Horse Manure Park

"True Love" I really think I should get this photo copyrighted and sell it as a print. I think it's about as sweet as you can get... of course, it is my kid and my dog -- so I would think that, wouldn't I?

We had a rare night out last night. Headed for Elk River in the early afternoon to visit the Budahn's. Lindsey made a delicious dinner (Chicken Marsalas -- highly recommended!) and then she and Blair were kind enough to watch our little ones while Beth and I went to see Elizabeth and Brian in the musical "The Secret Garden." Mr. Budahn had a leading role and he blew everyone off the stage. Dude can sing his ass off; and it is a little intimidating to realize that I have to step on the same stage and sing with him in less than two weeks: Farm Fest VI! A big thank you again to Lindsey for letting Beth and I have a date! And thanks to Brian for putting on a great show (again). Everyone knows I love music and I have "discovered" a fantastic new band. They are called "The Script," from Dublin, Ireland. They aren't necessarily rock and roll; they are more in the pop/rock genre, think The Police meets Matchbox Twenty meets Maroon 5. The frontman ...

It's time for a bit of self-indulgence, putting this on the record for my own sake. My landscaping project is done. Here are the before and after photos. We started this project in the autumn of 2008. This is as far as we got before the snow flew. The gazebo, minus the screen and in major need of an upgrade. Another angle, with Ava still in her pajamas. A few days later, voila ! Much improved, if I don't say so myself. Looking the opposite direction. Of course, I had to put my own spin on it. Luckily my leading lady doesn't mind! We added a fire pit which Beth plans on filling with candles; an ideal place to sit down with a drink at the end of the day after the monsters go to bed. The gazebo now with its screen. My supermodel is leaning on an old trunk that we converted into a table. This trunk was in Beth's grandfather's workshop for years. It is very old... in fact, it still has some of the original Cunard Shipping Line stickers on it. Beth and I brainstorme...

I'm still alive in my neck of the woods, enjoying my paternity leave, spending some much-needed time with my family and finishing up plenty of projects that have been long overdue. I have been doing lots of landscaping lately. I took "before" pictures. I hope to take "after" pictures tomorrow (I took Heidi's advice and decided to do the "before/after" thing!). I am going to post them here for my own benefit. (I know, I know.... there's nothing more exciting than to see somebody else's amateur landscaping handy work. But, hey, it's my blog.) The family is doing well. Ava is becoming more and more of a mother hen and Neil is doing great. I do believe he's growing, although he hadn't gained an ounce at his first doctor's appointment. The theory is he lost weight after we brought him home and he's since gained it back. I'm not worried -- he is eating like a mini-king and has got a belly. He's a very "l...

I just got this from my brother Dale and he said I had to open it and listen to it; it was awesome. Well, when Dale says something like that, I pay attention! He was right, this is awesome. This is a group called Perpetuum Jazzile, an a capella choir from Slovenia. They are performing one of Toto's hits from the 1980s called "Africa." The beginning sounds like a rainstorm and it is done only with the performers' hands. It's pretty remarkable. You've got to hear it to believe it. Just who thinks of stuff like this? People in Slovenia, I guess! Thanks Dale for sharing this with me... now I'll share it with everyone!!

We took Neil on his first excursion yesterday. We went to Bob and Kathy's place and had coffee in the afternoon, then to Grandma and Grandpa's for one of the best meals I've had in a long, long time. Fresh peas from the garden, fresh baby red potatoes from the garden, melt-in-your-mouth, home-grown steak, salad fresh from the garden... I could go on and on, but I am making myself hungry! It was fun to see everyone and we got some nice pictures. It was at this very moment (9:56 PM central time) exactly 40 years ago that Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. The only difference is July 20, 1969 was on a Sunday. I was two and a half months shy of making my debut on planet Earth when that historical moment came to pass, but it must have been an extraordinary thing to have witnessed. Back in 1969, many people would have bet that in 40 years' time humans would have started colonizing the moon. Instead, we went there and... well, that was about it. The moon is still ju...

We're adjusting to our new "normal" life now. It's been a while since we've been in the newborn business, so we're a little rusty... but it's all good! Everyone is doing very well. Grandma came over today and gave us some goodies and supplies (thank you, Ann!!!). Life is good. Here are a few more pictures of the past 48 hours I'll share with you... Seconds after our son was born. I love this photo. I call this picture "The Team." This was taken less than ten minutes after Neil was born. Left to right: Sarah (our delivery nurse), Dr. Rice (she came in on her day off, in her street clothes, to deliver Neil), a very happy mom, baby Neil (under those blankets), and a very proud dad. Our new family. Beth will be horrified that I put this on my blog, so look fast before she makes me take it down. I don't care what she says, I think she looks beautiful. Remember, she just had a baby four hours earlier! A picture is worth a thousand wor...

