Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Swimmer Zitch

Swimmer Zitch

"Swimmer's itch is a patchy red pinpoint skin rash associated with itching on the parts of the body that have been in the water. Swimmer's itch is usually not severe. After the initial transient itching it will disappear without treatment. The itching occurs within 48 hours and may last up to 7 days. Rarely, it can be severe if a large proportion of the body is affected. The major, although not the only, cause of swimmer's itch are trematode parasites of aquatic/migrating birds. The life cycles of these parasites involve snails as the first host and aquatic birds or some mammals as the final host."
- From a medical website.

Yes folks, I have had "Swimmer's itch".
I contracted it while swimming in a lake Wisconsin - in 1983.
I was swimming around (not across) the lake with a high school buddy, with two young ladies in a rowboat spotting us. We swam a mile and a quarter to a lakeside convenience store, bought supplies and then we rowed back. One of the young ladies, who I did no know, said she enjoyed watching my muscles as I swam. Adroit young man that I was (read: no clue), I took this at face value and did not pursue.
But I did contract swimmer's itch.

Monday, June 28, 2010

An Amusement Park remembered

Excelsior Amusement Park - remembered

Saturday, June 26, 2010

In a fog

Foggy morning with red

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Dogs Gone Wild - Wayzata June 26

Getting Along!
The doggies are looking forward to a day of shopping, sniffing and showing off in Wayzata Saturday. I am packing treats and plastic bags.
Thankss for the heads up Wayzata.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Inverted Dock

inverted

A reversal of the classic "dock into the lake" shot. I walked down this uneven old dock in Burton Park, planks creaking, and took a shot from the end, facing inward. Very introspective, and sadly, somewhat mundane.In the distance- this rustic bench.

Burton Park /Deephaven

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sunday lunch @ the 318

Lunch @ 318
Rustic pizza, - Greek "Medeterenean wrap" - a wrap which promised avacado but did not deliver. Such is life. 3:00 pm. It was quiet inside.The larger crowds on Father's Day hovered around the lake and trails. Biking. We sat back and watched the street activity. Weekend warriors rumbled by. Muscle cars. People engaged in life- when time permits.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Carson's Bay

Carson's Bay

Named after Kit Carson's bother Elijah Carson. They were from a family of 14.
The original name of the bay was "Pig Inlet".

Carsons Bay

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The MS 150 finish line- Century College

The first riders arrive.
finished
abandoned pink

The MS 150 ended in Century College in White Bear Lake, MN. 58 degrees and misty grey. Many riders said that the cool tail winds boosted them along by at least 2 mile an hour. Many were finished by eleven thirty.
They looked happy, even elated, in the grey, cloud-covered weather. There were a lot of donations, and even more good feelings generated by this ride.
early rider
He rode in, and gave a wave.

Monday, June 07, 2010

Banned

banned
I walked over to the abandoned starting and finishing line. It was a cross country course running through Gale Woods Farm. An open straitghtaway - then hills. Laying on the ground were discarded rubber bands and other clothing accessories that are banned by the Minnesota High School League. Sparkels and glitter are also banned.
My mind wandered.
I remember going to the Minnesota HS Track and Field Championship and sitting behind a group of male High School coaches. They were all wearing "fanny packs". I would ban these.
I remember running a 16:23 - 3 mile at the Swain Invitational in Duluth ( before the 5K distance replaced the 3 mile and erased some of greatest MN HS runner's records). They still give the runners their mile splits.
I finished in 19th place.

I thought back...I picked up one of the wrist bands from the ground. I put it on.

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Everyone's gone to the moon.

Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park. Empty. The children are gone.

Time again for some lovely lyrics:

Streets full of people, all alone
Roads full of houses - never home
Church full of singing - out of tune
Everyone's gone to the moon

Eyes full of sorrow, never wet
Hands full of money, all in debt
Sun coming out in the middle of June
Everyone's gone to the moon

Long time ago
Life had begun
Everyone went to the sun

Hearts full of motors - painted green
Mouths full of chocolate-covered cream
Arms that can only lift a spoon
Everyone's gone to the moon

Everyone's gone to the moon
Everyone's gone to the moon

Transcribed by Robin Hood

Thorpe Park Willow

Thorpe Park Willow
2 under  the willow
- NIna Simone

Willow weep for me
Willow weep for me
Bent your branches down along the ground
and cover me
Listen to my plea
Hear me willow and weep
for me

Gone my lovely dreams
Lovely summer dreams
Gone and left me here
To weep my tears along the stream
Sad as I can be
Hear me willow and weep for me

Whisper to the wind and
say they love has sinned
To leave my heart a sign
And crying alone
Murmur to the night
Hide her starry light
So none will find me sighing
Crying all alone

Weeping willow tree
Weeping sympathy
Bent your branches down along the ground
and cover me
Listen to me plea
Hear me willow and weep for me
Willow, willow, weep for me


Note: I love this song but do not fret that it is in any way autobiographical. But we all need a Willow

Friday, June 04, 2010

Carson's Bay

Carsons am

Ã