The North Run Farm in Delano

I visited the North Run Farm in Delano MN for a “Schooling Show” in which Shelly and “Cody” made their first showing. It was delightfully low key. The day was dark but the barn was well lit. Still, it is hardly a setting for a photographic "point and shooter". I did not fare well.

Some participants were dressed in festive costumes. Another young lady, a judge, looked quite a lot like Paris Hilton. This was not a costume. This was not bad.

Shelly /Cody won a 4th place ribbon. I believe she was ticketed for changing lanes without signaling - or some other change of lead and cantor violation.

The Commons, St. Alban's

Lake Minnetonka Ness

I leaned back in my car, having a cup of coffee. Caffinated decompression. Are the two mutually exclusive? Then I heard a soft ripple of the lake nearby. "The Muskellunge are restless tonight" I thought.

Under the Bridge @ St. Albans Bay

The sign is slightly obscured. This will not last much longer as the leaves fall away. A little path juts off the Lake Minnetonka Trail and wanders down under the bridge. Actually there are two bridges. One for bicyclists and pedestrians, the other for cars. Underneath, in the shade, on a summer day you will find people fishing from the shore line.

Blue Line

The Food Based Holidays Approach with many questions...

I have been mulling over writing about some of the FAQ to the Minnetonkascenes"Hapless chef".
An example is the FAQ: "Can I substitute baking soda for baking powder?"
The hapless chef replies: "There is no difference between baking soda, and baking powder. It is one of the myths foisted upon us by the large Multi-national Food Conglomerates. The truth is that you can also substitute Alka-Selzer for either one"

What do you think? Is this tip of value to anyone?

A morning revisited to Grays Bay

I had a flurry of visits to this photo I took a few years ago. I thought I would re- post on a Fall Friday.

Blade warrior

I took this shot this summer "on the road".

*** *** ***

I woke up this morning and thought about shaving. Dull multiple baldes, a pile of plastic razor covers. Disposable razors have skyrocketed in price, as I have mentioned before. I suppose more and men are going to go unshaven - I pondered this. Then I thought about the history of shaving...

"• The earliest shaving razors discovered were flint blades made possibly as far back as 30,000 B.C. Flint could provide an extremely sharp edge for shaving; these were, of course, the first disposable shavers because flint becomes dull rather quickly.


• In Greece, it was popular for men to crop hair very short and shave the face. Alexander the Great is pretty much the man responsible for this trend because he was obsessed with shaving. He even shaved during wartime, and would not allow himself to be seen going into battle with a five o’clock shadow.

• Roman men started their day with a trip to the tonsor, or barber, who would shave a face with an iron novacila, or Roman razor. This type of shaver corroded quickly and became blunt; so most customers usually, or eventually, got cut. But don’t worry- the tonsor could fix this by applying to the face a soothing plaster made from special perfumed ointment and spider webs soaked in oil and vinegar. Despite the dangers of going to the barbershop, Roman men continued to flock in daily because they were also great centers for gossip and news."

- From the Web site "Know the World"

Oyo Como Va!

Listen how it goes
my rhythm
Good to enjoy, mulata
Listen how it goes
my rhythm
Good to enjoy, mulata



A little store on University Avenue. I pass it on the way, as I start another day.

The Excelsior "Boo-seum"

I stopped in to the Excelsior History Museum and was met with an array of black and orange signs, skeletons and a group of busy workers setting up the Boo-Seum. I took a few photos in the safety of daylight. I am not showing the spooky venue, because the light of day does not convey it properly. Go see for your self.

Ghosts of Autumn

My father told me stories of seeing the ghosts of Indian Pow-wows in autumn. He could see the smoky shadows of teepees of the Kaposia campsite along the Mississippi. My father was born in 1906, and perhaps he did have some faint childhood recollections. Fall seems to give rise to these images and the passing of a way of life.


"In 1889 after much wrangling and questionable promises by the government, vast areas of the Sioux Reservation were signed away. A move bitterly opposed by Sitting Bull. The Lakota political organization was shattered and their religious ceremonies were suppressed. The Hunting economy was abolished, and even their children taken away to distant schools.
Thus all old values became meaningless, the conditions for self-fullfulment and attainment no longer existed. The Lakota had reached an 'anomic' state."

- Smithsonian Institute






Lakota Shamans perform a ceremony about "The white Buffalo Maiden"

Dark marina.

The moon escaped me this morning. I saw it from the highway and stopped along the roadside. I rushed down a long damp dock to capture it, but it was gone.

The Pale Pumpkin

I have been working on a pumpkin themed story.

The seasons take a turn

Ahhh - Oktoberfest!

These lovely Mädchen posed outside the Cottagerwood General Store, in preparationfor the Oktoberfest Celebration and fund raiser. They are very photogenic, aren't they?
They did not know me,(and really who does?) but they posed for me even though they were very busy. Thanks!



This crop is closer, with a little more attitude... it is Oktoberfest.