River Fest: Earrings and cheese platters

Meet Jean, from Duluth!

She creates earrings and cheese platters.   She is also a book illustrator and graphic designer!

Check out her work.

Quite lovely!  Thanks Jean!

River Fest!: Pens!

I like the River Fest celebration in Anoka.  It was a lovely day and different food and craft vendors were out having a great time....as well as a few thousand people!

Meet Rusty!

Rusty was either retired or nearly retired and his grandson decided he wanted to start his own business.   So, they custom make pens from wood, acrylic or stone!

Take a look!

Note the barrel assembly!  It works like a bolt action rifle!

My photos don't do them justice.  But, they were beautiful. If you want to check out his site, see here.

A Family Wedding: Guests

Now, isn't he a cutie!!

Notice the camouflage tie!!  The little guy was happy he was with Mom and didn't need to get on the dance floor by himself.

Family Wedding: Reception

Still time to dance!

Typically photos like this are just cluttered with people and objects in the background.  This one isn't too bad. At least you don't see a great uncle dancing to Creeping Death by Metallica! 

The ambient lighting, of course helped set the mood!

 

It was quite a nice evening.   

Family Wedding: Time to Dance 1

After the planning, the invitations, the dress and tux shopping, the rehearsals, and the actual ceremony, it is time to relax and let your hair down.

I have no idea who all of these people are.   But, they were having a lovely time at the reception and dance.

My sincere thanks to you all!

Family Weddings: A Cousin of the Groom

Meet Sydney!

She is a cousin of the groom and about a month later, was the sister of the bride at another wedding.  Photos coming of that soon!   

Thanks Sydney.  See you at the next wedding!



Family Weddings: The Bride and Groom

Meet Brandon and Cathy

This was their first dance together as husband and wife.   It was a fantastic evening for everyone.

My sincere thanks!


By the way, you can tell this couple will have some fun.  This was the cake!

My sincere thanks again!

Family Weddings: The Father-Daughter Dance

Meet Cathy and her father!

Now, there is a beaming father!  Everyone had a great time watching them dance.  And yes, those are camouflage  vests.   Here is a close up of the boutonniere!

My sincere thanks!

Family Weddings: The Mother-Son Dance

Meet Sheila and Brandon: 

Mom was relieved and starting to relax for the evening.   Let the dancing begin!

My sincere thanks!

Family Weddings: Sister-in-Laws

Meet Suzie and Lollie!

These two are a riot, especially with a couple of rum and cokes.   Ohhhhh, the stories I could tell.
We've had a lot of laughs over the years.  And, they continued that evening, as well.

My sincere thanks!

Family Weddings: A Brother-in-Law

Meet Dean!

I've known Dean for about 40+ years.  He was gracious enough to let me test my camera settings as we were getting ready for the reception.   He's semi-retired and is chasing grandkids around for fun.

Thanks Dean!

Book of Barkley

 

I was privileged to meet my friend B a few times when travel schedules managed to intersect for a day or two.  But, we started brief email exchanges and posts to her blog several years before.  There was one specific post that stunned me.  So, I dropped her a note.   She was gracious enough to reply.  And, a friendship was born.

 

Like her many readers, I saw something deep in her posts, about life, pain, laughter and tears.  And, of course, Barkley was by her side for all of her adventures.  I was deeply saddened to hear of Barkley's passing.  B gave us updates as his health declined and he began to suffer.

Over time, the illness was too much.  She made the decision that so many people have made.  A humane, kind, and painful decision.  But, she made it....firm with the conviction that it was the right thing to do.

As part of the healing process, B wrote about Barkley...about life.   Her life...his life...their lives.

Check out her website if you haven't.  They are for sale.  If you know someone with a soft spot for a dog, don't forget that it is Christmas.  This is a wonderful stocking stuffer.  And, it will certainly touch someone's heart.

Thanks B for sharing it with us. 

 

RIP: Ron

I have known Ron for nearly 10-12 years...maybe longer.  I met him because he was a friend of Lois.  He was a retired school teacher.   And, he was curious about learning and challenging himself.  He was a delight to the soul.

He passed away a couple of weeks ago, in his church, after services.  He was with friends having coffee and chatting.

You will be missed.  

Visitors from the UK: Derbyshire!

I love the names of the town in the UK and Ireland!   They have a mystic about them.

Meet Julie!

Julie was delightfully funny and charming.  And, she appreciated my photography.  She emailed me a few times and we exchanged photos of the rest of Boston and she let me see some of the photos the group took when they eventually got to Toronto. 

Thanks Julie!  I am SO glad the entire group had a wonderful trip to North America.  And, I hope we were wonderful and gracious hosts.

 

Little Critters

Sometimes you just get lucky enough to have a critter stand still when you have your camera.



 Then again, sometimes you encounter then when they are stuffed and for sale.

Yeh, these were easy.  They weren't going anyplace unless someone purchased them and took them home.

Nice job, though!

Visitors from the UK: Well, actually from N Ireland!

Meet Bill!

Bill was sitting diagonally from me.  If memory serves me correctly, both Bill and John had the same beer!  

Thanks Bill!  It was a pleasure meeting you!

