tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19472814110958035532024-03-13T15:28:58.030-05:00Everyday MadnessEverywhere you look: Unintentional puns. Word plays. Weird little ironies. Strange signs. Things that should be amusing. Take a photo. Name the madness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-1605928668120320192010-06-29T09:44:00.006-05:002010-10-25T10:57:00.223-05:00Brandon's graduation!<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH-PryFAI/AAAAAAAAAqw/pkfGOIS-kbs/s1600/B+diploma"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488207861847823362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH-PryFAI/AAAAAAAAAqw/pkfGOIS-kbs/s320/B+diploma" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9p8J6zI/AAAAAAAAAqo/yR1wh1FU3HU/s1600/Mags_%26_Brandon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488207851715947314" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9p8J6zI/AAAAAAAAAqo/yR1wh1FU3HU/s320/Mags_%26_Brandon.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9cex1FI/AAAAAAAAAqg/ud2IrxbGB_E/s1600/B+graduation"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488207848103072850" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9cex1FI/AAAAAAAAAqg/ud2IrxbGB_E/s320/B+graduation" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Look! I married Harry Potter!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9OZFBiI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CmYZ3hPjgCs/s1600/stirling_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488207844321068578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoH9OZFBiI/AAAAAAAAAqY/CmYZ3hPjgCs/s320/stirling_2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Post-graduation Sushi with Stirling!</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Thanks to Pidge for the photos!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TCoHTrQworI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/fUOrAE8W9r4/s1600/stirling_2.jpg"></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-15163056505587250912010-06-16T08:32:00.001-05:002010-06-16T08:33:30.480-05:00Photo of the Day: Brandon studies for his Boards<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TBjSm219GxI/AAAAAAAAApo/ap7-_WiH3KI/s1600/books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483364111322258194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TBjSm219GxI/AAAAAAAAApo/ap7-_WiH3KI/s320/books.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-28913463906074210112010-06-08T14:11:00.003-05:002010-06-08T14:12:30.397-05:00Photo of the Day<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA6V-7SK7yI/AAAAAAAAApg/FFD6gIy2mEY/s1600/Helping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480482704854806306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA6V-7SK7yI/AAAAAAAAApg/FFD6gIy2mEY/s320/Helping.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">"Helping" fold laundry. Don't worry - they aren't MY clothes!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-35353332678578814202010-06-08T14:10:00.000-05:002010-06-08T14:11:00.357-05:00Photo of the Day<p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA6Vs_MkjxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/TUfVUF4dgIQ/s1600/Rice+Street.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480482396667416338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA6Vs_MkjxI/AAAAAAAAApQ/TUfVUF4dgIQ/s320/Rice+Street.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Rain on Rice Street</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-1803984557043103062010-06-07T09:55:00.003-05:002010-06-07T09:58:48.160-05:00Unspecified Threats<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA0IYykQC3I/AAAAAAAAApI/0_STwgWOB6o/s1600/Image173.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480045543563463538" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/TA0IYykQC3I/AAAAAAAAApI/0_STwgWOB6o/s320/Image173.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Seen in my neighborhood while walking the dog. I like the vague threatening nature of the sign. And what is "it" that they will put on check? What is putting something "on check"? And what's up the strange use of quote marks? By the way, the first melt of the spring in Minnesota is when all the garbage and dog poop from the winter surfaces - it's pretty gross. But dont' worry - I always pick up after Whiskey girl. Unless it's in my own yard. Then I let her go wild!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-67149741913786082102010-05-26T13:02:00.002-05:002010-05-26T13:05:15.067-05:00Photo of the Day: Snapping turtle!<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1ijfp1QRI/AAAAAAAAApA/s1Hyh9x-E9M/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475641083884290322" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1ijfp1QRI/AAAAAAAAApA/s1Hyh9x-E9M/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Snapping turtle on the porch at work!</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1ijAeSBCI/AAAAAAAAAo4/KmcccguDttk/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475641075514344482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1ijAeSBCI/AAAAAAAAAo4/KmcccguDttk/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"> Caution! Do not pet!<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1iinKcH5I/AAAAAAAAAow/3544fG0XwFg/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475641068720234386" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_1iinKcH5I/AAAAAAAAAow/3544fG0XwFg/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Okay - pet it a little</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-6125413064933379352010-05-26T08:46:00.003-05:002010-05-26T08:48:43.782-05:00Baby Phoebe Update<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_0mN8AoR3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/YVDjBL11O6E/s1600/are+you+my+mother.