October 28

Seville

The next leg of the journey – Granada to Seville, 248 kilometers (155 miles) due east . . . 

[Yes, it looks like a train station . . . ]

[But we actually got on a bus there to go to a train station . . . ]

[Said train station . . . ]

[And a first view from the train out of said train station . . . ]

[Hillside wind farms . . . ]

[Looks like the Andalusia villages we would be visiting the next day . . . ]

[Rooms with a view . . . ]

[Generic out the window shot . . . ]

[Church and castle, a common combo in the old countries . . . ]

[We 4 had 8 seats – loved it!]

[The arid rolling hills of the South of Spain . . . ]

[An absence of green . . . ]

[And three from the Super along the route . . . ]

[Villages unknown . . . ]

[The ever present olives . . . ]

[Seville, we are here!  At the Seville Cathedral . . . ]

[Monument of the Immaculate Conception.  Since 1918, the Monument of the Immaculate Conception has stood in Plaza del Triunfo near Seville Cathedral. Some people mistakenly believe this name refers to the virginal conception of Christ. Instead, after a papal bull issued by Pope Pius IX in 1854, the Catholic church confirmed Mary was born free of all original sin. The statues at her feet are some of the men who pursued this dogma. In Seville, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 is a public holiday and holy day of obligation. That is when this monument becomes the center of costumed celebrations, processions and bands (www.encirclephotos.com).]

[Santa Marta – Plaza Virgen de los Reyes – Seville Old Town.  Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, Virgen de los Reyes Square, which is the beautiful and iconic square located between the Cathedral and Barrio Santa Cruz. In its centre you can appreciate a gorgeous fountain constructed for the 1929 Ibero-American exhibition, defeated by an ornamental farola (street light), and surrounded by three of Seville most prominent historic buildings, the Cathedral (including the Giralda tower and the adjacent Patio de los Naranjos), the Archbishop’s Palace and the Convent of the Incarnation (www.terratraditionsconsulting.com).]

[We toured the Alcazar of Seville in the afternoon . . . ]

[The Alcazar of Seville is a royal palace built for the Christian king Peter of Castile.  It was built by Castilian Christians on the site of an Abbadid Muslim residential fortress  destroyed after the Christian conquest of Seville.  The palace, a preeminent example of Mudejar architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, is renowned as one of the most beautiful. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as their official residence in Seville.  It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, and was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the adjoining Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies (Wikipedia).]

[Our tour begins here – with Maria . . . ]

[This seems somewhat like the entrance to the Kremlin?]

[We enter with a mass of our close personal amigos . . . ]

[Not unlike the Alhambra,  n’est-ce pas?]

[Ceilings are a big deal – here at the entrance to Patio del Yeso . . . ]

[Stucco – carved plaster . . . ]

[Likely not a lap pool . . . ]

[Patio de la Monteria, or Courtyard of the Hunt . . . ]

[Moorish courtyards . . . ]

[Central panel of the triptych altarpiece, Virgen de los Mareantes, or Madonna of the Seafarers . . . ]

[The following two photos by the Super . . . ]

[Always looking up because it’s about the ceilings . . . ]

[This is generically called an “old ship decoration” . . . ]

[Moorish arabic design pattern on the walls . . . ]

[Courtyard of the Maidens . . . ]

[No “maidens” in sight . . . ]

[But arches – oy, the arches . . . ]

[Maria getting ready to wrap it up . . . ]

[Hall of the Ambassadors . . . ]

[Walls and glass ceiling of Courtyard of the Dolls . . . ]

[The tiled arches are the signature features . . . ]

[Golden Dome of the Ambassadors room in Alcazar . . . ]

[Arabesque Mudjar plasterwork and arches of the 12th century Salón de Embajadores (Ambassadors’ Hall or Throne Room) . . . ]

[Can you say, “intricate”?]

[Yup, floors too . . . ]

[The Super next to a column with writing on it . . . ]

[Said writing . . . ]

[And Maria wraps up her tour for us . . . ]

[And Ruthie’s take this session . . . ]

[We will continue from here in Part 2 . . . ]

It is impossible to travel faster than light, and certainly not desirable, as one’s hat keeps blowing off.  ~ Woody Allen

Up Next:  Part 2

February 21

Well, hello boys & girls!  We’re into that time of year where state tournaments seem to occupy a lot of time for ye ole Cub Reporter.  So, in between shoveling snow off the roof, I’ll try to keep up with the games as best I can.  And then when a senior night is tossed into the mix, I look at those about to play their last games as Cardinals and think . . . how will we ever replace them next year?  Somehow it happens – it’s the process.  A big thanks for the memories to these seniors . . . 

Last regular season home game, a make-up of a game previously postponed v. St. Cloud Apollo . . . 

[Yup, the JV struggled through another game.  What was that about having to replace graduating seniors?]

