The Prune

POTATO BUDS blossom on a plant. Todd Sharp photo by Todd Sharp As I was pedalling by some lake cottages Sunday, July 5, the smells and the feeling of the breezy ease of a summer morning were comforting and serene.  The smoky bacon, the combination of sweet syrup and oily […]

The Prune: Morning ride brings back memories

TODD SHARP SHOWS off the chili pepper tattoo that he got on his right calf. submitted photo by Todd Sharp I don’t want to be needled about it … I decided to get a tattoo of a chili pepper on my right calf. Sadly enough, I think my calf muscles […]

The Prune: Surviving the needle for a spicy tattoo

During a trip down State Street in Madison the first weekend of June, Todd Sharp noted “It was weirdly apocalyptic with nearly everyone in masks and all the windows boarded, yet a art gallery was being painted with hope.” Todd Sharp photo by Todd Sharp I’ve been working for local businesses […]

The Prune: Wrong way street: It’s time for self-reflection

Surveying piglet pen possibilities circa 1992 are, from left, Todd, Tom and Dana Sharp. submitted photo by Todd Sharp I bargained for a couple piglets with a local farmer. We shared stories over a cup of coffee and a piece of rhubarb pie at Helen’s Kitchen. He would buy little piggies […]

The Prune: Two little piggies from the market put to ...

THE EVER-LOYAL Max, used to sitting beneath the beacon tree as he waits for his 8-year-old master, stands guard next to a maple. submitted photo by Todd Sharp When I was 8, I occasionally would run off to our 18-tree orchard and climb up in the beacon apple tree to hide […]

The Prune: A beacon tree once shown light on Prune’s ...

EVEN WHEN donning bow tie and tails, the Prune wasn’t too formal to forego his signature blue-and-white striped overalls. submitted photo  by Todd Sharp I’ve been riding my bike by a cluster of magnificent trees just south of the Longbranch Saloon and the same question keeps flashing through my head. […]

The Prune: Smokey Bare?

by Todd Sharp Last winter…. It’s -25 degrees, the wind is blowing 23 MPH and the skin freezing wind chill is -49 degrees. Oddly, I find it comforting to be standing at my desk writing about this horribly extreme weather rather than sitting in front of a fireplace staring at […]

The Prune: Severe weather disturbance is a communal event

THE SUN SETS on the do-it-yourselfer Prune and his new, expensive clothesline. submitted photo  by: Todd Sharp There is a beautiful simplicity in performing a repetitive chore with little effort and energy. Initially, the set up can get a little more complicated. My 4th of July was spent pursuing freedom from […]

The Prune: Nothing says holiday like building your own clothesline

THE PRUNE’S FATHER check’s out the ’62 Chevy Nova Station Wagon’s engine, preparing it, perhaps, for the next family outing to the outdoor theater. submitted photo by Todd Sharp Sometimes I have a great notion to set forth on adventure! When there’s an opportunity for adventure, travel and good eats, […]

The Prune: Spontaneity? It’s key to embarking on adventures

THE PRUNE DEMONSTRATES that he is not tire-d despite biking for 75 miles. submitted photo by Todd Sharp Three days before I’m getting ready for the weekend, ready to ride the Green Lake 100. I’ve anticipated that one year this ride will expand well beyond the organizers’ capacity to handle […]

The Prune: Green Lake 100 ride? Taxing, but not overwhelming

A SUNRISE OVER Green Lake brings the promise of a new day and with it, personal renewal. Jeremy Stibb photo by Todd Sharp I’ve been living on Kale, water and powdered amino acid for the past 10 days. Besides a few light-headed spells and seeing the occasional blue dots, I’m […]

The Prune: Summer knocks on the door, promising opportunity

THE PRUNE CHANGES the channel with his remote submitted photo by Todd Sharp How many of you were the human channel changer? The family remote control. I was restless and jumpy, so it was my job to spin the dial to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Flip Wilson,” “60 Minutes,” […]

The Prune: It may seem remote, but change is just ...

THE PRUNE’S HANDLEBARS ride above his new front tire, ready to circumnavigate Green Lake. submitted photo by Todd Sharp I got me some new wheels. Not the kind of wheels you might be thinking, like a new car or new rubber tires but some new wheels — hubs, rims and […]

Prune wheely happy with two new additions to his bicycle

The Prune enjoys a beverage at Sassafras Coffee Shop with a paper straw and a clean conscience. submitted photos by Todd Sharp I’ve been speculating on the origins of inspirational ideas. These sparks hopefully flame up into full-fledged organized plans put into motion. Plans to be arranged into a full […]

Prune ponders spark that ignited the plastic straw revolt