Welcome to my photo gallery displaying images of prairie fauna, road trips, selfies, family, friends, and my beloved Aussie, Avy.
Thank you for visiting. I’m glad you are here.
Photos from my Instagram feed
So excited. A return to Football Mecca—Stadiums of all stadiums. Lambeau Field. The weather is perfect. A consistent drizzle and 49 degrees. Go Packs Go!
Nov 3
So excited. A return to Football Mecca—Stadiums of all stadiums. Lambeau Field. The weather is perfect. A consistent drizzle and 49 degrees. Go Packs Go!
Spending the day hanging out and walking about I Love Wigtown. It’s a bit soggy with the rain that’s set in, but I arrived prepared for it with my waterproof boots and rain gear I purchased in Iceland two weeks ago.
Wigtown—Scotland`s National Book Town—is home to seventeen bookshops and book-related businesses. Open all year round, they offer a haven for readers and writers, and the ten-day Wigtown Book Festival scheduled this year from 27 September to 6 October.
This afternoon I’ve been making my home-away-from home in a comfy red-leather chair and drinking two pots of tea with milk, and at least one cinnamon apple scone with the most divine clotted cream and black currant jam. It’s summer in Scotland and the soggy weather is perfect for me. The locals tell me they’re over it. But they also told me that they’re always talking about the weather.
Jul 9
Spending the day hanging out and walking about I Love Wigtown. It’s a bit soggy with the rain that’s set in, but I arrived prepared for it with my waterproof boots and rain gear I purchased in Iceland two weeks ago.
Wigtown—Scotland`s National Book Town—is home to seventeen bookshops and book-related businesses. Open all year round, they offer a haven for readers and writers, and the ten-day Wigtown Book Festival scheduled this year from 27 September to 6 October.
This afternoon I’ve been making my home-away-from home in a comfy red-leather chair and drinking two pots of tea with milk, and at least one cinnamon apple scone with the most divine clotted cream and black currant jam. It’s summer in Scotland and the soggy weather is perfect for me. The locals tell me they’re over it. But they also told me that they’re always talking about the weather.
Starstruck to meet a fellow author generous of her time, this morning I met Kathleen Hart, bestselling author of Devorgilla Days. Our McCracken ancestry tour has us based for six days in Wigtown, Scotland. Wigtown Booktown, holds the reigning title, Scotland’s National Booktown. Hosts an annual literary festival in September.
Our tour guide, Mark, arranged a meeting with Kathleen for me. Skeptical it would happen, I left my copy of her book at home. It was a hardback and heavy, so I wagered I’d be able to purchase at least one copy at one of the many bookstores. I make it a habit to purchase books at small town booksellers to support local economies. Typically my souvenirs. Thankfully, The Bookshop opened at 9 am and I snagged the owner’s (Shaun Bythell, author of “A Diary of a Bookseller) last two copies before our 9:30 meeting.
Kathleen signed four copies total, had a lovely chat with us/me about writing and her next books before dashing off. Exchanging emails, maybe I’ve made a new author friend. At least a coffee before our departure next week.
Jul 6
Starstruck to meet a fellow author generous of her time, this morning I met Kathleen Hart, bestselling author of Devorgilla Days. Our McCracken ancestry tour has us based for six days in Wigtown, Scotland. Wigtown Booktown, holds the reigning title, Scotland’s National Booktown. Hosts an annual literary festival in September.
Our tour guide, Mark, arranged a meeting with Kathleen for me. Skeptical it would happen, I left my copy of her book at home. It was a hardback and heavy, so I wagered I’d be able to purchase at least one copy at one of the many bookstores. I make it a habit to purchase books at small town booksellers to support local economies. Typically my souvenirs. Thankfully, The Bookshop opened at 9 am and I snagged the owner’s (Shaun Bythell, author of “A Diary of a Bookseller) last two copies before our 9:30 meeting.
Kathleen signed four copies total, had a lovely chat with us/me about writing and her next books before dashing off. Exchanging emails, maybe I’ve made a new author friend. At least a coffee before our departure next week.
Exeter, UK 🇬🇧
The Ed McCracken and Kathi McCracken Dente family finds itself in the UK for Ed’s “0” birthday adventure. Past “0” birthday adventures have included hiking up Kilimanjaro and RAGBRAI — the annual ride across Iowa. This time we’re in the UK searching here and there for ancestry-Coffins (Devon, England area) and McCrackens in south-western Scotland and Belfast.