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475574742841313138" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_0mN8AoR3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/YVDjBL11O6E/s320/are+you+my+mother.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Well, several hours after stuffing the phoebe back in the nest, I check on it (discretely from a distance with binos) and it's gone again! I searched the ground for a while, and didn't find it. So, either it really was ready to fledge, or those stupid early fledging genes won't be getting passed on. Let's hope for the former. I agree with BLTSG (Be like the squirrel, girl) - stupid cycle of life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-84645747206949103262010-05-25T13:19:00.003-05:002010-05-25T13:23:13.830-05:00Photo of the Day<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_wU2bxG3kI/AAAAAAAAAog/eX75cCSpH2s/s1600/12+days_3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475274172374900290" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_wU2bxG3kI/AAAAAAAAAog/eX75cCSpH2s/s320/12+days_3.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">(click to enlarge)</div><div align="center"> </div>Our Phoebe chick at work. 12 days old. We are down to one chick - the second one disappeared when it was about a week old. We are guessing it fell out and got eaten by something. This one leapt out of the nest today, but didn't seem too adept at flying. I scooped it up and put it back in the nest. (No, the parents won't reject it).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-41729789930433245592010-05-21T09:38:00.002-05:002010-05-21T09:41:23.898-05:00Photo of the Day<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_aa_g704II/AAAAAAAAAoQ/lmQR13J6BCM/s1600/Sudden+daydream.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473732813078716546" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_aa_g704II/AAAAAAAAAoQ/lmQR13J6BCM/s320/Sudden+daydream.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Brandon jams a knee-bar on "Sudden Daydream" at Willow River, WI.</p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(photo by Ryan Angelo - thanks Ryan!)</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-2685203106563177922010-05-20T09:04:00.009-05:002010-05-20T10:34:38.851-05:00A good day at work<span style="font-size:130%;">Monday, I went out with the National Park Service People for their annual eagle banding. How do you get eagles out of the tree? Well, they hire these professional tree climbers, who shoot a crossbow up into the tree to get the rope up. They use ascenders to climb the rope, put the chicks in bags, and then come back down.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VOpw9ch7I/AAAAAAAAAoA/z32D8T4NcGQ/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473367401562933170" style="WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VOpw9ch7I/AAAAAAAAAoA/z32D8T4NcGQ/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The chicks are then banded, measured, and have blood taken for DNA work, as well as contaminant analysis (lead, mercury, PCBs, flame retardants, etc).</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC8HOwVgI/AAAAAAAAAnw/YPgZxOcM2bs/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473354522639226370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC8HOwVgI/AAAAAAAAAnw/YPgZxOcM2bs/s320/DSC_0131.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> This eaglet is about 7 weeks old - it's starting to get it's feathers and isn't quite such a ball of fluff. They don't get their white heads until they are 5-6 years old.<br /><br /><br /></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7hX_byI/AAAAAAAAAno/6XVLovC9y1Y/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473354512477417250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7hX_byI/AAAAAAAAAno/6XVLovC9y1Y/s320/DSC_0117.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"> This eaglet is much younger, probably about 5 weeks. You can see it has a lot more fluff. I'm the one in the hat. And no, I'm not a park ranger.<br /><br /></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7YSpDqI/AAAAAAAAAng/5Lj8IjS1v3k/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473354510039060130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7YSpDqI/AAAAAAAAAng/5Lj8IjS1v3k/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7O6v5xI/AAAAAAAAAnY/wr6F3qiW79k/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473354507522926354" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VC7O6v5xI/AAAAAAAAAnY/wr6F3qiW79k/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Eagle nest in a white pine along the Mississippi River. You can see the adult sitting in the tree to the left of the nest. The adults just kind of circle around and cry. They don't attack the climbers.<br /><br /></div></span><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCPnRA7eI/AAAAAAAAAnI/8s2iaE_owMo/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353758144523746" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCPnRA7eI/AAAAAAAAAnI/8s2iaE_owMo/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The chicks can't fly yet, and they actually are pretty docile. They are hard wired to not move around too much, otherwise they would just fall out of the nest. So, you put them on the ground and they just stay put and stare at you. Probabaly wondering when you are going to give them fish heads.<br /></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCPOkBZXI/AAAAAAAAAnA/XxaGix7CZKY/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353751513359730" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCPOkBZXI/AAAAAAAAAnA/XxaGix7CZKY/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Jim, one of the climbers, from Eco Ascension Consulting. This guy was on the cover of National Geographic a few months ago - the Redwood edition. He and his crew go all over the world, climbing trees, cliffs, and into caves. Note his right hand is controlling the feet - the most important part of holding a raptor. Here's a little article about the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/eagle_handling.htm">project.