My assistant has taken over

I took a break and my assistant took over. He is about as productive as I am.

Nice day for a run and a hawk

January 30th and a nice day for a run to coffee. I've been running to Excelsior and Grand to meet the gang for coffee at Starbucks. It is around 3.7 miles one way via the Greenway. I felt a bit sluggish on the outbound trip so decided to return along Excelsior boulevard.


Excelsior road passes through the Minikahda Country Club golf course. Often there is a hawk hanging out looking out over the course. I was lucky to see the hawk this morning, The photo doesn't show very well how big this hawk is.

I did stop at Isles on the run home for coffee cake and it was warm (Minnesota warm) enough to sit outside. The sparrows were were also out and hungry.

Bald Eagle cam 2016

The bald eagle pair in St. Paul have returned and already have one egg. The DNR is expecting more eggs to be laid. Last year the pair had three chicks if I recall correctly. You can follow along at the DNR birdcam website.

Here is the update from the DNR for the start of the 2016 nesting season:

News for 2016

This is the fourth year DNR’s Nongame program has streamed live video from a bald eagle nest. The pair, which has used this spot for many years, has started to visit the nest after a few months absence. Last year the first egg was laid on the 19th or 20th of January, with all three being laid by the 25th of January. Eagles typically incubate their eggs for about 35 days. Although the nest has at times looked chilly, even covered in a blanket of snow for a while, Bald Eagles in Minnesota have adapted to laying and caring for eggs in these conditions. The male and female take turns keeping their eggs warm and dry in a deep pocket in the middle of the nest. Please check back often to see how the nest is doing, observe interesting behaviors such as parents switching off incubation duties, feeding, and protecting the eggs from the elements.

Line 'em up

New apartment construction project on Girard Avenue, between my house and Isles coffee shop, is having a big concrete pour today. There are five trucks lined up in the photo below and another two were at the pumping station around the corner at the site.

US Figure Skating Championships

The US Figure Skating Championships were held in St. Paul at the Xcel Center again. The last time was in 2008 and prior to that they were held in Minneapolis at the Target Center. I have been lucky to attend all three.

This year I went to Saturday morning's pairs and ice dance groups 1 with Christine. These are skaters down on the totem pole. It wasn't what I was really expecting especially based on the ticket price. However, it was still fun and amazing to watch these athletes.

Sunday, Dave and I went to the men's finals long skate. We got to see the top men skaters in the United States. It was thrilling and at times emotional.

fun in the concourse

Not so grumpy?

Uno got groomed last week and I think she doesn't look so grumpy...or it may just be a trick of the light.

Bunny action

Got a little bit of snow last night. Just emough to cover any open ground that was around.

But check out the tracks in my drive. Those are rabbit tracks hopping all over the concrete.

Pets and Pillows

warm and cozy

End of the deep freeze

 Two more mornings of below zero temps. Monday did get above zero for a bit. Today, Tuesday, is forecast for above zero but still single digits.

By the weekend the forecast is for normal or above temps. Which means in the 20's.

Hopefully we will get some snow. There is still snow on the ground but not much.

Ok, it is my birthday and the coldest day of the year.

Today's morning temperature at the airport -14. My weather station reported  -7 in Uptown. And I tried the boiling water experiment (see video).

Great horoscope for my birth date.

A new experience

I had more than a little trepidation about this experience but my friend and former trainer was the main bout at the Mega VII Digger Muay Thai kickboxing card at Canterbury Downs. Kaitlin Young is a professional MMA and Muay Thai kickboxer.

My trepidation was about the potential violence and gruesomeness. It turned out that watching a professional bout with all the attention to safety and entertainment was exciting. I appreciate the athletes work to get to this level of physical and mental preparedness.

My photos aren't very good but I had a good time watching the fights. And Kaitlin won a technical knock out!

There is a cage!

Kaitlin's bout

After the fights I wandered through the card games at Canterbury which is run by the Mdewadan Indian tribe. As I passed one table a gentleman won $10,000!

Right on schedule

The week of my birthday is statistically the coldest week in Minnesota. This year is falling right in line. We have had a very mild winter so far but this week, save for a couple of days, the temperatures have plunged. Next week is also forecast to be frigid.

Sunday

A bit of a wind on Sunday made the windchill pretty bad.

Monday

 No wind on Monday and bright sunshine made for a nice day. It snowed a little in the evening and really slicked up the sidewalks and roads.

Tuesday

Quite windy this morning. Walked to coffee! Yikes! Cold!

Snow and cold...finally

We finally got a little snow and this weekend is cold. Everyone is freaking out about the cold but really it is finally just normal Minnesota winter. I even got a run in this morning at 6°.

Runs of 2015

The bibs and medals from 2015 running.

Kitty mug

Here's Jill demonstrating her Frankie and Uno cup. Frankie staring in to space on one side and grumpy Uno on the other,

it is actually one photo of the two. It fits perfectly on the coffee mug. Mom got one for Christmas, too.