Production of this document has been plagued by intermittent and ongoing technical difficulties with our social media devices . . .

March 11

. . . for the Alexandria senior boys basketball players on their home court.

[Unfortunately, Kristen Hoskins (8th from the right), the starting point guard, left the team for personal reasons before the end of the season. It’s a big loss for a team hoping to make a long run in the tournament . . . ]

[Is Hadley Thul (11) really palming that basketball?]

It’s going to be interesting to watch presidential elections in around 2040, when voters can dig up candidates’ teenage angst pics and posts from old social media and discussion forum archives. ~ Mikko Hypponen

Americans invented adolescence. It is not a natural phenomenon. Adolescence is a social construct, created by an urban-industrial society that keeps its young at home far past puberty.  ~ Sarah Beth Durst

If a society is to preserve stability and a degree of continuity, it must learn how to keep its adolescents from imposing their tastes, values, and fantasies on everyday life. ~ Eric Hoffer

Creativity is the catalyst to the future. ~ Marie Frohoff

[Sophomore Grayson Grove (33) wins another opening tip-off . . . ]

The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can’t be learned at school. ~ Haruki Murakami

We all learn by experience but some of us have to go to summer school. ~ Peter De Vries

There are only two places in the world where time takes precedence over the job to be done: school and prison. ~ William Glasser

In 300 BC Euclid invented geometry, and the grade F. ~ Unknown

School is learning things you don’t want to know, surrounded by people you wish you didn’t know, while working toward a future you don’t know will ever come. ~ Dave Kellett

Show me the man who enjoyed his school days and I will show you a bully and a bore. ~ Robert Morley

[Snagged by senior Erik Hedstrom (22) . . . ]

[Senior guard Carter Steffensmeier (0) on offense . . . ]

[And then on defense . . . ]

[And being fed by Hedstrom after a rebound . . . ]

[And hydrating on the bench during a time out . . . ]

[The Cards had jumped to an early lead. Then joie de vivre sets in and they start firing up 3’s from all over the place. We are not a particularly good 3-point shooting team so then the offense always stalls . . . ]

[Carter bringing the ball up court as the 1st half ends . . . ]

[Warming up for the 2nd half . . . ]

[The crowd is getting restless . . . ]

[It was a totally unremarkable 1st half, high energy, no scoring . . . ]

[As the 2nd half was starting I was admonishing from my front row seat, “Get the ball inside.” We have a talented 6’8″ center who had 2 points in the 1st half . . . ]

[It worked, getting the ball inside to our big ‘uns, Grove and Hedstrom . . . ]

[But the Spartans, a better 3-point shooting team than we, began hitting from outside . . . ]

[Grayson gets fouled a lot – fortunately, he’s a good free throw shooter . . . ]

[Blasts from the past: The fellow in the Alaska cap and black shirt is Chuck Betterman (Alex class of ’63), who the Fat Boys see every morning at the Y. His granddaugher, Karly, was one of my all-timers, playing in the 2013 era. Sitting in front of Chuck is Ella Grove, a star player for Alex who graduated two years ago. Yup, the older sister of Grayson . . . ]

[I shot a ball into the air, it fell to earth I know not where . . . ]

[Senior Zach Gundberg (32) has helped pick up the slack from the loss of Kristen . . . ]

I really am a good person. ~ Denny Hecker

[A comfortable lead, but couldn’t quite bury the pesky Spartans . . . ]

[The Cards were great from the free throw line down the stretch . . . ]

[Here senior Peter Sansted (12) . . . ]

[Although Grayson missed his meaningless last two, the Cards finished 13 – 16 from the charity stripe . . . ]

[And now on to the section championship game against St. Cloud Tech. A win then will send the Cards to their 2nd consecutive state tournament . . . ]

[You’re absolutely right, Ella. After just two points in the first half, Grayson finished with 17 . . . ]

No school without spectacular eccentrics and crazy hearts is worth attending. ~ Saul Bellow

But if there’s a school bus, there needs to be a school! ~ Fred Rogers

Up Next: The next game?

March 5

50 YEARS OF TITLE IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. ~ Title IX

I do not read this as requiring integration of dormitories between the sexes, nor do I feel it mandates the desegregation of football fields. What we are trying to do is provide equal access for women and men students to the educational process and the extracurricular activities in a school. ~ Birch Bayh

[This year’s senior class (school photo): Carlie Wolf (41), Lilly Thul (35), and Tessa McGrane (5)]

Well, was there not a need to have classes for disadvantaged girls? Couldn’t you have classes and include both boys and girls? ~ Edith Green

Let us not deceive ourselves. Our educational institutions have proven to be no bastions of democracy. ~ Edith Green

I don’t know when I have ever been so pleased, because I had worked so long and it had been such a tough battle. ~ Edith Green

It was perfectly legal to discriminate in any education program against girls or women. ~ Edith Green

[Your ’21-22 Alexandria Cardinals, with Papa Hasz providing 6’5″ perspective from his position on the far upper left . . . ]

[Introduction of starters: Freshman MaCee Linow (21) . . . ]

[Freshman Allie Haabala (33) . . . ]

A girl just can’t do those things and still be a lady. ~ Unknown Sportswriter

[Freshman Hadley Thul (11) . . . ]

[Freshman Chloe Scholl (15), coming up the player aisle . . . ]

[And senior Lilly Thul (35), about to join the team from afar . . . ]

Thanks to the efforts of many women who refused to quit and who stood up for their daughters and mine, the door to opportunity was opened in 1972 for both boys and girls to escape gender stereotypes and to explore areas of interest not available in the past. ~ RuthAnn Lobo

[Hadley prepares for . . . ]

[And wins another center jump . . . ]

First of all, I think my involvement in Title IX is probably the most important contribution I made to the governmental process. ~ Birch Bayh

When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead. ~ Ernest Hemingway

Time flies when you are having fun. ~ Albert Einstein

[And Allie controls the tip . . . ]

[Hadley shooting free throws . . . ]

Rep. Edith Louise Starrett Green (D-OR), a former teacher, birthed Title IX in 1971-1972 as chair of the Subcommittee on Education of the House Education and Labor Committee, giving girls and women equal opportunities in education. ~ Sherry Boschert (and now you know Edith Green)

[Senior Tessa McGrane (5) in hot pursuit of the roundball. The Amazing Mr. Ripley, camera always at the ready, in the background . . . ]

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game. ~ Michael Jordan

Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting. ~ George Orwell

[The game within the game: DL’s point guard junior Abby Larson (1) versus Allie, the Cardinal point guard . . . ]

[Hadley gets fouled a lot and shoots a lot of free throws. When she gets really good at it, she’ll rack up a lot of points . . . ]

I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok. ~ Shaquille O’Neal

[MaCee, with Mr. Ripley in the background again. He’s able to get good photos because he can get down on the floor and still get up again . . . ]

