January 8

Hockey 6 – 0

Always begin with the previous day’s hoar frost . . .

[And then a hockey game followed by a basketball game . . . ]

[It was . . . ]

[Moms & daughters (on loan from the Cardinal Connection).  Yup, only four seniors so the team’s future, as some wag once said, is all in front of it . . . ]

[We were hosting the Prairie Center Blue Devils, a conglomerate comprised of Sauk Centre and surrounding communities.  Here’s senior forward McKenna Ellingson (24) in warm-ups . . . ]

[Junior defense Mayson Toft (14) . . . ]

[Freshman defense Makenna Aure (17) . . . ]

[Sophomore forward Marki Oberg (10) . . . ]

[Senior forward Alexis Heckert (20) . . . ]

[Each of the seniors honored with their parents – Alexis first . . . ]

[All captured by the Amazing Mark Ripley . . . ]

[He who gives we amateurs white lens envy . . . ]

[McKenna . . . ]

[Olivia Kopp (13), defense . . . ]

[Erin O’Kane (26), forward . . . ]

[Let’s begin . . . ]

[The Cards line up in random numbers that would make a solid password . . . ]

[Hooray for us!]

[We’re ready!  Bring on the Blue Devils!]

[Sophomore defense Ali Castle (22) and Makenna in a shift change with Olivia coming off . . . ]

[GOOOAAAAALLLL!  By Marki!]

[Fist bump, fist bump, fist bump . . . ]

[Marki’s line with sophomore Anna Doherty (7) . . . ]

[GOOOAAAAALLLL!  Freshman forward Kaci Trosvig (25), shorthanded, from fellow freshmen Hanley Block (28) and Riley Nyberg (21) . . . ]

[Freshman goalie Hailee Bailey (35) skates out for the fist bumps . . . ]

[And here they come . . . ]

[After one, yup, a distinct advantage in shots-on-goal . . . ]

[I was with partner in crime, Bradley.  We would stay until we were sure the game was well in hand before heading to the high school for the basketball game . . . ]

[Here’s Erin . . . ]

[Back to Marki’s line . . . ]

[Marki’s one on five . . . ]

[Here’s Alexis . . . ]

[Then McKenna . . . ]

[McKenna circles from behind . . . ]

[Alexis is in with appears to be Anna . . . ]

[Arghhh, it got away . . . ]

[Marki with Anna . . . ]

[Both now in their 3rd varsity years as sophomores . . . ]

[And they’re taking a run at it . . . ]

[GOOOAAAALLLL!  McKenna from Hanley and Olivia . . . ]

[We did good!]

[Brad and I figured the game was in hand and could move on.  Riley scored later in the period from Kaci; and in the 3rd, McKenna got her 2nd goal, from Mayson, and Kaci got her 2nd goal, from Alexis.  The final score was 6 – 0, with a rather disparate shots-on-goal advantage of 55 – 4 . . . ]

Basketball 71 – 41

[The game had started by the time we arrived.  We were up 5 – 0, and heard the JV had won to move their record to 10 – 1.  Here our Emily Jones (33), senior, has the Detroit Lakes center trapped in the corner . . . ]

[In the offensive zone, senior guard Kaye Paschka (3) whips a pass to the wing, with junior guard running mate Mia McGrane (5) and senior center McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35).  If you look close, junior Ella Grove (11) is hiding behind the 6’2″ Laker center (though she seemed taller!) . . . ]

[Ella comes out from hiding to join the offense . . . ]

[Kaye launches a 3.  The one part of the game that soured a bit.  I remember Jonesie hitting two 3’s early, and sophomore Jaya Hatlestad hit two late in the game.  Oh, and Ella got one late as well, but it seemed for the full body of the game we missed a lot of them . . . ]

[McKenzie at the line.  The free throw shooting was good, which will be a real plus for the long haul . . . ]

[Kaye on the Lakers point guard No. 1.  That was a battle all game long . . . ]

[As she (No. 1) was really aggressive . . . ]

[Look!  Over there!  Do you see her?]

[I think it’s Kim Kardashian!]

[The horrors that confront the opposition just trying to inbound the ball after a Cardinal made basket . . . ]

[Give me the ball!!]

[It’s mine, I tell you!]

