Author: Tom Wilson

Transit Apps for a Short Trip

We’re just back from a few days in Chicago. Smartphone apps made travel by train, plane, and bike a breeze. I was able to purchase all transit using my phone. AppExample Transit Use CasesMetro Transit–Buy tickets for light rail from home to MSP (Minneapolis airport).Fly Delta–Check in for flight.–Display boarding passes.–Display membership cards.–Check departure time.–Check…… Continue reading Transit Apps for a Short Trip

Feathering the Nest

A couple days ago, we flew into Chicago’s Midway Airport then took the “L” to an industrial area on Chicago’s South Side. At 57 St. Design. We walked through a dusty woodworking shop where workers were building furniture from American hardwoods using traditional methods. We discussed a few pieces we will order, including our first decent…… Continue reading Feathering the Nest

Russia in Minneapolis

A strange thing happened as I was jogging around a lake a few days before the 2016 US presidential election. In my November 1, 2016 post I wrote: A diminutive older woman was trying to catch my attention. She announced proudly in a Russian accent that she was voting for the Republican candidate for President. “Very…… Continue reading Russia in Minneapolis

The Time I Was Summoned to “The Kremlin”

My beautiful picture

It’s 1960. My maternal grandfather, my Aunt Madge, my brother, and I had been summoned to “the Kremlin.” Madge consistently referred to her brother’s Glasgow home as “the Kremlin.” This reflected her disconnect with her brother, Malcolm. He was clearly keeping his distance from the rest of the family, possibly for good reasons. The backstory…… Continue reading The Time I Was Summoned to “The Kremlin”

Taking It to the Streets

It took an invitation from a friend for us to do it. Last week, Dwight and I found ourselves picking up trash from a main drag that runs through our neighborhood. All the way back to childhood, I’m grateful for friends appealing to my better instincts. Sometimes appeals to people’s worst instincts are strong motivators.…… Continue reading Taking It to the Streets

The Show Had to Go On

When she was a child, my mother was acting up. My grandmother pointed to a little girl sitting passively across the room: “Why can’t you be like her?” My mother retorted: “Nobody is paying attention to her.” She was probably a little older than the toddler uncomfortably propped on the chair in the photograph at…… Continue reading The Show Had to Go On

Love Hotel Amenity

[wp_quiz id=”1823″] I have nothing against love hotels as places for courting couples to get some privacy for a couple hours, or a traveler to get a cheap bed for the night if they can wait until late night to check in. I have issues with other uses that involve exploitation. I took the photos…… Continue reading Love Hotel Amenity

Drooped Antenna on a Pole

[wp_quiz id=”2011″] There are about 40 of these devices scattered around the Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns, and the campuses of the University of Minnesota. This one is across the road from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It consists of a box, an antenna, and a solar panel. The antenna is always drooped, as…… Continue reading Drooped Antenna on a Pole