Getting dressed up for fall; a golden necklace amidst the green

Urgent signs portend a change of seasons; we surprised a neighborhood doe on our morning walk, made us wonder if she knows of the coming danger. The cocky red fox sports a very bushy tail this year, does that mean anything? A generous soaking last night and drizzly fog this morning will delay the browning of the meadows. We still have time to linger and wonder and plan.
September is the best month of all, but it won't last forever.

Woman seeks info on Veeder art

We just received this photo of some beautiful art work, signed by our cousin Larry, along with this inquiry from a woman in southern Minnesota. We're on the case now for Cindy, we've forwarded the photo and note and will await more info. What fun.

Here's the email:

Hello, my name is Cindy, I live south of Worthington, MN.

Last week I was in a local shop and bought an art print of a beautiful old home. I do not know much...if anything ... about art, except I know what I like. It looks TO ME like an ink print. The back ground is cream but has aged. The subject is a large house with a three-story square turret . There is also a sunroom and open porches on the first floor. 

I fell in love with this and had a little trouble deciphering the name, but have used my computer to track down the artist....at least I think I have. I am 73 years old and not exactly computer savvy. I found your web site and presume I am on the right trail. I was wondering if anyone could answer a couple questions?

When was this art work produced? And what city/town is this house located. I hope it is still in existence. Don't know why it attracts me so, except I LOVE old homes. I am in the process of getting it framed so other generations can enjoy it in the future. Please convey to Mr. Veeder my admiration for his work. Thank you.

C.P.

Six out of Eight... but not good enough

Kathleen missed her chance at the $2000 Perfect Pick Pot by two games today. She picked six out of eight winners. Missed Miami and Baltimore. Oh well. There's next week.

Canterbury Brain Trust unmoved by end of live racing

Kathleen with her classmate, Bob Lund, and old
St. Paul family friend, Don Kieger

There they were this morning, right where we left them last time, at the big round table in the Race Book penthouse; the table is permanently labeled "Reserved for Don Kieger."
Most of the Canterbury Brain Trust doesn't really care that the live racing season has ended. That's mostly for amateurs anyway, they say. But our old family friend Don says he will miss all the racing fans coming out to the track, because the ladies always dress so nice. Whatever. Their third floor office at Canterbury Park opened at its usual time this morning, where every day there are countless problems to solve, so many details to work out, so much to do.

By the way, please notice that Don has lost a lot of weight. Despite this, he grumbles that he still doesn't feel much better, he's going to die anyway. This morning he treated himself to a complimentary powdered donut (he says his diet allows him one per week) and then submitted what is sure to be the winning choices in a "Pick Six" at some far-away track in simulcast land.
So for now, don't worry about Don. He's still All In.

An opinion on everything
can be found at this table. Just don't bet on it.

Continued good luck to him and all the Learned Gentlemen of the Race Book.

-------------
Kathleen's Perfect Pick 
winners for today:

Chicago
Atlanta
Buffalo
Green Bay
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Cleveland
Houston
-------------
$2000 pot for perfection

Evon & Pat! Over here! Over here! Surprise! Surprise!

There's no dog, Evon. Just friends and family hiding in the pavilion.

That's Evon's future son-in-law in the background.

It's Pat and Evon Minelli's 30th wedding anniversary and they were told to come down to Sand Point Beach on nearby Prior Lake right away to help hunt for a dog.
There was no lost dog but there were dozens of friends and relatives gathered in the pavilion, invited by the couple's children, Matt and Ali, who tricked their parents into coming. The couple was absolutely taken by surprise.
Pat and Evon hail from "Da Range," and of course there were plenty of Iron Rangers joining them at the celebration, and lots and lots of food too. (Italians, you know) Alan Phillips set the mood with live music (he had new strings on his guitar and mandolin). The couple thanked everyone and then re-enacted their wedding cake-cutting for the cameras.

Stan hired Pat in 1987 to be the editor of the Shakopee Valley News. Pat's still there and, though Stan is retired, they continue to be good friends. Pat reads this blog regularly (signing his comments as "The Ranger") and was pleased to meet Emily. "I know all about you," he smiled. "I am so glad to meet you."
For her part, Emily politely congratulated the couple and then asked if she could have a piece of cake with that big orange flower on it.

Evon and Pat with their children, Matt and Ali.

Postponed

Complications derailed Dan's hip surgery today. We're all back home. We'll try again later. Thanks for your support. We're all understandably disappointed.

In the hunt at Creeksbend

Steve didn't hit one in here, but enough people have to make it
interesting for a compulsive ball hawk during a break in the action. 

Self-portrait
Two and a Half Men.

Steve, Dave and Stan enjoyed a lovely midday of golf at Creeksbend today. Dave has been Stan's weekly partner all summer, but he and Jane are heading to their winter home in Phoenix in a week or so, so it was time to break in a rookie from Mankato for the fall season.
Reasonably good rounds were posted by the three-some, but that didn't mean the rookie stayed out of the rough.
He and Dave took the opportunity during a couple breaks in the action to hunt, an activity that is always discouraged by the host, but to no avail.
Dry fall weather makes ideal conditions for ball hunting, it was explained.
Same time next week, with a basket of new-found balls.

Steve found more than Dave.

Countdown restarted for Dan's new hip

Here's Dan in his condo with his sisters, niece and nephew.

If events continue as scheduled, Kathleen's brother Dan will get a new hip on Thursday. We have a date with a highly-regarded orthopedic surgeon bright and early at Abbott Northwestern. As you may recall, we had a surgery scheduled for this long-desired event last spring, but it was cancelled at the last minute due to some complications. We're taking another run at it this week; your good thoughts and prayers for Danny are appreciated, of course.

Big finish

We enjoyed watching the Sunday morning workouts over
breakfast yesterday. No live racing Sunday at Canterbury.
They're not going to compete with the NFL. Big season finale this weekend.

Live racing at Canterbury Park ends this coming weekend. We hope to meet our long-time friends, the Bragstads, there for an afternoon and evening of fun. The track had its most successful run in recent history this year.