[It’s been rather amazing recently that the Cards have been able to apply this much pressure without getting into much foul trouble . . . ]

[Ella’s been on a run recently where her foul shots don’t even graze the rim . . . ]

[What???]

[Kim Kardashian’s over on that side now?]

[Lest you were wondering why the Cardinals have been ranked No. 1 this year (so far), this photo sequence pretty much ‘splains it.  Our guards, Mia and Kaye, just get out and go – whether after a steal or the bigs rebounding and outlet passing.  They’re both fast, can handle the ball at speed, and finish.]

[I have no idea why I took this shot?]

[Why, yes, Kaye is also a hurdler . . . ]

[She will be hurdling and triple jumping in college next year . . . ]

[Cards apply pressure out to the center line . . . ]

[And with Ella at the point of the defense, she is often the recipient of the break out passes . . . ]

[Jonesie and Mac working the inbounds defense . . . ]

[And those two have also been known to take the ball the length of the court themselves . . . . ]

[The ball is up there.  I don’t know who dunnit?]

[Bradley pointed out we had a “straight” from the starters, with 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 points, respectively . . . ]

[One last shot of the defense . . . ]

[But seriously, we’re No. 1 because of this. These are the late in the game scoring for the 5 starters. Who do you guard?  It was also double doubles for Mac and Ella who both hit double digits in rebounds and Mia added 10 assists . . . ]

[Another big win to go 12 – 0.]

Our biggest concern this season will be diaper rash.  ~  George MacIntyre, Vanderbilt football coach surveying the team roster that included 26 freshmen and 25 sophomores

Up Next:  Likely hockey . . .

January 4

Yes, Virginia, boys play hockey too . . . 

[I was at the gym (honestly) . . . ]

[So, the Super snapped up my camera . . . ]

[And captured the sunrise . . . ]

[Such a big game against a big Lake Conference foe that friend John (retired administrator, teacher, and coach in that conference) came down all the way from Ashby to catch this game.  We saw the end of the competitive JV game . . . ]

[Junior defense Andrew Revering (2) after an official meeting with the officials at the official red line face-off circle . . . ]

[The Cardinals’ player introductions via disco . . . ]

[Go Cards!]

[LET’S PLAY HOCKEY!!]

[Our Cards, of course, are coming off a runner-up finish in the state tournament last year and have been a top 10 class A team all year.  Wayzata, which could put the entire student body of AAHS into one class of its 4,000 high school enrollment, is thusly class AA . . . ]

[And the Cards strike first!  Senior forward Jack Westlund (10) from junior forward Caleb Strong (3) and senior forward Ben Doherty (7) . . . ]

[And thus endth the 1st period . . . ]

[The Cards are buzzing in period 2 . . . ]

[With senior forward Ben Jenson (9) and sophomore forward Joe Westlund (10).  It looks like Caleb in deep . . . ]

[Senior forwards Alex Jost (29) and Zach Wosepka (20) are in deep . . . ]

[Andrew and junior forward Derek Pesta (5) join the fray . . . ]

[Looks like Joe in the corner . . . ]

[GOOOAAALLLLLL!  Ben from Jack . . . ]

[Celebrate!]

[GOOOAAALLLL!  Alex from freshman forward Josiah Gronholz (4) and Zach . . . ]

[Really good game, particularly since are Cards were winning!]

[I got caught up in the game and forgot the camera.  Wayzata obviously put a lot of pressure on to catch up, the Cards took a late penalty, and I think Wayzata kept it in our zone for well over a minute after they pulled their goalie.  The shot totals were a tad misleading in that regard.  John, who played college hockey at St. Cloud State, kept saying Alex was playing great defense – they weren’t letting the Trojans get the puck in the middle of the rink.  Coach Resch said after the game that’s exactly what they were trying to do . . . ]

[Obviously a big time win against a big time power school!]

Ice hockey is a form of disorderly conduct in which the score is kept.  ~  Doug Larson

Up Next:  For the foreseeable future, Spain or sports.

As a necessary prelude, I must report that I, as an older person, on this day did not go home, or collect $200, while consecutively going to the opening session of Senior College at ATCC, then to the girls hockey game v. Bemidji at RCC, then to the girls basketball game v. Fergus Falls at AAHS, without once stopping to pass water or take on sustenance over a period of seven hours.  This involved driving from the north side of town, to the near south side of town, back to the near north side of town, back to the far south side of town, back to the north side of town and home – I did have to stop twice for gas . . . 

