5 in the books - I'm Still Standing!

The 2009 Northshore Inline Marathon was warm, clear and windless - perfect conditions for skating in my fifth 26.2-mile event from Two Harbors to Duluth, Mn.

Thankfully, my summer of cross-training enabled me to complete this adventure unscathed. It's true, I am now beginning to consider skating at speeds approaching 20 miles an hour (on the downhill) a perilous pursuit.

Still, I was exhausted, relieved and thrilled to finish upright and within seconds of my personal best time. Best of all was savoring the accomplishment on the deck at Fitger's…yes, those are my post-race feet dwarfing the Lift Bridge in the distance.

To coin a phrase

Wow, that's a doozy!

Actually, the owner explained, it's an Auburn. "Oh, 'scuse my ignorance," I said. "What's an Auburn?"

Check out this LINK and you'll be enlightened too!

I had seen this car around my neighborhood during the 10 years I've lived here. When I happened by the local grocery store it was parked outside. I couldn't resist snapping a few pixs.

The proud owner emerged and told me a bit about this fabulous 1935 Auburn - sort of a cousin to the Duesenberg...hence the term "Doosey!"

Saturday @ Lake Harriet Rose Garden

They call it the Rose Garden, but there were other things in bloom on this late summer morning.

I sharpened my rusty depth of field skills on these beauties. I'm sure helpful readers will be able to identify them by name.

If so, clue us all in!

Dry humor @ the Library

Once in awhile I emerge from my home office bunker. Today, my change of scenery was the Hennepin County Library - Southdale. I stopped in the restroom, washed my hands and had to smile at someone's version of dry, or drying, humor:

Happy 98th Birthday Grandpa Tony

Grandpa Tony wanted steak for his birthday so we headed to his favorite place, Timberlodge Steakhouse. Unfortunately, our arrival was greeted by a big red Dumpster® and a sign that read, "Closed Temporarily Due to Kitchen Fire."

Disappointment hung in the air, but not for long.

We scooted across the street where Rose and Tony discovered a new favorite Granite City Brewery. Staff and servers were kind, helpful and heaping of praise on our 98 year-0ld fella.

Grandma Rose added star power to her outfit with sunglasses that she found in the back seat on the ride over.

After a stop at the Dollar Store and grocery, both Tony & Rose were happy to return home for their afternoon nap.

A slice of summer

Nothing brings back fond summer memories like a glimpse of Grandma and Grandpa's house on a beautiful summer day. For me, it conjures up walks to the Dairy Bar and helping Grandpa select just the right tomatoes to pick for supper.

Post your favorite memory for all to enjoy!

Dead parrot wings dampen bravado

Ter threw down the gauntlet and I accepted the challenge - a contest to see if either of us could eat a mess of Dead Parrot Wings and live to tell the tale.

The venue was the Lazy Flamingo, home of the world famous grouper sandwich, and the sense-searing wings to which we had subjected ourselves on previous trips to Captiva.

Sure, it started out all smiles. The lingering aftermath was not quite so pleasant.

A little art in Little Italy

It wasn't all beaches and baseball on my trip to San Diego. The 25th annual Artwalk took place in the Little Italy neighborhood where my hotel was located.

This event featured art of various forms. View the video to glimpse the weekend's activities.

I liked: Increased trolley frequency allowed for convenient transport to my waterfront and baseball activities.

Burnt ends rule @ reopened KC BBQ

My first visit to the Kansas City Barbeque was shortly after it was featured in the piano bar scene in the movie "Top Gun." My memory of it was a gritty watering hole surrounded by train tracks and waterfront warehouses.

So, when I was in San Diego on business last October, I was surprised to look out the window of my room at the Manchester Hyatt and see the burned remains of the Kansas City Barbeque.

I vowed to return for baseball and barbeque in the spring of 2009.

My April visit began with a stop at the renovated barbeque haunt now sandwiched between the trolley/train track and multi-millon dollar condos. The Friday night pre-game crowd shared typical barroom banter. I cozied up to the bar and enjoyed some flavorful burnt ends.

Jerry the bartender proclaimed that the happy hour was the "best in town." Establishment regulars seemed to agree. They ordered pitchers of beer, no glass. Their quaffing techniques were a fitting tribute to the legacy of this resurrected ruin.

