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David S. Cargo's (escargo's) Home Page

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David S. Cargo’s (escargo’s) Interests

I am interested in a lot of activities besides work, but only have time for some of them.

Surviving food allergies

I have a long list of food allergies.

On June 1, 1996, I arrived at the Emergency room at Midway Hospital. I was treated and released two hours later. I had been sick, but not obviously in danger of dying.

I was back there about seven weeks later. I wasn’t quite so sick, but going there seemed like a wise procaution.

On Thanksgiving evening, I stopped back there and left a plate of Rice Krispie Treats as a thank you. People in emergency rooms don’t often get any thanks; I felt that it was the right thing to do.

I think I made two ER visits in 1996 for food allergies, and none since.

Because of my food allergies, I have learned to do more of my own cooking; that way I know what’s in my food. This is what eventually led me to start baking muffins and eventually to me baking my own bread.

I don’t much reason to fear my food allergies any more. They are well managed by avoiding unfamiliar food.

Surviving diabetes

I was diagnosed with diabetes in June, 1998. Two close friends of mine had it, so I was aware of some of the symptoms. I have since lost about 50 pounds. I’ve changed my diet, the amount of exercise that I get. As of March 13, 1999, I was off of daily diabetes medication.

In 2002 I started with the Look AHEAD study at the University of Minnesota. I’m now in excellent physical shape and with good weight control. (I’m still trying to get back down to a more ideal weight.)

My doctors basically don’t consider my diabetes to be active right now.

The Saint Paul Bread Club

The Saint Paul Bread Club was started in 2003 by Dan “Klecko” McGleno. In 2004 he asked me to be the Vice President for Communications. My bread baking at home (and at the baker jobs) has been enjoyable, and I have helped the SPBC achieve significant growth and recognition. (I’ve also won prizes at the SPBC’s annual bake-offs.)

I built an initial web site for the club on skypoint.com.

In 2005 we arranged for our own domain name, and I built a new web site. In 2008, I revised the web site for a more modern look.

I help run the club, attend many of the meetings, instigate new activities, and teach bread baking classes.

Web Sites and Blogging

In addition to maintaining the web sites for my church and the Saint Paul Bread Club, I also maintain a blog focused on my interest in wood-fired ovens.

Gardening

Well, I have to say that we don’t garden in an organized way, but put plants in the ground and hope for the best. We have mature trees, so we have mostly shade. We try.

  • butterfly garden (started in 1996)
  • crocuses (planted in 1994)
  • daffodils (planted in 1995)
  • evergreens
  • ferns
  • goat’s beard
  • hostas
  • iris beds ( index page of iris pictures, about 30KB worth), although these have been devastated by iris borers
  • lilacs
  • pampas grass
  • roses (antique shrub and hybrid)
  • tulips
  • pussy toes (1998, 2008)
  • prairie smoke (1998, 2008)
  • spider flower (1998)
  • squill (1998)
  • a new iris bed (1999)

We buy new plants pretty much every year, and sometimes move them around.

Other Activities