Horse Manure Park

I am guessing this post will make some people angry, and that's okay. I don't comment on politics very often.  For one thing, I refuse to have a political identity.  Even back in the late '80's on the University of Minnesota campus, when I was young and still believed in the myth that my voice mattered, I did not feel comfortable being labeled. It isn't because I lack strong opinions.  Anyone who knows me or engages in conversation with me knows that I'm not wishy-washy about too many subjects. The problem is that I think Republicans have valid points on a number of issues.  I think the same thing about Democrats. And I think both parties are equally full of crap on many matters. But I know bullshit when I see it, and this brings me to the subject of the recent anti-gay bill passed by the Arizona state legislature. America has come a long way... actually, no.  Not really. Under this bill, small business owners who assert their religious beliefs

Today is a snow day... I mean, it is a true,  legitimate  snow day.  Yesterday and last night the snow fell in "bushel baskets" (as Phyllis would say), the wind was whipping in a frenzy.  I dare say we had classic  blizzard conditions. So I wasn't at all surprised when the phone rang at 5:50 AM and it was a recorded message from the school district.  I was, however, surprised to hear that school was two hours late.  I had expected school to be closed, but I guess the decision-makers concluded it wasn't cold enough (that's a "windchill day" joke, which I won't get into). More than two hours later, the phone rang (again) and it was the school district (again); the powers-that-be had changed their minds and (rightly) closed school for the day. So the Girl and the Boy are watching Monsters University   for the second time this morning, acting out the parts, reciting the movie's script and I marvel at how quickly they absorb this shit informati

Yesterday was the warmest day in these parts in the past 78 years. Or at least it felt that way. The mercury topped out at a whopping 46ºF... as in ABOVE zero.  It might as well had been 86ºF; yes, that's how good it felt. As soon as I picked the Girl up from school and we arrived back at our humble abode, both her and the Boy were told to get their asses outside encouraged to partake in an outside activity. It was a beautiful February afternoon and I decided to take a few pictures. The dingo's favorite winter time activity: chasing snowballs. Nothing spells a good night's sleep like playing in the snow.  Yes, he slept well. The airborne dingo with a diving catch.  Touchdown!  The Girl in full fashion diva mode. I call this shot, simply, "Attack of the dingo!!"  Look out, boy, she'll chew your face off. A camouflaged and very spoiled Humphrey was not amused by the afternoon's activity.  He spent the whole time whining on th

When you actually see true love, it is an incredibly powerful thing. In September, my mom's sister, Bev, lost her husband of more than 60 years.  Kenny was a wonderful man, the patriarch of our extended family.  He is missed everyday. Kenny and Bev, August 2010 But it is said behind a strong man is an even stronger woman.  I believe that is true.  After her Kenny left this earth, Bev spent one more Thanksgiving and Christmas with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   She was sure to give them all one last, irreplaceable gift: cherished memories which will endure for the rest of their lives.   This morning, only five months after her groom left her, Bev joined him.  They will never be apart again. And that, friends, is true love. 

So when I say I like to play with my balls, this   is what I mean... ...what did you think I meant?

Despite my less-than-spectacular physique, I honestly don't eat at fast food chains very often. The reason is simple: no matter how much fast food chains claim that their grub is "healthier than ever before," or "30% lower calories," I refused to be fooled.  It really isn't rocket science: fast food is quick, it is manufactured to taste good, and it isn't good for you .  The end. However, last night was an exception.  The Girl had a Girl Scout meeting at our local Burger King (Girl Scout cookies are for sale!), so we decided to "dine in" the All-American way: stuff ourselves full of calories and cholesterol, wash it down with a diet soda and waddle home. Glancing at the clientele in the establishment, some were well-seasoned in this routine. Clean up needed at 808 W Washington Street in Brainerd, MN Burger King is the fifth largest fast food chain in the U.S., and without researching its annual profit, I am assuming that BK Intern

I don't want to be 15 years older, but I've often said I was born 15 years too late. Anyone who reads my blog knows my tastes in music.  My iTunes and CD collection is pretty darn eclectic.  I enjoy anything from Frank Sinatra to Dave Matthews Band, Louis Armstrong to Def Leppard, Benny Goodman to Eagles (not "The" Eagles... Glenn Frey insists it is just Eagles ). But ever since listening to "Simon and Garfunkle's Greatest Hits" and "Beach Boys Concert" when I was about seven years old, I was captivated by the sounds of the sixties. There was something extraordinary about the songs and lyrics.  I knew instinctively, even at a young age, that this music was important.  Don't get me wrong... I loved KISS; I loved the loud guitars and drums and crazy make-up and stage show, but "In My Room" or "The Boxer" took me to a place no other music could. It's still true today. And this is not to mention the sou

The Olympic opening ceremonies begin Friday, and we will certainly see the spectacle that is the Olympiad. Not what it's cracked up to be... Everything will be glossed over and shiny and look magnificent.  But don't judge the book by its cover. Unfortunately for President Putin and the Sochi Olympic officials, we live in the age of social media.  Many have said Putin is using the Sochi Olympics to show the Western world how advanced Russia truly is, but reports via Twitter and other social media outlets tell the opposite story. Journalists are Tweeting private thoughts and pictures as they work on "official" stories.  And what is being revealed behind that glossy Olympic curtain is ugly. The newest story today is the Olympic Village simply does not have enough pillows for the athletes.  Much of the Village does not have hot water, and overall, the plumbing system is abysmal. I must emphasize that the pictures below are not doctored or Photoshopped.  The

Today is the day after Groundhog's Day (I heard that he saw his shadow.  Not that it matters.  This winter isn't ending any time soon). Today is the day after the Super Bowl.  (The game did not go at all the way I thought it would). Today is also the most tragic day in music history. Today is the day the music died. Richie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Buddy Holly all died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa on this day 55 years ago.  The plane was en route to Fargo, North Dakota, for a show on this night, 3 February 1959, at the Armory in Moorhead, Minnesota. A memorial at the site of the plane crash, in the middle of a corn field owned, at the time, by Albert Juhl. A dozen years later, Don McLean immortalized this day in his song, "American Pie."  A song which I grew up with and didn't really understand until much later. In fact, I grew up listening to Buddy Holly's music, even though I didn't know it at the t

I commend the Boy for his positive thinking.  Too bad the beach sand is hard as concrete right now.  But he's ready... just in case. *sigh* The Boy asked to go to the "house beach."  Boyspeak for "water park."  Maybe one of these days...