[Card captains meet the captains of the Eagles.  Apollo has been the hot team of late in the conference, with a 10-point win over conference leader Willmar and a 4-point loss at in-the-running Fergus Falls in their last two games . . . ]

[The moms & dads join the seniors in pre-game recognition.  First up, McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35), senior center, going to the U of M on a shot put/discus track scholarship . . . ]

[BTW, her dad, Chad, is the high school principal . . . ]

[Next Kaye Paschka (3), starting point guard . . . ]

[Going to Augustana to run track, i.e., relays, triple jump, hurdles . . . ]

[And, of course, it’s always fun to ham it up with mom & dad . . . ]

[Then Emily Jones (33), starting forward . . . ]

[She will be going on a 9-month missions trip to three countries in different parts of the world.  Something I would highly recommend for everybody . . . ]

[Nikki Botzet (31), guard, provides enthusiatic depth for the team and is going to pursue nursing at St. Ben’s . . . ]

[And team manager Jackie Niska, going to NDSU in education . . . ]

[I think Mac had a mosquito fly into her eye . . . ]

[Kohler gives thanks for their yeoman years of service and a bon voyage . . . ]

[Let’s play basketball!  Mac jumps against arguably the most talented player in the conference, Lariah Washington (3).  Lariah scored 30 and 31 in the Eagles last two games against conference powers, Willmar and Fergus.  She is going to Eastern Illinois on a D1 basketball scholarship . . . ]

[Appears to be a Cardinal full court press.  Somehow we always seems to have two ball hawking guards every year to play this defense.  And this year, Mia McGrane (5) and Kaye have been playing those roles to perfection . . . ]

[Looks like the Eagles made it this time . . . ]

[On the offense side, Mia feeds the post . . . ]

[Then Ella Grove (11) looks inside to a cutting Jonesie . . . ]

[The team traded blows for the first half of the half, matching shot for shot.  Here Mac has some free throws . . . ]

[Then the Cards dialed up the pressure to such an extent that Mr. Scott called the bridge and told Captain Kirk he didn’t know long his engines could hold up at that speed . . . ]

[Mia and Kaye were getting quick picks and layups . . . ]

[When the Eagles made it into the front court . . . ]

[Every turnover or defensive rebound led to a 5-player rush of Cardinals into the offensive end leading to easy baskets or offensive rebound put backs . . . ]

[As in Ella here, trying to beat Washington . . . ]

[The initial shot rolled off, but the Cardinals had 4 players there for a rebound . . . ]

[Under the basket inbounds play triggered by Mia . . . ]

[Jonesie joins the “press corps” . . . ]

[Mia and Kaye eyeball Washington . . . ]

[In the game within the game, Kaye defended Washington holding her 25 points.  And yes, it was a really good defensive job.  And Kaye herself scored 19 . . . ]

[And this may have been . . . ]

[2 of her 19 . . . ]

[Ella inbounded to Kaye in the corner . . . ]

[One of those halves where the Cards got on a roll and kept rolling – five players in full sprint downcourt with every rebound, every steal – a thing of beauty and a joy forever . . . ]

[Cards prepare to inbound the 2nd half . . . ]

[While Kohler aligns the frontline players . . . ]

[Mia inbounded to Kaye . . . ]

[Mia shoots some free throws . . . ]

[Kaye chases Washington along the baseline . . . ]

[The ref calls a halt to the activities for a Kim Kardashian sighting . . . ]

[Ella, 21 points, inbounded to a Mia, who had 12 points, breaking to the basket . . . ]

[Mac receives a pass . . . ]

[From Jonesie, 10 points, as the bigs moved outside to open cutting lanes . . . ]

[With the big lead, the Cards took the air out of the ball, trying to get the Eagles to come out of their zone defense . . . ]

[Kaye made a couple of free throws here . . . ]

[This sequence best displays Cardinal basketball – Kaye, who always seems to be the fastest player on the court, on a breakaway after a steal . . . ]

[Game over!  Very nice win.]

[Photo on loan from the Cardinal Connection.]

My coach said I run like a girl.  And I said if he ran a little faster he could too.  ~  Mia Hamm

Up Next:  Mia Hamm’s coach running?

February 19

Last year’s state runners-up off to a good start . . . 

[As with every hockey game, it all begins here . . . ]

[Jack Westlund (10) and Shane Birkeland (25) chase the puck into the Otter zone . . . ]

[Face-off in the Cardinal zone before a full-house . . . ]

[Cards score first, by Zach Wosepka (20).  We spent the entire game from this vantage point as a change of pace from up top on center ice.  And at one time were visited by Zach’s dad, who likely stopped for a visit with the Crane and Regent Anderson . . . ]

[Feeling out 1st period.  The Cards beat the Otters twice during the regular season, 7 – 2 and 4 – 0 . . . ]

[The pace picked up in the 2nd period – here a shot from Alex Jost (29) . . . ]

[Here Joe Westlund (10) and Joe Bigger (6) are wondering where all the other players went . . . ]

[Oh, there they are as Westlund turns to take a face-off . . . ]

[And Joe scored, on his shot, his tip, and another tip that went in . . . ]

[And here’s Zach again . . . ]

[Ben Doherty (7) on the far side in front of the student section all attired in hunting gear . . . ]

[Doherty and Jack Westlund on the draw . . . ]

[And Jack scored . . . ]

[Jack on the fly, known-to-be speedy player . . . ]

[Caleb Strong (3) completes the Doherty-Westlund line . . . ]

[Caleb, close up and personal . . . ]

[He scored a short handed goal . . . ]

