Can you canoe?

Does the title bring back memories? Then you are undoubtedly over 50.
A canoe is probably the best watercraft choice for me. I cannot plane out, but then I cannot wreck the prop either. Don't get me wrong, I love powerboats, I just should not be the captain of one.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social

The Burwell House on Saturday the 27th: Be there and Be square. I am neither endorsing nor apposing this function. I have never been to an "Old Fashioned" Ice Cream Social. I suppose concealed carry will be unnecessary. But this is Minnetonka Mills, so the signs might be up. I suggest you ride your bicycle, 'one speeders' will take priority - free second scoop and all - probably not.
The Farmers Almanac states that it will be hot and sunny, with thunderstorms possible.. (pretty pat prediction0 so bring your parosal. Creek should be up, and the shy and elusive box turtles will be sunning on the logs.
Really, I haven't a clue, I just saw the signs, but I am pretty sure the event involves ice cream and root beer. Maybe you can play the state game of 'Bocce'

Dock with the bends/Birdhouse blues

An Excelsior Flea Market scene

scene

Later they took over the Farmer's Market, but they were well dressed.
- A hand painted serving tray, that I did not buy, but enjoyed.

Thursday reflections

Technically difficult

At this time my car is in the repair shop and my computer is on it's last legs. I cannot post photos at this time.... so stay tuned.....
Oh, boy!

Phone home

In 1880 telephone service was established in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
In 1895 Deephaven Village had only two telephones. One at the Cottagewood Hotel, the other at the St. Louis Hotel. Both hotels are now gone, and the cell phone is ubiquitous.

Sundown

In the distance, Big Island.

Slow Dancer

Scenes from Art On the Lake in Excelsior

I walked down Center Street to “Art On The Lake” in Excelsior on Sunday and I was submerged into a sea of white tents, sunglasses and sundresses. Is it me, or do 70esque sundresses vaguely resemble maternal wear?
In the distant bandshell an Irish folk singer sang a non rhyming ballad that lost something in the translation. I wandered away. I enjoyed bothering the artist with my speculation if they were right or left handed by looking at their work, or by some other arcane art reference.
It was day number two for Art on The Lake and the sun had been out most of the time.
...and I got a free t-shirt!



Lee and Connie Aragon worked in tandem "The Team". Tour de Tonka volunteers.


Delightful watercolour artist, and culinary expert, Patricia Choffrut.


It's roasted I tell you! Listen - an inflatable ear of corn is a thing of beauty forever.

Toonie attends to yardwork.

Toonie carefully inpsects the watering hose for bends and bad connections. Shelties are very alert and detail oriented. (My apolgies for this vanity post.)

Back In Purgatory

I wandered back to Purgatory Park yesterday. It was lush with foilage from
recent rains. I admit I had a reason for this visit - I was checking up, to see what changes had been made since my last sightly ill-fated visit. Well, it seems the park now is now cleaner, and monitored.

As I walked down the trail I met a woman, who saw me photographing the creek, and asked me enthusiatically: "Are you looking for the cayotes? There is a den of them just around the corner". I answered 'no', but I was interested, and noted it for future photographic efforts. The camera I carried was not right for zooming in on wild animals.
Further down the trail I saw a woman gardening a small plot she rented from the
Minnetonka Parks Dept. for 15 dollars a year. About 20ft X 30ft. "I love to garden, but I must carry the water up from the creek" She spoke in an African accent which sounded simliar to the accent of a friend from Nigeria. I asked if I could photograph her, and she laughed... "Oh no I do not look very nice right now"

So my photos are without people again....

Grays

Longfellow Song of Hiawatha excerpt:
"By the shore of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
At the doorway of his wigwam,
In the pleasant Summer morning,
Hiawatha stood and waited.
All the air was full of freshness,
All the earth was bright and joyous,
And before him, through the sunshine,
Westward toward the neighboring forest
Passed in golden swarms the Ahmo,
Passed the bees, the honey-makers,
Burning, singing In the sunshine.
Bright above him shone the heavens,
Level spread the lake before him;
From its bosom leaped the sturgeon,
Sparkling, flashing in the sunshine;
On its margin the great forest
Stood reflected in the water,
Every tree-top had its shadow,
Motionless beneath the water.
From the brow of Hiawatha
Gone was every trace of sorrow,
As the fog from off the water
As the mist from off the meadow...."

Note: Yes, I know that it a Lake Superior reference - but I am taking poetic licence.

Watchin' a turtle in the rough

Next to the General Store, is the popular Cottagewood "Children's Park". The centerpiece of the park is a lovely bronze sculpture of children that captures the essence of the park. One detail of the park's sculpture/fountain is a little turtle ambling across the rocks and water.


About the Box Turtle ( From tne National Zoological Web Site)
Life Span
Box turtles may live more than 100 years.

Fun Facts
When frightened, box turtles retract their head, tail, and limbs into their shell and clamp it shut. They wait in this position until the perceived threat is gone. While juveniles have several predators, very few species can prey effectively on adults due to this defense technique.

Box turtles can be dangerous to eat. At times they consume poisonous mushrooms and the toxins may linger in their flesh.

Box turtles are most famous for their hinged shell, which allows them to retract almost completely into their bony armor to hide from danger. This shell has great regenerative powers. A case was reported in which the carapace of a badly burned box turtle underwent complete regeneration.

Flags

Tour de Tonka August 1

It is still a couple months away, so I have time to get down to racing weight.
The last "Tour de Tonka" I rode on took place during a 2 month draught in 2007. At that time my lawn resembled a sand trap and the trees, plants and citizens were distressed.
HOWEVER - The day of "The Tour" it rained all day. After, the draught returned. One has a tendency to be a little apprehensive, and even pessimistic because the same dry conditions prevail this year. But then the ride is not until August...
There is a 38 mile length that I think I will enjoy, and it will allow me the opportunity to take photos of the longer 65 and 75 mile ride participants.