One Last Look

Here are a few photos from our tour that I just like.










This was a sign that was posted outside of the elevator. It is just a fancy way of saying the lightbulb is burnt out. Why must they make things so complicated?







An engineer and her nuclear plant. It is a good thing.

Don't Touch That!

We have had a snack and have collected all of our safety gear. We are wearing closed toed shoes, hardhats, eye protection and now we have our ear protection. We are now going to enter the plant and ear protection is a must. Maybe we should have paid closer attention to this sign just outside the plant doors. Things were going to get difficult for Sarah. If she had only known.





Some groups had escourts if the employee wasn't comfortable walking around the plant. Sarah was confident in her abilities to lead this bunch of yahoos. She was only allowed to take six people maximum on a tour. We were to stay in the designated walking paths (marked with yellow feet) and we were to stay within six feet of her. Easier said than done. She was constantly waiting for us to catch up and get within our six foot area.

Look at all of the safety gear she has. Hardhat, safety glasses, ear protection, gloves, and steel toed shoes. Of course, they don't make work shoes in her size (4) so she buys Doc Martens which just happen to have steel toes.





We weren't in that plant five minutes when some unnamed person touched one of the pipes, "just to see if it was hot". The look of panic on her face was instant and the words, "Don't touch that!" were immediate. Sheesh. He just wanted to see if it was hot.

But to be fair there was a lot of this going on by this unnamed person.





We were all amazed at what we were seeing.









We did a lot of walking and looking.













All of a sudden another, "Don't touch that!", rang out. It seems someone was touching a valve. Sheesh. It's not like this unnamed person was going to turn it or anything.





Sarah was so patient with this group of yahoos. She patiently explained, in a very loud voice, everything that we were seeing.

















Yes, Sarah was the perfect guide. Knowledgeable with a sense of humor. What a great combination.





Watch out John!! Listen to your guide and mind those signs.





Despite the challenge of leading this group through "her" plant she still had a smile on her face. Nuclear power has that effect on her.





She even had a smile for her unnamed grandpa despite the fact the words, "Don't touch that!" were uttered more than once.





We all appreciate the time Sarah took to take us on this tour. We all learned a lot and have a new repect for the security and safety that this plant maintains. It was loud, it was hot and it was thouroughly fascinating. Thanks, Sarah!

Wow, That Wasn't Easy

As many of you know last weekend many of the family met in St. Joe for a tour of the plant where Sarah works. This was the first time the plant has been opened up for visitors since 9-11 so this was a really big deal. We thought this would be a lot of fun and it was but who knew how stressful it would turn out to be? Poor Sarah. We should have paid closer attention to the sign we saw as we drove into the plant.





As we drove up to the first gate everyone proceeded to get their picture ID's, driver's license, out for the guard. Well, that is all but one. As the guard patiently waited one person who shall not be named fumbled through his wallet looking for that elusive driver's license. John kept saying, "I told him he needed his driver's license but he isn't going to find it because he doesn't like the picture on it." Say what? Does he know he isn't getting in without it? Finally the guard said to Sarah who was driving that it just needed to be an ID with a picture on it. When he heard that he promptly pulled out his picture ID from Dow. As the guard walked away with the ID's to check them against the approved list of visitors our car burst into laughter. Even the security guard was laughing. Who carries around a twenty-year-old ID and uses it?

Wow, that wasn't easy.

Next we checked in again and were issued security badges and hard hats. We also had to attend a short safety meeting. At the conclusion of our lecture on safety this unnamed person declared, "I only heard about one word of what he was saying." The fun has only begun for Sarah.

Wow, that wasn't easy.

We then moved to another building with more security. They don't make it easy to get into this place. First we all had to go through a bomb detector. I was behind this unnamed person and I know I told him the unit would be blowing a burst of air at him when he was standing in it. He must not of heard me because he jumped a mile when the air hit him. Ha. Next the metal detector. That didn't turn out to be easy either. "What do you mean I have to take my boots off?"



Wow, that wasn't easy.

The guard standing to the right on this unnamed person is the same person who checked ID's when we drove in. We told him the driver's license story and not wanting to show his picture on the license. He considered asking him for his driver's license just for fun.

One more check point to check off names of who was actually on site and we were in.

Wow, that wasn't easy.

Our first stop was the brain center of the whole plant. That would be Sarah's cubicle.





We finally learned what her official title is. Thermodynamicist. Who knew?





I don't know what this is all about but I am sure it is important.





I'm not sure what these are (switches?) but she is very proud of them.





She does all of her highlighting in pink. She likes pink and the guys don't. You do what you can to show that girls rule.





Here are a couple of the other yahoos on this little adventure. Poor Sarah what has she gotten herself into with this little plant tour?










Notice the badge on John's shirt. Not only does it hang from a lanyard it also must be clipped to your shirt. It must have two points of attachment. If one breaks the other will still keep the badge attached. Wow, they are serious about safety in this plant.

And of course, how can I forget this person who shall go unnamed?





After inspecting command central we decided to head to the cafeteria to get a little something to eat before we headed into the plant. Look at the view. Who wouldn't want to eat here with a view like that?





Next, the plant tour. She is smiling now but just wait. The fun has only begun.





We have managed to get through security, tour her office and had an hot dog or two. All I can say about that is....

Wow, that wasn't easy.

to be continued.....

I'm Forever Yours

May Madness

I love this time of year. It seems like every time I go outside there is something new to find in the garden.

Here are some of my Lilies of the Valley that I had been mulching last week. I love their fragrance.





This is Dave's favorite in the garden right now.





Do you know what this is?





Here is another more normal view. I think this is the only tulip in the whole yard. Maybe this fall I should put some more in my gardens. They sure are pretty when they are blooming in the springtime.





These primroses are new this year. I found them in my local greenhouse and have been buying them like crazy. At $1.79 per six pack, how could I resist? I am anxious to see how they fare this summer. They like some shade so I hope the spot I have chosen for them works out.





A promise of things to come.

All Rocks Go To Heaven Too

Here is a debate that was played recently in a southern town.





































I wish I could say this debate really happened but chances are it didn't. It was probably created by somebody with a little too much time on their hands. If you look in the background of the pictures you can see that they are exactly the same in all of the photos. No matter, it is still funny.

Though the validity of this debate is in dispute, this quote by Will Rogers is as true as can be, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."