[I think it was a teammate who said his hands are so good he can stick handle in a phone booth . . . ]

[After 2, the game was pretty much secure . . . ]

[My fan mates decided to call it a night after the 2nd period.  The Otters scored early in the 3rd – that only made the Cardinals mad as we scored right back.  This one by Ben Jenson, 11 seconds after the Otter goal . . . ]

[Just to show that the 2 goals were scored in the first 1:25 of the 3rd period . . . ]

[Your basic hockey arena overview . . . ]

[And the final goal, Zach Wosepka’s 2nd of the game . . . ]

[Goalie Bailey Rosch (31) had a solid game . . . ]

[Winding the game down . . . ]

[Strong with Jack Westlund . . . ]

[A final flurry around the Otter goal . . . ]

[Next stop, against the No. 2-seeded, Sartell Sabres.]

Street hockey is great for kids.  It’s energetic, competitive, and skillful.  And best of all it keeps them off the street.  ~  Author Unknown

Up Next:  Girls basketball

October 27

Granada

Continuing from Part 1, at a high point at the Alhambra . . . 

[The flags are telling us  – what?]

[Yup, that it was breezy and chilly.  Just ask this charming couple . . . ]

[Overlooking Nasrid Palace . . . ]

[Bill and Anne . . . ]

[With Granada . . . ]

[As the backdrop . . . ]

[Granada, in a hazy mist . . . ]

[Heading back down the stair well from where we were taking the preceding photos . . . ]

[Back to the gardens . . . ]

[From here our guide Anna bade us all adios, it was time to tour on our own . . . ]

[As we continued our garden tour . . . ]

[The rain began to become annoying . . . ]

[While the weather was uncomfortable, the rain brought the sense of smell into the picture – it was fresh . . . ]

[Where we were, with Anne pointing to the way out . . . ]

[The exit route . . . ]

[It was a long slippery downward slope in a pouring rain . . . ]

[I think I had to have the Super hold the umbrella so I could get these photos half way down.  Really, Washington Irving?  Washington Irving (1783 – 1859) was the son of a New York merchant, he was trained in law but gave it up for the family business. When it collapsed he turned to writing but also figured proximately in the diplomatic world. In England he was secretary to the American Embassy and then took up the post in Spain as Ambassador.  In 1829 he journeyed from Seville to Granada and then took up residence in the Alhambra palace when it was in an abandoned state. In Spain he wrote “Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada” (1829) and his best known work “Tales of the Alhambra” which was first published in London in 1832 under the title “The Alhambra; a series of tales and sketches of the Moors and the Spaniards”. It weaves a series of stories around the folk with whom he shared his life there. Irving was largely responsible, along with the French writers of the same period, for the Romantic image of Al-Andalus which persists to this day. The book met with immediate success wherever it was published. A best seller of its day (www.andalucia.com/history).]

[Our hike down the hill has led us to the Grenada Cathedral.  Recall the previous photo of this cathedral taken from above at the Alhambra . . . ]

[Unlike most cathedrals in Spain, construction was not begun until the sixteenth century, after acquisition of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada from its Muslim rulers in 1492. While its earliest plans had Gothic designs, such as are evident in the Royal Chapel of Granada by Enrique Egas, most of the church’s construction occurred when the Spanish Renaissance style was supplanting the Gothic in Spanish architecture. Foundations for the church were laid by the Enrique Egas starting from 1518 to 1523 atop the site of the city’s main mosque; by 1529, Egas was replaced by Diego de Siloe who worked for nearly four decades on the structure from ground to cornice, planning the triforium and five naves instead of the usual three (Wikipedia).]

[Wandering the cathedral’s exterior neighborhood . . . ]

[Just in time for a wedding?]

[Grand Plaza of the cathedral – we likely would have spent more time here in better weather . . . ]

[And . . .  we’re in . . . ]

[Granada’s cathedral has a rectangular base due to its five naves that completely cover the cross.. All of the five naves are staggered in height, the central one being the largest. At the foot of the cathedral there are two towers. The left one, called the tower of San Miguel, acts as a buttress which replaced the planned tower on that side.  The main chapel consists of a series of Corinthian columns on which capitals is the entablature and, over it, the vault, which houses a series of delicate stained glass windows.  The facade consists of a framed structure in the form of a triumphal arch with portals and canvas.  It consists of three pillars crowned by semicircular arches supported on pilasters . . .  The pilasters don’t have capitals but projections sculptured in the walls, as well as attached marble medallions.  Above the main door is located a marble tondo from “José Laughing on the Annunciation”.  Additionally, there is a vase with lilies at the top, alluding to the virgin and pure nature of the mother of God.  The sacrarium, raised between 1706 and 1759, follows the classic proportions of the whole, keeping the multiple columns of the transept the shapes of the compound of Siloam (Wikipedia).]

[The Super ordering paella?]

[From here, photos throughout.  The contrast in lighting just made one do so . . . ]

[We always say, sometimes all the cathedrals just seem to meld together.  Kinda liked this one though . . . ]

[Back at the hotel, time to check out social media.  What did we used to do?]