</a> (If you want to read more).</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></div></span><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCOtKnakI/AAAAAAAAAm4/7eW5BMf0KTg/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353742548429378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCOtKnakI/AAAAAAAAAm4/7eW5BMf0KTg/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Waiting to be processed. Most nests had 2 chicks, several had three.<br /><br /></span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCODzIxBI/AAAAAAAAAmw/8s0DWbfnUDg/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353731444098066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VCODzIxBI/AAAAAAAAAmw/8s0DWbfnUDg/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mom hanging out near by, wondering when we're going to give her babies back.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VBsFMpa1I/AAAAAAAAAmo/RIMyAyxVsFE/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353147703978834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VBsFMpa1I/AAAAAAAAAmo/RIMyAyxVsFE/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Most of the nests were accessed by water.<br /><br /></div></span><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VBr3jHp-I/AAAAAAAAAmg/H2r93X2xKKY/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473353144040138722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S_VBr3jHp-I/AAAAAAAAAmg/H2r93X2xKKY/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Mark, from the Audubon. I'm not sure who looks more thrilled.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-10833388620146177712010-05-14T09:14:00.004-05:002010-05-14T09:16:26.555-05:00Photo of the Day<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S-1a_sMVx_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/xGmTkGASR48/s1600/chicks.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471129172566198258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S-1a_sMVx_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/xGmTkGASR48/s320/chicks.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="left">One day old eastern phoebe nestlings - outside the office at work (the photo was taken looking into a mirror.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-80674304755128785402010-04-28T13:32:00.001-05:002010-04-28T13:34:39.342-05:00Photo of the Day...<p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S9h_gUd59DI/AAAAAAAAAmI/ZeuVVoBqe18/s1600/nose.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465258341040780338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S9h_gUd59DI/AAAAAAAAAmI/ZeuVVoBqe18/s320/nose.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">This Whiskey has an excellent nose, but the bouquet is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">awful</span>! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-10796524203078833002010-04-19T10:31:00.002-05:002010-04-19T10:32:18.925-05:00Photo of the Day: April 17th<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8x3cLtEJQI/AAAAAAAAAmA/xRSjtZPve_0/s1600/4_17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461871774155416834" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8x3cLtEJQI/AAAAAAAAAmA/xRSjtZPve_0/s320/4_17.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center">Start of the Trail Mix 50K, Bloomington, MN</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-50223723104708407552010-04-16T08:59:00.002-05:002010-04-16T09:00:19.869-05:00Photo of the Day - April 15th<p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8htW8GuORI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_mF9hta_S7w/s1600/4_15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460734789045598482" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8htW8GuORI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_mF9hta_S7w/s320/4_15.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">On the bike path home</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-87874047523057954482010-04-15T14:26:00.006-05:002010-04-15T14:29:36.370-05:00What we've been up to<p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dod5a7YaI/AAAAAAAAAlw/LOg3bxavBPE/s1600/Image181.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460447936049275298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dod5a7YaI/AAAAAAAAAlw/LOg3bxavBPE/s320/Image181.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Hanging out on the counter</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">(oh naughty cat!!)</span></div><p></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dodf1N4lI/AAAAAAAAAlo/ni4IIcOLJvk/s1600/Image179.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460447929180217938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dodf1N4lI/AAAAAAAAAlo/ni4IIcOLJvk/s320/Image179.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Playing at the dog park</span><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dodPWdYrI/AAAAAAAAAlg/iBF_pTp9eZI/s1600/Image164.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460447924756243122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dodPWdYrI/AAAAAAAAAlg/iBF_pTp9eZI/s320/Image164.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Sharing the bed (sort of)</span><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8doc8AouCI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NliRaN15-Rw/s1600/Image167.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460447919564437538" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8doc8AouCI/AAAAAAAAAlY/NliRaN15-Rw/s320/Image167.