[Where Hadley’s length is a factor – late in the game she picked off an inbounds pass after a Cardinal score and layed it in . . . ]

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. ~ Mike Singletary

[Sooooo lose . . . ]

The invention of basketball was not an accident. It was developed to meet a need. ~ James Naismith

[MaCee is our long rane bomber – she made 7 3’s in one game, 8 in another . . . ]

[Chloe, our 5’8″ power forward, shooting . . . ]

[I believe this was a made 3-pointer from the corner by Kaia Emter (see her further down) . . . ]

[Sophomore Ellie Heydt (3), our designated defensive rabble rouser . . . ]

[Lilly shooting a freebie . . . ]

[The perspective from my box seat . . . ]

[The Larson-Haabala match up again . . . ]

[Allie shooting . . . ]

[Allie on Ms. Larson . . . ]

I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of our society than any other single profession. ~ John Wooden

[With about 17 seconds left in the game, Hadley got free at the top of the key, took her only 3-point attempt in the game, and made it! The fans thought that sealed the win for the Cards. With 6 seconds left, sophomore Helena Daggett (3) hit a 3 to tie the game and send it into overtime . . . ]

[And the jump to start the 1st overtime . . . ]

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~ John Wooden

Young people need models, not critics. ~ John Wooden

[The match-up between Allie and Ms. Larson continued all game. Both played well . . . ]

[Allie shooting again . . . ]

[Chloe at the line . . . ]

[If MaCee is our long range bomber, sophomore Kaia Emter (25) is our gunner. Kaia at one point hit three 3’s in a row with her very quick release . . . ]

[And the jump to start the 2nd overtime . . . ]

[I employ] two offenses: the GMA, or “general milling around,” and the Daylight Offense, as in “The first guy who sees daylight after he crosses mid-court shoots.” ~ Abe Lemons

One day of practice is like one day of clean living; it doesn’t do you any good. ~ Abe Lemons

I don’t have any tricky plays, I’d rather have tricky players. ~ Abe Lemons

[The boys team had a game at Fergus Falls earlier in the afternoon. They won to tie for the conference title. Then they dropped by as fan support for the girls. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out . . . ]

[I admittedly thought some time ago the season would end they way it did. The Cards had many games this season when they could not make free throws down the stretch. It happened again in this game when they could have won in regulation and the 1st overtime from the charity stripe. The Cards beat Detroit Lakes 56-21 during the regular, so this was quite unexpected. The Lakers are also young, but a year or two older and taller than the Cards and made the adjustment from the 1st game. They did a box-and-one on Hadley, the Cards leading scorer, so she was constantly double-teamed as teams often did the last half of the season. The Cards will get a year older and stronger and be back to make a run next year . . . ]

In May 1974, on a relatively slow day in the Senate, Mr. Tower [of Texas] quietly proposed changing a pending education bill to insist that Title IX rules couldn’t apply to any sports that brought in money from ticket sales. ~ Let Me Play (By Karen Blumenthal)

Up Next: Alex boys hockey team starts state tournament play this week. I think the boys basketball sections start this week as well . . .

February 15

It is more fun to talk to someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” ~ A. A. Milne

The Alexandria girls hockey team was trying to make it back to the state tournament again this year. They finished the regular season on a nice run, winning 11 of their last 14 games. They were playing the Brainerd-Little Falls Flying Warriors in the section semi-finals. They had already beaten the Flying Warriors twice this year. But, as they say, it’s hard to beat a team 3 times. Brainerd-Little Falls scored with 17 seconds left in the game, by a player who had never scored a varsity goal before, to win 4 – 3. And so it goes. So we say goodbye, and thank you, to 11 seniors, most of whom have been 4-year starters. I’ve heard we have some talent coming up – we’ll lace them up again next year . . .

Morning comes whether you set the alarm or not. ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

[The Alexandria Cardinals, lest you weren’t sure . . . ]

[Fan support from the boys basketball team . . . ]

You can sum up this sport in two words: You never know. ~ Lou Duva (boxing promoter)

[See the first photo . . . ]

[Introductions: Kylie Lattimer (11), sophomore defense (someone we will build around next year); Jordan O’Kane (1), senior goalie; MaKenna Aure (17), senior defense . . . ]

I’m so mean, I make medicine sick. ~ Muhammad Ali

[It’s easier (for me) to just look at the roster above . . . ]

I feel like I’m the best, but you’re not going to get me to say that. ~ Jerry Rice

You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. ~ Herm Edwards

[The opening face-off, collisions begin in the girls’ “no contact” sport with junior Ella Westlund (11) . . . ]

[The future: Sophia Korynta (22), sophomore; Julia Doherty (7), freshman; Cadence Ellingson (14), freshman; and Emma Ramstorf (10), freshman . . . ]

[A departing veteran, senior Kaci Trosvig (25) . . . ]

[Peyton Boesl (6), senior; Kennedy Ellingson (3), freshman; Lattimer; Elise Patience (18), senior . . . ]

[Autumn Blahosky (20), senior; Patience; Cadence Ellingson; and Doherty . . . ]

[Not George, Paul, John, and Ringo . . . ]

[Reflective of the entire game between two evenly matched teams . . . ]

[Korynta, as our offense moves to my end of the rink . . . ]

I’m glad I don’t play anymore. I could never learn all of those handshakes. ~ Phil Rizzuto

[Kaci circles the net . . . ]

[Like her older sister Kristin used to do . . . ]

We didn’t underestimate them. They were a lot better than we thought. ~ Bobby Robson

He’s a guy who gets up at six o’clock in the morning regardless of what time it is. ~ Lou Duva (makes a doubleheader quote for Lou)

[Gonna miss the feistiness of senior Hannah Block (28), though small of stature loved to mix it up in front of the goal . . . ]

I never lost a game. I just ran out of time. ~ Michael Jordan

[Could be Aure with Ramstorf on the far side . . . ]

[A defense pairing of Riley Nyberg (21), senior, and Lattimer . . . ]

[Lauren Maras (9), with the only other junior Westlund, will return as the grizzled veterans next year . . . ]

[My final shot of the often spectacular career of MaKenna . . . ]

[We had a two goal lead, both took place right in front of me but my camera reactions have gone the way of the great auk, but then we took two penalties. The Flying Warriors rapidly scored on both to tie it up . . . ]

Sorrow is one of the vibrations that prove the fact of living. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

February 17

So now our attention turns to the roundballers. This is two nights later versus Sartell . . .

In lieu of interspersed sports quotes, I will now feature the humor of P. J. O’Rourke, who I just learned as I type this died this week. P. J. represented the other side of the political spectrum from me, but he always made me laugh. He was two months younger than me, i.e., too young to depart our little blue orb . . .