[Wondering where we were going to go for fine dining . . . ]

[Then a brain storm.  The weather wasn’t very good for outdoor wandering, so we just decided to eat at the hotel restaurant.  Most of these upscale hotels have excellent restaurants, but it’s like you never fish in the lake you live on.  So, here we are at the Garbo with wonderful ambience . . . ]

[It even comes with a fake bookcase . . . ]

[It appears we’re eating at proper Spanish dining time – 8:00 . . . ]

[The Super checks the menu . . . ]

[I had the duck breast.  On the morrow, we would be off to Sevilla.]

That’s all from Granada, folks!!

Spain travel tip: If bathroom genders are indicated by flamingos, the boy flamingo is the one with a hat.  I learned this the hard way.  ~  Dave Barry

Up Next: Cardinal sports

February 12

Ahhhh, hockey weather . . . 

[As you can see below, this year’s team was very young.  Freshmen and sophomores played major roles.  We knew they’d be talented, but the youth undoubtedly led to a unique season . . . ]

The original hockey helmet . . .

[Our Cards were hosting the Willmar Cardinals in the section semifinals . . . ]

[Refs’ and captains’ pre-game meeting.  The subject of said meeting can only be disclosed on a need-to-know basis . . . ]

[Our Cardinals won both regular season games from their Cardinals, in one game unleashing 69 shots on goal . . . ]

[We were certainly the favorites in the game . . . ]

[And Alex began pressing the attack early . . . ]

[And Hanley Block (28) scored within 3 minutes . . . ]

[Kaci Trosvig (25) and McKenna Ellingson (24) rush to join the celebration . . . ]

[The next face-off . . . ]

[Ali Castle (22) tussles in the corner . . . ]

[Meg Shercliffe (5) advances the puck . . . ]

[And . . . . . ]

[Then McKenna scored less than 6 minutes into the game . . . ]

[And then McKenna . . . ]

[Scored again.  It seemed like this game would no longer be in doubt . . . ]

[But then Willmar scored a bit of a sloppy goal with about one minute left in the period.  It obviously gave them hope . . . ]

[Then into the 2nd period, Willmar scored two quick and eary power play goals and all of a sudden we had a tie game?]

[Chastised by that . . . ]

[McKenna then completed her hat trick and we had the lead again . . . ]

[Then Mayson Toft (14) scored and we appeared to be on our way again with a two goal lead . . . ]

[But then Willmar scored about a minute after Mayson’s goal, and it was a one goal game heading into the final period . . . ]

[The 3rd period was tense all the way . . . ]

[Willmar pulled their goalie at the end . . . ]

[And Hanley got an empty-netter for her 2nd goal of the game . . . ]

[Our Cards win!!]

[The last home game for the seniors . . . ]

[The last line of fist bumps . . . ]

Hockey player?

Epitaph

The Cards played Fergus Falls two nights later in Willmar for the section title.  They played the kind of game that marked this “unique” season.  The two teams split during the regular season, and the Otters were the No. 1 seed based on overall record. But I think most likely thought the Cards the favorite (we won and outshot them 42 – 16 in the second game).  But as so often happened during the season, the Cards outshot the Otters again 33 – 16, but lost 3 – 1.  As in the Willmar game, the Otters had back-to-back power play goals the 2nd period, and despite the Cards 16 – 4 shot advantage in the 3rd, neither team scored again.  That ended a 7-year Cardinal run as section champs, and it may be the first time the Otters have won it.  So congratulations to them.

Particularly early in the season, the Cards were losing games where they had big shot advantages.  But even in those lost games, the young talent was displayed and it would only be a matter of time before it clicked.  The team won 8 of its last 9 until the championship game and finished with a 13 – 12 regular season record and 2 – 1 in the sections.  What jumps out at the end is that we outscored our opponents 100 – 66 and outshot them 1001 to 574!  Wow!  That would seem to indicate a team with a really good record?  But what anomalies:  We outshot Willmar 69 – 12 in our 1st game against them, but only won 2 – 1; we outshot Mound Westonka (a top ten team) 32 – 12, yet lost 6 – 0 (???); we outshot St. Cloud in the 1st game 35 – 13, yet lost 3 – 1.  Well, you get the idea.  Thanks to the team for a fun and interesting season.  I think they’ve given us a preview of what’s ahead, and that we’ll likely be section favorites again next year.

Post season, hockey players head for the beach . . . 

If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead.  ~  Erma Bombeck

Up Next:  Maybe Spain

February 9

The Minnesota Opera Company, in Alexandria, with the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra, who’da thunk?

[My view of the festivities from my seat.  Once planted, with a plate of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine in front of me, I tend not to move around much . . . ]

[Various members of the Opera Company were in town, off and on during the week, making presentations at several of our schools . . .

[Thanks again to Mahrie Ouray and the Garden Bar on 6th for hosting this event . . . ]

[No assembly required . . . ]

February 10

[Conductor Brad and the opera cast with “Conductor’s Notes” prior to commencement.]

