Happy Thanksgiving!

I went overboard on this one... still, Happy thanksgiving!

A mosaic serving tray by Shorewood artist, Joan Wilson

I purchased this lovely tray from Joan at Excelsior Apple Days. I hope she doesn't mind my using her first name. We hardly spoke, I just swiped a card and I had the tray. Joan was busy chatting with other artistic admirers. Mosaics have a personal fascination for me, I spent many hours in Catholic grade school fiddling with cut up pieces of colored construction paper and paper paste. I was making paper mosaics for the Felician nuns.... The 3 Magi, Christmas trees, Nativity scenes. I drew the scenes by hand on black paper and then filled them in. By the 4th grade I was the go-to guy for the nuns all the way up to 8th grade. I was rewarded with candy form their private stash.

Excelsior Bay adrift

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt - November 28 - 30, 2014

I am giving everyone a heads up. This year, more than any other I can remember, it seems like Christmas - in November. The snow, shoveling with an ergonomic shovel, the bitter cold, the tapping your brakes to see if they work.... All the things that make the Holiday season so special. I will wander over to the Markt (yes, there is no "e" in markt) and photograph the seasonal festivities this year.

November 15th. Excelsior Commons.

The thin skin of ice spreading across Lake Minnetonka is like a curtain pulling down on the lake. It was early November 15, when I took this photo, but posted on the 17th. So early for the depth of winter to bear down on us with near zero temperatures (tonight). I will walk a few miles in the morning before work, confident that the streets will be desolate at 4:45 am. I will be wrapped in my winter gear and accept it for what it is.

An Eagle watching over Lake Susan, Chanhassen

I saw this noble bird keeping watchover the lake on Saturday. This from the Minnesota DNR, (sans lectures). Description The bald eagle is the second largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of 1.7-2.4 m (5.6-7.9 ft.) (Buehler 2000). The white head and tail and contrasting dark brown body of adult bald eagles are diagnostic of this species. Immature and subadult bald eagles are more difficult to identify, as their head and tail are brown or mottled brown and white. Blotchy white coloration on the underside of the wings and tail of young bald eagles help distinguish them from young golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), which have a more sharply defined white pattern. Bald eagles attain full adult plumage is their fourth or fifth year.

Very early winter runners, Excelsior Commons.

Stumbling on "Raising the Minnehaha"

Running down the trail about a week ago I saw the ocher colored “Minnehaha” Steamer up on blocks. She was being cleaned and prepped for winter storage. It was interesting to see the yellow steamer out of water. Then, as I continued my run, she faded from my focus and my memory. A few days later, rummaging through the paperback books in the still-packed boxes from our more to Shorewood, I found a book... and I do not remember how I come to have it. “Salvaged Memories” by Jerry Provost. The author/illustrator has passed away (1999) but left a very interesting documentation of the raising of the “Minnehaha”. An odd coincidence, or perhaps I was just more attuned. I will write more later.

Highway 7. A November Monday

I shot this from my car. Oh relax, I was doing 5 mph.

Moonlit Trail

Running comfortably along the South side of Lake Minnetonka. The trail closes in, dark, with the woods pressing in. It is 4:30am, about 40 degrees. I encounter no one. There is the rustling of leaves, and even snapping of brush as resident animal life reacts to my passing. My roving LED flashlight looks like a jailhouse searchlight. I encounter a deer on the trail. An eight point buck stares at me as if to ask: "What are you doing here?" I am game, and I respond: "YOU tell me!"

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Shawarma.

Buttons from the Excelsior Flea Market

A photo of a display case of Nixon political buttons that I took last year. Am I wrong, but you don't see as many campaign buttons as you once did. The bumper stickers are still around though. I remember when kids were paid to put them on cars (many years ago) as they walked up and down the street - without asking. The late 60s. It was a lawless time.....

Voting Shorewood

With our move, our new location for voting, the SOUTHSHORE Community Center, is located conveniently across the street from a rewards center. This can take the edge off any uneasy feelings at the voting booth.