January 3

[Arrived at the RCC from Senior College just in time . . . ]

[This was the first of a girl-boy hockey doubleheader (though the boys would be playing Sartell?), but since I planned on leaving after the 2nd period for the girls basketball game I sat closer to the ice for a fast getaway.  Here’s freshman goalie Hailee Bailey (35) . . . ]

[From my new perch, I would oft be up close and personal with right side defense, junior Mayson Toft (14) . . . ]

[The Boys (and girls) on the Rail, along with the amazing Mark Ripley on camera . . . ]

[The young Cards have struggled offensively this year though they usually outshoot their opponents . . . ]

[Thus, it was a nice surprise when freshman Kaci Trosvig (25) scored early . . . ]

[Mayson, again . . . ]

[Junior Meg Shercliffe (5) follows a teammate into the offensive zone . . . ]

[And Mayson, with teammates freshman defense Riley Nyberg (21) and Kaci . . . ]

[Riley and Mayson are back on the points as freshman center Hanley Block (28) moves in with her linemates . . . ]

[Head coach Molly Arola and the bench . . . ]

[Hailee was never too busy . . . ]

[GOOOAAALLLL!  By Mayson!]

[Kaci, Hanley, with senior defense Olivia Kopp (13) . . . ]

[Cards are buzzing, the object of their attention appears to have fled to the right corner . . . ]

[GOOOAAAALLLL!  By Hanley . . . ]

[Another GOOAAALLLL!  By sophomore Anna Doherty (7) . . . ]

[An unbelievable 1st period scoring explosion . . . ]

[Four times doing skate-by bench fist bumps . . . ]

[Mayson behind Anna, sophomore defense Ali Castle (22), and senior forward Alexis Heckert (20) . . . ]

[Would take that after the 1st period every time . . . ]

[Looks like Hanley starting the 2nd period . . . ]

[Sophomore forward Marki Oberg (10) taking the draw with Ali behind . . . ]

[Two Cards chasing down a Lumberjack . . . ]

[Hanley . . . ]

[And again, with senior forward McKenna Ellingson (24) . . . ]

[Somebody with a blonde ponytail (boy, that narrows it down) . . . ]

[Hanley and Ali – have you noticed the plethora of underclassmen?]

[McKenna and Hanley both looking into the upper reaches . . . ]

[Not another much forgotten Kim Kardashian sighting?]

[Hanley point blank again . . . ]

[With freshman defense Makenna Aure (17) . . . ]

[McKenna and Kaci . . . ]

[And the attempted shot by Kaci . . . ]

[More pressure from Kaci and Hanley . . .  ]

[And from Alexis and Meg . . . ]

[With Anna joining in . . . ]

[Junior forward Micah Summer (8) . . . ]

[McKenna right on . . . ]

[Awww, not quite . . . ]

[%^#$@ post, but that’s Marki behind it . . . ]

[And Hanley again . . . ]

[She always seems to be around the net . . . ]

[Anna . . . ]

[Her older brother would have a big game on the following night . . . ]

[Mayson’s in deep from her defensive position . . . ]

[I see the puck . . . ]

[I would have to leave now, but the Cards had the game under control.  Hanley (her 2nd of the game) and Olivia would score in the 3rd period for a 6 – 0 win!]

[At the high school, the JV game was concluding.  The Cards were making a little comeback that I believe closed the score to 3  . . . ]

[The varsity was in the background cheering their efforts . . . ]

[Go Cards!]

[But not to be.  That may have been the JV’s first loss?]

[In recent years, the Cards and the Otters have been battling for the conference and section titles . . . ]

[Hi!  Do you remember me?]