The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[The final scoreboard for the preceding Junior Varsity game . . . ]

[The first thing I noticed in both the JV and varsity games is that the Cardinals could use a healthy application of Miracle-Gro. We gave away a lot of height to the Sabres. For example, the Sabres varsity only has one player 5’6″ or shorter; the Cardinals have eight . . . ]

[The starters waiting for player introductions: Elle Heydt (3), sophomore; the remaining four are all freshmen, MaCee Linow (21), Chloe Scholl (15), Hadley Thul (11), and Allie Haabala (33) . . . ]

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Politics is the attempt to achieve power and prestige without merit. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Never wear anything that panics the cat. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Never fight an inanimate object. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[And now back to the basketball game. The opening tip-off represents the one position where the Cardinals have an athletic, if not always a size, advantage. Hadley is a long 6’1″, a volleyball player, and I have yet to see her lose a jump ball . . . ]

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[And she’s got it again . . . ]

To mistrust science and deny the validity of scientific method is to resign your job as a human. You’d better go look for work as a plant or wild animal. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

A hat should be taken off when you greet a lady and left off for the rest of your life. Nothing looks more stupid than a hat. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Russians not only vehemently despise blacks, they believe Africa begins at the Ukraine border. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Don’t send funny greeting cards on birthdays or at Christmas. Save them for funerals, when their cheery effect is needed. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[But the ball was deflected back into the jump circle where there was a tie up. So . . . ]

[They had to re-jump, and Hadley got it again . . . ]

The C student starts a restaurant. The A student writes restaurant reviews. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Everybody knows how to raise children, except the people who have them. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[For the first half, in my seat behind the Cardinals’ bench, got an up close and personal with our defense . . . ]

The most brilliant satire of all time was ‘A Modest Proposal’ by Jonathan Swift. You’ll notice how everything got straightened out in Ireland within days of that coming out. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Hubris is one of the great renewable resources. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[This was a big improvement over they last time these teams played less than two weeks ago. At one point then in the first half the Sabres were ahead by 23 points and went on to win by 14 . . . ]

[Second half warm-ups as I would now first hand experience with our offense . . . ]

If you are young and you drink a great deal it will spoil your health, slow your mind, make you fat – in other words, turn you into an adult. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[Of course, this team is also the future – all freshman and an 8th-grader who is part of the regular rotation. Next year it will also add another 8th-grader, Kate Hennessy on the far right who will bring a much needed 5’11” frame to the action . . . ]

[Hadley, and the team in general, has struggled from the free throw line all season – and it has been costly. They were all, especially Hadley, much better in this game . . . ]

[Maybe the Michael Jordan tongue-stick-out is they key. Hadley had a game earlier this season when she was 4 for 5 on step-back 3-point shots – that’s Steph Curry stuff. But in that same game she was 1 for 7 on free throws. Thus, I thought Sundance Kid an appropriate sobriquet for her (remember, “I shoot better when I move”?) . . . ]

[It behooves her to get really good at this – she will shoot thousands of them in the next 3 1/2 years . . . ]

[Elle also cashes in at the line. The “real” photographer catches her from the other side . . . ]

[In the middle we’ve added Kaia Emter (25), sophomore, a 3-point shooter; and Ella Steussy (1), junior, a defensive specialist . . . ]

[Allie on the free throw line – she is the point guard and will grow with the position . . . ]

[Trying to close it out on the defensive end . . . ]

Freedom is not empowerment. Empowerment is what the Serbs have in Bosnia. Anybody can grab a gun and be empowered. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

[Chloe at the free throw line. An all-around good player . . . ]

[And MaCee is the long range gunner. She made 8 3’s in the previous game, 7 in an earlier game . . . ]

[This was quite a turnaround in less than two weeks. They may not threaten further this year, but they have 3 more years to get really good . . . ]

I’ve been big ever since I was little. ~ William “The Refrigerator” Perry

Seriousness is stupidity sent to college. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Rich people don’t like to be in the military. The shoes are ugly and the uniforms itch. Rich people don’t go in much for revolution or terrorism, either. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Up Next: The 100-inch snowstorm coming this week?

February 14

In my house I’m the boss, my wife is just the decision maker. ~ Woody Allen

This was our 21st anniversary. By custom, the gift for the 21st is fire (a theme). I have no idea what that means? I do know, however, the 21st denotes that we are now eligible, as a couple, to legally drink adult beverages. So, why not. We returned to our oft used venue for such events, The Garden Bar (nee Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale). I dusted off my AGC black sweater vest (always the fashion plate) and off we went. We were greeted with a glass of champagne from Vicky, our forever server there, who wasn’t even working that night but phoned it in. Then friends Jeanne & Tom Mulder dropped in (after their Valentine’s Day repast) to enjoy the previously noted adult beverage. The symphony was actually two days previous, but who’s counting. We included it as part of an extended celebration . . .

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. ~ Socrates

[This winter has led many Alexandrians to search for places with a milder climate. Antarctica comes to mind. So, the days before our big events, we decided we’d better carb up. Homemade baguettes was a good start . . . ]

I love you more than coffee, but please don’t make me prove it. ~ Elizabeth Evans

[Carbing up the morning of the symphony. The previous Saturday morning (as discussed then) I made the doughnut run in a blizzard. This Saturday morning, the car’s external thermometer starting dropping right out of garage, dropped the entire 2 miles to the bakery, and continued dropping even more on the way home. I believe it bottomed out at 200 degrees below zero . . . ]

[Jeanne & Tom joined us at the Garden Bar for a little pre-meal wining . . . ]

Without Valentine’s Day, February would be…well, January. ~ Jim Gaffigan

[There were two specials on the evening – I opted for the mahi-mahi . . . ]

[The Super got the prime rib . . . ]

You know how people say, ‘You can’t live without love’? Well, oxygen is even more important. ~ Dr. Gregory Houser

I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. ~  Rita Rudner

[Before I doze off, I would like to report that we ran into some folks we generally only see at the golf club – you know, in summer. At the table behind me is Karlie. She does her level best to see that the Wednesday night fine dining group is reliably served – whether or not we deserve it. And we were happy to see Ed and Suzie Buttweiler, before they belatedly head to Florida now that Ed is healthy enough to do so . . . ]

My friends tell me I have an intimacy problem. But they don’t really know me. ~ Garry Shandling

Two days previous . . .

‘Twas another daunting winter evening for the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra performance of the Sound of the Cinema. I had emailed in advance as to whether the school would provide golf cart rides from the parking lot to the building for those of us who have ambulatory issues when it comes to traversing ice. We had to, of course, use our winter penguin walk (where both feet are continually on the ground) to obtain access. We were quite amazed that in spite of all we had a two-thirds house . . . ]

The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing—and then marry him. ~  Cher

An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her. ~ Agatha Christie

As a man in a relationship, you have a choice: You can be right or you can be happy. ~ Ralphie May

[An hour before each performance Brad Lambrecht entertains the early arrivers with his Maestro’s Notes, a history and explanation of the music to be performed . . . ]

The secret to a long marriage is to stay gone. ~ Dolly Parton

[Can you read this? Thank a teacher . . . ]

Love thy neighbor — and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier. ~ Mae West

A girl can wait for the right man to come along, but in the meantime that doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones. ~ Cher

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. ~ Charles M. Schulz

[Soprano Nicole Lambrecht (yes, they are related) beautifully sang The Lord of the Rings . . . ]

[Tenor Nicholas Swanson received a standing ovation for his performance of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables . . . ]

Unless you want to forget your marriage, it’s a good idea to remember your anniversary. ~ Melanie White

For Marriage to Be a Success, Every Woman and Every Man Should Have Her and His Own Bathroom. The End. ~ Catherine Zeta-Jones

Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed. ~ Albert Einstein

Up Next: High school tournaments have begun . . .

