The kid's first corpse

Galen & Liam got to see their first corpse today. OK, not a dead body corpse. But a a corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanum. Gustavus Adolphus College, a Minnesota liberal arts college in St. Peter has one in full bloom. And his name is Perry.

Turning off of MN 169 presented a nice tree-lined approach of the campus.


We followed the signs, parked and climbed up to the greenhouse that housed Perry. We could see him through the window with no ill odors. Galen was apprehensive as we waited our turn. As the door was opened to let those before us in, and those complete out, he remarked that it smelled like "poop." The docent was amused.

Upon our turn, we entered and both kids promptly shared that it was "stinky." Galen was immediately ready to leave, demanding to do so as he held his nose. "OK, after I get your picture" I stated. Galen wanted nothing to do with this, but I held my ground. I was quickly rewared with one quick shot.


Watching the kids, in unison, hold noses was worth the drive. Finally smelling the imaginary rotten flesh was an experience not to be soon forgotten. Perry is from a world far away, native to Sumatra, Indonesia. As one might imagine this is a humid, hot local, and the greenhouse environment was set to match it. We waded into a figurative jungle with a figurative dead body, The smell, clamminess and heat all transpired to make it an uncomfortable place. And once I got my experience (and photo) I was ready to go.

And on the way hone we stopped at the Lion's Tap for lunch. Putrid flesh was forgotten as we munched on dead cow.

Those dashing young men in their flying machines

We (the kids & I) went to the Eden Prairie AirExpo this past Saturday. There was a B17, B25, A10, Avenger and more. Liam laughed when he saw the bi-planes. They looked "funny."

Galen's highlight (other than mini-doughnuts) was going through the B17. He thought it was like a metal cave. Getting Liam through was a bit sketchy. Those planes weren't designed with guiding a 3-year old in mind. He would have made a hell of a bomb if I had dropped him out the bay doors.

Liam's highlight had to of been sitting in a helicopter. So many buttons, so far away.