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Embodying pure evil</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-72002078712582827922010-04-15T14:21:00.004-05:002010-04-15T14:24:52.628-05:00Happy Tax Day!<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dndL_59XI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/y5aRBuuS058/s1600/Image062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460446824344712562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dndL_59XI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/y5aRBuuS058/s320/Image062.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">Step One: Fortify yourself with coffee</span><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dnc1TSHjI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Ndyk0mRs2eA/s1600/Image176.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460446818251972146" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dnc1TSHjI/AAAAAAAAAlI/Ndyk0mRs2eA/s320/Image176.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Step 2: Spread out all your tax documents from the year. Put sticky notes on all of them. Keep your coffee nearby<br /></span><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dncgU_EoI/AAAAAAAAAlA/cmqMPzSrSxE/s1600/Image174.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460446812621968002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S8dncgU_EoI/AAAAAAAAAlA/cmqMPzSrSxE/s320/Image174.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">Step three: Coffee's not working. Go back to sleep and pretend like nothing happened.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-33812660621483312592010-02-19T12:48:00.002-06:002010-02-19T12:54:33.826-06:00Still More Winter Visitors<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37dbICstzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/jjB4avwW3so/s1600-h/DSC_0028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440028857995147058" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37dbICstzI/AAAAAAAAAk4/jjB4avwW3so/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />White-breasted Nuthatch<br /><br /><br />We also get deer at the feeders - there are three little ones who were probably born this year. They have short round faces, with short rounded ears. They are pretty shaggy with their winter coats.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37da2va5UI/AAAAAAAAAkw/19aJnqNwCKo/s1600-h/DSC_0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440028853350884674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37da2va5UI/AAAAAAAAAkw/19aJnqNwCKo/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37daTfXmfI/AAAAAAAAAko/bRqYubZquoQ/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440028843888318962" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37daTfXmfI/AAAAAAAAAko/bRqYubZquoQ/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They also get a lot of burrs on their bottoms, which just cracks me up.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37daNkZzmI/AAAAAAAAAkg/RF3SSwo0xzA/s1600-h/DSC_0036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440028842298822242" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37daNkZzmI/AAAAAAAAAkg/RF3SSwo0xzA/s320/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And if you tap on the window, they look at you.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37dZ3AWX9I/AAAAAAAAAkY/GG_SB1IuIWM/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440028836242022354" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S37dZ3AWX9I/AAAAAAAAAkY/GG_SB1IuIWM/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-56794226990975334272010-02-19T09:57:00.003-06:002010-02-19T10:04:12.365-06:00More Winter Visitors<p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3617bsXe5I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-tknfEy1bIY/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439985432560892818" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3617bsXe5I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/-tknfEy1bIY/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">Grey Squirrel</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S36163B4YnI/AAAAAAAAAkI/b3UIWVjPSYY/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439985422719017586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S36163B4YnI/AAAAAAAAAkI/b3UIWVjPSYY/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Male Cardinal<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361YVdtsmI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ETfFkI4Eikk/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439984829593399906" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361YVdtsmI/AAAAAAAAAj4/ETfFkI4Eikk/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Downy Woodpecker</p><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361XxhIB-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/jgv9HsnekIY/s1600-h/DSC_0041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439984819944032226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361XxhIB-I/AAAAAAAAAjw/jgv9HsnekIY/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Hairy Woodpecker<br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361XUNFPEI/AAAAAAAAAjo/7I2UHrrLjTY/s1600-h/DSC_0029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439984812075334722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361XUNFPEI/AAAAAAAAAjo/7I2UHrrLjTY/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Turkey<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361W0JwLgI/AAAAAAAAAjg/jygQTcfccrc/s1600-h/DSC_0026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439984803471437314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361W0JwLgI/AAAAAAAAAjg/jygQTcfccrc/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Downy Woodpecker </div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361WhozfjI/AAAAAAAAAjY/myRm4e-K1sg/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439984798501404210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S361WhozfjI/AAAAAAAAAjY/myRm4e-K1sg/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center">More Turkeys (I'm a little smitten by the turkeys)</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-13381050498076510722010-02-18T16:08:00.001-06:002010-02-18T16:11:10.231-06:00Things to do in Minnesota in the winter<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326tlVryQI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/Jol_rHgXj9U/s1600-h/39_01_1---Wind-Turbine-Generators--Palm-Springs--California_web.jpg"></a><br />Snow Art!! One of my co-workers made this creepy snow angel by face planting in the snow. I took it with my camera phone, so it's not great quality... Click on the photos to make them bigger....<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326tWc792I/AAAAAAAAAjI/rsGQDQcJsm4/s1600-h/Phil+snow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439709213217257314" style="WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 96px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326tWc792I/AAAAAAAAAjI/rsGQDQcJsm4/s320/Phil+snow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326s3038fI/AAAAAAAAAjA/iSsSpZdbkhk/s1600-h/Phil+snow2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439709204996157938" style="WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 96px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326s3038fI/AAAAAAAAAjA/iSsSpZdbkhk/s320/Phil+snow2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326sk_HGRI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_qj84iLUbOM/s1600-h/Phil+snow+body.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439709199938820370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S326sk_HGRI/AAAAAAAAAi4/_qj84iLUbOM/s320/Phil+snow+body.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-78736861270596439832010-02-18T09:41:00.005-06:002010-02-18T10:10:39.419-06:00Winter Guests: Eagles<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g8pQpCiI/AAAAAAAAAiw/TpitOSg-6sw/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"></a>Bald Eagle hanging out in the tree in our parking lot at work.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g8JggMkI/AAAAAAAAAio/vV06AGiXEbM/s1600-h/DSC_0016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439610511394091586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g8JggMkI/AAAAAAAAAio/vV06AGiXEbM/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6kr-hkI/AAAAAAAAAig/7WHenUsCo7k/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439610484330235458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6kr-hkI/AAAAAAAAAig/7WHenUsCo7k/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then it got irritated at me, and left.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6ehd2WI/AAAAAAAAAiY/62qYB5bqGfk/s1600-h/DSC_0018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439610482675538274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6ehd2WI/AAAAAAAAAiY/62qYB5bqGfk/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6Ei9UDI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/TUhojv3hipk/s1600-h/DSC_0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439610475702472754" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S31g6Ei9UDI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/TUhojv3hipk/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-10128186601474070242010-02-16T11:38:00.004-06:002010-02-18T11:13:00.177-06:00Winter Guests: TurkeysAt my new job,we are on the edge of the woods, and there's a fair amount of wildlife. We feed the migratory songbirds, but lately we've been a sucker for the turkeys, deer, and squirrels. We rationalize this because there is a good solid 2-3 inches of ice on the ground. Hard for little turkeys to scratch through. Also, the turkeys have realized that we are a source of food, and aren't going to hurt them. Although they are a little skittish, they still get fairly close. They're kind of like big chickens.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY2CibD5I/AAAAAAAAAhY/qjPBs5c0jgs/s1600-h/DSCN8262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438897922909081490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY2CibD5I/AAAAAAAAAhY/qjPBs5c0jgs/s320/DSCN8262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY1kvjKsI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/UORrWW-NUO0/s1600-h/DSCN8257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438897914911075010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY1kvjKsI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/UORrWW-NUO0/s320/DSCN8257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY1IizMlI/AAAAAAAAAhI/hDRjRFbueCA/s1600-h/DSCN8255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438897907341406802" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S3rY1IizMlI/AAAAAAAAAhI/hDRjRFbueCA/s320/DSCN8255.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-70129208218202182982010-02-01T09:09:00.003-06:002010-02-01T09:11:54.677-06:00Adipose Nation<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S2bu7Ih1k_I/AAAAAAAAAg8/Z4pOufLHepQ/s1600-h/Chiplote.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433292700138181618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S2bu7Ih1k_I/AAAAAAAAAg8/Z4pOufLHepQ/s320/Chiplote.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />Sent to me by Brandon (via Chipotle). I think they mean "masses" as in, a large group of people. But it just makes me think of masses of adipose tissue.