following the coastline. Great sites along the coast. Rolling sea, plush green grass and these terrific orange berries still yet to be identified. Mile three we got a bit off the beaten path – with Claire and I inadvertently arriving on the backside of a golf maintenance shed. This led us to the town of Dirleton. Homemade cakes and two very nice ladies who gave us a lift to North Berwick. 



Lothian Coast





Castle Rock Hostel

Stayed at the Castle Rock Hostel. Friendly folks. Convinced Claire we should stay in a hostel. Mainly to do three things: 1) Catch a glimpse of college days 2) Fuse with drifters across the globe 3) Stay cheap.  Also acknowledging this is the last time it is socially acceptable to stay and still be in the 20 something crowd. I got my fix. A great experience but also remembered a few reasons why I gave up communal living five years ago. 





You can take the girl out of the farm...



The Lovely Daye Tucker

You can take the girl out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl. Claire and I are both farm kids, and naturally wanted to check out the ag scene. We connected with Daye Tucker to arrange a farm tour. Daye is a farmer, community rural leader and embodies true Scottish hospitality.   



Daye and her husband purchased 330 acres of land north of Stirling.  They run sheep, board horses, and farm some arable land.  Land conservation and sustainable  farming philosophy are a large part of Tucker's operation.

Daye mentioned we were going to the “Market”. An image of a bustling vendors and locally produced goods came to mind. So when we rolled in and pens of sheep were in windshield view – I discovered we weren’t talking the same kind of market. No Cafe au Lait or breakfast scone for this gal.  

Sale day at Caledonian Market

   

We visited two markets in Stirling. The Caledonian Marts is a farmer owned cooperative.  In contrast, United Auctions is privately held. This is emblematic of agriculture in Scotland.  Two different camps evaluating what role the private sector ‘supermarkets’ (translation = meat packers / buyers) should have in the industry vs. power back to the farmer.



Hamilton Dairy Operation, hello dairy honeys'

I  love milk. My preferred methods of consumption are the chocolate chip cookie or breakfast cereal. And God bless if Scotland doesn't produce a lot of it. This visit was the Hamilton farm operation. These folks produce 500+ head dairy cattle are and farm approximately 1,700 acres arable ground.  This is considered a larger farm in Scotland.  Tenants typically rent for a minimum of 5 years or not uncommon to rent the land for life. Was very surprised to learn how land rental happens here. Direct descendants (not necessarily land owners) are typically handed down the tenantship from generation to generation. It would be like my dad handing down the ground he rents to me.  Key issues are Milk Prices, GMO’s, and Country of Origin labeling. Seems like milk prices are a struggle no matter where you go. Much like the U.S. retail sector remains dominant. The processors have the power to dictate the price paid to farmers.  Most producers have a contract with one of four milk processors in Scotland.



Kate Edward



Edward farm is located outside of Fintry Village. These entrepreneurs have built an enterprising creamery, cheese and interior design business. The renowned café sits on the farm attracting visitors from near and far. The Edward's slowly built each enterprise building off the dairy business. Kate had the idea to start a creamery.



Enterprising interior decorating business on the farm




Creamery business grew and Kate was able to pursue her ultimate passion for interior designer. This business is a great asset to farm income.  This place was a true inspiration to value add agriculture. People drive people from near and far to enjoy this invitingly rural, rustic, and tastey experience.







 



Hiland cow, George Thorogood style

Get a haircut and get a real job? If George Thorogood could own a breed of cattle, it would be these bovine gems. Highland cattle are a main breed in Scotland. They are defined by their long hair and red color. The long hair is beneficial to keep rain off the cow while shorter hair underneath keeps the breed warm. Also beneficial for a 80's rocker reunion or looking like you're ready to throw down at the drop of a hat.  















“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake.”

Traveled to Scotland in seek of all the good things in life: Whiskey, cashmere and everything in between.

My good friend and fearless leader Claire Masker approached me about a trip a few months ago. I admire her random act of kindness.



Claire and I on the East Lothian Coastal Walk



My fortune in life has been to spend money on experiences and not things. Experiences with friends remain with you wherever you go.

Claire was sent to the U.K. for work, sort of. We had two days to tour the country side then it was the 2010 International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership (IAPAL) conference.

This IAPAL conference serves as resource and leadership conference for program leaders. Claire heads up the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development Program (I-LEAD). A set number of candidates are selected every two years. Candidates are typically a mix of farmers and agribusiness.  The end result of these Ag Leadership programs is enhanced leadership ability, understand more about organizations, policy and coalitions ultimately broadened international rural prospective.