Mn Tea Party: It's About Individual Rights

This was the first "protest" I have ever attended as an adult. Like most conservatives, I'm busy working when most confabs of opinionmongering take place. So it was a new experience to rally with about 9,999 others at the Capitol in St. Paul.

Yes, there really were about that many folks gathered to voice their displeasure. It was a polite, orderly and law-abiding crowd. No rocks being dropped on cars from overpasses, no downtown store windows shattered, no police officers injured in scuffles.

Can you really have a protest without all that mayhem? Guess so.

You see, that's how we conservatives roll.

The Final Twins Baseball Dome Opener

This was the last Dome Opener for the Twins.

They didn't win, but they did give me cause to dig out one of my well-worn baseball-isms: "Did you hear they aren't serving beer at the Metrodome this year? Yeah, the Twins lost the Opener."

Next year, outdoor baseball returns with Opening Day hats, mittens & scarves.

A non-bacon tidbit - Talk among yourselves

Um, thanks(?) to my sister, Carol, for providing this highlight of her and Bill's weekend getaway to Sarasota, FL.

Perhaps this visual will nudge us beyond bacon to explore other topics…or perhaps it won't. Comments, anyone?

Grandma Rose: 96 trips around the block

Grandma Rose celebrated her 96th birthday Saturday with a single-candle cake and an all-you-can eat lunch at the Super Buffet. This year's birthday suit was a royal purple outfit with matching pumps and tiara. Topics of discussion included the flavor of the green hard-packed ice cream on the dessert line (mint?, pre-St. Patty's day vanilla? green tea?) and the name for a chicken part with which some were not previously familiar (pope's nose).

Consider the lowly porcine

The previous post on the baconator has sharpened my focus on the many ways we can enjoy the profusely plentiful parts of the pig.

Once again, a submission by loyal blog follower WW kicks off the tasty parade:


Bacon makes everything better, even...chocolate?
It sounds so wrong — but for some, these ingredients just taste so right






The culinary delight of pig face grows with the passing of time (and a fading memory) especially if you aren't distracted by a few bristles.

Seeking directions on your bacon adventure? Bacon recipes



Post your links of porcine madness here so that all may enjoy!

Something to chew on

It's been a busy month what with refusing to participate in the recession and all...Never too busy to check out a new recipe, however.

Tip o' the visor to loyal follower WW who forwarded this recipe of delight: The baconator truly a culinary wonder of our time.

C'mon, you've got to check it out. It has a bacon weave!

Legacy of Innovation Continues at 97

Ever the innovative thinker, Grandpa Tony was determined to help me load into my trunk the:
• 4-foot tree
• Containers filled with ornaments
• Festive wreath

…that I had just packed away for another year.

I grew nervous as he rolled his loaded up walker out of the apartment entryway and on to the sidewalk.

Too bad, Grandpa silently declared, there was no stopping him now that he had on his ear flap hat and winter coat fully zipped. Lucky for me, he stopped just a few steps outside and allowed me to transfer the bounty from the sidewalk to my car.

Glimpsing the icy walk just 12-inches away, he shrugged and deftly wheeled back inside.

"This makes a pretty handy cart, too," he declared as we headed back down the hallway. "I really can't get around without it, you know. But it works great for more than just than just walking."

Sure Grandma, Let's Do it Again Next Year

This is the fifth year that I've taken down the Christmas decorations at Grandma and Grandpa's place. Each time, Grandma Rose asks "Think we'll be able to do this again next year?"

Her question gave me yet another chance to tell Grandpa Tony, 97, and Grandma how grateful I am just to have the opportunity to have them here. They've lived through so much and are appreciative of it all - from the Great Depression to the smooth rolling walker that Grandpa now uses to get around.

So, Grandma Rose, I hope we get another chance next year, but if we don't you'll rest easy knowing that we've enjoyed every moment we've spent together.

Bathroom tile repair is underway

It began innocently – removal of the original towel bar over the toilet.

Seemed like a good chiseling should remove it cleanly. Yes, it seemed that it should.

As with most features of my 1949-built house, even the towel bar was installed to withstand nuclear bomb blasts, raging tornadoes and subzero temperatures.

Turns out that a wide spike on the back of the bar was set into the tile.

Next step, remove and replace the two tiles that now have gaping holes.

Seems easy enough.

I'll keep you posted.