Harvest Dreams!

      It's as if the farmers had control over the weather. September offered frequent rains and much needed moisture. Pastures which were brown in August are now a lush green. October has turned dry and sunny. It's perfect weather for harvest which is now in full swing. If only farmers could control commodity and fuel prices. 

    Commodity prices have improved some. But diesel fuel is now about $6.00 a gallon. That's almost double the price last year. Virtually every modern farm machine engine uses diesel. Fertilizer costs are also at record highs.

   Ripe soybean fields, and to a lesser extent corn fields, are very dusty. Clouds of dust envelop combines as they harvest the crops. On windless days there is a pall of dust hanging in the air.

Takk for alt,

Al

Things Happen!

        Made all the arrangements for a 7:45 appointment this morning with my primary care doctor. It takes planning because her clinic is in Golden Valley, where we used to live. It means traversing Minneapolis from east to west and from south to north, plus bits of other communities. Then there's the complication of rush hour, too. Nevertheless, Odie was exercised and I had a quick breakfast before launching into the maelstrom of traffic.

    At 7:35, smugly I might say for negotiating all the challenges, I was at the check-in desk. The nice clerk said, "Your appointment was cancelled." I replied, "That's the worst thing I've heard all day."  She went on to say, "A voicemail was left on your phone at 6:13 a.m." Checking my phone there was said voicemail. So, now it's my fault!  At 6:13 Odie and I were in the park sans phone.

   The doctor has a daughter who is about two. My guess is a sick child caused the doctor's cancellation. It happened to me once before, though I hadn't gotten to the clinic. If I'm upset about anything it's assuming a voicemail left on my phone, about an hour before my time to leave, is adequate notice of cancelation. Actually, if it had been a text I'd likely have seen it.

   Where am I?  Why, I'm 'here' of course. 😁 This here happens to be The Little House.

Takk for alt,

Al

Space Agent!

    It was my idea, that we meet for Happy Hour downtown. The place has a good food selection for Happy Hour. Sitting placidly in my apartment when the phone rang. The query "Are you stuck in traffic or did you space?" Unfortunately, it was the latter, I totally spaced our plan. They were in no hurry to leave so I made a belated entrance.

   Occasions like that unsettle me. Forgetting engagements rattles me and neither do I like to be late. That comes from my father who always wanted to be early and he always was. I can't be late even if I try, it's an utter compulsion to be on time.

   So that's what passes for news..

Takk for alt,

Al

 Posed with a long neck woman in the hills of Thailand. I purchased the scarf which I'm holding from her.

"Author Reveal"

      A few blogs ago I quoted an author's description of autumn and indicated that I'd give his name later. It's now time for an "Author Reveal."  The author is contemporary Karl Ove Knausgaard. Either of you guess that he's Norwegian? Well, he is!

   He's gained fame for his Death in the Family: My Struggle Book 1, A Man in Love: My Struggle Book 2, Boyhood Island: My Struggle Book 3, Dancing in the Dark: My Struggle Book 4, Some Rain Must Fall: Book 5, and The End; Book 6.   Perhaps you want to read the Struggle books next week, all 3600 pages.

   For quite a while I've been aware of these books, but the sheer size has been daunting. Finding a shorter book by him in a used bookstore I thought it would be a good way to get acquainted with this author, and it was. Reading Autumn, published in 2015, psyche's me for reading more.

   Autumn is a book of essays and letters. The letters were addressed to his unborn daughter. The essays are on random subjects, each less than three pages. The first three essays' Apples, Wasps and Plastic Bags, are indicative of how random they are. Every essay is well written with language to savor even surviving translation. Many contain profound insights on which to ponder. He's made myriad connections which have never occurred to me.

Takk for alt,

Al

Life in the OFH

     M's a fan of Odie. So, last night M brought a bag of dog treats to our dinner table intended for Odie. As our dinner progressed a woman with a seeing eye dog was seated with a group near us. The owner of the dog didn't notice her dog wander over to our table. With a bag of dog treats available on the table I gave the visiting dog a couple which she readily accepted. After eating the treats, the dog laid down next to me and fell asleep. There she slept until we arose after our dinner.

   The dog awakened as we arose. I led the dog, a huge labrador, back to his/her owner. As I handed over the leash I said, "She followed me home can I keep her?"  The response was and emphatic "NO!"

    Obviously, it doesn't take much to entertain us!

Takk for alt,

Al

Travel Memories!

         With my traveling days in the past, it's fun to relive memories from those times. In 2008 Joanne and I travelled through Amsterdam to Hungary. We spent a little time in Amsterdam on the way, thus the picture of the cheese store a couple of days ago.

    Our time in Hungary was spent in Budapest. Staying in a small boutique hotel downtown we explored much of the city on foot. The opera was playing so we attended a performance of Pucino in the classic old opera house. Enjoying the traditional cuisine, we ate well.

   From Budapest we took the train to Vienna where we stayed for several days. Naturally we enjoyed a Mozart concert. Housed in B&B downtown we were able to visit much of the city on foot. Next door to the B$B was a small, family run restaurant. Taking many of meals there we became acquainted with the proprietors, with whom we're pictured below.

    With my traveling days over I'm quick to encourage younger persons to travel as they have opportunity.

Takk for alt,

Al

One Accomplishment!

     After a couple of social engagements today I went to the Ramsey County Courthouse. At that site I voted. They were well organized and there was no waiting. Early voting is considered 'absentee' so it was necessary to fill out one form. After completing my ballot, correctly I might add, I thanked the volunteers and left. The trip took about 30 minutes. With my irregular schedule where I'll be on election day is not clear, so, now I've happily fulfilled that important task.

    One of the perks of life in the OFH is the ease of entertaining. A friend joined me for breakfast, and the dining room is mostly empty and very quiet. It's a reasonable cost also with the meal priced at $8.75. Two friends joined me for lunch before a game of cribbage. Both light eaters their soup bowls cost $4.00 each. Yup, I'm the big spender! 😀 

Takk for alt,

Al

Perhaps if the rain stops for a while I can go back to picking rocks.