Fifteen's 5k

Another fun run with Running For Brunch. The Fifteen is for the Twins' closing pitcher Kyle Gibson. He lends his number to a cause his wife chooses.

We completed the event with a baseball game at Target Field. And the Twins win!

US Bank Stadium home of the Vikings

This was actually last weekend. A very rainy Saturday adventure. The opening of the $1+ billion stadium was another group event.

One of the many murals and pieces of art work

Full view of the field. There are many open areas in the concourse that give access to view the field while out in the concourse.

The stadium interior is held up by a enormous truss system that spans the full length. This truss allows the interior to be column free.

Scary looking

First I found a dead one of these then yesterday, I came across a live one. According to images I found on the internet, these are cicada killer or ground wasps. All I know is they are big and scary looking.

If you want more information on cicada killer wasps click here. Information provide by Dave Moen.

Solar power

Someone on Facebook posted one of those "Do you remember" photos. It got me thinking that today would be a great day to use solar power to dry my bedding.

It is super hot and super sunny.

Harvests

My tomatoes are beginning to ripen! So exciting.

My first multiple strawberry harvest.

Been harvesting raspberries for a few weeks. This is my favorite serving (dark chocolate Klondike bar)

Swimming across Lake Nokomis

This was probably the craziest thing I've done in quite a while. Jenny is training for a mini-triathlon and has been swimming for a long time. I am not a swimmer.

I wanted to do something challenging and it is hot. So what did I decide to do? Swim across Lake Nokomis!

On Tuesdays there is an open swim with guide buoys set and safety kayakers along the swim. I would never do this without those safety features in place.

One way across is 600 yards. I did make it eventually but not very efficiently. Jenny was able to swim a round trip. We talked with one woman who swam three round trips. She is training for a swim to Madeline Island in Lake Michigan!

City lake walk

Took a walk around Lake of the Isles and Calhoun. Such a pretty city.

Lake of the Isles

Calhoun

Twins game - great seats

Jenny got fantastic seats from her work. She, Andrew and I were only two rows from the field - third base line.

Jenny and me selfie

looking toward home plate

mascot race. They ran right in front of us.

Miss Walleye was in the lead but lost in the stretch... so did the Twins

Juiced Nutrition announcement

Click on the following link to see the announcement on Facebook.
Juiced Nutrition retail address announcement

Happy Birthday, Miss Uno

Papa almost forgot to publicly wish my baby girl a happy birthday.
She may not be vey loving but she is my little cutie. Daddy loves you.

And so you know the photo to the left is the hair from one combing!

Currant picker (video content)

Last year Martha got me a currant picker. The currants are ripe and though there are not as many as usual, I tried out the device.

It works super slick. The second time was better than the first.

 So many thanks to Martha and a shout out to Kelly for recording the video.

By the way, I used the currants in a marinade for grilling pork chops and chicken thighs. Kelly and I had a delicious and healthy cookout.

Fresh garden greens for a fresh salad

Spinach, red leaf lettuce and kale freshly picked from the garden. Added fresh oregano and chives also from the garden.

Made a delicious fresh salad with the addition of some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt.

Also practicing food photography to prepare for Juiced Nutrition marketing and product display.

Eloise Butler Wild Flower and Bird Sanctuary

Needed to clear my head. Rode my bike over to the Eloise Butler Wild Flower and Bird Sanctuary in Theodore Wirth Park. Is less than five miles away but a world away from the city. You can still hear truck traffic from Highway 55 and 395 but there were birds singing and frogs croaking.

The wetland area is nice and cool while the upland prairie section is hot and steamy. All this in a less than a mile hike.

Taylor fun (part 2)

Here are more photos from July 4th.

Getting ready for the boat parade. We were awarded second place!

Nancy and me selfie. Vern photo bombing

Jane and me selfie

Patriotic Rose

Lady Liberty not looking too happy. Linda does though.

Our captain, JT, with a flag coming out of his head.

More photographs at this site (click here) and Kathy's photos at (click here).

Taylor fun (part 1)

JT and Linda hosted another fun Independence Day gathering at their Crystal Lake home.

Amy and I trying to navigate giant swans.

Not bad for 57

We finally gave the swans to the kids

June-July birthdays

The gang got together to celebrate Diane and Amy's birthdays. This is Amy's backyard.

I especially love the laughter on Diane and Jennifer's faces.

Along my run

Running home from St. Louis Park yesterday and this deer is standing a few feet from the path watching people go by.

Geat fireworks (lots of photos)

Many thanks to my friend Dave and his family for including me on their annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks. Dave's sister and brother-in-law live near Durand Wisconsin. The farmer across the street produces an incredible fireworks show form the community. All we had to do was take our chairs and blankets a few hundred yards up the road and enjoy the show.

The fireworks are synchronized with music. These were not some backyard version but comparable to any major municipal or professional production.