Birthday Axe Bash

 Hard to believe but I am now 64 years old. To celebrate I had an axe throwing party. Drinking and throwing axes! It went better than you'd think.

Here is a video of the fun.

In search of Spring

It has been a slow-to-come Spring here in Minnesota. The temperatures have been well below normal and the snow and wind have been insane.

But I was determined to find some Spring so headed to the Minneapolis Park system. Started at Theodore Wirth Park and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.

Deer do not really qualify as Spring signs but the three I saw were very relaxed and a nice sign of life.

The heron rookery at Marshall Terrace along the Mississippi River was amazing.

There are so many herons nesting on two small islands that it was nearly unbelievable that this exists within the city.

I put together a video using a new editor, ClipChamp. Here is the link.

Some random photos from this weekend (Is Spring really here?)

Actually went for a run on Saturday. It was the first morning this month with temperatures above freezing.

On the run back home stopped at mom's tree at Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska). The view of downtown Minneapolis is always so beautiful. And yes, the lake is still frozen.

Downtown Minneapolis across the still frozen Lake Calhoun

Mom's tree

I substituted for a co-worker on Saturday at the hardware store. The sunshine and warmer weather brought a steady flow of customers. We ave pansies but no other plants yet.

Co-worker put made an arrow of pansy petals to the hardware store

With temperatures forecast to be above freezing, I finally brought the geraniums up from the basement. Looks like everyone survived the winter with the exception of maybe one.

Also planted the calla lily rhizomes in the big pot. I have enough for another small pot.

The geraniums are out of the basement dungeon and on the porch.

The pretty part of spring snowstorm (now an official blizzard)

Was getting a bit of cabin fever so went for a walk down to the chain of lakes during the snowstorm.

Walked over to Isles Bun and Coffee for a coffee cake energy boost. From there walked down to Lake of the Isles. Could make out one of the islands but could not see across the lake.

Lake of the Isles

Snow piling up

Lake of the Isles toward the Lagoon

Headed over to Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) through the tunnel. The snow was pretty deep with all the wind piling it up. Some robins were taking refuge in a little leafless bush. Visibility was probably only about 50 yards.

The stacks of boats, canoes and kayaks gave a hint to warmer weather.

Optimistic boats at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

The Lagoon

Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

Four robins taking refuge

Starbuck optimism

Officially a blizzard now

A cold week

To say it has been cold is an understatement. Over the past weekend it never got above zero and we've had a sting of below zero mornings. But through it all my old Christmas cactus has been blooming.

Saturday, Dec. 30

Sunday, Dec. 31

Monday, Jan. 1

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Theodore Wirth winter

One of the things I love about traveling is the contrasts. Just a few days ago I was on a sunny and warm beach. Today I'm back home it was cold and it snowed over night.

Walker Sculpture Garden (re-open)

Now we're talking low temps

Even -5 at my house in Uptown.

Recording those nasty temps

I think this is our lowest temp so far this season. Definitely the lowest so far in 2017 but it is early yet. Little snow on the ground.

Juiced Nutrition update and an ugly incident

This blog is where I post my thoughts, my story, my travels, etc. I have shied away from writing about my business because I didn't want this place to be about promotion.

But my business has become my life and my life is impacted by my business.

So the honestly the business is doing really, really poorly.

People say it is the weather...time of year...holidays...etc. While those may be partially true, it seems that the business itself is not catching on. There are nearly 1,000 tenants in the three buildings that the business is located in yet rarely does a resident drop in. Emails and promotions to the residents have fallen like an overnight snow.

Hours go by between customers. So far there has not been a day without at least one customer but I am anticipating the day when there are zero customers.

I have done social media - Facebook and Instagram - including running ads on both platforms. Also running ad on Yelp which I wasn't aware that I had done. Ironically, I believe the Yelp ad has brought in a few customers but they have mostly been out-of-towners so not likely to return.

One Yelp customer did come in several times before leaving town. And another Yelp customer who was visiting town did bring her parents who live in the neighborhood back to the store. These customers give the illusion that the idea of the store is not crazy but to say they are few and far between is even an exaggeration.

The simple fact that friends I have known for a long time and who have been supportive in words but have not been supportive in deeds seems to indicate that the idea of the store was misguided.

The initial idea of the store was to provide protein shakes for pre- and post-workout nutrition. The majority of customers are not coming from nor going to a workout or class. So the initial idea was wrong. The marketing has shifted to providing a healthy and nutritional whole food ingredient meal source.

The location is potentially a problem because there are no other retail stores nearby or within eye-shot. The location along the Midtown Greenway could be an advantage in the spring and summer but that is just speculation (though the choice of location was based on this).

Another problem I face is that my mother's passing right before the store opened has greatly impacted my enthusiasm. My mom was always my champion even when she questioned what I was doing. I always knew she had my back and could be supportive in her way. That support is gone and there really isn't anything or anyone to replace that.

It sometimes help me to write out my thoughts so I may continue to do this here.

Today's post was prompted by an incident that just happened as I was walking home from the coffee shop. The incident was  unrelated to the business.

