Don't worry. My Grandpa has no idea what he's doing, but he does have a life jacket.

(Photo by Kathleen Rolfsrud)

Now what.

Stan's newly-acquired sky-blue kayak came home tonight, a 12-foot Old Town Dirigo featured in the LL Bean spring catalog. Stan found his on Craigslist and drove to Mendota Heights with Kathleen to get it. Mike took our $600 and gave us his wife's kayak, the car-top carrier and a paddle.

A very good deal, we thought. His wife appeared relieved just to see it all go. She rarely used it, and said it made her seasick.
Stan hopes the craft will provide an interesting workout routine on the nearby river and lakes. Should be good for upper body strength, and it won't wear out the pegs like pounding on pavement does.
But if it never comes out of the garage again, so be it. We'll put it back on Craigslist for $700. Worked for the Bowflex.

Wherefor cometh Bill Shearer

Although a sensitive government position required him to keep a low-profile throughout his adult career, Bill Shearer's recent retirement has allowed him to return to a favorite pursuit: live performance theater. Here he offers a soliloquy from Othello at the Ligure Theatre in Oakland during their arts and performances festival last week. Judges awarded Bill the "Best of Show" ribbon. His wife (Stan's sister Sosie), is pleased at this new found stage success, but hopes it won't cut into his work on the backyard patio project.

Because it is easier to think when I turn my head this way. Why do you ask?

Stan learned to drive on this tractor

This is an IH Farmall Cub, the same model tractor that Al and Ruby Korkowski used on their Brandon, Minnesota farm. The first Cub was built in 1947, the year Stan was born. Here they are again, now both 63, at the Minnesota State Fair Machinery Hill display area this week.
When Stan was four years old, Al Korkowski showed him how to depress the clutch, pop out the ignition button, pull on the starter and then slowly release the clutch. The tractor stayed in low gear as Al walked behind it, tossing hay bales onto the rack (below). When it was time to stop, Al yelled "Whoa!" and Stan killed the engine by pushing in the ignition button.  The tractor stopped immediately.

When it was time to go again, Stan would restart the engine, and so on. Al kept it simple, safe.
The Farmall Cub was a simple, basic tractor and very popular. There are still many around today, according to the website dedicated to its fans.
Stan remembers it as being a lot bigger, but all the buttons and levers are exactly as they were.
Across the road from the Korkowskis, the Vickermans and their son, Archie, had a yellow Allis Chalmers. Nice, but certainly no match for a powerful Farmall Cub, Al and Stan smugly agreed. When they parted at the end of the haying season, Al paid Stan $1 as hired man wages, leaving him stunned and immensely proud.

The Eiffel, the Louvre, the BBQ shelter

Full erection of this French architectural masterpiece was completed this week in the private California hillside retreat behind Sosie and Bill's canyonland home near Sunol. The stylish weatherproof fixture, acquired from the prestigious Costco firm, went up relatively easily, Sosie says. Engineer Bill had no comment. He continues to remaster the entire barbecue area, watched closely by Snowball, the white cat perched above the work area.

Watch Kathleen's video!

Two good things: a parade and a State Fair. Kathleen was in her glory when she shot this two minute movie. Click on the forward button to start.

Thank you for your opinion, sir

This young music critic had no appreciation for some sounds coming from a band performance at the State Fair yesterday.
Photos by Stan Rolfsrud

With a minimum deposit. . .

Yes, Sosie, you can rent these guys to attend your parade. This nicely-matched father-son ensemble comes in muted tones, setting off the eye-popping clown, shown here in the traditional rented convertible set up. The deluxe clown package costs a bit more to rent of course, but does come with fries and a coke.