Day Seven

I must say that when I watch one of my clients' events (that I've planned) unfold flawlessly, with good attendance, no problems and flowing smoothly, I sit there observing, first sort of holding my breath and then as the event goes on, feeling proud of what I've put together. The press breakfast this morning was really the best we've ever had for this particular group; it really was well done, if I do say so myself.

Then I had a few meetings, and since I got up at 530, I was fading so decided to leave the field and drove down to this lovely area of town on the lake. The lake is Lake Winnebago which is huge. It even has seagulls which I relate to as salt water birds. Maybe they're not.

Came upon this ugly little beach with people actually in the water. I'm afraid I'm a salt water/ocean snob. This looked like swimming in stagnant water. In the second photo below, those are people.

On Tuesday, someone had given me an "edible bouquet" as a thank you present. I had tried to give it to one of my clients to have in their tent, but it got left behind, and I just put it in the back seat of my car -- no way to keep it cold or fresh.

Two days later, this thing was getting ripe -- in more ways than one -- so today when I saw these seagulls, a lightbulb went off. Yes, folks,  nothing goes to waste. Seagulls do love fruit -- especially overly ripe cantalouppe for some reason. Strawberries, not so much. They are squawking nasty birds in some way, but I'm glad that the fruit was enjoyed.



Next discovery: The Carl Schurz monument. This is a coincidence because the park three blocks from me which runs along the East River is named after him. The base of the monument calls him "the country's greatest German American." (BTW, the "sticks" in the background are masts from sailboats on the lake.)

Here's a bit of his Wikipedia entry, including being the inventor of "My country right or wrong" which I had no idea had been bastardized to mean something totally different from what Carl meant.

Carl Schurz (March 2, 1829 – May 14, 1906) was a German revolutionary, American statesman and reformer, and Union Army General in the American Civil War. He was also an accomplished journalist, newspaper editor and orator, who in 1869 became the first German-born American elected to the United States Senate.

His wife, Margarethe Schurz, was instrumental in establishing the kindergarten system in the United States. During his later years, Schurz was perhaps the most prominent independent in American politics, noted for his high principles, his avoidance of political partisanship, and his moral conscience.

He is famous for saying: "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right." Many streets, schools, and parks are named in honor of him, including New York City's Carl Schurz Park.

This is an old neighborhood with old trees, old houses, beautiful little gardens and this one that's for sale. I wonder what the price is and if I'd be happy in Oshkosh. I love Victorian era homes and screened in porches like this one.

And, finally, this is downtown Oshkosh -- Main Street.