[I play quarterback (intramural) at Notre Dame . . . ]

[And I was a 3-sport star for the Cardinals . . . ]

[The Cards came into this game undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state class AAA rankings.  The Otters lost their first game of the year but have been on a 8-game winning streak since.  It was a big game, as they say in these parts . . . ]

[A full contingent of cheerleaders were on hand . . . ]

[Senior center McKenzie Duwenhoegger (35) on the opening jump . . . ]

[The biggest crowd of the year was on hand . . . ]

[Otter fans even filled up a section . . . ]

[It’s still in the air, ladies . . . ]

[A tale of two halves.  Here the Otters freshman guard, Ellie Colbeck, had a terrific 1st half . . . ]

[But the Cards senior guard, Kaye Paschka (3), turned the tables on her in the 2nd half . . . ]

[Until this game, the Cards just overwhelmed all their opponents with full court pressure, size, depth, and athleticism . . . ]

[Against the Otters, the Cards just played straight half court man-to-man defense, recognizing the Otters’ abilities to handle the ball and run plays . . . ]

[The Otters run a lot of weave, cut, and pass offense.  Here all 5 Cards are deep to cut off any passing lanes – junior guard Mia McGrane (3), junior guard Ella Grove (11), Kaye, McKenzie, and senior forward Emily Jones (33) . . . ]

[Ella starts a drive . . . ]

[A shot goes up, or a rebound comes down?]

[The Otters have it . . . ]

[The Otters had a little run at the end of the half to take a 22 – 19 lead.  The Cards seemed a bit out of sync, particularly with their shooting.  Ella made a 3 to start the 2nd half, and we were off and rolling.  Here Jonesie passes over the defense . . . ]

[Mia back peddled on defense as Colbeck brings the ball up . . . ]

[Kaye, McKenzie, and Jonesie aligned as the Cards played great 2nd half defense . . . ]

[Ella passes to Mia, though the camera focused on the ref’s part line . . . ]

[I was so into the game I forgot about the camera.  Here Kaye dribbles out the clock as the Cards finished a near perfect half of basketball . . . ]

[We out scored the Otters 34 – 17 in the 2nd half.  There were few turnovers by either team, as both teams handled the ball well against good defenses.  But the Cards I believe shot over 70 per cent in the half, and made 4 of 6 3’s, one each by all the starters except McKenzie, who just missed one.]

[With a blowout win against Little Falls the next night, the Cards are now 11 – 0 and looking very good . . . ]

[The coaches shortened the bench for this game.  There were no mass substitutions, as we’ve done all year,  just an individual or two at a time.  I’m sure everybody got plenty of playing time again in the following Little Falls game . . . ]

I’m a woman.  Phenomenally.  Phenomenal woman, That’s me.  ~  Maya Angelou

Up Next:  Boys hockey?

January 1

(* ‘Super,’ of course, is a relative term . . . )

[For days in advance, the weather outside was or was looking frightful.  No specific celebratory plans were made.  We wanted to remain fluid, to act on the moment.  The moment came when our usual wining and dining venue advertised they were open and to come on down for a Bloody Mary or a mimosa.  I was thinking mid-afternoon, but by the time the Super stopped receiving phoned birthday wishes the afternoon light had waned.  Dinner, too?  We drove downtown all the while thinking it’s a holiday night, few if any places were going to be open.  It wasn’t.  Thus, for the ride home, the last night to see the city’s decorations before they’re taken down . . . ]

[At Big Ole Park, above and below, it appears The Depot may have been open?]

[The car’s entertainment center (mostly totally beyond my comprehension) notes that we were listening to Gladys Knight on Siriusly Sinatra at 5:38 pm with a temperature of minus 7 . . . ]

[One last swing by Ole (the new and permanent water closets on the right)  . . . ]

[As we drove away we thought we heard Ole murmur something about having to wear a miniskirt in these subzero temperatures . . . ]

[The holiday lights of Broadway will light no more until the day after the next Thanksgiving . . . ]

[The Legacy of the Lakes museum was looking festive . . . ]

[Icicles were on display . . . ]

[And the lights were on in the “new” museum building . . . ]

[Back home for the two-person party . . . ]

[Her annual birthday present of a fine champagne . . . ]

[Woo-woo!  She was just happy to be dressed up . . . ]

[Warm up a little shepherd’s pie with a dinner salad and we were good to go . . . ]

[Happy Birthday and Happy New Year, my dear!  (Different style glasses so we’d know whose was whose.]

They tell you that you’ll lose your mind when you grow older. What they don’t tell you is that you won’t miss it very much.  ~  Malcolm Cowley

Up Next:  There’s some sports ahead . . .

October 23

Barcelona

By now, of course, you all recognize a Gaudi?

