Our violinist

Photos by Grandpa

PutEmily is spending the weekend with us while her Mom is in the Dominican Republic having some deserved fun in the sun.
Emily whipped out her violin and surprised us with "Grandparents Day" and a few other tunes. We were immediately transported to our youth when two sisters practiced daily (or were supposed to).
Just for the record, she's almost eleven, she's magnificent and shows great promise since starting on her instrument in October.

Winter clothing

Photo by Stan Rolfsrud

A female Cardinal visited our feeder again today, displaying a winter coat. Meanwhile a smaller friend (we think a female finch) helped herself on a higher perch.

Hey, Bud!

We don't know what it means yet, but the neighbor's flowering crab (I think) has been building buds all week. It is going to get cold this weekend.
The neighbors just got home from Hawaii, a trek designed to beat the cold.  Hmmm. Oh well, Hawaii always nice.

Fore! It's February 18, 2017!

Photos by Stan Rolfsrud

As they do every year, Dick and Denny lead the parade on the first morning around Stonebrooke Golf Club in Shakopee. Lots of golfers today, temperatures in the 60s. We didn't check with the pro, (he's very busy) but we believe it is easily the earliest opening ever.
Dick says it's just "fake news."

Graduation Day (gulp)

There’s no diploma but we don’t care. Stan successfully swallowed three ounces of water without stopping and was excused from further meetings with his speech, language therapy coach today. Thank you and goodbye to Catie, an excellent therapist. Now two therapies (occupational and physical) to go. We’re still doing exercises for swallowing, but we’re on our own!

Golf this weekend.. .

No. 13 at Stonebrooke in Shakopee got some extra attention from the general manager in preparation for weekend activities. It will be the earliest ever opening if it all pans out, and from the look of things, it will. Puts smiles on everyone’s face. We’ve got 63 sunny degrees here.

Erika Rolfsrud on Law and Order

If you watched NBC’s Law and Order SVU last night, you saw Erika Rolfsrud, Stan’s cousin’s daughter. She played the hockey mom whose son was assaulted by a teammate. It was fun watching a relative on the small screen; we don’t get to see her on the stage, where she appears often. Does this make Stan famous?

Big Day at the Mall

We avoid the crowds on St. Valentine’s Day, but for the past 20 or so years we have marked the event with slabs of Baby Backs (Honey Carolina's) at Tony Roma’s. There is something special about those ribs, Kathleen always says, they just fall off the bone. Whatever.
The last Tony Roma’s in Minnesota is at the Mall of America, so there we were today in the best parking spot at Macy’s, getting ready for our treat.
The parking permit is good until August, we hope to stop using it before then. . . but it's awfully nice!

His wife said to stay as long as possible . . .

Fellow retired publisher Steve Messick stopped by this afternoon for a visit, and to see what all the fuss is about. Stan was president of Southwest Newspapers while Steve headed up Rivertown Publishing Group in Red Wing. So there were Olde Tymes to talk about.
Then they drove over to see their old buddy, newspaper handyman and fishing guide, Matt, recovering from a hip operation that requires weeks of resting on his back with a styrofoam wedge velcroed between his legs, his little dog, Homer, at his side.
They talked about fishing, old friends and a little about their aches and pains. (Steve got to tell about his rotator cuff while the guy with the stroke and the guy with the busted hip nodded politely) Steve and his ever-patient wife, Jane, will be heading to their lake cabin near Brainerd to check that out shortly. He's made furniture for it in his retirement workshop.
 "Stop in and see me anytime," said the guy with the velcro wedge. "I'm not going anywhere."
Meanwhile, in International Falls, retired publisher Wayne Kasich is recuperating from hand surgery.
It's good to get these things ironed out in January and February, they agreed.

Where's Virg?

Virg may be in the Florida sun these days, but that doesn't mean the stay-behinds can't get together, especially when it is unseasonably warm and sunny in these parts.
When Kim says she's cookin' we don't have to be asked twice. She whipped up a cabbage salad, some turkey meatballs and fried rice, and topped it off with a chocolate cake she made in a crockpot. And then she surprised Stan with a copy of "Stroke Smart",  the official publication of the National Stroke Association.

Nephews Aaron, 34, and Alex, 27, joined us for the festivities. . . and Virg knew what he was missing.

A step at a time. . .

Photos by Kathleen Rolfsrud

The world's best physical therapist gave Stan a few pointers today. Tuesday Kathleen and Stan walked a mile and a half at Dakotah! Thursday we had lunch at Cafe Latte in St. Paul. Thanks for all the encouragement!

A good start. . .

Nothing like a little pick-me-up on this sub-zero February morning, getting ready for another round of exercises. Kathleen's purple Campanula, flanked by a silver-nerved Fittonia (foreground) did the trick. High of 14 degrees . . .  we hope.

Let's Get Physical, Physical

Usually Stan's Occupational Therapist focuses on the small things: pins, checkers, play dough, little bouncy balls, pinch tests, etc.
Not today!
After a few minutes of minutia, we went for the big stuff, and worked on machines, weights and balls . . . all the while standing on a foam pad. Kathleen stood in the shadows and got these photos of two men at work.
We're making steady progress and can report small victories as we continue to put this whole episode behind us. Thanks, Tony, Kristen, and Catie!

Pizza and Super Bowl LI

Many decades ago, Stan's sister Linda gave us a pizza stone. What's a pizza stone, you ask? It's a stone you put in the oven to to keep your pizza warm for a long time! It was a good idea then and we're still using it, as this blurred selfie (the best of the batch) testifies. We're just settling in for the Super Bowl. Alas, this year there will be no beer. . .  but we're still happy. Go Falcons!

He studied really hard for this. . .

It may not seem like a big deal, but for the first time in 37 days he can enjoy a drink of water with meals. Passed a Barium swallow x-ray test today! It’s the little things that you miss so much. No more. Cheers!

A cold night in February

We went out with the neighbors for our monthly dinner, but the snowbirds are in Florida or Arizona... and it cuts into the attendance. Nevertheless a good time was had by everyone who came out. . .. and we had a great time talking about the ones not there..  :)