[To be honest, I would not consider myself an opera fan.  But I appreciate the abilities and skills of these performers.  It’s too bad that the crowd may not have been what was expected, but again we were having a foul weather day.  They missed these marvelous singers performing “unplugged” . . . ]

[To clear the stage for the opera cast, we stuck our orchestra in a hole in the stage.  I thought they performed admirably insync with the opera singers.  OK, I do admit I used to enjoy Tony Randall hosting “Live from the Met.”  Randall noted that he became an avid opera fan when he discovered the genre was . . . well, the polite word would be “naughty.”  For example, La Traviata was first performed in England on 24 May 1856 in Italian at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, where it was considered morally questionable, and “the heads of the Church did their best to put an injunction upon performance; the Queen refrained from visiting the theatre during the performances, though the music, words and all, were not unheard at the palace.”  It was first performed in the United States by the Max Maretzek Italian Opera Company on 3 December 1856 in Italian at the Academy of Music in New York.  George Templeton Strong noted in his diary: “People say the plot’s immoral, but I don’t see that it’s so much worse than many others, not to speak of “Don Giovanni,” which as put on the stage is little but rampant lechery,” while the “Evening Post” critic wrote: “Those who have quietly sat through the glaring improprieties of “Don Giovanni” will hardly blush or frown at anything in “La Traviata” (Wikipedia).]

Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings.  ~  Robert Benchley

Up Next:  Hockey

January 9

It was a day of postponement make-ups; of a day long basketball Winter Classic; of girls and boys hockey and basketball teams all having home games, all of which could have been seen absent a previously scheduled meeting and an evening with members of the Minnesota Opera Company.

*It was actually “five for five” (but “four for four” was more alliterative) because the boys swiming team won its first conference title since 2005 . . .

Spoiler alert:  Alexandria Cardinals – 19, Morris Benson Area Storm – 0

[Yes, girls hockey sections have begun.  And this first round quarter final game against Morris/Benson had already had two weather related postponements.]

[And yes, the score reported at the beginning is correct.  The result was not unexpected, it was a mismatch on paper, yet it was still astounding . . . ]

[M/B has 5 7th-graders on their varsity roster.  They just were not capable of keeping up with the bigger, faster, more experienced Cardinals . . . ]

[And once it has started, there is really no way to shut it down.  By the nature of hockey, with shift changes every 90 seconds or so, all players suited up play the entire game . . . there are no “subs” to put in . . . ]

[I’ll give the Storm credit.  They knew they were totally overmatched and just tried to make the best of it . . . ]

[They were often smiling while just enjoying playing hockey . . . ]

[We thought their sophomore goalie actually played very well – she made a lot of nice stops . . . ]

[Zeroing in on specific players, this is freshman Kaci Trosvig (25).  Already a very accomplished player, she’s starting to remind me very much of her older sister, Kristin, who graduated last year, with her ability to circle in the offensive zone and maintain puck possession . . . ]

[An unknown Cardinal heading in on net . . . ]

[And it appears she scored . . . ]

[Here’s Kaci on the front porch . . . ]

[Another goal . . . ]

[With 19 goals, there was lots of hugging in this game . . . ]

[And again . . . ]

[Let’s go fist bump the bench . . . ]

[Oy!  After period one . . . ]

[Start of period 2 . . . ]

[I took this 5-minute video early in the 2nd period.  Owing to my good timing, it was the only 5-minute stretch in the entire game in which we didn’t score.  But it gives you an idea of the athletic mismatch . . . ]

[Another budding freshman star, Hanley Block (28) . . . ]

[I believe that’s No. 9 trying to check her.  No. 9 is a 7th-grader and she always seemed to be smiling . . . ]

[Here junior Meg Shercliffe (5) displays a little sleight of hand . . . ]

[Appears to be junior Micah Summer (8) launching a shot . . . ]

[And following in for a rebound . . . ]

[Junior Mayson Toft (14), an offensive defenseman . . . ]

[Kaci and Hanley, the freshmen dynamos . . . ]

[And out on the point is sophomore defenseman, Ali Castle (22) . . . ]

[Number obscured with Kaci . . . ]

[Kaci circling behind the goal . . . ]

[Leading to another goal . . . ]

[Kaci and . . . ]

[Hanley always seem to be in front of the goal . . . ]

[After period 2.  Oy, again!]

[The entire 3rd period was on running time.  11 different players scored, all 19 goals had at least one assist, 11 goals had two assists.  We play Willmar in the semifinal.]

Alexandria Cardinals – 2, East Grand Forks Green Wave – 0

[We lost to the Green Wave, 7 – 1, earlier in the season.  Our one bad game.  Both teams are ranked in the top ten . . . ]

[So, we obviously wanted to make amends . . . ]

[But we would have to do it without our two leading scorers, Ben Doherty and Jack Westlund.  Fortunately, Ben Jenson (9) gave us an early first period lead . . . ]

[Fist bumps . . . ]

[Really hard fought after period one . . .]

