The Andrew Sisters of Mound

The Andrew Sister's first hit song was "Bei Mir Bist du Shoen" (1932) - which was an updated Yiddish folk song. My translation: "You are beautiful to me". Kind of a back handed compliment, but I have never heard the song.
Others were "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "Apple Blossom Time", "Don't sit under the apple tree". They sold a lot of vinyl, and made quite a cultural impact.

The Andrew Sisters had a stellar group career - The Andrew Sisters were the most popular female vocal group of the first half of the 20th Century. And they hung around Mound Minnesota during their summers, probably tripping over Tonka Toys left out in front of their Uncle's (Pete and Ed Sollie) grocery store in Mound.

Their names were Laverne, Maxine and Patty. Their stylistic and punctuated harmony and delivery stand in stark contrast to female vocalists of today's "Deva" ilk. IMHO- these American Idol model/clones are rambling, supercilious, and lack personal style. On the occasions when I have listened to one sing, I could not discern a coherant melody... and I tried.

Santa - Out of his element!

The temperature was nicking 60 degrees Saturday. I pulled up to the Tom Thumb Store in Chanhassen to fill my Bug when what should I see? Santa and Mrs. S. Clause pumping gas into their Honda Element "Sleigh 1". During his off-season Santa still suits up for the position.


He donned his red coat just for the photo, but I preferred his flannel shirt with bright red suspenders that he wore underneath. His sterling silver belt buckle had a colorful Christmas Scene.

...and Santa Claus was chuckeling the whole time!

Carsons Bay

The Second Ice Season on Minnetonka

This is the season where ice boats - those sail boats on skates, shoot joyfully across the Lake.

I "borrowed"this quote from Iceboating.net (March 20th)- I hope they don"t mind.

"We sailed lower Minnetonka today, hard fast rumbly ice in the AM, softening through out the day. Cleaner ice up toward Big Island and up towards Excelsior, thicker crust down towards Wayzata and Brackett's point. Smoother Ice on Lower Lake than I found in Spring Park on Upper lake on Sun. where I broke my DN plank. That seemed bad until I lost the leeward runner of my Skeeter into a carp hole today and ripped the plank off."

I sure sailing time is lmited now, 60 degrees coming soon. Good luck guys.

Lake Minnetonka Ice Out

The world of Google has led many to my blog for the Lake Minnetonka "Ice Out" date. Where else could the unauthorized, unofficial, non partisan, "Ice Out" Date be found? Nowhere!


My methodology is, and will continue to be, simple. I will look out at Wayzata Bay, and Excelsior Bay. If they are open, and the water looks open to my glaucomic (my word) eyes - then it is OUT. Stay tuned.

Previous official ICE OUT dates:
1990 - April 4
1991 - April 8
1992 - April 10
1993 - April 19
1994 - April 11
1995 - April 3
1996 - April 24
1997 - April 18
1998 - April 3
1999 - April 2
2000 - March 18
2001 - April 19
2002 - April 16
2003 - April 12
2004 - April 6
2005 - April 9
2006 - April 9

Pipe Line

Cub parking lot.
Pipeline 1961-The Chanteys. I sat in my purple VW Turbo with the speakers cranked up loud, I was parked in the back of the lot. A few people noticed. The Chantey's famous guitar rhythms reverberating like a racing locomotive. I thought of 50s Duane Eddie and his "twangy guitar".
I mused on useless thoughts... about early 60s instrumentals. The early surf sounds.
It was sunny and the sound was good.
Ha, ha ha - Wipeout!
Walk Don't Run... The Ventures.
Apachee- The Shadows. The Beatles commented about the Shadows in their anthology. Not too complimetary at that.
Sleepwalking.
Rebel Rouser.
Green Onions and Time is Tight by Booker T and the MGs.
The Lonely Bull.
Before I knew it I was gone with the Tornados - Telstar.

Sweet Suites for 101

Bushaway Road. A rickety little bridge over an over-used railroad overpass. It is going to be interesting to see how the City of Wayzata treats this little bridge as they build the infrastructure to support the Locust Hills Developements.

If you want to read the city Council Meeting minutes... well good luck. You can review the video tapes though. A New self editing policy by the City Council allows them to simply summarize the meetings in their "minutes".

I will give you and example - hypothetical;

What Councilman "Jim" said: "The monies for transforming the historic "Sweet" Stables and Farm, and also tearing down the existing historic bridge - and rebuilding it - will be absorbed by the monies alloted by the Met Council, tax increment financing to the developers and a mix of revenue enhancements built into a 30 year city plan as outlined in this report ".

In the Council Minutes summary: "The farm, stable and bridge will really be sweet!'

The Winter Snow Recedes

Toonie.



I shoveled for two days our steps and a 100 foot driveway. The mountains of shoveled snow formed a narrow hallway to the street, through which we navigated like the Dardanells. I survived shovleing the snow without a sore back. Our dog Rocky was not as lucky.

Rocky (the black dog ) had a squirrel treed during the blinding snow.

The squirrel made a desperate leap from the isolated Crabapple Tree, but was quickly run down by the aging Corgy -mix. I heard a terrific caucophany in the snow and saw Rocky's head swinging and thrashing the squirrel madly about.
....I burried the squirrel in the back woods.
Rocky suffered a solid bite and crunched nose.

Toonie sat by and took notes.