Polar Plunge

OK, so the pool was heated, but it was still 40 degrees outside. Elsa stayed in for about ten minutes. Henry and I were out there for half an hour.

Swim Goggles

Elsa at Letchworth 2009

Henry at Letchworth 2012

Two separate camping trips, picture taken in same exact spot only three years apart. Time really flies.

Bear Down, Henry

Henry came home Friday afternoon, after the latest debacle in Green Bay, and asked me, "Dad, who is Aaron Rodgers, and why does everybody like him so much? I thought you said he was a poopy-pants!"

Evidently, Henry's peers did not consider Rodgers a "poopy-pants" and perhaps pointed that out to him. They also probably pointed out the fact that he had worn his new Cutler jersey to school twice that week.

Sorry little buddy.

So Good to See You

At Rick's Picks - a Rick Nielsen/Cheap Trick Exhibit, in Rockford, IL.

He stopped by as they were closing up, and I got this shot. I was literally speechless. For me, it's like meeting John Lennon or Ray Davies or Pete Townshend.

A bunch of his guitars, all of his classic sweaters, picks, pins, photos, and short documentaries about his life and music. It was almost like digging through his stuff, and he saved a lot. Early lyrics written on cocktail napkins. You could literally track the genesis of a song. For example, "So Good to See You" started as "I'm a Surprise" from this kernel of a lyric:

Home in one month
Couldn't feel better if I tried
Won't even write
It's better then I'll be a surprise

Nielsen presented himself as a nerdish cartoon character, in sharp contrast to the lead singer/heart throb Robin Zander. It was the ultimate display of unselfishness in a band. They each had their own individuality, and came together to make something great. And he has stayed true to his hometown of Rockford. If you're not a Cheap trick believer, pick up any of their first four albums, or start with At Budokan. Power pop melodies with riffs that are unforgettable. People that pass them off as a one hit wonder are missing so much.

But the thing that most impressed me was, while listening to his early demos at the exhibit, was a 1977 cassette recording he mailed to his kids while he was recording Cheap Trick's first album.

"OK, Aaron and Miles. When you come out to LA we're gonna go see KISS! And you're going to meet GENE SIMMONS! And it's going to be so fun! Aaron, I can't believe what big words you're using, you're such a big boy! We recorded ELO Kiddies today and it sounded great. Let's sing it together! ELO Kiddies ELO Kiddies! Come on Aaron! Whatcha gonna do when... Come on Miles! I can't hear ya!"

Not only a super genius as songwriter and guitar player, but also as a Dad.

My Special Mets Friend

My special Mets friend
Loves to wear nylon
And cheer for the Mets
And give me a shoulder to cry on.

My special Mets friend
Needs clarification
On innings and walks
and player substitutions.

My special Mets friend
Buys $9 beers
And sits in the nosebleeds
Listening to goombahs cheer.

Yes, my special Mets friend
Will return on the 7 train
And listen to me talk
About the next Mets game.

Raised Beds

5 Cubic Yards

6 5x8 Beds

Hazel inspired me to build these raised beds. Here are some pics from when we put them in over Memorial Day weekend. Soil/compost delivered in rain, had to wait a while for it to dry out. Many many wheelbarrows full.

We planted potatoes, lettuce, beets, onions, green and chile peppers, peas, beans, tomatoes, garlic (last fall), chard, radishes, and cabbage. Should keep us going for awhile. This is what it looks like now, a month later:

Brad and family at the Maison

"In WWII the average age of the combat veteran was twenty-six. In Vietnam he was nineteen. N-n-n-n-n-n Nineteen!"

(Name that song Chris...)


Go #19!

YOUR...LINCOLN...STAAAHHHHHRS!

Gray Line Grinder!

I still don't understand what icing means.

Good luck Brad!

Food and lodging this weekend provided by The Maison de la Page. A 4-star bed and breakfast located in the near suburbs of Minneapolis. Fresh honey and horseradish always available, perfectly grilled meats at every meal, and cats that puke and crap all over the place.

Testimonials:

I was especially pleased with the Maison's Zinnia collection. Absolutely beautiful, the owner has a real "gay" flair for his flowers.

It was hard to get a word in edge-wise, but the grilled meats at every meal were divine. 

I was a little unsettled at the fact that the sole proprietor had a bee costume that only fit 5-7 year-olds, but I looked past that and had a wonderful stay.