Yesterday we drove to Devon hoping to gain access to the Portledge Manor where Coffins once lived until 1642. Assumed reasons for departure is the English Civil War. Today Portledge Manor is owned by the estate of Michael Cannon, a brewer Brit who years ago crossed the Pond to purchase Fuddruckers. Cannon passed a year ago, which we learned asking Mr. Google. Our driver called the posted number to negotiate entrance to the manor not visible behind the wooden gate sporting cameras.
“Hello! I have ancestors of the Coffins here with me. Might they have a look at the manor?”
“Oh,” said a proper English female voice. “We get these Coffin requests weekly. No, we offer no access.” Maybe she said sorry.
After a family photo, we drive up a narrow windy road to Alwington where the is a small manor village and church. The graveyard is chuck full of Coffins, and the first Coffin, Sir Richard Coffin is listed on a plaque as the first patron of the parish. Poor Ed! Since I’ve known him, he has prided himself on being of peasant stock. A “Sir” banishes this thought/belief, and makes me chuckle as a self-proclaimed Royalist.
Jul 3
Exeter, UK 🇬🇧
The Ed McCracken and Kathi McCracken Dente family finds itself in the UK for Ed’s “0” birthday adventure. Past “0” birthday adventures have included hiking up Kilimanjaro and RAGBRAI — the annual ride across Iowa. This time we’re in the UK searching here and there for ancestry-Coffins (Devon, England area) and McCrackens in south-western Scotland and Belfast.
Yesterday we drove to Devon hoping to gain access to the Portledge Manor where Coffins once lived until 1642. Assumed reasons for departure is the English Civil War. Today Portledge Manor is owned by the estate of Michael Cannon, a brewer Brit who years ago crossed the Pond to purchase Fuddruckers. Cannon passed a year ago, which we learned asking Mr. Google. Our driver called the posted number to negotiate entrance to the manor not visible behind the wooden gate sporting cameras.
“Hello! I have ancestors of the Coffins here with me. Might they have a look at the manor?”
“Oh,” said a proper English female voice. “We get these Coffin requests weekly. No, we offer no access.” Maybe she said sorry.
After a family photo, we drive up a narrow windy road to Alwington where the is a small manor village and church. The graveyard is chuck full of Coffins, and the first Coffin, Sir Richard Coffin is listed on a plaque as the first patron of the parish. Poor Ed! Since I’ve known him, he has prided himself on being of peasant stock. A “Sir” banishes this thought/belief, and makes me chuckle as a self-proclaimed Royalist.
Day Five Installment 1 of Iceland Tour—Pagans to Christians
According to Icelandic lore, the people of Iceland converted from paganism to Christianity in one day “after” one man in the upper echelons went to bed and ruminated for three days as to whether Icelanders should give up paganism for Christianity.
Like a light switch spilling light over a room, Christianity rose to the top. Everyone agreed to follow suit, and left paganism in the rear view mirror. That is not to say that Icelanders are believers. If asked if they believe in God, according to our tour guide, most Icelanders will hem-haw. Most Icelanders are not church-goers.
In giving up paganism, the man who went to bed offered up three things for his countrywomen/men:
1. They could still eat horse meat
2. They could still put sick babies outside for gods to determine their fate
3. And the best one of all—they were still allowed to swear. How refreshing to know I wouldn’t have been defriended for swearing
The falls pictured are supposedly where “Went-to-bed-for-three-days Man” tossed his pagan house pillars over the falls after his light-bulb decision.
Jun 18
Day Five Installment 1 of Iceland Tour—Pagans to Christians
According to Icelandic lore, the people of Iceland converted from paganism to Christianity in one day “after” one man in the upper echelons went to bed and ruminated for three days as to whether Icelanders should give up paganism for Christianity.
Like a light switch spilling light over a room, Christianity rose to the top. Everyone agreed to follow suit, and left paganism in the rear view mirror. That is not to say that Icelanders are believers. If asked if they believe in God, according to our tour guide, most Icelanders will hem-haw. Most Icelanders are not church-goers.
In giving up paganism, the man who went to bed offered up three things for his countrywomen/men:
1. They could still eat horse meat
2. They could still put sick babies outside for gods to determine their fate
3. And the best one of all—they were still allowed to swear. How refreshing to know I wouldn’t have been defriended for swearing
The falls pictured are supposedly where “Went-to-bed-for-three-days Man” tossed his pagan house pillars over the falls after his light-bulb decision.