[Cards attack once . . . ]

[Then twice . . . ]

[Jacob Partington (34) and Derek Pesta (5) . . . ]

[Andrew Revering (2) on the point . . . ]

[With his defense mate, Shane Birkeland (25) . . . ]

[Birkeland in pursuit . . . ]

[Partington up close . . . ]

[Caleb Strong (3), without his usual linemates Doherty and Jack Westlund . . . ]

[Benson and Pesta attack . . . ]

[Matthew Carlsen (26) joins the fray . . . ]

[Strong with a point blank shot . . . ]

[Nope . . . ]

[Number unknown on the door step . . . ]

[Oh, it’s Joe Westlund (11) . . . ]

[Logan Croonquist (15) with Josiah Gronholz (4).  It’s nice to have a Gronholz on the team again . . . ]

[After 2 periods.  The shots are deceiving – theirs were from a long way out, and we missed the net on a few odd man rushes . . . ]

[3rd period, trying to hang on to that one goal lead.  Here’s Zach Wosepka (20) and Alex Jost (29) . . . ]

[Zach . . . ]

[Cole Walters (23) in alone . . . ]

[Nope . . . ]

[Smothered by the Green Wave . . . ]

[And he’s down . . . ]

[I believe there was a tripping penalty . . . ]

[Revering lining up a shot . . . ]

[Jost looking for a tip . . . ]

[Pesta camping out . . . ]

[Here comes the puck!!]

[It’s still there!]

[Game over!  Strong got an empty-netter at the end . . . ]

[Time for congrats all around . . . ]

[And especially for goalie, Bailey Rosch (31) . . . ]

[Our goalies pitched a double shutout on the day . . . ]

[Our girls and boys basketball teams both beat Becker that night.  I, unfortunately, could not attend either as I was hobnobbing with the Minnesota Opera Company, who would be performing at the high school the next day.]

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.  ~  Author Unknown

Up Next:  Opera?

October 27

Granada

Day 2 in Granada would be all about the Alhambra . . . 

[Unfortunately, the weather was not going to cooperate . . . ]

[Photo op while waiting for tour commencement . . . ]

[Our goal . . . ]

[The Alhambra map – no, I do not know the photo bomber . . . ]

[The Super, Anne, and Bill with our tour guide, Anna . . . ]

[As good a place as any for:  The Alhambra (“The Red One”) is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia.  It was originally constructed as a small fortress in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications, and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-13th century.  After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance style.  Alhambra’s last flowering of Islamic palaces was built for the last Muslim emirs in Spain during the decline of the Nasrid dynasty, who were increasingly subject to the Christian Kings of Castile.  After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the buildings occupied by squatters, Alhambra was rediscovered following the defeat of Napoleon, who had conducted retaliatory destruction of the site. The rediscoverers were first British intellectuals and then other north European Romantic travelers. It is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country’s most significant and well-known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspiration for many songs and stories (Wikipedia).]

[The Alhambra covers 35 acres . . . ]

[The Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens are high up in the hills, overlooking the city of Granada. It’s a great place to just walk around and enjoy the views. The outer parts of the gardens include fruit trees (figs, pomegranates, walnuts, and more) along with a vegetable garden (andhereweare.net).]

[There’s some obvious logisitics in play.  How many, and when, tour groups assault the facility, because the Alhambra attracts two million visitors annually.  And watch out for those pokey things on umbrellas . . . ]

[Column arcades, fountains with running water, and reflecting pools were used to add to the aesthetic and functional complexity. In every case, the exterior was left plain and austere. Sun and wind were freely admitted. Blue, red, and a golden yellow, all somewhat faded through lapse of time and exposure, are the colors chiefly employed (Wikipedia).]

[Spectacular views in even the absence of sunshine . . . ]

[A Granada sighting in the distance . . . ]

[Anne and Bill stop for a photo op . . . ]

[The Generalife Gardens include the Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel or Water-Garden Courtyard), which has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions, and the Jardín de la Sultana (Sultana’s Garden or Courtyard of the Cypress). The former is thought to best preserve the style of the medieval Persian garden in Al-Andalus (andhereweare.net/)].]

[Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra . . . ]

[Palacio de Generalife (“Garden of the Architect”) . . . ]

[Arch views abound . . . ]

[And here’s where you had to be careful not to get separated from your group . . . ]

[The detail of the arabesques . . . ]

[Granada, the city of . . . ]

[Anne and Bill looking up at where we were for the Granada overview shot . . . ]

[The rock design walkways highlight the area designed as a public park.  Why yes, it is unusual to use “design” twice in one sentence . . . ]

[The ladder of water, access to the highest area of the Generalife . . . ]

[Photo ops before climbing the stairs . . . ]

[And now we’re up top with views down on the gardens . . . ]

[We’re walking back down while the troops gather around Anna . . . ]

[Looking back up from whence we came . . . ]

[This would be our ultimate exit from the Alhambra (Part 2) in pouring rain . . . ]

[Archaeological excavations . . . ]

[More areas of archaeological discovery . . . ]

[Parador de San Francisco is a tourist accommodation belonging to the national network.  It is located on the old site that occupied the Convent of San Francisco from the 15th century, inside the site of what is the fortress palace of the Alhambra.  It was built by the Catholic Monarchs in 1494 Royal Street above a Nasrid palace where important remains are still preserved (Wikipedia).]

[Walking down hill to a “break area,” that’s Palacio de Carlos V at the bottom on the right . . . ]

[The Super pointing at – a hitching post for tall horses? – on Carlos V Palace . . . ]

[The Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance building in Granada, located on the top of the hill of the Assabica, inside the Nasrid fortification of the Alhambra.  The building has never been a home to a monarch and stood roofless until 1957 (Wikipedia).]

[The Super is enjoying what we were hearing from Anna – I wish I could remember what it was?]

