Microblog

Cycled a loop north of downtown Minneapolis with a friend. Here at Victory Memorial Drive, a monument honors the sacrifices of Hennepin County residents during both World Wars. Flags across Minnesota are currently lowered in remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated ten days ago.

A video showing a whining sound at this bathroom vent can reach 75 decibels helped to get our building’s management company to own the problem. The extraction fan is on the roof and should be silent in our home. The air is controlled by a motorized damper which makes no sound when open. Parts of the roof fan will be replaced. Over the years we’ve found this circa 1995 sound meter to be useful when addressing noise issues.

At the end of our steamy walk, two artists were putting the finishing touches on a geometric mural, its design inspired by shapes found in local historic landmarks. This softens a utilitarian side entrance to our building. Our main lobby and common areas regularly feature themed art shows by local artists. The art remains on display until the next show, and we have the option to purchase pieces.

Despite temperatures in the high 80s, we enjoyed a relaxed bike ride down one side of the river to Minnehaha Park, returning on the other. We stopped at Loons Coffee for a cuppa and to pick up freshly roasted beans. Curiously, an out-of-season theme of small Christmas trees and a poinsettia was emerging inside. Still, folks were enthusiastic about sharing their favorite summer activities.

Popped into Pow Wow Grounds, a Native-owned and operated coffee shop surrounded by one of the largest urban Native American populations in the country. When I ordered my coffee, the young barista ran a card on a string through the payment terminal causing it to display an unexpected “$0.” Noticing my confusion, he pointed to a sign and explained, “No charge for coffee for elders.” I accepted graciously.

On today’s cycle ride with a friend, we were glad to see these Nordeast beauties are still in residence, nicely complementing the carved giraffe we found last week. Next, I need to investigate if a zebra, clearly visible on Google Street View, is still hanging out in the yard of a south Minneapolis home.

Cycled over to Falling Knife Brewery with friends who live in our building. Good conversation flowed in the taproom.

During a random bike ride, I found myself at the Walker Art Center and stopped for a tasty lunch. Afterward, I sat alone in James Turrell’s Sky Pesher, feeling calm under the opening in the ceiling that frames the sky. It brought back memories of another Turrell room in Kanazawa, Japan, at the lovely 21st Century Museum of Modern Art—where, come to think of it, I also had a fine lunch back in April. Happy thoughts.

When I stopped by L&B for some groceries, it appeared they hadn’t read the memo from the federal government. This is a business we happily support.

Near the start of our Sunday morning walk, we looked up at a giant loon called PK. Minnesota United is our local professional major league soccer team. Later, we watched an eaglet perched on the edge of its nest, with a parent looking on.

The Minnesota Orchestra’s season finale began with reflective words, Elgar’s deeply emotional “Nimrod,” and a moment of silence.

It’s a grey damp day, best for hunkering down. After rinsing, I’ll hot-soak these dried beans, then freeze half. I’m poking around the freezer for ideas for a bean dish for dinner tonight using the other half of the beans. So far, a ham shank and mirepoix are lined up. Fresh garlic, bay leaves, and cumin should punch up the flavor. Brown rice and stir-fried Swiss chard will balance the meal.

My friend and I stopped to check out the newly sharpened Loti Pencil, which is basically a 180-year-old bur oak stump in the front yard of a Lake of the Isles home. It had just gotten its yearly “shave” with a giant pencil sharpener a few days prior. A passer-by asked if we’d seen “the giraffe.” We hadn’t, so we cycled a few blocks, and there it was!

It was time to bring out our Everyone is Awesome LEGO model for Pride Month. This year, it feels less like a celebration and more about asking what we can do to stand up to the discrimination flooding out of Washington.

The word “Atomic” inspired a less-traveled cycle route via Atomic Tattoo, Atomic Data, and Atomic Recycling. For now, I have to stay a bike’s-length from people while excess radioactivity works its way out of my system.

Walked over to the U for my first Pluvicto infusion, a radiopharmaceutical that selectively delivers radiation to cancer cells in my lymph nodes. The journey continues, with therapies that were not available ten years ago when we first became suspicious something was going on. I’m grateful for every day.