mia on a January Sunday

It was still below zero so I headed for the warmth of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It's really quite enjoyable when you get to CHOOSE when to go, what to look at and when to leave!

A look back - Lisbon

It's been 10 years since we first sailed about the Seabourn Legend. Time to relive and remix the old digital files.

Grandma Rose is Thankful

Grandma Rose is 97 (though she likes to claim she's 98 because she has passed her 97th birthday last spring).]

She is thankful for her husband Tony, 99, (though he is claiming 100 because he passed his birthday last summer).

Whatever the number, they continue to entertain and delight us.

Grandma Tells the Story

Catch up on the katz - 18 weeks old

Celebrating 99 years of integrity

Grandpa Tony talked to the college professor who now owns the home that he and Grandma Rose built more than 60 years ago.

We were out for a drive after a celebratory lunch on July 5 and stopped to chat with current owner who has lived there for 5 years.

When the prof said she'd heard that the parquet floors were installed as a result of "left overs" from other houses that Grandpa was building at the time he was quick to correct her.

"Oh no. It was all bought and paid for. I placed my order with the flooring guy just like for any other job."

73 years together

Grandpa Tony and Grandma Rose celebrated 73 years of marriage Saturday with a Mass and dinner out. The secret? "I never argue," said Rose.

Grandma is 97 and has the cake to prove it!

Mug club

Mug club membership allow one to expand knowledge and appreciation of arts and crafts (brewing).

Defrocking the tree

Grandpa was eager to remove the Christmas ornaments. Then, happily supervise folding up the tree and storing it all until next year.

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.