My Frankie (an update)

Frankie spends nearly all day and night sleeping on the window ledge on the front porch. He really really wants to go outside but I'm too afraid he will get hurt.

He has lost more weight but still eats the treats and will drink a little half-and-half a couple of times a day. He doesn't complain. He really likes to be picked up and held over my shoulder.  Occasionally he favors his front right leg/foot but he gets around fine.

I don't want him to be picked and prodded by a vet. Or force-fed and such. He doesn't seem to be in real pain and his sister, Uno, watches out for him.

Calla Lilies

Martha gave me some calla lily bulbs. I have not grown these before. I planted just before Memorial weekend (I think) There is already a blossom! Thank you, Martha.

Raspberry bounty

You may not be able to see it in the photo but there is a bumper crop of raspberries on their way. Barring some catastrophe, I'm seeing more raspberries than ever.

The apple crop is definitely going to be smaller than in previous years but I think the apples will be larger. Some look like they have been sunburned. I hope that does not continue.

middle of the raspberry patch

front of the raspberry patch

sun-kissed Haralred apples

baby apples

Grandma's Half Marathon weekend

This past weekend was the 40th running of the Grandma's Marathon and 22nd running of the Gary Bjourglund Half Marathon. The Running for Brunch crew ran or cheered on the runners.

We drove up Friday evening. Construction on I-35 made the drive very tedious. We stayed in different places but all met up after the early morning run.

The run wasn't the gradual down hill that I thought it would be and I hadn't done a regimented training program, however, I completed the run under my goal (see screen shot below).

After the race we went to The Tavern on Duluth for our traditional bloody marys. Delicious!

Saturday afternoon we hung out at Trish and Jason's new home outside of Duluth. It was hot so their swimming pool was a great relief and relaxer after running 13.1 miles.

Marlin and I stayed up at Trish and Jason's an extra day and drove home Sunday.

I was very happy with my finish time. And age place.

Dramatic sunset night before race.

Jason and I before the run. A very early start at 6:15am.

The running crew at the finish!

Jill's big birthday bash (lots of photos)

I traveled to Ashland, Oregon for my friend Jill's big birthday event. She is celebrating her 60th birthday this year. I don't think she would mind me telling her age. She looks and feels fabulous. And she has friends and family that were more than willing to share the festivities.

I flew into Medford, Oregon on Saturday. I had a layover in Seattle for a few hours. My niece Gracie picked me up at the airport and we had time to have breakfast away from the airport. That was a special treat.

Jill's dad, Dave, picked me up at the airport and we drove to Jill's beautiful home in Ashland. Ashland is in the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon. The climate is fantastic. Jill's yard is colorfully filled with flowers, trees, shrubs and vines. When Jill got home from her matinee, we went to dinner at Caldera, a brew pub.

Saturday evening Jill and I sat in the back of the outdoor theater to watch the first act of The Wiz. It is a cute production with tons of costumes! It was getting cool but felt so nice after the heat and humidity of Minneapolis.

Sunday I went to the matinee of Jill's show, The Yeoman of the Guard. This production of the Gilbert and Sullivan musical uses a country music theme. The actors are on stage all the time and so is part of the audience. Jill got me a regular seat so I did not have to "participate" which is what I prefer. The production is very fast and fun. I enjoyed it very much.

Jill's Aunt Ellen drove down from Salem for the birthday. The weather Sunday was fantastic. I went for a run. I was planning 3 or 4 miles and ended up at almost 8! We drove up to Mt. Ashland and walked the Pacific Crest Trail. Stunning. There was still some snow in places but there were flowers blooming and little streams streaming. The vistas of the Cascade range are just incredible. It was a perfect day to be up in the mountains.

We went to the evening performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It was in the indoor space. The director set this production in 1920's Hollywood. It was beautiful and had lots of music. I enjoyed this show, also.

Birthday cake with Jill's bird, James Taylor.

Monday was the big party being thrown by Jill's long time friends Robin and Tony Heald. They have a lovely home in Ashland with a swimming pool. The view out over the pool is incredible. So many of Jill's friends and co-workers were there and Alicia, her daughter, with the two grandkids.

