Microblog

Kicked off Pride weekend festivities at a gathering in our building’s game room with LGBTQ+ and ally neighbors.

Volunteered at an adult summer school program teaching ELL (English Language Learning) and then PCA (Personal Care Assistant) training, which equips people to help others maintain independence in the community. Meanwhile, Dwight tackled greenhouse duty, specifically de-bugging (washing plants) in the tropical section alongside this thriving African vine.

Substantial dinner after planning a trip to Italy next spring with my sister- and brother-in-law: pork ribs, pork belly, walleye, roast Brussels sprouts.

Biking with a friend, followed parts of a new light rail route, under construction. We stopped at a chain-link fence, trying to understand this elaborate structure connecting the road bridge overhead to the platform below. It looks like it’ll have stairs and elevators for pedestrians. The station is a short walk from Bde Maka Ska,… Continue reading Bridge to Platform

On my cycle ride, looked for signs of last weekend’s celebrations of the 40th Anniversary of Purple Rain. It’s hard to believe I saw that movie 40 years ago when the Minneapolis Sound was a thing. For me, it’s a so-so movie held together by Prince’s charisma and great music. Took this photo at First… Continue reading Remembering Minneapolis Royalty

Bedtime, looked out at the route of our regular Sunday morning walk: up one side of the river, back on the other. Sunday afternoon I read on the couch, occasionally glancing outside at the swollen river. Dinner was cooked on the barbecue: chicken and sweet potato. In the evening, we blocked the view to watch… Continue reading Simple Sunday Routine

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!