Tour Day 2–#1 best activity
Puffin Boat Tour
Sorry for not adding the names of towns while here, but they’re dreadfully hard to remember, or write down.
Our boat tour to puffin island cruised the North Atlantic ~30 km from the Arctic Circe Ocean. While chilly, it wasn’t cold in our jumpsuits, which supposedly if we jumped overboard would buoy us up. “Don’t hit the man over board in the head with the life ring. It’s been 29 years since someone needed to be rescued,” our Polish boat guide informed us.
According to our cruise guide, theIceland puffin population is ~100,000 (if memory serves). I do remember that there’s been a 70% decline in puffins worldwide, probably due to climate change. People eat puffins, and our Oddessey tour guide says mostly for “special occasions.” Faces too cute, I can’t phantom. Puffins hatch one baby per year. They migrate south and live on water. Baby puffins don’t mate till for a couple years returning to where they’re born till ~4 to “figure things out.” Then they mate for life, hooking back up after migration back where they roost if they’ve been separated. If their mate appears “lost, gone missing,” they’ll choose another mate, but if their mate turns up at their roosting spot, they’ll leave the new mate for the old. They can hold ~70 fishes in their beak.
Hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls were served as a snack.
Jun 16
Tour Day 2–#1 best activity
Puffin Boat Tour
Sorry for not adding the names of towns while here, but they’re dreadfully hard to remember, or write down.
Our boat tour to puffin island cruised the North Atlantic ~30 km from the Arctic Circe Ocean. While chilly, it wasn’t cold in our jumpsuits, which supposedly if we jumped overboard would buoy us up. “Don’t hit the man over board in the head with the life ring. It’s been 29 years since someone needed to be rescued,” our Polish boat guide informed us.
According to our cruise guide, theIceland puffin population is ~100,000 (if memory serves). I do remember that there’s been a 70% decline in puffins worldwide, probably due to climate change. People eat puffins, and our Oddessey tour guide says mostly for “special occasions.” Faces too cute, I can’t phantom. Puffins hatch one baby per year. They migrate south and live on water. Baby puffins don’t mate till for a couple years returning to where they’re born till ~4 to “figure things out.” Then they mate for life, hooking back up after migration back where they roost if they’ve been separated. If their mate appears “lost, gone missing,” they’ll choose another mate, but if their mate turns up at their roosting spot, they’ll leave the new mate for the old. They can hold ~70 fishes in their beak.
Hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls were served as a snack.
Day 1 of Iceland Travels—southern-most-of-island tour. Waterfalls and a black sand beach with a current that if you fall in, which someone recently did because they didn’t heed their tour guide’s warning—stay away from the waves—next stop Antarctica. The few towns we drove thru have impossible names to remember.
Jun 15
Day 1 of Iceland Travels—southern-most-of-island tour. Waterfalls and a black sand beach with a current that if you fall in, which someone recently did because they didn’t heed their tour guide’s warning—stay away from the waves—next stop Antarctica. The few towns we drove thru have impossible names to remember.
No one will ever call me a science geek, but I sure do love Science Friday and its host, Ira Flatow. When I heard Charity Nebbe interview him on Talk of Iowa on Monday, Ira knowingly dated himself when he mentioned he knew how to use slide rules. Knowing I was meeting him tonight, I rifled through my dad’s stuff and pulled out his two slide rules—a Post and a 1939 slide-rule-in-the round (my fancy term for round slide rule), and brought them with me. Ira was tickled pink. Well maybe not pink, but he sure chuckled and asked to see them. Took me two hours, but I finally got up the nerve to ask for a photo. Can’t wait to see Science Friday recording at Stephen’s Auditorium in Ames, Iowa tomorrow night. Each year the program chooses four locations to record, and Iowa State University is thrilled to be one of the locations.
#ScienceFriday #iowastateuniversity #anahaysmccracken
May 4
No one will ever call me a science geek, but I sure do love Science Friday and its host, Ira Flatow. When I heard Charity Nebbe interview him on Talk of Iowa on Monday, Ira knowingly dated himself when he mentioned he knew how to use slide rules. Knowing I was meeting him tonight, I rifled through my dad’s stuff and pulled out his two slide rules—a Post and a 1939 slide-rule-in-the round (my fancy term for round slide rule), and brought them with me. Ira was tickled pink. Well maybe not pink, but he sure chuckled and asked to see them. Took me two hours, but I finally got up the nerve to ask for a photo. Can’t wait to see Science Friday recording at Stephen’s Auditorium in Ames, Iowa tomorrow night. Each year the program chooses four locations to record, and Iowa State University is thrilled to be one of the locations.