February 5

The censors in academia and statehouses have much in common: a deep fear that their own ideas and values cannot survive exposure to contrary views, and the conviction that the discomfort difference produces in intolerable – even traumatic. ~ William Falk

The Cardinal girls and boys played the final two games in the 2022 Breakdown Winter Lakes Classic. Hence, the “Fun With Dick & Jane” title. However, neither team had a “Dick” or “Jane,” names from a distant, more idyllic past . . .

Jane

[The Cardinals played the Marshall Tigers in both games. Here’s the tipoff of the girls game (obviously). Freshman Hadley Thul (11) jumped for the Cards, aided and abetted by fellow freshmen Allie Haabala (33) and Chloe Scholl (15). The Cards start four freshmen, with MaCee Linow (21), against a ranked Marshall team that is undefeated in its conference . . . ]

[Aaaah, the good ole days when I actually could play the Cub Reporter, when there were three blog postings a week instead of three a month. I’m getting rusty (not that one would notice a difference from the unrusted one) . . . ]

[The teams gather for the above referenced opening tap . . . ]

[Hadley, as a lanky 6’1″, has won all her tipoffs, as I recall. In this game she was up against a 6’2″ player and three 6-footers giving the Tigers a distinct size advantage . . . ]

Walt Disney World is nearly 30,000 acres or 48 square miles. That is more than 80 times the size of Monaco. Grace Kelly would have been queen of a larger and wealthier kingdom if she’d married Uncle Walt instead of Prince Rainier. ~ Eve Zibart

[A Tiger launched a shot – I can’t remember if it went in . . . ]

[Our lone senior starter, Tessa McGrane (5), kept in eye on Brianna Simpson (23), one of the Tigers’ leading scorers . . . ]

[Looks like the beginnings of a pile up in Aisle 3 . . . ]

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic. ~ Dan Rather

[Cardinal coach Wendy Kohler is pointing for her team to go the other direction . . . ]

[Chloe Scholl shooting a free throw, though camera thought it important for only the referee to be in focus . . . ]

[Hadley inbounds in front of the Cardinal logo background . . . ]

[The Cards played a terrific first half . . . ]

[The shoot around before the start of the 2nd half . . . ]

[Hadley working on her 3-pointer from the corner . . . ]

Women deserve to have more than twelve years between the ages of twenty eight and forty. ~ James Thurber

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. ~ Larry Lorenzoni

It takes a long time to grow young. ~ Pablo Picasso

[The Cards built the lead to 43 – 30 with 8 minutes left in the game . . . ]

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers. ~ Dave Barry

Never underestimate the therapeutic power of driving and listening to very loud music. ~ Unknown

[And then the roof caved in! The Cards did not score another point . . . ]

[Even free throws, which have been a team bug-a-boo all season, weren’t falling . . . ]

[The Tigers ended the game on a 25 – 0 run, something I’m sure Coach Kohler has never endured in her career . . . ]

Sometimes all you need is a great friend and a tank of gas. ~ Thelma and Louise

[As we have previously noted, the Cards are an very young team. I’m sure this recent “habit” of losing control of games in the final minutes is something they will eventually overcome . . . ]

Dick

If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire. ~ George Monbiot

[The Cards 6’8″ sophomore center Grayson Grove wins another tipoff. But I have to say Marshall was more than impressive during warm-ups. They have a 6’9″ player and it seemed about 6 other players over 6’5″?]

[Unlike the girls team, the boys, except for Grayson, are almost all seniors. This is the year to do something big . . . ]

Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.  ~  Mary Oliver

Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. ~ Maurice Chevalier

Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you have not committed. ~ Anthony Powell

Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life. ~ Kitty Collins

[Marshall is highly ranked, is in first place in their conference, but the Cards controlled this game from the get go with their pressure defense . . . ]

I vote for Boulder Tap House after the game . . .

[Senior guard Carter Steffensmeier (0) (and football quarterback) at the line. He leads the team with his hard driving offense and defense . . . ]

[The senior Sansted twins (Myles (11) and Peter (12) mirror each other bring the ball up court. Peter is getting more playing recently and taking advantage of it . . . ]

[Junior 6’2″ Jaxon Schoenrock (4) and senior 6’4″ Elijah Vanderveer (42) join Grayson (middle) on defense . . . ]

[Excellent first half, as well as they’ve played in a while . . . ]

[Carter @ the free throw line . . . ]

Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. ~ Jerry Seinfeld

[It seemed to me after the game that Grayson may have had a double-double in rebounds and blocked shots. I can’t find any stats on it. But this is my attempt to capture him getting a blocked shot when hat-on-backwards spoiled the shot!]

[A decisive win against a quality team . . . ]

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I’m tired of being set upon by crazed Christians one minute and unbridled libertines the next. Girls, I’m going camping. ~ Bailey White

p.s.

[I had planned on attending a special girl-boy hockey doubleheader on February 8. It was 36 degrees on the day (the first day above freezing since July) and there was water on top of the ice in the rink’s parking lot. I tried two different spots – I was taking my life in my hands at either one. I went back home. I was able to watch the girls game streamed. The Cards beat Bemidji 6 – 1 with the first ever hat trick from senior defense MaKenna Aure. And the boys team beat St. Cloud 5 – 4 in the nightcap. Both teams seems to be peaking nicely as sections approach. Photos below from the Cardinal Connection.]

January 20

Let’s play hockey!!

It’s been three weeks since last we visited here. The longest stretch between postings since I started this blog 10 years ago. Stuff happens. A pandemic. A winter like we haven’t had for a while. So Mom and I have just been staying home with the babies, trying the be good parents.

The top three worst things I’ve seen in hockey? The invention of the trap. The invention of the morning skate. And the invention of the extremely ugly uniform. ~ Brett Hull

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!