[Architectural details as we exit the palace . . . ]

[The Alcazaba, a fortress, is one of the oldest part of the Alhambra, as is the case of the Vermilion Towers (Torres Bermejas).  It is thought that before it was built and before the Muslims arrived to Granada, there were already several constructions in the same area.  The first historical reference to the existence of the Alcazaba dates from the 9th century and it is believed that it was then built by Sawwar ben Hamdun during the fights between Muslims and muwalladins [Christians who converted to the Islam and lived among the Muslims (www.alhambradegranada.org).]

[Anna explains the finer points of its construction . . . ]

[The Torres Bermejas (Vermilion Towers), on Monte Mauror, are a well-preserved Moorish fortification, with underground cisterns, stables, and accommodation for a garrison of 200 men.  They predate the Alhambra, and their origins are unknown (www.davidpride.com).]

[And here we’re climbing up for even better views . . . ]

[We’re going up there?]

[More excavations . . . ]

[And this is plumbing – a public sewer system . . . ]

[But I repeat, we’re going up there?]

[And early pizza oven?]

[Isn’t this high enough for overviews?]

[Well, actually not . . . ]

[Great view of the Granada Cathedral . . . ]

[Why yes, we are going up there . . . ]

[The view across the city to Sacromonte, sometimes also called Sacramonte, a traditional neighborhood in the eastern area of the city.  It is located on the hillside and in the valley of Valparaíso, opposite the Alhambra – emblem of Granada. I t occupies both banks of the Darro River, and is traditionally the neighborhood of the Granadian Gypsies, who settled in Granada after the Christian conquest of the city in 1492 (Wikipedia).]

Addendum

The Super took lots of photos here.  It’s time to feature some of her work.

[And we’ll continue from here in Part 2.  I can’t recall if I mentioned previously that I blew out my left shoulder hefting luggage on the train ride from Barcelona to Madrid?  Well, that’s why in this signature pose I can’t lift my left arm any higher than this.  When I got home, the medical establishment diagnosed the problem as an impinged bursa.  After three weeks of physical therapy, I am able to move my arm everywhere – but 3+ months later it’s not completely healed.  But thank you for asking . . . ]

How lazily the sun goes down in Granada, it hides beneath the water, it conceals the Alhambra.  ~  Ernest Hemingway

Up Next:  Part 2?

February 5

Who are these guys and who lets them in the building?

[It’s amazing how often the JV game turns out to be a reflection of the upcoming varsity game.  Knowing the game against Sauk Rapids-Rice was likely not to be competitive, I would have opted for going to the boys hockey game.  But I had a scheduling faux pas and had promised Brad the basketball game.  It turned out good.  The old girls hockey super fans (us!) always preferred the girls game because when the boys have testosterone flair-ups it’s like a 20-car pile-up on the interstate with more players in the penalty box than on the bench – and that, apparently, is what happened last night . . . ]

[Did you check the security cameras for any Kim Kardashian sightings?]

[It was a combined “Fight Cancer” night with glow sticks distributed to one and all.]

[Cardinal assistant coach Julie Wrobel lines the teams up for photos . . . ]

[Pre-tipoff meanderings . . . ]

[And here we go . . . ]

[McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35) gets the tap . . . ]

[Kaye Paschka (3) begins the assault on the record books . . . ]

[Under the watchful eye of the game constabulary . . . ]

[Ella Grove (11) is now in a groove where she’s shooting lights out . . . ]

[And Kaye slam dunked a bunch of free throws in a row . . . ]

[The defensive hard line . . . ]

[Oh-oh, the ball must loose and airborne!]

[Mia going for the straight up steal again.  McKenzie and Emily Jones (33) have her back . . . ]

[The Storm held on to that one . . . ]

[Mia inbounding to Jonesie cutting off a back screen by Alayna Strand (25) . . . ]

[Looks like it’s on target . . . ]

[The Cardinal “bigs,” Ella, Mac, and Jonesie, underneath . . . ]

[Jonesie gets the shot up . . . ]

[And in!]

[Of course, we applied the fullcourt press the whole first half . . . ]

[Jaya Hatlestad (13) inbounds to Mia . . . ]

[Who employs the old “hidden face” trick . . . ]

[Everybody cut!  Although the game was not competitive, it’s really fun to watch this team when it gets on a roll.  With fast tempo defense and offense, the whole team takes off and runs when we get the ball.  And this game was the best I’ve ever seen in terms of passing on the fly and interior passing.  Lots of beautiful assists for layups.]

[Pretty much the expected half time score . . . ]

[Then the delightful halftime show . . . ]

[First, the kindergarten and first grade dance team . . . ]

[Then the 3rd and 4th grade old pros . . . ]

[(I wonder if any of them can shoot the “3”?)]

[The 2nd half starts with Mia attempting another pickpocket move – she gets an amazing number of clean steals when the opposition is standing still . . . ]

[It’s hard to dribble through our defense without someone knocking the ball loose.]

[Again, the game went to running time with 8 minutes left, and the whole team played.  Here Nikki Botzet (31) got a freebie – she also made a 3 . . . ]

[Pretty much a reflection of the teams’ respective abilities.  Six games left on the regular season schdule.]

