[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
Category: Write
Standing at the Edge of Creation
October 1983, Hawaii Big Island: I stand against an expanse of blackness, some of the newest terrain on Earth. I set the self-timer on my Canon AE-1 film camera, then dash into the field of view for a self-portrait. “Selfies” would have to wait until the 21st century. I walk around nearby Halemaumau Crater as…… Continue reading Standing at the Edge of Creation
A Suspicious-Looking Backpack
[wp_quiz id=”1930″] Picture the scene yesterday. We’re in the meticulously restored Minnesota Governor’s reception room. The older nephew is listening intently to a short presentation. The younger one is wandering around at the back of the room looking for some object that he could climb. Dwight and I stand by, waiting to intervene if necessary.…… Continue reading A Suspicious-Looking Backpack
Green Box on Rusty Bridge
[wp_quiz id=”1740″] I love to prop my bike against a railing on this iron bridge and stare at the rail yard below. The bridge is new, replacing another iron bridge that was starting to fail. Failing bridges are a serious concern all over the United States. The concern becomes visceral in Minneapolis with memories of…… Continue reading Green Box on Rusty Bridge
Jamie on a Bed in Leningrad
Posted Jamie on a Bed in Leningrad.
Jamie on a Bed in Leningrad
August 1975. Four young women sit on a bed in a budget hotel in Leningrad (today’s St. Petersburg). Three of the women appear to be intent on listening to someone in the room, off-camera. But one is staring straight at me, mugging, as I snap a Kodachrome. This is Jamie, the embodiment of all my…… Continue reading Jamie on a Bed in Leningrad
Portnoy’s Complaint in Moscow
It’s the summer of 1975. My brother and I are wandering around Moscow. A young Russian man comes up to us and starts a conversation. Once a certain level of trust is achieved, he brings up the subject of books banned in the USSR. “Would you mail me a copy of Portnoy’s Complaint?” he asks.…… Continue reading Portnoy’s Complaint in Moscow
Haiku Alert
One open window,a cautious invitationbefore the dog days.
My New Blog Site
My need to write a blog post generally starts with a bunch of thoughts swirling around my mind, begging to be tamed. My process of writing is largely an exercise in simplification, focus, and organization. Simplification starts with throwing out as many thoughts as possible. Most thoughts end up on the floor, others are filed…… Continue reading My New Blog Site
My New Blog Site
Posted My New Blog Site.