#ScienceFriday #iowastateuniversity #anahaysmccracken
Bragging in Iowa isn’t fashionable. But tonight I gotta brag. Ed and I have scholarships in the Fashion Merchdising, Apparel and Design Department at Iowa State. Tonight our scholarship student, Paulina Hernandez won Best in Show for her senior collection at The Fashion Show—the largest student run fashion show in the country. We are so proud and thrilled for Paulina. Congratulations! Your pieces are beyond amazing and stunning, and so much more.
#Paulinahernadez #TheFashionShow #iowastateuniversity
Apr 21
Bragging in Iowa isn’t fashionable. But tonight I gotta brag. Ed and I have scholarships in the Fashion Merchdising, Apparel and Design Department at Iowa State. Tonight our scholarship student, Paulina Hernandez won Best in Show for her senior collection at The Fashion Show—the largest student run fashion show in the country. We are so proud and thrilled for Paulina. Congratulations! Your pieces are beyond amazing and stunning, and so much more.
#Paulinahernadez #TheFashionShow #iowastateuniversity
In the path of eclipse totality 2024. Cape Girardeau, MO. Thank you Baumstark’s for the invitation to join another eclipse family reunion. Feeling lucky to see two from this fabulous spot.
Apr 8
In the path of eclipse totality 2024. Cape Girardeau, MO. Thank you Baumstark’s for the invitation to join another eclipse family reunion. Feeling lucky to see two from this fabulous spot.
Sunday Post 1:
Our day began with a bus ride to the Cojinar, the local fishing village that inspired Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea. We didn’t see that part of Conjimar. We did see a community herb garden, before a cooking and mojito lesson and a local restaurant. Next post. What fascinated me, were the upside down bottles used for irrigation. During the day, the sun creates condensation and at night the condensation drains.
Mar 18
Sunday Post 1:
Our day began with a bus ride to the Cojinar, the local fishing village that inspired Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea. We didn’t see that part of Conjimar. We did see a community herb garden, before a cooking and mojito lesson and a local restaurant. Next post. What fascinated me, were the upside down bottles used for irrigation. During the day, the sun creates condensation and at night the condensation drains.
Today our walking tour of Old Havana included a lot of walking with some stops to glance at the oldest bookstore in Havana, Clandestina, a small trendy T-shirt and high-end souvenir shop that is allowed to sell outside of Cuba, salsa lessons, and before that my favorite stop at the photography gallery of Raúl Corrales.
Corrales “specialized in going to the remote parts of Cuba to photograph the everyday lives of poor peasants and workers. During a police raid in the late 1950s, almost all of Corrales photographic work was destroyed.
“After the Revolution of 1959 against the Batista Government, Raúl Corrales joined the Communist Party of Cuba. He was one of Fidel Castro`s official photographers for many years. Corrales worked for almost three decades in the Office of Historical Affairs, helping to preserve and organize the Castro government`s documentary and photographic legacy.” (Wikipedia)
As luck would have it, Corralles’ eldest son, Raúl Corrales, Jr. was in the gallery and regaled our group with stories about his father, who became Castro’s official photographer by being bold. A short man, Corrales ducked under the taller photographers to get close to Castro, and noticed by Castro was given audience. Corrales’ photo titled, La pesidilla is considered among the one hundred best images in the history of photography. He was also well acquainted with Ernest Hemingway.
Standing in the gallery considering lives and a time I can only imagine, I was reminded of images captured by photographers such as Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Arthur Rothstein.
And, as a writer, I took the opportunity to purchase a small book, Raúl Corrales, Jr. to sign it. Can anyone translate his inscription?
Mar 17
Today our walking tour of Old Havana included a lot of walking with some stops to glance at the oldest bookstore in Havana, Clandestina, a small trendy T-shirt and high-end souvenir shop that is allowed to sell outside of Cuba, salsa lessons, and before that my favorite stop at the photography gallery of Raúl Corrales.
Corrales “specialized in going to the remote parts of Cuba to photograph the everyday lives of poor peasants and workers. During a police raid in the late 1950s, almost all of Corrales photographic work was destroyed.