[Picking up where we left off in Part 1, this is the last of the four featured houses on the Block of Discord – Casa Batllo Passeig de Gracia 43 designed by Antoni Gaudi . . . ]

[And the view from the other side of Passeig de Gracia Avenue . . . ]

[Reminding that Gaudi is totally unique . . . ]

[And another look back down the block of Illa de la Discordia (Block of Discord) . . .

[And this is where we’ll spend the rest of the day.  The informational pamphlet for La Pedrera was posted in Part 1 . . . ]

[Casa Milà, popularly known as ‘La Pedrera’ or “The stone quarry”, a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a modernist building.  It was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudi and was built between 1906 and 1912.  The building was commissioned in 1906.  At the time, it was controversial because of its undulating stone facade, twisting wrought iron balconies.  Several structural innovations include a self-supporting stone façade, and a free-plan floor, underground garage and the spectacular terrace on the roof.  In 1984, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (Wikipedia).]

[Patricio!  Our Sandemans tour guide who’s led us since lunch . . . ]

Patrick

[He grew up in Chicago but has now lived in Barcelona for 8 years.  As noted, he came here to play basketball.  I should have got his last name – he’s 6’4″ and must be a player of some note?]

[Enthusiastic and good tour guide – his English is obviously bueno . . . ]

[First, you cross the street to enter the building . . . ]

[Go immediately to the elevators for a trip to the roof . . . ]

[As you can see, the rooftop is quite a place.  The Super pauses to take it all in . . . ]

[It’s almost like an obstacle course to traverse for all the views . . . ]

[But that’s the fun of it all . . . ]

[And of course everybody’s doing the same thing – stopping, posing, shooting pictures, blocking all avenues of egress . . . ]

[Ye old shooting pictures of people shooting pictures . . . ]

[The Super, trying to figure out where to pose next . . . ]

[Up and down and over and around . . . ]

[As I recall, we were six stories up . . . ]

[Hey, there’s the Sagrada Familia . . . ]

[Yup, still there with my eyes open . . . ]

[A photo op paradise . . . ]

[So let’s get Bill and Anne . . . ]

[Despite what it appears here, they do limit the number of people up on the roof at any one time . . . ]

[A panoramic view of the city . . . ]

[And the Block of Discord . . . ]

[A 3D roof map . . . ]

[One day later I would not be able to lift my left arm this high . . . ]

[Looks like a DQ swirl with something on top . . . ]

[Now we go inside, this top floor (the attic?) is where the action is . . . ]

[A 7th inning sit . . . ]

[La Pedrera model . . . ]

[This was an interesting place . . . ]

[Both in terms of the floor’s architecture . . . ]

[And the displays . . . ]

[The Super and her reflection . . . ]

[And the one photo I took on a lower floor that was a residence . . . ]

[A final adios from La Pedrera.  The next day would be our last in Barcelona.]

Two great talkers will not travel far together.  ~  Spanish Proverb

Up Next:  Likely basketball?

December 27

‘Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, because . . . THEY KNEW A GIGANDO STORM WAS COMING!!

[Yes, Virginia, it snowed today!  This is my 71st winter, and there’s still nothing quite as exciting as a big snow storm. You can just stay inside all day and look at it!]

[The National Weather Service, that wondrous Government tax-sponsored agency employing hundreds of public servants of multiple postgraduate scientific backgrounds, was spot on with their forecast . . . ]

[That winter storm, Eboni, was going to bring significant snowfall over a two-day period . . . ]

[Douglas County is getting national attention. The Weather Channel is in town to monitor our snowfall (Douglas County Emergency Management).  The Super rushed out at 5:00 a.m. to tell me Alex was on national TV . . . ]

[Well now everything did look Christmasy!]

[Not sittin’ on the dock of the bay . . . ]

[You will recall from the previous posting, that this shot taken on Christmas Day was severely lacking of any snow cover . . . ]

[Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . . ]

[It was forecasted to be 12″ at upper range of the spread . . . ]

[Pretty much right on on our patio.  But it was still snowing with another day to go.  Alex officially reported 14.5″ for the entire storm . . . ]

[Our snow guy raised quite a cloud clearing our driveway.  He would be back to do it again the next day . . . ]

[Not your garden variety snow blower . . . ]

[Whom amongst us doesn’t love shoveling snow?  There are no mosquitoes, no flies, you don’t get dirty, you’re not baking in the hot sun, and you’re not sweating. My goodness, you can do it all day long! Even when you’re old! What’s not to like?]

