At the Zoo, Zoo -- 2007

Our grand daughter, Anna, is in her second year as a Zoo Crew kid. These select kids are assigned to work in the petting zoo area. They mostly talk to the zoo-goers, walk goats around on leashes, and generally insure that nobody gets hurt! The last time we visited, Anna was working in the pony ride arena. Sometimes Anna is assigned to the Critter Center where they have some pets (like rabbits), wild animal pelts to feel, plaster casts of animal tracks to observe.

At the Bug House

The Bug House is another hands-on area of this zoo – where they have neat Plexiglas cages that are full of all sorts of things. Our other grandkids, Mary and Frank, are naturals in the Bug House. Mary particularly likes the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, “Aren’t they neat, Grandma?” These kids enjoy their family membership. They know the trails at the zoo backwards and forwards since they live just a short walk or bike ride away.

Who Eats What?

Older Zoo Crew kids are paid to work in the Bug House. They know their insects – but they have learned not to question grandson Frank. He is a voracious animal-book-reader who is particularly interested in animals’ predatory habits. Frank’s favorite insect is the African Millipede. “I bet this would make a good meal for a Meerkat, Poppy.” And this news, just in – Mother and Father Crocodile shared a chipmunk snack today. Lucky, observant Frank!

Berkshire Shareholders' Meeting, 2007

We met a lot of interesting people at the May 2007 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder’s Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. The meeting began with a cocktail party at Borsheim’s jewelry store that seemed more like a giant tailgate party. We made a lot of “new best friends” while we waited in line for food and beverages. Some people actually shopped.

Jon and Jules With Credentials

We arrived early on Saturday, the big meeting day – so we would be sure to get seats on the floor. Rain or shine – the company movie would begin at 8:30 AM in the Qwest Center. Following that, all 27,000 of us engaged in 5 hours of uncensored Q & A with Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. There was good humor throughout the day-long exchange of wisdom and candor. We heard from two Mr. Buffets that morning; singer Jimmy Buffet claimed he was heir-apparent.

Warren and Charlie with JT

Jon saved his questions for later during a perusal of the meeting vendors. There we could mingle with the Fruit of the Loom quartet, shake hands with an Acme brick, try on Justin boots, buy a Dairy Queen Dilly Bar, have your picture taken with the GEICO gecko, and browse the See’s Candy displays. All invited vendors are companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

Dinner at Gorat's

We will never know if these are the finest steaks in the world. On this weekend, though we had made dinner reservations far in advance, the management was simply not able to handle the pouring rain and the popularity of this favorite Buffet hangout. Everybody wanted to eat at Gorat’s -- and it seemed everybody had a reservation!