The levee or dike as we call has done a great job! Actually before we had the dike, between 1996 and 2000 there were 4 times that we had to put up sandbags to keep the water away from the house. Before we purchased this house in 1993, there had only been 1 time in the prior 30 years that there was water in the yard here. But there has been a lot of ditching and water diversion, and now it is more likely to come our way! As for the penguin, he is still around somewhere, a bit banged up for some reason. I want to think that he was hit by a vehicle, but I really don't remember.

that noise is how it sounds when penguins beg for food. Or talk to each other. something like that! When I went to see my friend in St Louis last summer, she and I were in the penguin area. I said, "OOOOO Look! They're close enough you could just pet them!" She tried to get me to do it. I wouldn't. But she just slipped her hand right over the wall as it glided by. "Ma'am, please step away from the penguins." (((smiles)))

The bellies are warm & white batting. Those little pieces I don't throw away (no comments retreaters! :) ) Linda, the names are written below each penguin. Jim sewing??!! He now does laundry, vacuums, sweeps & scrubs kitchen, makes the bed, loads & unloads DW, & does a little (very little) cooking. This me being laid up & now him retired is awesome!! And all this from a man raised w/all sisters by a stay at home mom who did EVERYTHING for him! I didn't try to change him - honest! He has just 'evolved' over time! :) I'm keeping him!! ~Cindy

Personally I would make the salad, store in fridge in a Tupperware or similar sealed container. Leave in that for transportation. I would surround the container with blue ice frozen bars or zip lock bags of ice. If you have the insulated bag you mentioned put it all in there. Once there transfer to the penguin. The penguin doesn't seal so I definitely would not transport in it. I think that you put ice in the base of the penguin and the contents in a separate part is that correct? I have done this frequently and I have lots of the blue ice packs in various sizes kept in the freezer for when I need them. If you have a dollar store or big Lots they are very cheap. I have had ziplock baggies leak so I would not risk contamination of the salad by putting it in them. That's also why I prefer the blue ice.