Last night I went to see the Lynx, Minnesota's women's professional team play. Lindsay Whalen, who played at the U. of MN., is one of the stars. I saw her play many times when she was in college. Playing for the Lynx opponents, the Atlanta Dream, is Coco Miller, who I saw play in the State High School tournaments many years ago. She and her twin sister were stars for a team from Rochester.
Maya Moore, who played for UConn, was the number one draft pick in the nation, and drafted by the Lynx. She showed some of her skill last night and the Lynx are poised to be contenders this year.
The Lynx play at Target Center which is a third of a mile from our condo. I take a Nice Ride Bike to Target and back.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Metaphor of faith
A few years ago A.H. gave me a "hand-me-down" four row, John Deere, corn planter. It's a very basic unit with hydraulic lift that uses power from the wheels to operate the planting mechanism when the planter is lowered. There are no gauges to tell the operator if corn is successfully planted in each row. The operator can stop and dig out the rows behind the planter to see if there are corn kernels.
When I'm using a tillage machine or a mower I can look back and see if things are working. But, with planting it's more a matter of faith, that unseen the kernels are left underground. Eventually the flags that stand on the unplanted corn in the planter move lower indicating that the corn is indeed leaving the boxes.
A few days later the emerging rows give proof of how well the planter worked and how straight the operator drove.
When I'm using a tillage machine or a mower I can look back and see if things are working. But, with planting it's more a matter of faith, that unseen the kernels are left underground. Eventually the flags that stand on the unplanted corn in the planter move lower indicating that the corn is indeed leaving the boxes.
A few days later the emerging rows give proof of how well the planter worked and how straight the operator drove.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Corn planting
On June 7, after helping to unload the moving truck I drove to SDak. 103 degrees in Mpls. that day and two mornings later I awakened to 48 degrees. Personally I prefer 103!
On the 8th I got my cornfield plowed and disked. The next day I went to plant corn and the planter immediately broke down. One of wheel hubs wore out.
I knew my friend, FA, had an old planter he used for parts. He said have at it and luckily I found the hub I needed. Then I stopped in at my favorite mechanic's, MH, looking for help. He was about to leave to celebrate his 54th wedding anniversary....by this time it was late in the day. So we decided we'd work on it the next morning.
When the wheel was disassembled it was clear that the bearings were worn out. MH disappeared into his shop and reappeared with needed bearings. Within an hour we had made the repairs and I was back in the field. The rain began an hour after I finished planting!
Last year I planted corn in April and this year it was June 10. Because the corn is left standing for wildlife it doesn't have to dry as it would if it were harvested and stored. All that is needed is that it has time to develop kernels. Even with a late planting there should be time for that.
While I was planting a rooster pheasant was running ahead of me. Perhaps he was supervising his winter food planting.
On the 8th I got my cornfield plowed and disked. The next day I went to plant corn and the planter immediately broke down. One of wheel hubs wore out.
I knew my friend, FA, had an old planter he used for parts. He said have at it and luckily I found the hub I needed. Then I stopped in at my favorite mechanic's, MH, looking for help. He was about to leave to celebrate his 54th wedding anniversary....by this time it was late in the day. So we decided we'd work on it the next morning.
When the wheel was disassembled it was clear that the bearings were worn out. MH disappeared into his shop and reappeared with needed bearings. Within an hour we had made the repairs and I was back in the field. The rain began an hour after I finished planting!
Last year I planted corn in April and this year it was June 10. Because the corn is left standing for wildlife it doesn't have to dry as it would if it were harvested and stored. All that is needed is that it has time to develop kernels. Even with a late planting there should be time for that.
While I was planting a rooster pheasant was running ahead of me. Perhaps he was supervising his winter food planting.
Chicago no more!
On June 5, I took the train to Chicago, (it left on time because it now starts in St. Paul because Minot is flooded and we got in 30 min. early!) to assist Mai-Evy's family with moving. On the 6th, (47th wedding anniversary for curmudgeon and curmudgeonette) we loaded the truck and caravaned to Mpls. So.....YES! they are here...Yippee.
They are renting a house near Lake Nokomis in S. Mpls. They plan to be there until their condo in Chicago sells.
They are renting a house near Lake Nokomis in S. Mpls. They plan to be there until their condo in Chicago sells.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
I like living downtown...
We've been living downtown since October. I like living downtown because:...we drive less...we walk to many things...the Skyway runs through our building...of the diversity of people...of access to the Mississippi River...there are interesting places to walk Trygve...it's central to the metro area. I can hardly think of any reasons I don't like it.
I like living in a 15th floor condo because of the view, there are no steps, and I have no outside chores, i.e., shoveling, mowing, yard work, etc.
I like living in a 15th floor condo because of the view, there are no steps, and I have no outside chores, i.e., shoveling, mowing, yard work, etc.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Good news!
The curmudgeonette saw her surgeon this morning and all the news is good! She's walking taller/straighter, the ex rays look great and she can begin weaning off her back brace. Over the next 2 to 4 weeks she can stop using it. He doesn't need to see her again. The best news of all is that she has zero pain! Her energy is coming back and she's doing things, e.g., cooking, that she has done for months.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)