[Now this is hockey weather . . . ]

[As is this . . . ]

[I arrived at the Runestone Community Center to find my competition for covering the event, Mark Ripley (officially hired by the school to do such), was about the only other masked guy in place, explaining why I haven’t been to many games lately . . . ]

[I did not know upon arrival that the game was Senior Night. That’s good in that we got the senior bios. But bad because teams never perform well on Senior Night (too much emotion) . . . ]

[The Cards were hosting our long time conference rival Fergus Falls. I arrive in time to see about half of the JV games, to see the up and comers. This was just after a goal by sophomore defense Maya Wagner (16). I thought she was very impressive – good size, good skater, good stick handler. I’m kind of surprised she’s not playing on the varsity yet . . . ]

The science fair has long been a favorite educational tool in the American school system, and for a good reason: Your teachers hate you. ~ Dave Barry.

[Well done, JV!]

[The after the game socializing . . . ]

[And then the varsity took the ice, and Mr. Ripley prepared for all the team photos . . . ]

….if you want to know what society’s going to be like in 20 years, ask a kindergarten teacher. ~ Clifford Stoll

[Then the individual senior photos with mom & dad . . . ]

[You will likely note that I’m shooting through the glass at an angle. And from this angle you can see every mark on the glass caused by collisions with players, sticks, and pucks . . . ]

OK, gather up – time for the all seniors photos . . .

Almost ready . . .

The “A” shot . . .

[And the hockey moms joined in. The player in civvies is a team captain, Kaci Trosvig, who is out with injury (shoulder, I believe) . . . ]

[A pretty good crowd on hand . . . ]

[The long white line . . . ]

I never did very well in math—I could never seem to persuade the teacher that I hadn’t meant my answers literally. ~  Calvin Trillin

Smartness runs in my family. When I went to school I was so smart my teacher was in my class for five years. ~  Gracie Allen

Teachers are the only professionals who have to respond to bells every forty-five minutes and come out fighting. ~ Frank McCourt

[Oh, and this was the line up for the anthem . . . ]

[The pre-game huddle to decide post-game snacking . . . ]

[The opening face-off. Fergus has a much better record than the Cards this year, but the Cards had beaten the Otters, 4 – 2, at their place two weeks ago during our 5-game winning streak . . . ]

[Coach Arola and her charges on the bench . . . ]

[Senior Lauren Rebrovich (15) scored the first goal of the game. It was also the first goal of her career. She is the daughter of the previous golf pro at the Alexandria Golf Club, and a member of the Cardinals state champion golf team . . . ]

[This is senior MaKenna Aure (17) who was once described by her coach as someone with insane speed . . . ]

[This game took a really bad turn in the first period when she was accidentally blind sided and had to be helped off the ice, not to return. With Kaci Trosvig already out, we were missing some serious fire power for the rest of the game . . . ]

[MaKenna was in Minnesota’s CCM High Performance program (Echo Press photo) . . . ]

[More coverage for Ms. Rebrovich who scored our only goal of the game . . . ]

[And on the move . . . ]

[The Otters won, 3 – 1, getting a very late power play goal. The Otters deserved the win . . . ]

[Senior goalies Jordan O’Kane (1) and Hailey Bailey (35) split time in the goal on this game. They apparently are best buddies and have been alternating most of the season . . . ]

[Though the Cardinal win streak was stopped at 5, they may have started another with a 5 – 1 home win over Breck this weekend . . . ]

[The senior photo stolen from the Cardinal Connection. I suspect if this team gets healthy, they will be a tough out at tournament time . . . ]

I never did say that you can’t be a nice guy and win. I said that if I was playing third base and my mother rounded third with the winning run, I’d trip her up. ~ Leo Durocher

I’m never tired of winning, and I’m never tired of skiing. ~ Lindsey Vonn

Up Next: Will they be wearing masks?

January 2

OK, this photo is from 2016. Back in the days when we, and others, were healthy and not concerned about entering public places without a mask. And besides, Karin and Dave have decided in their infinite wisdom that Palm Desert is a better place to spend the winter holidays. We’ll keep the home fires burning, providing child care for the babies, and get out and about on the days it appears likely all four tires and both feet have a reasonable chance of maintaining an upright position . . .

Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity. ~ Novala Takemoto

December 27

[This has been a real stretch of winter weather. Likely more than 20 inches of snow over the last 10 days of December; multiple double digit degrees below zero temperature days, something we haven’t had for several years (it seems) . . . ]

The snow was endless, a heavy blanket on the outdoors; it had a way about it. A beauty. But I knew that, like many things, beauty could be deceiving. ~ Cambria Heber

Life isn’t finding shelter in the storm. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. ~  Sherrilyn Kenyon

Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude. ~ William Shakespeare.

Snow brings a special quality with it—the power to stop life as you know it dead in its tracks. ~ Nancy Hatch Woodward

A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. ~ Carl Reiner

[There will be a further explanation of this further on down the line . . . ]

It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea. ~ Dylan Thomas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. ~  Andy Williams

And the sky, is a hazy shade of winter. ~  Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

[Guinie will normally bolt out the door before we can block her. On this day, something held her back . . . ]

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. ~ Sammy Cahn

The light made the snowballs look yellow. Or at least I hoped that was the cause. ~  Gary D. Schmidt

Despite all I have seen and experienced, I still get the same simple thrill out of glimpsing a tiny patch of snow. ~ Edmund Hillary

Soon the snow would come. Then the log house would be almost buried in snowdrifts, and the lake and the stream would freeze. ~  Laura Ingalls Wilder 

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. ~ Albert Einstein

The snow began to fall again, drifting against the windows, politely begging entrance and then falling with disappointment to the ground. ~  Jamie McGuire

[WE’RE SAVED!!!]

I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early. ~ Yogi Berra

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily. ~ Zig Ziglar

I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.’ ~  Louis C.K.

There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want. ~ Bill Watterson

[And that evening, a sun dog arrived . . . ]

You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. ~ Jack London

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches. ~ Alice Roosevelt Longworth

I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong. ~ Benjamin Franklin

December 29

By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day. ~ Robert Frost

My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I’ve finished two bags of M&Ms and a chocolate cake. I feel better already. ~  Dave Barry

If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. ~ Yogi Berra

[The one block of 9th Avenue between Nokomis and Maple Streets on the north side of Noonan’s Park . . . ]

[The pond with the duck house on the south side abutting 10th Avenue . . . ]

[Said duck house . . . ]

No matter where you go, there you are. ~ Little Mayo Johnson (or Buckaroo Banzai)

[From the circle at the south end of Maple Street . . . ]

[And Maple Street T’s at the house at the end on 6th Avenue . . . ]

Geez, would you think asking for a snowmobile suit on a day when it’s 14 degrees below zero would be asking for too much? ~ Big Ole

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. ~  Robert Bloch

Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger. ~  Franklin P. Jones

[Home, Sweet, Home . . . ]

[I have often walked down this street before . . . ]

[Knowing I’m on the street where I live . . . ]

[Designer footwear from the Super, an interholiday present. She has never been fond of my propensity to walk around unshod in the house – something about uncouthness? But I always tell her it’s the best way to recognize when your floors need cleaning . . . ]

December 31

New Years’ Eve

[A bottle of bubbly, and goodies from Ruthie’s sister Rita . . . ]

It’s okay to look at the past and the future. Just don’t stare. ~ Lisa Lieberman-Wang

[Yet another two person party in the era of COVID . . . ]

January 1

New Year’s Day

The Super’s birthday! She finally accepted the week long gift I had been sending her – my cold! Fortunately, she had in-house staff to keep an eye on her. Yes, I’ve had a cold for a week. Just an unnecessary accouterment to my other long time malady – sciatica. (Oh, and you know when you bite the inside of your cheek? Don’t get me started!) So, I had been undergoing treatments for my sciatica when my chiropractor had to leave the game for . . . back surgery. It was three weeks before he made it back to work (early). In the interim my back pain kept getting worse to the point of turning snow shoveling over to the Super (and with a note from my chiropractor not to shovel snow (wink, wink, nod, nod, say no more)). Then the coughing from my cold gave me a rib cage muscle strain. I’m going in for a complete chassis overall in the spring.