First all, I patronize a local coffee shop-bakery and am honestly pissed off that the owners have not come to my store but I still support their business. As I was walking home in my now usual funk, I coughed and a man 50 yards ahead of me turned around and yelled at me, "What the fuck, you fucking gay homo!" -- or something like that.

I was dumbstruck. What on earth was that!? Was he crazy? Did he mistake me for someone else? He kept rambling on about my probably wanting to break the law and I deserved it and that he was crazy and that I was crazy and that he was a musician and that he apologized and that I deserved it and that I looked liked someone he knew and that I deserved it.

I am not a violent person and I had no desire to do anything other than leave and crawl away.

The sparkle of a winter morning. Near zero temps....crispy, crackly, shiny.

A beautiful day. A beautiful city.

My Saturday morning run around Lake Calhoun. The morning sun on the lake, sail boats and shoreline were stunning. Thank you Minneapolis Parks for making our city so wonderful.

Uptown hotel project

There has been a need for a hotel in my neighborhood, Uptown, for a long time. Previous attempts have failed due to cost, location or recession. The latest attempt is actually underway....at the top of my street!

Graves Hospitality got approval from the City Planning Commission for a six-story tall building that will contain a Marriott Moxy branded hotel. Their first proposal was for nine stories! That did not sit well with the neighborhood. They seemed to have the six-story version ready in their back pocket.

There was only one small property one of the two lots. The hotel building will take up the entire two lots and will not have parking. The existing building went down in a matter of a couple hours.

Click Here for a picture of the proposed hotel.

Fantastic lightning show

Last night there was a fantastic lightning show south of Minneapolis. The moon was just past full and the sky was partially cloudy. I stopped at  Lake Calhoun to take some photos and a short video.

Athletic Adventure Weekend

Regular Saturday morning run to coffee but today was such a beautiful day. I had stop during my run home to take this photo of me, the Minneapolis skyline and Lake Calhoun with sailboats and other runners.

Saturday afternoon I biked the Midtown Greenway with my friend Dave. We participated in the Midtown Greenway Coalition's Craft Beer Pedaler. Way too much drinking but played it safe and stayed on the Greenway for the most part. Craft beers, craft sake, and craft ciders...all available with easy access to a dedicated bike path and another spectacular view of Minneapolis skyline.

Sunday I joined friends to celebrate Jennifer's birthday at Betty Danger's in nord'east Mineapolis. I decided to ride my bike the 8 1/2 miles. It is a beautiful ride but more taxing than I thought it would be.

Juiced Nutrition web seminar

Took a seminar sponsored by SCORE and the Small Business Administration on on-line marketing and sales. Seminar was conducted by web.com and was inside the Surly Brewing center.

Surly Brewing facility is very nice and very big.

The seminar was helpful and well attended. It poured rain this morning. I had intended on taking public transportation but I got soaking wet on my way to the bus stop. I went back home, changed clothes and drove instead.

In the afternoon I had an appointment with the Minneapolis city license department. I took the light rail to Minneapolis City Hall. Ate lunch before the meeting. The meeting went very well. I was prepared with all the form stuff and corresponding attachments. It took me hours to assemble it all.

I headed back to Surly to get my truck and decided a craft-brewed beer was in order.

I'm excited to work on my e-commerce site. www.juicednutritionuptown.com

City lake walk

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

Lake of the Isles

Calhoun

Juiced Nutrition announcement

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

Prince tribute mural

A new Prince tribute mural was just created in my neighborhood. I was walking back from the bank and noticed people taking selfies behind Sencha Tea at 26th and Hennepin. It looked like the muralist was just finishing up the art work.

Prince died unexpectedly last Thursday. He was only 57 years old. He remained in Minnesota after becoming a huge internationally-known artist. The community here has been impacted in a big way.

Busy Weekend of Fun

What a weekend which really started on Thursday. Bowled on Hookers and Bowl team (Jenny and Andrew's league) . First two games were not great but third was 194!

Friday went to opening of White Snake at the Guthrie. Rose so graciously takes me to opening nights. Really enjoyed the show based on a Chinese fable. The visuals were wonderful.

Saturday morning was a 5k called the Suds Run It was a cold morning but warmed up quickly. This was another Running for Brunch event, though there were only three of us plus Gypsy, the dog. So the costumes were Three Blind Mice.

Saturday evening was a garden party dinner and David's. David has a beautiful, tranquil backyard and prepared a delicious meal. We retreated indoors for dessert as the temperature kept going down after sunset.

Sunday was the Minneapolis Parks Bike Tour of the Grand Round. Kelly and Bud joined me for the 32 mile bike ride from the Mississippi River to Minnehaha Creek to the Chain of Lakes and on to Theodore Worth Park and Victory Memorial Drive then back to the Mississippi River.

It was a cool day with perfect sunshine. The beer at the end was so nice.

 

Sunday night was more bowling -the start of my regular Sunday Bowlers league. We have a new team member this year--my friend Jenny. I am a substitute on her Thursday team and now she is a regular on my Sunday team.

I didn't bowl great but what a weekend!