New Years Day 2018

To all my readers (both of them), I wish you the best in 2018.

The photo below was taken a few years ago, in the spring.   I want to think of it as a new beginning.  

The future is waiting to be discovered.  The future will consist of dangers, adventures, happiness and sadness.   But such is life.  There are no guarantees.   So, take the cards you are dealt, and play the best hand you can.

Put on your big boy pants....and go tackle the future.

A Lovely Waitress

It's nice to find a waitress who is willing to let a customer take her photo!  The place was packed and she was busy.  But, she was gracious enough to let me take a test shot to get the exposure about right.

Then, she was off and running to tend to customers.

My sincere thanks!

Christmas Eve: 2017

May all my readers have a safe, quiet, warm, and joyous Holiday Season.

There is enough turmoil in the world.  Let it go for a couple of days.  And, be thankful for what you have.  It is far more than most of the world.

The 10K Brew Pub in Anoka, MN

I had a reason to swing my Anoka one night and noticed they have a brew pub.  The place was packed.  The beer was good.

And the music was fantastic.  I do some solo guitar work.  But, I don't have effects pedals and loop machines, etc.  I just play.  

This gentlemen was doing a great job minding all the technology AND the music.

I didn't get his name.  But, if I am looking at the website correct, he is Jake Ilika from Winona.

Nicely done, sir!

And, if you want to try a few unique beers, check out the 10K Brew Pub in tropical Anoka, Minnesota!

Burning in the Fall

I love burning brush and leaves in the fall.   Mind you, I don't like raking them and cutting the brush down.  But, it is the price you pay to burn.

We have prairie plants in a portion of our backyard.  It helps keep the river bank from eroding.  And, the prairie plants need to be burned every now and then.  They come back strong.

As winter descends upon us, I will look upon these and smell the smoke that tells of another summer gone by.

And I will know that as we begin the winter sleep, warmth and new life is just around the corner.   Today we will hit the winter equinox.

Things are already looking up!

Lake Superior

A friend of mine, years ago when he was about to graduate from HS, decided he was going to sell his soul to the freighters on Lake Superior for a while.

It was a brutally cold and often lonely year.  He was smart enough to call it quits when he realized how dangerous it was.  

The Edmund Fitzgerald went down that year. 

I am glad he decided to go to pharmacy school and has a nice, warm and much safer job.

While it is beautiful out there.   It can turn in a hurry.

I think I will settle down for a nice burger, beer, and a warm fireplace.

Colonoscopy and a Sense of Humor

If you have to go in for a colonoscopy, it's nice to know your doctor has a sense of humor.

I apologize for the photo.   It was taken with an iPhone and I was in a hurry.  And, I was laughing.   One should not laugh too hard in such a location.....after such prep.

Trust me.

A Wonderful Photographer

Meet Nate!

I was introduced to Nate through a commercial photographer friend.   My friend happened to be in town for Thanksgiving seeing family.   I was graciously invited to visit Nate's studio and watch the pro's in action.

We even had a few models!

I don't get to work with studio lighting much.  So, I felt like a babe lost in the woods.  But, Nate was most kind and gracious.

Thanks Nate!  I would love to cross paths again!

A Free Spirit and Blogger!

Meet Claudia

I was introduced to Claudia from one of the managers at the health club that I frequent.  Claudia was gracious enough to reach out to me and we arranged a brief coffee meeting. 

She is indeed, quite fascinating.   She runs three different blogs.  One is a travel blog.  She has traveled extensively around the world.   She also runs a blog about swimming in a lake near here with loons.   She was able to get very close and capture amazing photos of the loons, with babies, in tow.

It was lovely meeting you Claudia.   Thank you so much!

Deer Hunting in Minnesota

It was my second day deer hunting.  My hunting partner, Kenneth, below was gracious enough to take me.   He got his deer a few days ago on our first trip into the woods. 

That morning, it was a chilly 17F.  I went for a walk down a trail and he set up a blind and waited.  He was promptly rewarded!

The second trip into the woods was much warmer.  It was foggy with a slight rain.

It was, in fact, a fantastic day to be in the woods.  It was quiet.  We never saw a deer.   But, I learned there is more to hunting than shooting something.   Kenneth may disagree.  But it's my blog. 

Thanks Kenneth!   Next year?