Tom and Patti

This is Tom and Patti Harris. Patti is Deb's cousin (no, they are not identical) on her father's side and they live in Three Rivers WI. This is a shout out to them for inviting us up to their place last weekend.

Aren't they a cute couple?

Their home overlooking Little Fork Lake on the Chain of Lakes in upper WI. Tom and Patti retired to this abode 6 years ago from the Chicagoland region. Although they had another cabin near Tomahawk they found this place which is a year-round residence

The boat house. Beats having to pay moorage fees!

The view of Little Fork Lake from the end of the dock. The Chain of Lakes are 20 lakes linked together by the Elk River which begins about 20 miles to the east.

At the end of the chain is a dam which helps to form the Chain of Lakes. However it is possible to continue to boat downriver, into the Wisconsin River, all the way to New Orleans. In order to do this the boat needs to get over the dam. Hence, this boat lift which allows watercraft to move from the lakes into the river channel downstream.

Our weekend was short but we had a great time. Thanks Tom and Patti.

Trees

Deb and I had the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota Arboretum in the western suburbs two weekends ago. In addition to many trees, grouped according type, there were also many different flower gardens, a prarie, and an interactive center (which included the obligatory gift shop [where you could be a tree seed for only a quarter]).

The green stuff on the lake is algae which bloom when it gets hot here on all of the lakes

This tree has a wispy type of bloom, unlike most trees. Almost like cotton candy.

More unusual fauna.

This here is Don and Anna, two friend from the seminary. They are the ones who suggested to visit the arboretum (which was a great way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon). Don and Anna are also from the Puget Sound area. We have recently begun to get to know them better (Don and I took part in the rural cross-cultural class last January). Don (and Anna) will be heading back to western Minnesota to do his internship there.

Date

Gee, there are only 5 shopping months left till Christmas!

Saints Alive!

Take a look at this picture. The logo on the uniforms proclaim this team as the "Saints". But aren't they really sinners in disguise? What's going on here? The men in the picture are part of the St Paul Saints baseball team of the northern Independent league. We witnessed them in action late in the day on July 4th. What a fun time. Packed in with 9000 other people we saw a nice baseball game (although the home team lost to the Lincoln Saltdogs) and a fireworks show afterwards. I find it ironic that a we could root on the Saints, knowing full well that they are in turn sinners. Maybe this is what Martin Luther was referring to as "simul justus et peccator" (simultaneously saints and sinners).

This is the entrance to Midway Stadium, home to the saints. When we arrived we found the parking lot full of folks tailgating prior to the game. Festive, eh?
The "official" mascot of the Saints organization. Don't know why, other than they some times run pig races around the base baths as part of their promotions. Here, was the porcine fellow inquiring to a past call made by the umpire?
Wacky promotions indeed. This fellow was being suspended from the billboard in an effort to win some sort of prize. He ended up staying out there from the first inning to the seventh. In the fifth, he nearly caught a home run ball (which would have netted him $10K)
One of my favorites. Different colored life size eyeballs racing form the outfield to home plate with the winner winning something or other. This beats CG boat races on the Jumbotron any day!
Cheap entertainment! That's what we're about here in the Upper Midwest. Mike Veeck and his crew definitely helped make our day!

Everybody Loves a Parade

Yes, that is right, everyone loves a parade. Especially if it is in your neighborhood. Deb and I had the opportunity to attend the annual St Anthony Park 4th of July parade. It is one of the few neighborhood parades in the state (St Anthony Park is one of many neighborhoods within the city of St Paul and is where Luther Seminary is located).

Waiting for the start.

One view of the crowds lining Como Avenue.

The view in the opposite direction

Three of many children on hand to view the parade.
(Notice the hand made "fireworks" hats they are wearing!)

Although the parade only lasted 35 minutes it was packed with the usual political dignitaries, "floats" or entries promoted by local businesses (including the seminary) and/or causes ("Vote YES for clean water!"), several small bands, two fire engines, and bringing up the rear a Scottish bagpipe corps. all in all a fun diversion to start the weekend with out spending a lot of money.