“After the Revolution of 1959 against the Batista Government, Raúl Corrales joined the Communist Party of Cuba. He was one of Fidel Castro`s official photographers for many years. Corrales worked for almost three decades in the Office of Historical Affairs, helping to preserve and organize the Castro government`s documentary and photographic legacy.” (Wikipedia)
As luck would have it, Corralles’ eldest son, Raúl Corrales, Jr. was in the gallery and regaled our group with stories about his father, who became Castro’s official photographer by being bold. A short man, Corrales ducked under the taller photographers to get close to Castro, and noticed by Castro was given audience. Corrales’ photo titled, La pesidilla is considered among the one hundred best images in the history of photography. He was also well acquainted with Ernest Hemingway.
Standing in the gallery considering lives and a time I can only imagine, I was reminded of images captured by photographers such as Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Arthur Rothstein.
And, as a writer, I took the opportunity to purchase a small book, Raúl Corrales, Jr. to sign it. Can anyone translate his inscription?
Cuban cats & puppies.
Miami South Beach highlights. The weather was the perfect temp. Glad I don’t live here in the summer.
And, can anyone explain the need to wear black Lycra / leggings in heat and humidity? 😳 Fashion? Ummm… think not. I decided not to post the unflattering photos. 😂
Mar 15
Miami South Beach highlights. The weather was the perfect temp. Glad I don’t live here in the summer.
And, can anyone explain the need to wear black Lycra / leggings in heat and humidity? 😳 Fashion? Ummm… think not. I decided not to post the unflattering photos. 😂
Last day in San Miguel Allende. Having a leisurely lunch and, of course, a freewrite at the cafe at the Bíblico Pública, and then off to shop.
Feb 23
Last day in San Miguel Allende. Having a leisurely lunch and, of course, a freewrite at the cafe at the Bíblico Pública, and then off to shop.
Happy birthday to me! I’m eleven today and my mommy can’t believe it,
Last night, Julie Gammack hosted a fabulous gathering of writers from the Iowa Writers` Collaborative to thank paid Substack subscribers. The sparkling event was held at the Witmer House, the former governor`s mansion in Des Moines. We mingled with the writers and Julie Gammack, also founder of the Okoboji Writers Conference, encouraged us to take selfies, so I did.
If you haven`t yet joined the substack for Iowa Writers` Collaborative, I highly recommend it. Such talented writers across Iowa writing on a wide variety of topics! Check them out and please support them. https://iowawriters.substack.com.
#iowawriterscollaborative #ameswriterscollective #bethhoffman #chuckoffenburger #juliegammack #anahaysmccracken
Dec 8
Last night, Julie Gammack hosted a fabulous gathering of writers from the Iowa Writers` Collaborative to thank paid Substack subscribers. The sparkling event was held at the Witmer House, the former governor`s mansion in Des Moines. We mingled with the writers and Julie Gammack, also founder of the Okoboji Writers Conference, encouraged us to take selfies, so I did.
If you haven`t yet joined the substack for Iowa Writers` Collaborative, I highly recommend it. Such talented writers across Iowa writing on a wide variety of topics! Check them out and please support them. https://iowawriters.substack.com.
#iowawriterscollaborative #ameswriterscollective #bethhoffman #chuckoffenburger #juliegammack #anahaysmccracken
Why this girl loves the cold. Her DNA’s from the North Country.
Happy belated 10th wedding anniversary celebration, Ed McCracken. Thirteen years of life and travel: (Italy, Shanghai, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bratislava, Austria, New Zealand, Australia). Four moves: (San Francisco to Menlo Park to San Francisco to Ames, Iowa). Countless Iowa State Cyclone basketball and football wins and losses. An MFA degree. A rambunctious sassy Australian shepherd named Avy.
To celebrate, we dined at The Webster in Iowa City—a restaurant the New York Times called ‘compelling.’ Thank you, Ed for a life together that is sweeter because you are in it.
Nov 8
Happy belated 10th wedding anniversary celebration, Ed McCracken. Thirteen years of life and travel: (Italy, Shanghai, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bratislava, Austria, New Zealand, Australia). Four moves: (San Francisco to Menlo Park to San Francisco to Ames, Iowa). Countless Iowa State Cyclone basketball and football wins and losses. An MFA degree. A rambunctious sassy Australian shepherd named Avy.
To celebrate, we dined at The Webster in Iowa City—a restaurant the New York Times called ‘compelling.’ Thank you, Ed for a life together that is sweeter because you are in it.
