Microblog

Celebrated Pride with the Minnesota Orchestra playing works by LGBTQ+ composers.

A break in the rain was an opportunity to walk over to Surdyk’s to pick up some crusty bread. On the 3rd Avenue Bridge, I peered down at the rapids raging after the recent downpours.

School’s back next week, but today I played. Still, our Thursday tradition is to walk out for dinner, this time Zen Box Izakaya. Over dinner I learned about Dwight’s day lugging 200 foot hoses, watering hundreds of plants. Each plant has a color-coded label for watering instructions. Water comes in three flavors: city water at… Continue reading Pampered Plants

After putting the task aside in frustration, finally got an old phone to talk correctly with a LEGO computer brick. I’ll use the phone’s spatial sensors to control motors while I explore truck front-end assemblies.

The rendezvous point with a friend was here on the Martin Sabo Bridge. We planned to head west, but ominous clouds rolling in from that direction convinced us to change course. Our new route took us through the Lake Harriet rose garden, looking fine after all the rain, and Patisserie 46 where almond croissants were… Continue reading Roses and Pastries

Bought snowbird flights for our winter getaway, cashing in a bunch of Delta e-credits that will expire soon. Come February, all these seats will be filled.

With 75,000 people expected over the weekend, made an early pass through Stone Arch Bridge Festival past silent music stages and booths selling food, art, and crafts. Retreated to our home before a heat advisory took effect.

Cycled down an unfamiliar street lined with old industrial buildings. Escaped rain by ducking into a coffee shop in one of the renovated structures. While I rested my legs, two women at an adjacent table were industriously spinning yarn on antique spinning wheels, their bare feet working the treadles.

Hawaii is just a ten-minute cycle ride from our home. Or, to be more precise, an authentic Hawaiian experience, Ono Hawaiian Plates, hidden inside United Noodles, a large Asian supermarket. We both opted for mix plates with fall-apart-tender Kalua pork with mandatory scoops of sticky rice and macaroni salad. We were transported, no plane tickets… Continue reading Island Escape in the Aisles

We’re both a little subpar with colds, thankfully not COVID. Peeped in a shoebox and realized it contained six weeks of snail mail I hadn’t reviewed since returning from my travels in early April. Nothing required my attention, so everything went to recycling, some via the shredder. At least I did something useful today!

These LEGO parts arrived to brighten up this rainy day. I’ll use them to experiment with building vehicle front ends. In the past I’ve steered (!) away from cars and trucks, but this injects variety and I’ll learn stuff. Also arrived today via Kindle, borrowed from the Hennepin County Library, “LEGO and Philosophy”: philosophy professors… Continue reading Overthinking LEGO

A cycle ride with a friend included St. Paul’s Midway industrial district. We were surprised by the vibrant murals scattered throughout the district, including this one. The stylized butterfly behind the girl honors missing and murdered indigenous women. Later, I learned we had stumbled upon the Midway Chroma Zone where local and national street artists… Continue reading Unexpected Art

My bicycle route today included several miles of trail from St. Louis Park to Minneapolis that have recently opened after being closed for several years for light rail construction. The trail has been upgraded and now includes underpasses under roads and this structure that bridges the light rail tracks, a freight track, and a busy… Continue reading Bicycle Expressway

Veggies from the barbecue, chicken thighs still on the barbecue. Simple Sunday dinner, easy cleanup.

Continued planning my next LEGO adventure: the front-end assembly of a front wheel drive truck. It’ll feature steering, a differential, and independent suspension: plenty subsystems for me to study and build. I’ve been checking my gears drawer for parts and building a shopping list. In the front, note my proud display of shock absorbers. In… Continue reading Planning a Beast

It was a perfect summer’s day for a long cycle ride with a friend visiting from the UK. Here we paused at Bde Maka Ska (Dakota for “White Earth Lake”), formerly named after a slave owner and slavery advocate who never visited Minnesota. Later we stopped for grilled cheese sandwiches (a favorite) at Longfellow’s named… Continue reading Visiting Minnesota