Here's a screen shot of Neil's announcement on the hospital's web site: Click here to go directly to the web page.

I am proud to introduce to you: Neil Walker Branstner Born: July 15, 2009 at 1:32 PM Length: 20 inches Weight: 7 pounds, 7 ounces Favorite NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings Hair: Blonde.... what?!?! (Yep, he's blonde. Beth swears the boy is mine, though!)

It's for real. I'll update when the new arrival comes. Beth has been admitted to the hospital. It will be a long night!

We are heading to the hospital. I will try to keep you posted as I'm able. Could be a false alarm, but it could be for real. Guess we'll find out!

We went shopping today for fun... spent some time at a second hand store when I stumbled upon a great buy: an old fashioned Radio Flyer tricycle, complete with a bell. How cool is that?! It's all metal and will probably last another 50 years. A little Mr. Clean here, a little WD-40 there (oh yeah, WD-40!) and voila! ... just like new. Ava really digs it and now her dad's a rock star!!

It's a cloudy, chilly Sunday morning here in central Minnesota. I suppose calling 60 degrees "chilly" is pretty relative. Four months ago this would be tank top and shorts weather. Now it's jacket weather. But it feels great either way. Yesterday was a good day. Dale, Brian, Bob and Kevin came over and we set up in the garage and had our one and only vocal rehearsal for Farm Fest. For not playing together for 11 months, things came together quickly. Plenty of songs had stops and starts, and we had to clarify who sang what on a few, but I don't think we sounded overly terrible. Like Brian said, "It's like riding a bike." That's true. Once you're not afraid of falling off, riding a bike is pretty easy. Our next rehearsal as a full band will be on Friday before Farm Fest. Sheesh, you talk about cutting it as close as you can! But I think we'll be ready. I'm feeling pretty good about it now. On Friday I went out to the farm ...

Okay, I admit it. I began watching it out of morbid curiosity. What crazy thing would happen? I thought it would be some kind of weird media-circus event and I figured I would end up changing the channel after five minutes. Instead I watched the entire service, hoping it wouldn't end. I'm talking about Michael Jackson's memorial service yesterday. It was eloquent, thoughtful and profoundly touching. There were no mobs of screaming fans. The thousands inside the Staples Center and the many more thousands watching and waiting outside were quiet, subdued and extremely respectful. As the service continued, the real person behind the bizarre public image was slowly revealed. Michael Jackson was human. He had friends, family and children who loved him very much. He was an easy target for the media (and still is... and always will be) and that point was not ignored by the many who eulogized him. The Michael Jackson they knew was kind, very generous, amazingly talented an...

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. Sarah Palin reads my blog! ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Sarah Palin's not a quitter, she wants the public to know. "I am not a quitter. I am a fighter," Palin told CNN on Monday while on a family fishing trip, on the heels of her Friday bombshell announcement that she was resigning as Alaska's governor. Palin said she resigned because of the tremendous pressure, time and financial burden of a litany of ethics complaints in the past several months. Um... what?! Way to fight, Sarah. This woman is a total puke. Thus spoke Sam. ~

From CNN -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin shocked the political word Friday by announcing that she will resign her office at the end of the month and transfer power to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell. Palin's decision now allows her to avoid the difficult task of running for president while serving as governor. Hmmm... I wonder if Palin realizes that being President of the United States won't be a walk in the park either? I supposed she'll resign that office as well when the going gets rough. All I can say is this: I don't like a quitter -- especially someone who quits because a task proves to be difficult. I find it impossible to believe that this ditz is the best the Republican party can find to represent their party for the 2012 Presidential election.

It's hard to believe the Fourth of July is on Saturday. Once again, I am working the holiday weekend. Same thing happened over Memorial Day -- it just the way the cookie crumbled this time around. I guess I shouldn't bitch and complain too much. First, it's not like we would be able to do much anyway (my bride is very ready to be done being pregnant and we really can't wander too far away from home). Second, the holiday pay is pretty sweet. I'm looking forward to next Saturday (well, to me it's next Saturday... perhaps I should say my next Saturday off ). Dale, Brian, Bob and Kevin are coming to our place to rehearse the Farm Fest music. It will be mostly a vocal rehearsal to brush up on our harmonies and go through a general review of things we've forgotten-- after all, it's been almost a year. It's always fun to sit down and play music together. It's in my blood; always has been. Our only -- ONLY -- rehearsal as a full group will be on...