Visitors from the UK: From Kent

Meet John!

John was the gentleman who shared my table.   We had a lovely conversation and he was gracious enough to introduce me to those around me.  When I learned the group had just arrived and this was their first meal, I offered to buy him a beer.  It was the least I could do to welcome him to the states!

Thanks John!

Visitors from the UK: From Devon!

I had reason to travel to Boston for business.   Since I often travel alone, I wasn't surprised to find myself eating dinner at the Cheers bar after the day's business......alone.

I noticed a large group walk in and they were obviously visitors.   But, try finding a large area to seat 20-30 people in a small bar!

So, I offered a chair to one of the party.  And, several others of the group sat around us.   It turns out it was a tour group sponsored by Just You. 

Meet Lisa!

The group had landed about 4 hrs earlier, had cleared customs, and had gotten to their hotel.  They had been walking about the Boston Commons area and this was their first meal in the US.

It was lovely to meet you, Lisa!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: The News Media: Kare 11

Setting up their broadcast booths next to Channel 9 was the Channel 11 team.

Meet Randy Shaver and Belinda Jenson!

Randy has been with KARE 11 since 1983, most of that time as a sports reporter.   He has shared an anchor desk since 2012.  He has won numerous awards, both regional and national for his sports reporting.  In addition to his KARE 11 job, he helps coach boys football and basketball for two different local schools.

He hosts the Rush Creek Golf Club Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic for Cancer Research.  And, through this has raised over $4,000,000 for cancer research and patient aid.  He is, himself, a cancer survivor. 

Belinda made her mark on KARE 11 as a meteorologist and worked for the National Weather Service.  She has a BS degree in Meteorology from the U of Wisconsin in Madison.  She is also passionate about gardens and was instrumental in bringing shows about gardens, flowers, trees, etc and showcasing gardens, of people around the area.

Both Randy and Belinda were very busy when I cross paths with them.  But, they were both gracious enough to take a minute for this photo.

My sincere thanks!

 

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: The News Media: MyFOX 9

Across the from "Glove" sculpture, various media outlets were setting up to broadcast from the "field". 

Meet Jeff Passolt from KMSP-TV

Jeff has been in the local news for more than 30 years.   He is, in fact, a local boy who was raised in St. Louis Park.  He is the winner of multiple Emmy awards as well as awards from the Associated Press and other TV broadcasting associations. 

From his biography on MyFOX9, Jeff has been a long-time host of the Step Out Walk for Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association Gala, the Strides for Stroke walk and the Golf Classic 4 Diabetes -- raising more than $4 million for the University of Minnesota Diabetes Institute.

Jeff is also active with Special Olympics, the Washburn Child Guidance Center, American Cancer Society, U of M Cancer Research Fund and many other organizations that benefit Minnesota youth.
Well done Jeff!  It was a pleasure visiting with you.

Baseball and the 2014 All Start Game: Street Performers

The gentleman below has a hard gig.  Being covered in paint and standing motionless for 10-15 minutes at a time is NOT easy.  Don't ask how I know. 

But, he was doing well and had attracted a good crowd!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: Street Performers: Music

Who doesn't enjoy a little jazz on the street.

Meet John!

He had a wonderful  sound.  And, it resonated around the building walls. 

Thanks John!

Baseball and the 2014 All Start Game: Street Performers: The Yoyo

I love watching street performers.  It is a hard gig.  Think of it as America's got talent...with no huge audience.

Meet Ryan!  Me was doing some amazing things with a Yoyo!
 

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: Harmon Killebrew

I remember Harmon when I was a kid.  He was a slugger for the Twins.  As far back as I can recall, "Killer" was a first baseman and wore number 3 on his jersey. 

Born in 1936, he was signed by the Washington Senators in 1954 at 17 years of age.  He was in the major leagues for 22 years and was named an American League All-Star 13 times.   He was a 6 time American League home run leader.  And, in 1984, he was named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  He passed away on May 17th, 2011.

And, he was a nice guy. 

Thanks Harmon.  In a world short of good roll models, you were a standout to millions of young boys.  

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: The Glove!

There is a large metal sculpture of a baseball glove near the center field entrance to Target Field.  It is designed for people to sit and have a photo op.  And, of course, little kids crawl all over it.

Here are a few photos of people enjoying the photo moment with friends.  I didn't get names.   There was a short line and people were being respectful about their time "in the glove".   But, it was fun to see fans from all over the US smiling, laughing, and having a wonderful time.

My sincere thanks to all of you!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: Summit Beer!

It is hard to imagine summer baseball without a beer or two.

Meet Pernell!

And, meet Pernell hard at work!

Thanks Pernell.  It was nice, cold, and refreshing!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: Brothers

Meet Rob and Rick!

They are brothers and traveled to Minneapolis from California for the game.   Actually, they decided to go on a little trip, visiting ball fields around the country.  They are from San Francisco and Orange County. 

Welcome to Minnesota!

Thanks guys!

Baseball and the 2014 All Star Game: Vendors

There are always vendors available to sell you something at various sporting and corporate events.

Meet Jessica and Jason, from OxiClean!

My sincere thanks!