Coolish in Germany, Inge says

Ingeborg, our long-time friend from Hannover, checks in with an email and a picture today:

. . . Talking about the weather in Germany, it's been awful for weeks...sunny intervals, rainy showers, thunderstorms, temperature too low for this season. On the other hand, the roses are in bloom quite well this year, it's pretty green in the city. 

The weatherman has spoken, "We have to stand another week, then it will become better." There is bad news of our only larger city lake, called "Maschsee," the one where you can go ice skating in winter, remember? The lake is polluted because of droppings from gray geese. Therefore the public swimming possibility must close by hygenical reasons. So there is no swimming possible, but what could we do? The geese love to stay on these premises.

The picture is of the Lake Maschsee, in the back you can see the city hall, built around 1890, and on the left side in the back the large, old tower of the market church, our biggest church building, was built in the medium age.

(Our pal Inge has excellent English. . . but she obviously meant the church was built in the Middle Ages. Our favorite misstep was one sunny day when Stan was wearing a new pair of short pants, Bermuda length. Ingeborg threw Stan a compliment as he sported about. "Stan," she said enthusiastically, "I like your panties.")

Happy Birthday, Marcy!

Our middle daughter, middle age, healthy, active. We're so grateful she's ours. Today? We found her with friends in Seattle, enjoying much cooler weather than at her home in South Minneapolis.

Eleven years of freezing and thawing cycles has pretty much destroyed the finish on our crank-out window sill frames. Moisture has settled, pooled, frozen and cracked the varnish on about three dozen windows. Now with the weather so hot, it's a good time for an inside air-conditioned put-sy project, so here goes.
Best tool for completing the removal of the finish? A simple dull-bladed broad knife, scraping back and forth. Vacuum. Repeat. Then on with the detail sander for a touch up. Apply lots of blue tape, then stain, then sealer, then varnish, then varnish. . .
Patience. One detail at a time.

Stan saw doomed Russian MIG passing overhead

Stan observed the Russian MIG that crashed at Flying Cloud airport cruising at low altitude this morning. Seemed unusual, we rarely get military aircraft flying low in this area -- certainly not Russians. The plane was heading across the Minnesota River for its eventual crash landing. The pilot was not hurt.

Paul Allen Photo, Google Images

Here's the story from the StarTribune:

A vintage Russian jet was destroyed after crashing Thursday morning in Eden Prairie as it attempted to land for this weekend's annual air show.

The pilot, who hasn't been identified, was landing his 1975 MiG-21 at 10 a.m. at Flying Cloud Airport for this weekend's Wings of the North AirExpo. Officials said the jet's parachute, which helps slow the aircraft, was deployed, but appeared to collapse and detach, causing the plane to overshoot the runway.

The nose of the plane came to a rest in a roadside ditch on Flying Cloud Drive near the intersection of Pioneer Trail. No fire started, but the plane was heavily damaged.

"I don't think it will be usable ever [again]," police spokeswoman Katie Beal said after talking to a mechanic at the scene. "I think it will just be for parts from here on out."

The pilot was the only one on board the plane and suffered minor injuries, but was treated at the scene.

While an official cause of the crash won't be released by officials with the Federal Aviation Administration for weeks, Beal said the detached parachute is likely the reason for the crash.

The southbound lane of Flying Cloud Drive will remain closed through most of Thursday, she said, until crews can clear the wreckage.

The AirExpo activities will go on as scheduled on Saturday and Sunday.

The good old days

Life was so simple. Toothache? No problem. Wonder if it worked for spousal irritation?

More news about Mr. Wonderful

Kathleen was checking out at Cub Foods yesterday when young Kayleigh, the perky cashier, got a look at Kathleen's debit card, and asked:

"Do you have a son who's a teacher?

Kathleen responded "No, but I have a nephew who is a math teacher."

Almost going into a swoon, Kayleigh said: "Oh. . . I had him for Math, and he was SOO nice!"

And then, she added, "And his WIFE is nice too."

Kathleen said "Thank You" then bagged her groceries, now with a big smile and warm feeling inside.

Ford and his daughter, Kaia.

Meanwhile, Jenn Rolfsrud writes on the family blog:
After two years of night, weekend and summer classes, studying, presentations and internships (not to mention working, coaching and being a family-man), Ford added another degree to his collection yesterday. Joining his Master's degree is an Administrative license. This means he now has the requisite credentials to apply for and become a principal. Completing this degree has been one of his goals since I met him 10 years ago. We are so happy for him and could not be prouder. He's hoping to be a principal of a school Kaia attends in the future. Poor kid, as if being a teacher's kid isn't hard enough already.
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Studies have shown. . .

Our friend Robin passes on this advertisement that ran in many popular magazines while we were growing up. Just shows you, not only how times change, but just because you have money to advertise, doesn't mean you've got it right.

The copy reads:

How soon is too soon?

Not soon enough. Laboratory tests over the last few years have proven that babies who start drinking soda during that early formation period have a much higher chance of gaining acceptance and "fitting in" during those awkward pre-teen and teen years. So, do yourself a favor. Do your child a favor. Start them on a strict regimen of soda and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness.
The Soda Pop Board of America
1511 W. Hart Avenue
Chicago. Ill

Oh, and then there is this old favorite:

Don't mess with Sandy

Photo by Ranger Tom, sent via wilderness internet

Our neighbors are spending this month acting as campground hosts at Bear Head State Park near Ely. There actually are bears in the area so occasionally one must be captured and transported, using this wheeled device demonstrated above by Ranger Sandy.
With this newfound knowledge we're excited to have her return to the neighborhood soon, and take charge of the Resident Association Gopher Extraction Team.

Happy Birthday, Al!

Best Wishes to Allen Jerdee today; he's our brother-in-law, Becky's wonderful husband.