Happy Birthday Theodor Geisel

A well-read The Cat in the Hat Dictionary.

In the early 70s I was a graduate student in botany at NC State University taking my written examination for my PhD degree.  Dr. James Hardin had given me an extensive list of questions, one of which involved identifying a number of individuals who were supposedly significant to the field of botany.  I sailed through these except for one, Theodor Geisel.  I racked my brain and finally just had to leave it blank.  When I turned in my exam, I asked Dr. Hardin*, "Who is Theodor Geisel?"  He laughed heartily and replied, "Dr. Seuss."

He knew of course that I had young children, and he supposed, correctly, that I had read many of the Dr. Seuss books with them. But in the context of my written examination, Dr. Seuss was the last person in my mind. So I was trying to figure out who this "botanist" Theodor Geisel was.

Michael, almost two, gets his first Dr. Seuss book, Christmas 1964. (Still from home movie).

The first Dr. Seuss book that came into our house was at Christmas 1964 when son Michael got The Cat In The Hat Dictionary from Santa. The book had just been published that year.  But there were many Seuss books for Michael and Patrick during their childhood.


One of my favorite lines from a Dr. Seuss book is:
" You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself any direction you choose."  from Oh the Places You Will Go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THEODOR GEISEL! (Today would have been his 109th birthday.)

* Today's post is dedicated to Dr. James Hardin.  I like his sense of humor.

I posted this last year, but because it is one of my favorite posts, I have posted it again this year.  

NC State Hunt Library on Centennial Campus

Photo from the Hunt Library website.

Friend Marcia and I ventured over to the NC State University Centennial Campus in the rain today to see the new James B. Hunt, Jr. Library which recently opened.  It is a gorgeous building---very modernistic.  It makes me want to be a student at State again.  When I was there, the Centennial Campus was not even planned I believe.  Although, I think, the Botany Department is probably still on the old campus.

The Library is named for former Governor Jim Hunt who served the state for four terms and was a great governor.

Governor Hunt. (Photo from the Wilson Times.)

Photo from the Hunt Library website.

Photo from the Hunt Library website.

Photo from the Hunt Library Website.

The lead designer for the Library was the Norwegian and New York firm Snøhetta and one can certainly see the Scandinavian influence inside and out.

Marcia at the bottom of the "yellow brick road". All the stairs are painted yellow.

Marcia relaxing in an egg chair.

Me in egg chair having fun. (Photo by Marcia.)

After visiting the Library we headed over to WhichWich for a sandwich of our choice.  This was Marcia'a first time at WhichWich.  This is the place where you can design your own sandwich.  I had an egg salad with pesto, and Marcia had a pork barbecue.  Both were delish.

You fill out your choice on the bag provided.

Indicate your choices of sauces, veggies, etc. and put your name on it before you place your order..

Your sandwich is then delivered to you in the bag that you turned in specifying Which Wich you wanted.

  We had a great time gadding about today.

National Chocolate Milkshake Day

National Chocolate Milkshake Day

On Facebook yesterday, I received a post from NC State University Ice Cream saying that it was National Chocolate Milk Shake Day, so why not come on over to the Creamery on Campus.  The only time we've enjoyed the ice cream made by the students in the Food Science Department over at State has been at the State Fair where there are always long lines to get a taste of their ice cream.  I knew they had opened an ice cream store on campus but hadn't been over, so yesterday was my chance.

The Creamery in the D. H. Hill Library at NC State University.

After dinner I suggested to Dan that we drive over to campus, about two miles from us, and have a chocolate milk shake at the Creamery.  Walking through campus, I noticed how much it had changed since I was a grad student there (1969-1972). 

The Brick Yard.

The Creamery is in the west wing of the D. H. Hill Library, so we had to make our way through the Library and over to the store.  There is a window outside from which one can order, but we wanted to meander through campus.

The Library.

Inside the D. H. Hill Library.

Place your order here.

As we enjoyed our milk shake, at a table next to us a group of students with their computers were studying organic chemistry.  I thought how different it was in the late 60s---no computer for studying chemistry and no Creamery on campus. 

Students studying organic chemistry.

Ah well.  The milk shake was good.

A really good chocolate milkshake.

The Group of Seven---teen; Trip to Italy

It was a compatible and fun group that made the Portrait of Italy trip recently, sponsored by the NC State University Alumni Association and operated by Odysseys Unlimited. We enjoyed the trip immensely.

Gray & Susan, the young ones on the trip.

Becky & Paula in water taxi, Venice.

Aubrey & Susan at Pompeii.

Jim & Barbara

Pat & Mary at Opera.

Dan & Betty

Shelley & Jesse

Patsy with tour guide at Pompeii.

Barry

Minne, the NC State Representative on trip.

And Dania, the Odyssey tour director, made eighteen.  Shown here with Dan.