[Locals will remember Jerry Van Kempen. Jerry’s dad was a chiropractor in Long Prairie. He said his dad always gave a snow shovel to his customers (er, patients) for Christmas – always assured future business . . . ]

Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever you were gonna do anyway. ~  Robert Downey Jr.

The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept. ~  George Carlin

I figured something out. The future is unpredictable. ~  John Green

Life doesn’t imitate art, it imitates bad television. ~ Woody Allen

[Broadway in downtown Alexandria – the holiday decorations will be coming down soon . . . ]

We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know. ~  W. H. Auden

The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. ~ Bertrand Russell

There’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do. ~ Amy Poehler

Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition. ~ Marilyn Monroe

The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been. ~  Madeleine L’Engle

[Above and below, Kincaid Cemetery on the way home . . . ]

I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that! ~ Tom Lehrer

If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions? ~ Scott Adams

You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it. ~ Robin Williams

The best things in life are actually really expensive. ~ Unknown

[So, two sick people decided to have a Jewish New Year’s celebration by getting Chinese carry out. I went to Great Hunan and picked up two large containers of hot & sour soup!]

The end! (We appear to be in recovery.)

You can’t experience simple joys when you’re living life with your hair on fire. ~  Emily Ley

Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others. ~  Groucho Marx

Up Next: Health dependent . . .

December 26

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold. ~ Aristotle

We had a Raclette Christmas dinner this year. Our first encounter with this meal took place in an alpine ski area of Europe 24 years ago. Hence, the following two photos . . .

We dined under the tutelage of our hostess, the divine Madame Jeannette (center, standing).  She was a hoot.  This may have been the day Carine arrived (thus, in Chatel), or it may have been in La Chapelle-d’Abondance.  The same may be said of the following photo. Both are dated April 9, 1997, which seems odd since they are obviously two separate venues. BTW, as I recall Carine (on Madame Jeannette’s right) arrived from Paris to be an au pair for Walter’s (on the left) and Michelle’s (taking the picture) children while we vacationed in Chatel, France . . .

But I suspect that it was with Madame Jeannette that we experienced the marvel of a raclette dinner.  “A raclette dinner party is a twist on fondue that can be a crowd-pleaser for birthdays, holidays, showers, and many other special occasions.  Raclette is a type of cheese from Switzerland that is prepared with vegetables on a special grill” (thespruce.com). L-r: Roel, Michelle, Walter, Ruthie, me, with Carine in front . . .

December 21

[First, we got some snow . . . ]

There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special. ~ Carol Rifka Brunt

There’s no such thing as bad weather, just soft people. ~ Bill Bowerman

[Later waiting for the snow plow to arrive . . . ]

December 22

[On Wednesdays in summer we dine at the Alexandria Golf Club; in winter we dine at the Lure Lakebar with a view of Lake Le Homme Dieu . . . ]

A cannibal is a person who walks into a restaurant and orders a waiter. ~  Morey Amsterdam

In a restaurant, choose a table near a waiter. ~ Jewish Proverb

Festivus (December 23)

Festivus, Sir. And, uh, I was afraid that I would be persecuted for my beliefs. They drove my family out of Bayside, Sir! ~ George Costanza

[“The Boys of ’65” had planned for a road trip today (the original date last week was weathered out). Bradley, no doubt rightly, expressed concerns about the ubiquitousness of omicron. So, for now, we passed on “Bear Trap” in Sauk Centre and returned to the tried and true “Lure Lakebar” in Alex. Mayo reported the roadways between Burnsville and Alexandria to be high and dry. We’re holding out hopes for a road trip in late January. We held the table for four hours, as usual, and thus despite the fact that today was the commencement of longer days ahead it would be dark before Mayo arrived home. We indulged in the usual fare – I believe Mayo set a record by downing four Cokes which made us question his ability to make it home nonstop. Of note, we all question why we all hurt all the time in every part of our bodies and decided that four Cokes may not be the antidote for that. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and to all a good night . . . ]

The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going. ~  George Carlin

Oh, no, Sir. Festivus is all too real. And… I could prove it – if I had to. ~ George Costanza

[Yes, we were here the previous night and that’s still Lake Le Homme Dieu . . . ]

Never eat at a place called ‘Moms’, but if the only other place in town has a sign that says ‘Eats’, go back to Moms. ~ W. C. Fields 

When you first entered the restaurant, I thought you were handsome… and then, of course, you spoke. ~ Helen Hunt

Welcome, newcomers. The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people and now you’re gonna hear about it. ~ Frank Costanza

Christmas Eve

[I made chili in the morning because it’s a state law that one do so when it’s cold and snowing . . . ]

[We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner – grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup – then we opened presents for which we spared every expense, then we watched the classic, family-friendly, Christmas movies – “Bad Santa” and “Die Hard”.]

Eating at fast food outlets and other restaurants is simply a manifestation of the commodification of time coupled with the relatively low value many Americans have placed on the food they eat. ~ Andrew F. Smith

The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you are served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in Canada who said, ‘Could I get you your check?’ and we answered, ‘How about the menu first?’ ~ Erma Bombeck

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. ~ Robert Wells, Mel Torme

I’m in favor of liberalizing immigration because of the effect it would have on restaurants. I’d let just about everybody in except the English. ~ Calvin Trillin

If men are God’s gift to women, then God must really love gag gifts. ~  Maya Angelou

Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops. ~  Kurt Vonnegut

I made a terrible mistake last Christmas. My wife made me swear that I wouldn’t give her a fancy gift. And I didn’t. ~ Milton Berle

A Christmas tree—the perfect gift for a guy. The plant is already dead. ~ Jay Leno

Last Christmas, I got the worst gift a guy ever gave me. He gave me a lottery ticket… what’s the guy even thinking there. “Here you go… nothing! Merry Christmas! It’s nothing! ~ Norm Macdonald

The most popular Valentine’s Day gift is chocolate. In the 1800’s, doctors told their patients to eat chocolate to get over a broken heart. They also thought if you’re going to be alone, who cares if you get fat. ~ Craig Ferguson

Christmas Day

[Christmas morning, 2021! Yes, we’ve had a bit of a thaw recently, but hang on to your shorts, kiddies – we are forecast to receive significant snowfall over the next five days!]

