A Good Man

 The President’s eulogy at the Walter F. Mondale Memorial yesterday inspired us to dig out some memorabilia and reflect on our times with this “good man,” as Joe Biden called him. Yesterday Biden revealed an intimate and long-standing relationship with the man who welcomed him in his first days at the Senate, and never stopped being an important fixture in his life.

We cherish the pictures of our nights at the Mondales in D.C. where, a busy man preparing for his presidential run, still had time for photos, a nice visit, and a box of Poppycock at his kitchen table, shared with two thrilled constituents from his home state.

Rest in peace, Fritz Mondale, a Good Man.

We'll take it!

For some of us here, a new bud can spark as much joy as a basket of roses.

Easter 2022

Back row: Marcy, Missy, Marcy's son Maxwell, Nevin - old family friend. Missy's daughter Emily is in front.

Moon Shot.

Behold! The sun has broken through in Eden Prairie! And the blue moon was there to bear witness! April 8. Now Play Ball!

Watercolor

 Goodbye March. You were nothing special this year. As usual.

Last chance?

 

Sensing the passing of winter today, a shaggy dog got the most out of the shrinking snowdrifts, stopping at each to wallow, to the delight of her owners. Hoping for 60 degrees tomorrow.

We think this will be a very special spring, we will put so much behind us. So many new beginnings. Bring it on!

Welcome to Wendy's!

 

Flashing that smile that won her over as an infant, our grandchild finishes another order at the Wendy's  drive up that employs her twice a week. She manages an A average in her studies and is delighted to have the extra money. Still 15, going on 21. Growing up so fast! Driver training in May!

Her pants are wet, but she always had a smile when the afternoon nap was over.

Happy 85th Harold!

 

The entire population of tiny Keene, North Dakota, and the surrounding area, turned out to honor Harold Rolfsrud for his 85th birthday Saturday — in the largest venue available, the Keene Dome. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the family patriarch is a popular figure in the area, and many life-long friends and others came to extend their best wishes, as well as did his extensive extended family, one from as far away as Alabama. 

We add our congratulations to this dear man, proud to claim him as a first cousin. His actual birthday is today.

(photo at right) Dixie from the Keene Cafe added a banana cream pie, a favorite.

An old friend passes into the sunset

It’s been standing here since we moved in last summer. Grounded in 65 yards of concrete and busy assembling a parking garage, it was a durable picture of slow steady progress. We wondered what it would be like to run, perched high above the project, precisely coordinating supplies to the trusting groups of workers below.

Does the operator take a break? Does he get lonely? Does the wind scare him? ..... We also wondered just how you would take down such an immense crane. 

Today we found out: You just get a bigger crane.

A real-life high wire act played out this afternoon, as three men methodically disassembled the structure and the taller crane lowered it, piece by piece, ready to move on to the next job. A sure sign of Spring? We’ll take it. 

Yes, we’ll miss that big old crane on the horizon. But then, we’ll always have the sunset, keeping time in the autumn of our lives. Standby for more photos.