[I donned my winter shoveling attire and attacked the patio snow . . . ]

[Kinda like swimming or riding a bike . . . ]

[Balance, form, and endurance . . . ]

[Am I on “Candid Camera”?]

[This is the one-handed shovel lean . . . ]

[Socks?  I don’t need no stinkin’ socks!]

[This should about do it . . . ]

[And now you can eat off this patio . . . ]

December 28

[As daylight breaks we see what Mother Nature has wrought. Not to worry though – we still have plenty of wine. The Super will soon venture out to free our dryer vent from snow – there is an aura of anticipation in the air. Looking forward, the projected low temperatures for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are 18 and 17 degrees below zero, respectively. We plan on having wine . . . ]

[And this morning we have snow drifts that swallowed a Buick!]

[We are now free to wander about the countryside . . . ]

[Dang (well, I didn’t say “dang”), I just shoveled this yesterday!]

[And it looks like more!]

[Wow!]

[I haven’t seen this much snow since the last time we got this much snow . . . ]

[This little beauty greeted us at our front door . . . ]

[Julie Shaughnessy wants more snow pictures! These after day 2 of Winter Storm Eboni, i.e., yesterday morning. The Super wanted a shot with the shovel – a lot colder and more snow than the morning before. At the end you see she’s made it to the dryer vent and cleared the snow blockage . . . ]

[The temperature was below zero . . . ]

[She shoveled a path along the edge of the house . . . ]

[Well, I shoveled a foot off the patio yesterday; the Super faced even more on this day – it was over her knees! Therefore, by my Minnesota snow math, we had 400 inches!]

[But she made it to the dryer vent so we could wash clothes . . . ]

December 29

[Freed from the bondage of snow, we were free partake of normal routines . . . ]

[Josie was at the winery . . . ]

[A bottle of Marquette . . . ]

[And we were good to go . . . ]

[The Super went to get her “Missing U at . . . ” photo.  Josie on one side, her mom, Linda, on the other . . . ]

[The Super’s two posted photos . . . ]

[Josie’s home for the holidays . . . ]

[She’s a pre-med in her sophomore year at Concordia (Moorhead) . . . ]

[She doesn’t get to play much at school and was bemoaning the loss of her guitar calluses . . . ]

[But as I noted before (i.e., me and shoveling), she picked it right up without missing a beat . . . ]

[We called it a day at dusk . . . ]

[The winery was in fine holiday motif . . . ]

December 30

[This morning I cleared the patio of the second day snow . . . ]

[Yup, from a foot to two feet deep!  Happy New Year!!  Another 3 – 7 inches are soon on the way.]

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

Up Next:  Geez, I better get back to Spain . . .

We have fortunately reached the age where we still love Christmas, but gift shopping has now dwindled down to a precious few.  So, I mostly just stand in the window and take pictures . . . 

December 23

[The aforementioned picture out the window – to kids playing on Lake H2Obert . . . ]

[THOSE HALCYON DAYS OF CHRISTMASES YORE! It looked like we were heading for the statistical anomaly of a non-white Christmas here in Vacationaland USA. But with this day’s light snow we had a Light Dusting Christmas! The neighborhood kids were out on Lake H2Obert sliding around on what appear to be shin sleds – run, fall to your knees, and slide . . . ]

[CHRISTMAS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.  Jami and Danny were coming for Christmas on December 22.  The Super was up early, cooking and baking.  I was out running errands.  Getting the house ready for their arrival. Late that afternoon, nothing heard from them.  Texted asking they stop and pick up the pizza (their idea, we agreed) on the way here.  Jami texted back: “We’re not coming until tomorrow.”  The Super and I headed to the wine rack.  Here we are then opening presents on the 23rd . . . ]

[They’re easy to shop for . . . ]

[Here’s Santa doing the present distribution . . . ]

[The Harn is heated with wood – you can use less wood if you build up interior body heat . . . ]

[Or wear warmer clothes!]

[Oooh-la-la!]

[More body warmth?]

[Looks like a double feature . . . ]

[Vikings!]

