A few pictures from our adventures around MN

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It’s funny the things you can still learn about yourself when you think you’ve got the whole ‘you’ thing figured out.

For example…

I really love settling in for a night of reality TV. I get teary eyed when a fireman is acknowledged for a heroic act. I hate the smell of calcium citrate and sometimes I’m frightened by religious people. This last one is due to the rash of town hall meetings where the religious right were seen screaming things about one nation under god – bla, bla, bla I’m going to blow your head off if the government tries to mess with my Medicare yada, yada, yada.

While I’m not necessarily proud of all of these things, they are new discoveries to me.

These items were not listed in the original supplement facts of Laura and need to be added to the ingredient list. I don’t think I’m unique or unusual in this way; in fact I’m fairly certain that when we pay attention the daily observations about ourselves and each other can be startling, fresh and sometimes blow-your-hair-back cool.

So, don’t print the label just yet. We should never assume we have everything all figured out. It’s never that tidy.

Without getting too personal or revealing too much I’ll just say there is a new ingredient that can be added to the list. It’s the kind of thing that if my life was a movie (and I often think it is) when this particular thing is mentioned you might hear the sound of a needle being pulled across a record and then shocked silence. That’s a least what is going on inside my head.

I’ll use an example from the old days. I use to have to hear about a woman named Brenda. The details aren’t important now, but as time went by, whenever Brenda was mentioned the sound I heard inside my head was Brend-Duh. Everything else ceased. If you listened close you could probably hear the gears grinding to a stop inside my head. I’m no Fossil Abacus Smart Watch with a rechargeable battery. Think Tin man whose lifeline demands you grab for the oil can. Time stopped. Crickets chirped. All the witty repartee I’m normally so proud of vanished into thin air; unable to think of the next thing to say or hide emotion on my face. Soon Brend-Duh was always present – whether spoken or unspoken. It didn’t take me long to realize she probably always would be. She was the third wheel.

Or was I?

I have many talents in life. I can sing on key. I’m a people person who makes friends easily. I volunteer my time. I know how to do shots of tequila. What I’m not so good at? I suck at picking up on the obvious. You might say I’m a little slow on the uptake. How do I add this brain ceasing, mood altering ingredient to the supplement facts of Laura? Maybe it could be listed as a warning. Something in code about Pavlov’s dog. The involuntary reflex action that happens on my face when a certain word is mentioned, coupled with the sudden loss of brain activity. This is a frightening condition. The problem is the triggers are not always well known – even to me. However even when they are identified and discussed it’s often the case that the word is still said again and again – you know – the elephant in the room thing…and pretty soon I’m acting all irrationally, drooling a little and being treated like a delicate brain injury victim. Be afraid, back away, she’s overly emotional and sensitive and we have no clue why. Sure, that’s what you’re thinking.

My guess is the Pavlov dog hitch in my otherwise balanced contents list could be managed once the trigger is identified. In this particular case I’m well familiar with the trigger; the word that makes my brain activity flat line. Maybe if I keep Dove dark chocolate at the ready to be used as a positive condition to the negative trigger I can maintain my sanity and brain activity?! The problem is that of the Tin Man – someone had to work the oil can for him – he couldn’t do it himself. He was stuck. Hopefully I can eventually figure this thing out. Make sense?

Tiny little things (click to enlarge)

You can see a tiny green bug on the flower.
Love the different shades of purple up close.

yuck - this little guy gets more awful looking the closer you get. eewww
(the spider has a piece of bark caught in his web)

this is what fading summer looks like...

slowly the petals fade and drop as summer starts to wind down

and his name is Arnold

While out on one of Red Wing's trails yesterday morning I encountered a beautiful black/brown (German Shepard mix?) dog from the Humane Society. My little dog Lily, a Tibetan terrier (20 lbs of fluff and chatter), did nothing to rattle the feathers of this big, gentle giant as she sauntered by. While talking to the Humane Society employee the two dogs gave each other the once over. Lily in her typical bow and play stance did everything to entice this fellow into misbehavior, but he kept still next to his owner; tail wagging and big, brown eyes smiling. (That last part might be my own imagination). I fell in love. If you know anyone that is looking for a magnificent rescue dog send them over to our Humane Society. This dog is worth a look!

what day is it?

Ever wake up and wonder......where am I suppose to be? I haven't slept well in weeks and last night I took melatonin and slept pretty good. Normally I'm very much a morning person waking up chatty and clear headed. Not so this morning. I need coffee to get the brain trust started and am sitting here in a bit of a fog. Is that the melatonin still at work or the after effects of actually sleeping? Either way my body is grateful for some good REM sleep.

Yesterday I took a ride on the back of a Gold Wing motorcycle. Beautiful hot day, great music in my ears and I could enjoy the scenery in a way that I just can't when I'm on my own bike. Needless to say I loved it. We are planning an afternoon trip to a friends cabin and I'm kinda thinking it might be fun to just jump on the back and ride along instead of taking my own.

Going walking/running this morning. I'm a terrible runner, but it uses different muscles and I hurt so good when I'm done. Not sure I will ever be a runner but I've been challenged by a friend to run in a marathon next year. I'm going to give it the old college try and keep running a little when I'm out with Lily. She loves it, but looks back at me wondering what we are chasing.

More coffee....

Night

Bay Point Park - watching for meteors
(click to enlarge)

Same view - different camera effect

Practicing night photography - forgot my tripod so propped
my camera on a blanket on the hood of my car.
Very peaceful here tonight.

yep, Thursdays! They're big for me.

I like Thursdays. They are a little like the first signs of Spring...hopeful, full of possibilities and new things to come. Not quite the weekend, but so close you can dream about it.