Robin, Tony and Alicia spoke a few words. Alicia had us all tearing up. It was a lovely party.

Ellen took Jill and I to breakfast Tuesday morning. Ellen went to the matinee of Great Expectations and then left for home. Jill and I went to Dave's place in Medford. Jill and Dave call it the fort but it is far from one. It is senior apartments. There is a central courtyard, restaurant, party rooms, library, etc. The staff is so so nice. We spent a long time with Dave and his friends. I help set up his tv so he could get Netflix and other streaming shows. We watched Jerry Seinfield and President Obama on Crackle's Comedians Driving in Cars Getting Coffee.

Tuesday night Jill and I ate in Ashland then once back at her house finally watched The Tony Awards. We were both exhausted, enjoyed the show, but thought it was lackluster. It, of course, was from Sunday - the evening of the tragedy in Orlando.

I flew back home on Wednesday -- a day long series of flights....ugh. Jill and I always have such a good time. I cherish our times together.

Alicia with Talon and Aiyana

Jill with birthday flowers from Jay and Penny

Me in Tony and Robin's pool. Look at that view!

Jill with her dad, Dave, and friends.

Just a sampling of Jill's beautiful flowers.

James Taylor bird aka JamesTayBird

Lake Minnetonka boat cruise

The old gang had a great time cruising Lake Minnetonka. There were 16 in our group and only 10 others. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening.

And more photos from Kathy at

https://justbkath.smugmug.com/Jeff-Backyard-Gatherings/June-Cruise-2016/n-m823HV/

Never Tire of the Peonies

I was very fortunate that when I bought my house nearly 25 years ago there were several peony plants. I was not familiar with this beautiful flowering perennial. I don't recall having these or even seeing them when I was growing up.

I learned that the plants do not like to be moved. They will hold off blooming for a year or more once they have been disturbed.

The aroma from the largest plant will often fill the entire backyard. The plants I have now have been in there current locations for well over a decade.

The house came with five different varieties. The dark red is the most prevalent but I also had a white Japanese variety, two different pink ones and a white and pink one. My friends bought another white variety, Miss America, that has been featured separately.

Shout out 'Thanks' to neighbor

A neighbor down the street paid for Dutch elm disease treatment for the boulevard elm on front of her house. Minneapolis Parks owns the boulevard trees and will cut them down and plant new ones. But if you want to try to save or keep a tree, the homeowner is financially responsible.

The tree has to be healthy for the treatment. It is preventative. It is quite expensive. All the neighbors should be very appreciative.

Another fun (running) weekend

Another weekend full of running and walking and spending time with friends.

Friday night friends and I got to see the 1939 film 'The Women' on the big screen. It is a hilarious all female movie starring Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell and Joan Crawford. A real classic. The Uptown Theater from which my neighborhood is named is celebrating a 100th anniversary. The celebration has them showing ten different classic films.

Saturday morning I ran to morning coffee in St. Louis Park. I had run Thursday evening so was a bit worn out. It was humid Saturday morning so by the time I arrived at coffee I was beet red.

Saturday evening I met my friend Bud for dinner. He was in town from Florida. We had a really good meal at Tinto's on Lake Street. I showed him the Juiced Nutrition location.

Sunday morning I ran hill sprints with the Academy MN crew. There was a big turn out. Sunday afternoon Martha and Jenny came over and we went to the Lyndale Ave Open Streets event. Twenty blocks of Lyndale Ave were closed to traffic to allow pedestrians and bikes to stroll the street. Ran into my neighbor Kelly who joined us. Also ran into other friends along the way.

Sunday evening I ran with Tracy. We are training for Grandma's Half Marathon on Duluth in two weeks.

While I was away...

While I was up north for the Memorial Day weekend, the garden burst with color.

The transplanted and thinned Siberian iris are even blooming.

Gas plant

Miss America peony

Miss America peony

perineal geranium

Plant name escapes me

Peonies

Peony