[And now it’s time for the fashion show . . . ]

[Well, la-di-dah!]

[And now for the guy stuff . . . ]

[Vikings!]

[And when one runs out of gift ideas . . . ]

[Does it smell like weed?]

[Where would Mom get weed?]

[Whatever it is, I hope it’s legal!]

[And for us, Danny hooked up a dimmer for our dining room . . . ]

[And a Chrome Cast for the Super’s computer to the TV, and a camera for the computer . . . ]

December 24

[Testing the self-timer set-up for the following Christmas Eve photo . . . ]

[MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! The Super and I enjoying our traditional repast of the date – grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup! Boo-yah!]

December 25

[Merry Christmas from the shores of Lake H2Obert!]

[The Super had to add bulb extensions to have lighted wreaths.  For reasons unknown, our place has no exterior electrical outlets . . . ]

[Finally finished stocking the library . . . ]

[The Super with her annual gift of the bubbly . . . ]

[Woo-woo!]

[Now notice how an expert opens and pours . . . ]

[Didn’t lose a drop!]

[Bradley joined us for Christmas dinner . . . ]

[The Super made a turkey breast with all the usual fixin’s.  Pronounced yummy by the partakers . . . ]

December 26

[Looking out in the “back yard” the day after our mostly brown Christmas.  Consider these the before pictures.  A bizzard is heading our way and may arrive before I complete this missive.]

Christmas and the New Year are actually two holidays. So there is a plural, which in the English language, necessitates the use of ‘s.’ I suppose you could say ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy New Year,’ but you probably have sh*t to do.  ~  Jon Stewart

Up Next:  Must be time to get back to Spain?

December 18

Editor’s Note:  This is actually game 6 (the Super has me working on house stuff).  We won game 7 at St. Cloud Apollo last night, 85 – 61 . . . 

Cardinal fun (at a previous boys’ game) – the mascot; and Mia McGrane attempting a half court shot, one-handed, backwards, and she almost made it . . .

[The game v. conference foe, the Sartell Sabres . . . ]

[The JV is having an excellent season as well . . . ]

[We begin, as usual, with warm-ups . . .]

[Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap . . . ]

[Lest you were wondering, Wings Up (always the Cardinals motto) Birdgame # 32 (the 32nd game  of the season would be the state championship game) . . . ]

[Have you been to the new Mexican restaurant downtown yet?]

[How many balls can we hang up in the net?]

[The senior braintrust . . . ]

[Well, I guess that’s settled . . . ]

[The less-than-senior braintrust.  What’s the answer to 16 across?]

[Meanwhile, back on the court . . . ]

[Ella Grove works on . . . ]

[Her pull-up mid-range jumper . . . ]

[Sweet, Caroline . . . ]

[So, how were the fajitas?]

[Really????]

[Mac Duwenhoegger up for the opening tip . . . ]

[As I recall, Ella’s first four free throws were so pure, none even touched the rim . . . ]

[The fullcourt press on the inbound – Ella’s (11) on the ball, with guards Kaye Paschka (3) and Mia McGrane (5) on the flanks . . . ]

[Ella inbounds, Mac sets a pic, for a shot from the corner . . . ]

[Ella often prevents the inbounds pass from reaching its intended destination . . . ]

[I told friends before the game that always prefer 20 – 0 starts.  It takes the mystery out of the final result.  This time, however, the Sabres were the next to score . . . ]

[The lone starter on the court here is Emily Jones (33), amid teammates Cate Bloom (21), Alyna Strand (25), Mataya Hoelscher (23), and Jaya Hatlestad (13).  The key is lots of playing time for lots of players . . . ]

[The dreaded “3-11-5 press” . . . ]

[Here Ella, Jonesie, and Kaye keeping their eyes on the ball . . . ]

[Looks like Mia has a steal . . . ]

[At the half.  The Sabres could stick ’em when they got an open look . . . ]

[Mia coming up court . . . ]

[Backlit by the Klieg lights of the scorer’s table . . . ]

[A Sabre guard is . . . ]

[Engulfed by an Ella – Mia doubleteam . . . ]

[It could be real trouble . . . ]

[But the ball escaped to live another day . . . ]

[Jonesie cuts to the hole with Mia setting a back pic . . . ]

[Kaye repositions the set . . . ]