Thursday's start with a meeting at 6:45 a.m. at the St. James Hotel in the Victorian Dining Room. Yep, it's the Dawnbreaker's Kiwanis where the average member age is about 67. I'm the president so I rarely miss these days and get to start the morning talking in front of the group (which I love) and being my normal, chatty, morning self. Love the coffee, the breakfast, the conversation and the cause.

Thursday evenings are loaded with possibilities and excitement too. I might stay up late dancing in a local bar, go for drinks and dinner with friends from work, read a book on my porch, and watch three episodes back to back of Deadliest Catch until midnight. I always feel like I can stay up past my bedtime on Thursday (even though I got up so early) because tomorrow is Friday and really...who needs to 'think' on a Friday.

Somewhere in the middle there, I work...but it's Thursday, ya know. The urgency of Monday and Tuesday are over. I've worked hard on Wednesday to get the yucky stuff off my desk. There is just this over arching sense that what's done is done and really - no need to be too worked up about stuff now. I like to open my mail, clean off my desk, water my plant, delete email and sort of get my house in order for Friday. There is usually a meeting or two to attend, but as I said - it's Thursday so whatever action items come out of that will likely be filed away on Monday's calendar to complete then.

I also usually clean my house, mow my yard, do my laundry and buy my groceries on Thursday. Who wants to do those things on the weekend? I come home like gangbusters straightening, folding, and sometimes even cooking. It's like a little race with me - everything I accomplish on Thursday buys me a little more 'me' time on the weekend.

and the damn chirping made me miss it.

While I love the sound of chirping birds outside my window, I'm not thrilled by the hour in which they begin. This little cutie woke me up (again) this morning. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but the thought of keeping a loaded BB gun on my window sill did cross my mind.

I shot this picture instead.

The real problem is that between the hours of about 2am and 4am I no longer sleep (is that an old age thing?). By 4:45am, I was soundly sleeping again and having an interesting dream. The dream interrupted may have been inspired by a movie I saw Sunday night "The Ugly Truth" starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. I fell madly in love with Butler in "P.S. I love you", but sadly his latest movie left much to be desired. Most of the time the jokes fell into the category of 10 year old boy humor - more of a nervous and embarrassed chuckle then wild, bold laughter.

Anyway, the dream my little yellow friend interrupted found me sharing a drink in a bar (a blind date I think) with a diminutive gentleman with flaming red hair and an Amish inspired beard. The conversation I was having with the leprechaun was likely inspired by one I had recently in a bar with an older gentleman who lives in a vet home. When this man told me he was from Hinckley MN I couldn't help but regal him with my memory of a book I read about the great Hinckley fire "Under the Flaming Sky". To complicate matters and further my annoyance at having this dream interrupted, the little man at the bar (the one in my dream) was morphing into Little Jimmy Dickens and I was about to ask him about his latest hit (released in 1962) and what his secret is to staying so fit and active at 88 (I just saw Little Jimmy on stage at the Grand Ole Opry while in Nashville and he left quite an impression).

I'm certain the little shock top in white cowboy boots was about to reveal something profound...

Garage Sale in Zumbrota

Stacy and Tom had their very first garage sale this weekend. While we had a good turn out on Friday, we were disappointed that the shoppers didn't show up on Saturday. Looks like we have to have a do-over next weekend. This time we will advertise and expand our signs a bit.

Old jewlery boxes and costume jewlery are fun to look at.

Tom got kinda attached to this snake (wanted it for his car).

Sorry Tom - the snake left with a very happy little boy.

Beautiful summer day in the country with a nice breeze.

Lots of good stuff to look at. Not a lot of customers though.

Who wouldn't want this colorful Italian flag?

Where are the shoppers?

Molly gets in the spirit and shows off some of the jewlery.

The view out here goes on and on....

Lily loves the freedom of the country and playing the the big dogs.

Discovery Garden at Colvill Park

My Kiwanis club, the Dawnbreaker's are on rotation to help keep Red Wing's newest garden weed free. Every three weeks we meet for a couple of hours to weed, sweep and whisper sweet nothings into the souls of all the pretty little things growing in their beds. It's a labor of love as we all see this beautiful garden as part of our own and just another example of what happens when a community comes together with a shared vision.

Our little team. Barbara, Dave, Al, Bill, Kay and Brian

Barbara comes prepared.

Dr. Dave Harris checks over his work.

Brian is keeping the outside looking good.

Bill works up a sweat pushing his broom and giving the gardens a well kept look.

Many hands make little work!

Habitat for Humanity - July 2009

The Habitat house is about a block away from me on Pine street.
Kay and I are learning the tricks of the capentry trade.

Rick, Laura and Kay

Chief Sletten (Tim) is in charge of measuring and cutting.

The crew chief is a saint - he put up with our Abbott and Costello routine for 3 hours.

Kay gives the crew chief a laugh as she tries to figure out that drill.

We take instruction well.

Rick isn't the boss here - he is a greenhorn.

It's all about TEAM work!

Rick can't help himself - we let him think it's all about him.

Kay has that drill figured out.

Ride to Mankato

Although it was a nice July day, we were freezing and wind weary after riding over to Mankato on our bikes for a meeting. Hot chocolate was necessary on our final stop as we had about 45 minutes until returning to Red Wing and the sun was setting fast. Still - it was fun to be out with my two favorite riding buddies.

Myron's just goofing around - he's just not that into my camera.

Denny will coorperate and pose with his new ride.

Progressive garden party

Beautiful day for our 1st annual garden tour. we made four stops to tour the garden and have a bite to eat. The last stop was the local winery where we had a tour of the vineyard.