[Later we went to see “West Side Story” for a little noontime diversion. We drove through a blinding snow storm to get there – visibility less than two blocks. What’s Christmas without a little fun . . . and danger?]

[This is what was happening from Big Ole cam while we were at the movie . . . ]

[The snow had stopped by the time we came out of the theater . . . ]

[A youngster on the far side of Lake H2Obert was out building a snowman . . . ]

[Readying for the aforementioned Raclette Christmas dinner . . . ]

[This is our electric Raclette table grill . . . ]

[And then the Super noted Snowshoe Guy was walking by . . . ]

[We’ve seen him every winter – but this was the first time this year . . . ]

Avoid restaurants with names that are improbable descriptions, such as the Purple Goose, the Blue Kangaroo or the Quilted Orangutan. ~ Calvin Trillin

[That’s Guinie above, Laddie below. When Ruthie first put the grill on the counter, we turned our backs, and Laddie jumped up and layed down on it. Uffda! I’ve heard Raclette does not mix well with cat hair . . . ]

[Champagne (OK, Prosecco) popped and poured . . . ]

[One can put anything one wants on the grill . . . ]

[And here’s the cheese for which the whole meal is named . . . ]

Come unto me, all ye that labor in the stomach, and I will restore you. ~ M. Boulanger, 1765, Motto over door of first restaurant

[The grill top is filling up, and the Super has prepared her little under-the-grill pans with potatoes, broccoli, and Raclette . . . ]

[And the steak strips are placed on top; you can see the four handles of the Raclette pans sticking out under the grill. The heat from the burner underneath melts the cheese over the potatoes and broccoli . . . ]

[I’ve pulled a pan out from underneath, the cheese nicely melted . . . ]

Bon appetit!

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. ~ George Bernard Shaw

People who love to eat are always the best people. ~ Julia Child

The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook. ~ Julia Child

December 26

[The snowplow guy came to clear the driveway about 5:00 am . . . ]

You can’t get too much winter in the winter. ~ Robert Frost

I was just thinking, if it is really religion with these nudist colonies, they sure must turn atheists in the wintertime. ~ Will Rogers

This crisp winter air is full of it. ~ John Burroughs

Nothing burns like the cold. ~ George R. R. Martin

Up Next: A new year ahead . . .

December 17

To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold. ~ Aristotle

A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight walking in a winter wonderland. ~ Richard Bernard Smith

Ladies and gentlemen, here is your 2021-22 Alexandria Cardinals boys basketball team, currently off to a 5 – 0 season start and acting like they would like to make up for finishing one game short of being state champions last year. Let’s hope the pandemic doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into the affair – unlike college, high school athletes unfortunately can’t be granted another year of eligibility.

[The babies were certainly excited about the basketball game as they opted to preview the preliminary activities from on high . . . ]

Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience. ~ Pam Brown

The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an ax-murderer. ~ Paula Poundstone

There is, incidentally, no way of talking about cats that enables one to come off as a sane person. ~ Dan Greenberg

Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later. ~ Mary Bly

After scolding one’s cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word. And has filed it for reference. ~ Charlotte Gray

Cats know what “No, No, No!” means. They just won’t acknowledge that they do! ~ Me

[And then it was on to AAHS for the boys basketball game vs. St. Cloud Tech . . . ]

[It’s semester (or quarter) break at the University of Minnesota, so Treyton Thompson, current Gopher and ex-Cardinal, was home for the holidays and decided to drop in on the activities . . .

[Treyton is a freshman at the U and scored his first varsity point in their last game . . . ]

[Of course Tech players didn’t mind sharing shooting practice with him . . . ]

[At 6’11”, he prefers to play an outside game . . . ]

[The JV (in white here), which was undefeated last year (which the head coach said never happens anywhere), has also started off this season undefeated and has some nice players . . . ]

[And on the JV team is Treyton’s little brother, 6’4″ freshman Chase (41), who has an all-around game and may get some varsity playing time this year . . . ]

[Another impressive win . . . ]

[When the Tech varsity took floor, it looked like a college team (check out the heights). Coach Witt said at season’s start that Tech and Sauk Rapids would be our stiffest conference competition . . . ]

[Tech warming up . . . ]

[The Cardinals warming up – we would definitely be at height a disadvantage . . . ]

[And for the starting lineups . . . ]

[Which will be captured by the Amazing Mr. Ripley . . . ]

[Carter Steffensmeier (0), 6′ senior guard . . . ]

[Myles Sansted (11), 6’1″ senior guard . . . ]

[Kristen Hoskins (21), 5’10” senior guard . . . ]

[Steffensmeier and Sansted would combine for more than 40 points in the game . . . ]

[Erik Hedstrom (22), 6’5″ senior forward . . . ]

[Grayson Grove (33), 6’8″ sophomore center . . . ]

Headmasters have powers at their disposal with which Prime Ministers have never yet been invested. ~ Winston Churchill

[Anatomy of the jump ball . . . ]

[OK, we had a one inch height advantage at center with Grayson because their 6’9″ player doesn’t start . . . ]

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught. ~ Oscar Wilde

The human brain is special. It starts working as soon as you get up and it doesn’t stop until you get to school. ~ Milton Berle

The Founding Fathers in their wisdom decided that children were an unnatural strain on parents. So they provided jails called schools, equipped with tortures called an education. ~ John Updike

[Grayson won the tip . . . ]

In grade school I was smart, but I didn’t have any friends. In high school, I quit being smart and started having friends. ~ David Spade

No wonder the teacher knows so much; she has the book. ~ Edgar Watson Howe

Education costs money, but then so does ignorance. ~ Claus Moser

My school days were the happiest days of my life; which should give you some indication of the misery I’ve endured over the past twenty-five years. ~ Paul Merton

My father wanted me to have all the educational opportunities he never had, so he sent me to a girls school. ~ Jack Herbert

My school was so tough the school newspaper had an obituary section. ~ Norm Crosby

[The three Tigers in this shot were all pretty good players; of course, so were the four Cardinals in the shot . . . ]

[Myles Sansted shooting free throws. Unfortunately, the camera decided to focus on the student cheering section . . . ]

[He’s in focus here – he makes all his free throws, BTW . . . ]

[An example of the Cardinals in-your-face defense . . . ]

[If the opponent passes the ball to either corner, that player is immediately double-teamed, here by Carteer and Grayson, and has to dial 9-1-1 . . . ]

[Grayson makes it tough getting the ball to the interior . . . ]

[No. 30 (6’6″) for the Tigers did bag a couple of 3’s . . . ]

