Microblog

A shiny whistle arrived today for my daypack. Three short blasts: ICE nearby. One long blast: ICE is detaining someone.

My hiking pole came in handy for boarding the bus, as I climbed onto the icy hard-packed snow left by a snowplow. Eventually, this snow will be loaded onto trucks and taken to a snow-melting facility.

On a cold day like today, with sidewalks slick from yesterday’s snow dump, I’m a part-time fan of the 10-mile Minneapolis Skyway system. At times, it feels like sensory deprivation while navigating twisting tubes through and between buildings. Today, I found myself imagining its odd lines at a more abstract level, then asked AI to do the same with a photo I took. Click through for the original.

The world gradually turned white as snow fell all day. Indoor activities won out, including this jigsaw puzzle featuring the art of Keith Haring. Once we’ve assembled all of Haring’s instantly recognizable symbols, the white space between the symbols will be a bigger challenge.

Family get-together at Misono. This was one plate among many. It’s definitely American sushi, but I’d like to think even Japanese people would enjoy it. Enjoyed the company, including my nephews, now 17 and 18. I encouraged them to travel to Sweden, Hokkaido, or beyond… I’d gladly pay for their tickets.

Inside, colorful American Indian mosaics and artwork blend traditional and non-traditional materials. Outside, the world fades to grey in the mist. This morning at the Walker Art Center.

LEGO houses by Dwight. 4-seasons handmade lamp (including stained glass) by a colleague of Dwight’s as a retirement gift. Tree (Minnesota deadfall cherrywood) assembled by Tom. Christmas meal: a joint effort.

My walk included four stores for a few last-minute items. Here, I eschewed the lutefisk, preserved in sodium hydroxide and favored by descendants of Norwegians who want to re-create a better time when there was no refrigeration. I did pick up a tub of pickled herring, though, preserved in vinegar.

At Minnehaha Park, I couldn’t resist taking yet another photo of the falls before meeting up with a friend for a walk, great conversation, and a cuppa.

The clouds seemed to mimic the icy Mississippi as I walked from a lab draw at the U (in the distance) to our co-op for Christmas ingredients. My phone buzzed occasionally, creating short-lived anxiety as more lab results became available.

I thought this was inspired, though I hope no company policies were violated! Today I found a stash of free Delta earbuds in our building’s workout room, likely left by a neighbor who works for the airline. Instead of complaining about people playing music out loud, you can simply hand them a pair. Even if their phone doesn’t have a jack, it’s a positive way to address the behavior.

Our local farmers market is a more modest affair during the winter. Instead of being outside, it’s held in the lobby of the Mill City Museum. Picked up bacon sausages from a local farm, along with some crusty bread and savory croissants from a small local bakery.

​Dwight had minor hand surgery this morning (carpal tunnel release). Some time after he disappeared into the den this afternoon, I decided I’d better do a welfare check. Despite the surgery, it turns out he’d been busy staging this LEGO Christmas village.

Picked up a coffee at Open Book, with its welcoming marquee, before catching a bus to school. The route passed the second marquee in Cedar-Riverside (“Little Mogadishu”). In my first class, I worked with Somali-American women studying to be Certified Nursing Assistants. In the final class, students marked the end of the semester by bringing an abundance of delicious Somali food, including, of course, the obligatory sambusas.

​At Palm Springs PSP, enjoying the warmth for a little while longer. Behind us, a Delta tail peeks out through desert vegetation. Delta’s nonstop PSP/MSP service makes this an easy warm-weather destination for us.

One final hike in the hills above Palm Springs: the South Lykken Trail. It was dry, dusty, and hot (80s), but offered great views and a well-maintained path. We took a Lyft to the trailhead and walked back into town from the finish. A beer at Blackbook never tasted better.