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-17948164972874293682010-01-26T13:02:00.005-06:002010-01-26T13:14:23.662-06:00Things to do in Minnesota in the Winter<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1881kCM8vI/AAAAAAAAAg0/aWjmoQBVezU/s1600-h/AD+crop+2.JPG"></a>It's winter, and I pretty much just want to do this all the time:<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1881VZxu0I/AAAAAAAAAgs/VqHYQNIfLi4/s1600-h/misc_004%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431126562608102210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1881VZxu0I/AAAAAAAAAgs/VqHYQNIfLi4/s320/misc_004%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Whiskey, 11 weeks or so....</p><p align="left"></p><p align="left">With all the cold and early darkness, I pretty much go into hibernation mode. But last winter, B and I decided we needed a hobby (other than sleeping and drinking beer), so we took up skate skiing. If you ever get into cross country skiing, Minnesota is the place to go. In the winter, every local park, golf course, state park, etc is groomed for cross country skiing. I've never lived in a place with so many ski options. There are downhill places, too, but growing up in Utah, it would seem like sacrilege. We've been going to Theodore Worth State Park, which is a bit of a drive (40 minutes) but is beautiful - great groomed track, rolling oak savannah and prairie, and not that many people. We have several friends who are game, and we've been going out every weekend when the weather is good:</p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880_620-I/AAAAAAAAAgk/ponrnR7kesg/s1600-h/skiing2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431126556841268194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880_620-I/AAAAAAAAAgk/ponrnR7kesg/s320/skiing2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />We also instituted time trials around the fire ring - five times around, and whoever does it the fastest, wins. Did I say there aren't very many people here? This is a good thing, in light of our time trials.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880-2FxVI/AAAAAAAAAgc/nPEv7GHVZ1E/s1600-h/skiing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431126556552840530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880-2FxVI/AAAAAAAAAgc/nPEv7GHVZ1E/s320/skiing.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>It's a lot of fun, even though we are learning and our form isn't great. In fact, imagine the photo below with skis, and that's what we look like. But it makes you excited when it snows, and you can be outside without freezing.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880gPPgeI/AAAAAAAAAgU/pY_KueCOqdw/s1600-h/Dancing_Flamingos-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431126548336837090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S1880gPPgeI/AAAAAAAAAgU/pY_KueCOqdw/s320/Dancing_Flamingos-2.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-79699013571586372112010-01-26T08:57:00.006-06:002010-01-26T09:11:16.964-06:00Things to do in Minnesota in the Winter<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S18D3Gf6ebI/AAAAAAAAAgM/AGccG6GL8hY/s1600-h/brandonwhiskey%5B1%5D.JPG"></a>This is a new series, in response to the question, "what do you do in the Winter in Minnesota?"<br /><br /><br />Here's something Minnesotans LOVE to do during the winter.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Wash their cars!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">I think most people who live in areas where there is snow like to wash their cars. With all the salt and grud on the roads, everyone's car turns a scaley grey. And I have never lived in a place that had so many "touchless carwashes" - ie: you don't get out of your car - you just drive through. The problem, in Minnesota, is that for most of the winter, you CAN'T wash your car, because you would freeze the doors shut, and have to live in the car for several months. Most car washes aren't open once the temp dips below a certain level, in order to save us from ourselves. But if we get a balmy day, say, in the mid 20's, you can be sure that everyone is rushing out to the local car wash. It's akin to the Tickle Me Elmo going on sale. And weekends are the worst, because it's usually too cold after work to wash cars, so the rare warm weekend is the only time. Apparently, everyone else had this idea too last saturday...</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S18D2i1x4mI/AAAAAAAAAgE/iiU1lRot8BA/s1600-h/carwash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431063911232299618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S18D2i1x4mI/AAAAAAAAAgE/iiU1lRot8BA/s320/carwash.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Line of cars waiting to get into the car wash. The sun was in the process of setting, so it was a race against time...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S18Dg5sCaWI/AAAAAAAAAf0/nn76IxQWN-Y/s1600-h/carwash2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431063539408333154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S18Dg5sCaWI/AAAAAAAAAf0/nn76IxQWN-Y/s320/carwash2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ah, sweet sweet suds. My car is clean, for a few days, at least.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1947281411095803553.post-7888067345410753662010-01-25T15:30:00.004-06:002010-01-25T15:38:56.282-06:00Sweet Deal<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S14OtxNmS0I/AAAAAAAAAfc/p3pCxVNqrvA/s1600-h/Towing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430794380122671938" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S14OtxNmS0I/AAAAAAAAAfc/p3pCxVNqrvA/s320/Towing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Who has the double-scoops to tow your car away from Dairy Queen?</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yy2Dgd0Djm8/S14N0zm-dXI/AAAAAAAAAfU/76t5-ENW8Z0/s1600-h/Towing.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">That's right. Sweet Towing.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2