[And, of course, the other stars of the game.]

A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.  ~  Billie Jean King

Up Next:  More games or Spain

January 31

Leaving the game this night, the polar vortex was gone, but it was still more than wintery.  As we walked to the car, the snow pack crunched under foot.  And I thought, “I like this.”  It’s winter, it’s basketball, it’s just the way it’s suppose to be.

[The JV reflected what would subsequently happen in the varsity game as well.  Rocori, at this time, just cannot match up with us physically and athletically . . . ]

[Before the game even started Ella Grove (11) responded to a reported Kim Kardashian sighting . . . ]

[Like a successful sports bar, you need good wings . . . ]

[The Card wings are 6′ 1 1/2″ Emily Jones (33) and 6′ Ella . . . ]

[McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35) and Mia McGrane (5) ready for the opening tap . . . ]

[And the ball is airborne . . . ]

[And Mac has it . . . ]

[Early on Kaye Paschka (3) finishes a breakaway . . . ]

[This was a sight that would be repeated often in the game . . . ]

[And here Kaye’s framed by the Cardinal backdrop . . . ]

[Cards on defense . . . ]

[Making things really tough for the Spartans . . . ]

[And eventually Jonesie corrals the ball and outlets to Mia . . . ]

[Likely leading to a fastbreak lay-up  (lexicographer’s can’t seem make up their minds on this:  lay up, layup, and lay-up are all used) . . . ]

[This is one minute and 44 seconds into the game.  The Cards had their mojo back and have regained their swagger . . . ]

[The full-court press often lead to turnovers and immediate lay-ups . . . ]

[Jonesie in particular had a big scoring start . . . ]

[Ella on a drive to the hoop . . . ]

[An “and one”?]

[Yes, it was over at the half . . . ]

[Kaye defends the inbounds to start the second half . . . ]

[Well, maybe not yet . . . ]

[This kind of mismatch is tough for both teams . . . ]

[The Cards played everybody with substantial minutes for all . . . ]

[Wrapping up coverage with Jonesie at the line . . . ]

[Followed by Alayna Strand (25) . . . ]

[Because of score differential, the game went to running time the final 9 minutes, and those minutes were largely played by the junior varsity.  Of concern, however, MacKenzie rolled an ankle in the first half and never returned to the game (she appeared to be walking fine at the boy’s game the following night), and Cate Bloom did not suit up?]

February 1

We drove to the game in the glow of a beautiful sunset.  The first game in several months we were able to do so.  A clear signal that spring is just around the corner – that and having to swerve to keep from hitting a groundhog . . .

[The JV game was promising – a great 2nd half by the Cards generated a substantial victory . . . ]

[The set up:  The Cards were coming in on a 5-game winning streak.  The Cards had beaten Fergus Falls at their place earlier this year.  The Otters were coming in on a 4-game losing streak.  In their previous game, they only scored 39 points in a loss to Little Falls.  The Cards had beaten Little Falls 90 – 44.  In light of all of the above, logically Fergus won handily.  It’s why you play the game . . . ]

[Card guard Kristen Hoskins (21) in warm-ups . . . ]

[Card center Treyton Thompson (42) in warm-ups . . . ]

[Treyton had been invited by the Gophers to attend a recent home game . . . ]

[Come out fighting at the bell.  No hitting below the waist.  Actually, just no hitting . . . ]

[Preparing for the opening tip . . . ]

[At 6’11”, Treyton won it easily . . . ]

[Despite that, Fergus fielded the tap – looking back, it was an omen . . . ]

[Treyton follows the ball flight under the gaze of the school photographer . . . ]

[Anders Hedberg (22) launches a 3.  I can’t remember the result on this shot.  I do remember that Fergus was 8 for 8 on 3-point shots in the first half (then made their first attempt to start the 2nd half).  Well, that wasn’t good for the home team!]

[Here Treyton is guarded by a large body, 6’9″ freshman for the Otters . . . ]

[When not guarded by the freshman, No. 22 in the photo, also big athlete took over the job . . . ]

[Anders with another 3 attempt.  The Otters did a good job of blocking Treyton off the boards . . . ]

[No. 23 for the Otters is a freshman.  He was 6 for 6 on 3’s and finished with 25 points.  6’4″ sophomore guard Colton Roderick is out for the Cardinals.  That gave Fergus a size advantage at guard – it was telling . . . ]

[At the half, the Cards had some ground to make up.  Unfortunately, we started the 2nd half with turnovers that led to a 7 – 0 run by the Otters . . . ]

[The school photographer catches the girls team sitting in the front row . . . ]

[Kristen inbounds to start the half . . . ]

[And starts the offense . . . ]

[Free throw shooting was OK, from the floor not quite as good . . . ]

[The Cards amped up their pressure defense and cut the largest gap in half . . . ]

[Trey Hoepner (0) and Carrson Jones (11) tracking No. 23 . . . ]

[I thought Carrson had the best game for the Cards.  He somehow manages to drive through areas that appear to be totally clogged . . . ]

[Write this one off and start anew with the next game . . . ]

I don’t want to shoot my mouth in my foot, but those are games we can win.  ~  Sherman Douglas

Up Next:  Gotta get back to Spain