Afterglow, back home from a Minnesota Orchestra concert.
Category: Living
Exploring Minneapolis
The plan was to pedal with a friend visiting from the UK, but rain showers and lightning in the forecast threw a wrench in our gears. Instead, we opted for a long walk through Minneapolis. At the offices of Ryan Companies, an architecture, engineering, and construction firm, we reviewed this wooden model of Downtown.
Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
Every Thursday, on my walk from the bus stop to the school where I volunteer, I pass by Minneapolis’ oldest cemetery, Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, founded 1853. In the photo three rows of weathered headstones mark where Civil War soldiers are interred. Each stone carries a name and the poignant statement ‘A Soldier.’
A Lesson in Flag Etiquette
A cycle ride with a friend included Victory Memorial Drive where the flag was at half-staff, which mystified us. On Memorial Day (Monday) the flag is flown at half-staff until noon. Later I learned that at other times only the President and Minnesota’s Governor have the authority to require the flag at half-staff, but neither…… Continue reading A Lesson in Flag Etiquette
Malcolm Yards
Cycled with friends to Malcolm Yards, an excellent food hall rising out of the shell of a (formerly) dilapidated 130-year-old industrial building There’s a cycle path all the way and beer is self-service (charged by the tenth of an ounce), what more could I ask? Enjoyed good company and a flavorful cauliflower dish prepared with…… Continue reading Malcolm Yards
Starting Low and Slow
Prepared a dry rub and applied it to baby back ribs which I then placed in an oven at 250°F. Low and slow. This was a chance for a slow cycle ride, ducking occasional rain. As the afternoon progressed, the sound of thunder intensified, prompting me to crank harder on my return home. Back home…… Continue reading Starting Low and Slow
Happy Grass, Smart Watering
Relaxed day: walking, reading, troubleshooting, …. Here I’m troubleshooting a plant watering schedule on a Hubitat home automation hub. I finally set up schedules for a water pump that irrigates the long line of grasses on our balcony. Back in the day, a plug-in mechanical timer would’ve done the job.
Finding Inspo
Took in some of my favorite sights on a Nordeast Minneapolis bike ride. Between Bauhaus Brewery and the headquarters of modern furniture company Blu Dot, this silent gantry crane nods to the building’s industrial past. Last year this scene inspired me to create a LEGO gantry crane.
Bringing a Prairie Home
It was Dwight’s fourth visit to Gertens this week, my first. Now we have 72 pots of native grasses, plus various herbs and tomato plants. We spent the afternoon putting the grasses in grow bags then placing the grow bags in long planters. When the grasses have recovered from the ordeal, I’ll make the big…… Continue reading Bringing a Prairie Home
Thriving
Debriefed our respective days at our local bar. Dwight spent much of his day mitigating black mold at the greenhouse, oh, and spotting these native Minnesota cacti outside at the entry to the greenhouse. Seriously, they survive our winters! I shared about the vagaries of the English language, working three 90-minute classes with learners from…… Continue reading Thriving