[A major Cardinal strength is depth, necessary for the all court pressing. Here Elijah Vandeveer (45), 6’4″ senior sinks a free throw . . . ]

[Good game so far – nothing settled at the half . . . ]

[And Treyton joins the half time half court shot extravaganza . . . ]

[The Cards came out in the second half on fire and quickly established a comfortable lead they would maintain the rest of the game . . . ]

[A Card strength is picking off passes and taking the ball in for fast break layups . . . ]

[Grayson popped a 3 from this corner at some point in the game . . . ]

[A time out called by the Tigers – judging by the reaction of the Cardinal bench we had just been on another scoring run . . . ]

[It was still a tad early but the student section started the chant of “start the bus”. . . ]

[Carter shooting free throws, Wyatt Odland (13), 6′ senior guard, started last year but still gets plenty of playing time . . . ]

[Jaxon Schoenrock (4), 6’4″ junior, povides defensive pressure off the bench . . . ]

[Grayson shooting free throws; Peter Sansted (12) (yup, Myles’ twin brother), 6’1″ senior in the lane . . . ]

[The sophomore is learning fast, schmoozing with the ref . . . ]

[OK, let’s wrap up this puppy . . . ]

[A big time win – but we have to be aware we may have to beat them two more times to win the section . . . ]

December 18

[And the next morning a Christmas snow came to Noonan’s Park . . . ]

It was the kind of snow that brought children running out their doors, made them turn their faces skyward, and spin in circles with their arms outstretched. ~ Eowyn Ivey

Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man’s ingratitude. ~ William Shakespeare

Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood. ~ Andy Goldsworthy

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus

I know now, I know a little more how much a simple thing like a snowfall can mean to a person. ~ Sylvia Plath

[And ending on Maple Street, my favorite Christmas street, particularly in the early evening when the old-fashion globe street lights come on . . . ]

The very fact of snow is such an amazement. ~ Roger Ebert

A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water. ~ Carl Reiner

Up Next: There’s a girls basketball game tonight . . .

December 19

Here’s the plan: We do everything, all the traditions, and we do it grander than anyone ever dreamed! Here are the houselights, which will require extra generators so we don’t smash the power grid, the holiday music CDs that will need waterproof outdoor concert speakers, the train set with extra boxes of tracks to connect all the rooms of the house, the toys where we forget the batteries, several gingerbread house kits we’ll combine to form a mansion, DVDs of all the classic Christmas specials to run nonstop, mistletoe for all the doorways, the manger scene with a little Jesus that glows in the dark to emphasize the Holy Spirit third of the Trinity because he’s the shy one who gets the least press, and all the presents we’ll wrap together and give each other as Secret Santa. ~ Tim Dorsey

I am sure my music has a taste of codfish in it. ~ Edvard Grieg

[The morning of the concert . . . ]

[Still the morning of the concert . . . ]

Again, and always, the best show in town every year. The combined high school orchestra and choirs Christmas concert. Kudos to Brad Lambrecht’s orchestra and Steve Deitz’s choirs in his final Christmas concert!

[The Super and I making our entrance at the Alexandria Area High School’s Performing Arts Center . . . ]

It was snowing. It was always snowing at Christmas. December, in my memory, is white as Lapland, though there were no reindeer. But there were cats. ~ Dylan Thomas

[The Super made sure nobody beat us to our seats!]

Christmas: the only time of year you can sit in front of a dead tree eating candy out of socks. ~ Anonymous

There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, responsible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them. ~ P. J. O’Rourke

I love the excess of Christmas. The shopping season that begins in September, the bad pop star recordings of Christmas carols, the decorations that don’t know when to come down. ~ Mo Rocca

[The Super from the second deck . . . ]

[Maestro Brad Lambrecht addresses his charges . . . ]

[Household hint: Each photo coincides with the songs listed in the program. If you want to check that, however, please do not stick you arm out the window unless you are signaling a turn . . . ]

How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts! ~ Benjamin Franklin

I know exactly what Einstein meant when he said, “Dancers are the athletes of God.” You three look like angels. I can’t wait to see you dancing in the Christmas concert. ~ Kirsty Murray

[Choir maestro Steve Deitz addresses his charges. After an extensive search of YouTube upon returning home, I could find no versions of “African Noel” as terrific as the one presented here (a Deitz arrangement?) . . . ]

I wrapped my Christmas presents early this year, but I used the wrong paper. See, the paper I used said ‘Happy Birthday’ on it. I didn’t want to waste it so I just wrote ‘Jesus’ on it. ~ Demetri Martin

Santa knows physics: of all colors, red light penetrates fog best. That’s why Benny the Blue-nosed reindeer never got the gig. ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin. ~ Albert Einstein

Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie. ~ John Milton

Without music, life would be a mistake. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

My voice is small but disagreeable. ~ George Gershwin

Where words fail, music speaks. ~ Hans Christian Andersen

Ladies and gentlemen, the internationally renowned Alexandria Area High School carolers! ~ Me

Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory. ~ Oscar Wilde

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~ Confucius

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~ Aldous Huxley

[Any concert in the greater Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area is not valid unless Randy Morken is on the keyboard . . . ]

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~ Victor Hugo

Music is the universal language of mankind. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. ~ Albert Einstein

There is no truer truth obtainable by man than that which comes of music. ~ Robert Browning

A tenor is not a man, but a disease. ~ Hans von Bülow (with apologies to the local Tenor)

What’s great about an office Christmas party is that it uncovers and reveals parts of your personality that you didn’t see coming. ~ Will Speck

I write as a sow piddles. ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Music is the shorthand of emotion. ~ Leo Tolstoy

To me, there is nothing like the excitement and unique experience of a live orchestra playing. ~ Carmine Coppola

The first time I sang in the church choir; two hundred people changed their religion. ~ Fred Allen

The flute is not an instrument that has a good moral effect. ~ Aristotle

Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them. ~ Richard Strauss

Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is. ~ Mae West

Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. ~ Plato

I walked inside Macy’s and faced the pathetic spectacle of a department store full of shoppers, none of whom were shopping for themselves. Without the instant gratification of a self-aimed purchase, everyone walked around in the tactical stupor of the financially obligated. ~ Rachel Cohn

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. ~ Maya Angelou

Don’t give me books for Christmas; I already have a book. ~ Jean Harlow

[I judged this young man to be quite good . . . ]

Thanks be to all! ~ Me

Bad news, bad news, I heard you’re packin’ to leave . . . ~ Paul Simon

What fun! Does it come with a beverage? ~ Me

[A standing ovation from the assembled masses. And proof positive that people do indeed live in Minnesota year round . . . ]

So then, how was the concert? ~ Laddie and Guinie

I was the editor of the school newspaper and in drama club and choir, so I was not a popular girl in the traditional sense, but I think I was known for being relatively scathing. ~ Tina Fey

I’d rather do community service than sit and write a load of Christmas cards. ~ Paul O’Grady

Up Next: More stuff . . .