[Jonesie passes (or calls “no trump,” I’m not sure) . . . ]

[Cate at the line, as a result of an obvious rules violation by the Sabres . . . ]

[Looks good . . . ]

[Kaye brings the ball up (and gives it a stern talking to) . . . ]

[Mia and Kaye play catch out front . . . ]

[Go, go, go . . . (Coach Kohler looks on in the background to make sure they are “going” to the right places) . . .  ]

[Mac on the line.  The team’s free throw effectiveness seems to be getting better every game . . . ]

[Here Mataya gives it a whirl, with Summer Gerhardt (1) on the lane and Nikki Botzet (31) playing safety . . . ]

[Another big win and the team is looking good.  The holiday season now brings some tough road trips . . . ]

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

Up Next:  Christmas?

December 16

It was time, once again,  for the annual blockbuster event of the year . . .

[If you arrive early, you get the seats that would be given to the President of the United States if such person ever deigned to attend . . . ]

[The regular crowd shuffles in.  The stage was set to make visions of sugar plums dance in our heads.  The mid-December temperature was in the low 40’s (really!) and though a statewide team known as the Vikings were on TV, the first of back-to-back performances drew near a full house . . . ]

[The house lights dims; anticipation rises . . . ]

[Every year the kids amaze me.  And every year I’m still amazed that I’m amazed . . .]

[Two Alex Class of ’65 classmates (one who has for some reason lived in Texas for the past 25 years or so) witnessed the event for the first time and were equally impressed . . . ]

[So, again, kudos must go to Steve Dietz and Brad Lambrecht as the masters of ceremony for the choir and orchestra, respectively.  And the annual narrations by Bob Hines.  They have the program running like a well oiled machine . . . ]

[And look at the student participation rates.  We’re going to have to build a bigger stage!]

[And a little apres-concert ensemble music to go with beverages and cookies!]

[The 2018 Alexandria Area High School Carolers:  SOPRANO:  Ki Blaser, Sydney Christenson, Ari Janssen, Olivia Maday; ALTO:  Nicole Brittin, Madeline Dudley, Emily Elliott, Lauren Russell;  TENOR:  Matthew Adolphsen, Valon Deising, Gabe Moore, Andy Tollin; BASS:  Colin Barten, Beau Granning, Sam Maier, Nick Nelson (photo on loan from voiceofalexandria.com).]

It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.  ~  Johann Sebastion Bach

Up Next:  It’s the holiday season; I have no idea . . .

December 15

Anthony Miltich (with brother Jim as a surprise addition) was the draw.  And draw he did.  We had the Etniers from Ashby; the Bergs from Plymouth; and the Kiehnes/Mathisons from Austin, Texas.  A fun time was had by all!

[The Super and I went for the Calisota as a change of pace.  Calisota is part California and part Minnesota, making it . . . Montana?]

[Anthony warms us up . . . ]

[And is then joined by Jim (usually already warm) . . . ]

[The Super steps up for her contractually bound Facebook “Missing U at . . . ” photo.]

[Anthony obliges . . . ]

[Jim thinks, What the . . . ? ]

[When does Santa come?  I want to open presents!]

[Other than that, we were generally well behaved . . . ]

[Pretty good turnout . . . ]

[Where the action is . . . ]

[Then, by direct order, go out and shoot the sunset!]

[OK, it was good idea . . . ]

[Back inside, Anthony finds other musical talent at an adjoining table . . . ]

[So up she came . . . ]

[She is studying piano, but accompanied herself well with guitar . . . ]

[She said her name and said she graduated from Alex last year.  Her name sounded familiar so I asked her when we left if she was a “caroler.”  And Alli Prestby indeed was . . . ]

[The 2017 Alexandria Area High School Carolers:  SOPRANO: Sydney Christenson, Sidney Enninga, Rachel Meyer, Alli Prestby;  ALTO: Emily Elliot, Kathy Freese, Lauren Russell, Jasmine Springer;  TENOR: Matthew Adolphsen, Ryan Ledman, Gabe Moore, Andy Tollin;  BASS: Colin Barten, Beau Granning, Adam Klepetka, Bruce Navratil (photo on loan from voiceofalexandria.com).]

I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.  ~  W.C. Fields

Up Next:  Alexandria Area High School Christmas Concert