OK, maybe not the most exciting topic, but she’d rather piddle around here than go golfing.  All the neighbors’ kids and grandkids have gone home now after a couple of weeks’ play on beautiful Lake Darling.  So, there’s not a lot going on – the 4th is over and done, but summer swelters on.  I did manage to golf twice last week after a month on injured reserve with a sore butt, bringing me to 15 rounds for the year – club board member Mike Rosenwald already has 90!  We, like many places, are pretty much setting heat indice records on a daily basis.  And after a wet spring, we haven’t had rain in weeks.  Thus, the yard is a story.  I hate heat, I hate humidity, I hate yardwork – give me 2 hours of snow shoveling anytime, no bugs, no sweat, no filth.  But the drought forced me out onto the property this day – and I spent 2 1/2 hours moving hoses around as I hand watered every one of the supervisor’s plants, from flowers, to bushes, to small trees.

To spice up the yardwork story, the blog takes this opportunity to share comments which continue to trickle in.  You will note they are to person positive – because you hardly ever see bad reviews on a bookliner.  The one thing we will continue to work on is readership.  We have yet to go viral.  In fact, our best day is 254 hits, the game Lauren Trumm scored her 1,000th point.  The last time I checked,  254 is just a tad short of viral.  But Lauren gave it a good run!  😉

[Signs of the drought in the browning grass.]

Holy cow!! ~ Jami

Wow, Tom. This is pretty cool. You two are the best fans! Ever! ~lisa lynn

Thank you for the musical tour. You are right! We have access to great music in our little city and you two are remarkable ambassadors for our area. ~ Barb B.

Thanks so much for sharing.  You do such a great job of documenting Alexandria!  ~ Chuck & Mandy

Great pictures!!!  ~ SAWA

Good morning Tom!  Pray tell what does Tom Kiehne do and live in Austin?  Since I have lived here or hereabouts for now some 57 years after leaving Alex I see from time to time Alexandrians and former Alex students of mine when they come south for the winter!  Seemingly most go to Arizona but some do come to South Texas usually heading for the Gulf.  Still always think fondly of my days with John and “Tommy” when we were young and starving in Alex!  ~ Vince, Director of University Bands Emeritus

I often wonder how you both have time to do what you do and then put this blog together . . . ~ Marcus

Gosh you do an excellent job. Ever considered being a reporter????  ~ Kathy A. L.

You didn’t take any of the Grain Belt Brewery or Gluek Brewery in North East Mpls.  ~ Rosie

[Our basswood – the tallest tree on the lake.]

Very Nice ….the shag carpet, rabbit ears, pretty classy dishes for guys…color coordinated decor…the macrame hanging plant (needs water)… and looks like you may be trying to grow a pineapple.. And is that a list of Watergate conspirators??? ~ Diane O’

You have the Cathedral on the right and the Basilica just out of the trees on the left.  I don’t remember the Sears building.  Oh, maybe it was on Lake.   In ’66, I lived near the Honeywell…the old house was torn down for 35W. ~ Diane O’

Please God tell where you accumulate all this past history? You are amazing!!! ~ Crazy D

Wow, what a happy ending to an unsolved mystery as to whatever happened to Brad.  ~ Gretchen

I think I was around Brad only 3 or 4 times ever….but I do remember watching the Providence-Maryland regional final in ‘73 at your Stevens Ave. apt. (along with T ).  ~ B’ball Dan

Thanks for getting us caught up on these classmates who were always some of my favorites.  Brad has had a rough go of it and I know he appreciated your visit. ~ Judy B.

Two thumbs up!  ~ Diane O’

Nice story. ~ The Nanner

[“Dangerous” Dan’s – now sans kids and grandkids.]

Both you and Ruth are, off the chart, the best!!! What a great story. I’m so happy we are close friends after reading this missive. You’re both the best. ~ Regards, Crazy D

Very nice story!  Glad you were able to reconnect! ~ Marnee’

Good story!  ~ Rita

What a great get together 🙂 ~ The HQ

I remember going to Pearl and Mayo’s when I was a little kid, and they had a monkey in their kitchen.  I loved monkeys.  Not something you see in Alexandria very often.  Was it Greg’s? ~ Taryn

I’m saddened to learn of Art’s suffering and challenges. ~ Hans

Like the poetry    nice touch     road trip too. ~ Diane O’

Love your photos. A good Minnesota potluck is the best.  ~ Taryn

[Oh, our dying elm!  😦  ]

Love this.  Do you ever sleep?  I have a new name for you “Tom 24/7.”  “Are you listening?” ~ Diane O’

Very Very KOOL  🙂  The HQ

Tom, Thanks for sharing. ~ Joe D.

Tom – Thanks very much for sending this. I was not even aware of the organization or the magazine !! ~ KBT

Looks good.  Thanks for keeping me on the list. ~ Judy B.

I should have known better than to question the dates of the JHS historian.  A recalculation of my memories says you’re right.  We were juniors at the time of the assassination. I was selling candy bars with Ted Ording at the Student Council snack bar when we got word that Kennedy had been shot.  I was in Mr. Reuter’s class when his death was announced. ~ Judy B.

Hooray for Elrosa, my Sauk Centre BFF from 1950-55 lives on a beautiful farm
there , raising gorgeous shires.  🙂  ~ The HQ

No worries… the Hopkins girls did great.  Will was mumbling something about drinking, kids, sports, grrrrrrr during the boys game…. a shame but it happens!  ~ The HQ

Hurrah for Brooten!!..my dads home town! He would be proud. Also congrats to Osseo our conference rep (second best recruiting school next to Hopkins..boys and girls).. sorry Kathy S. Both teams very good and well coached..coach Theisen coached my two older boys at Osseo. Enjoy your trip Tom. Go Gophs!! ~ Dave S.

You are definitely too busy to work.  🙂   And the courtyard does look different.. even b4 color photographs.  Hahahahaha!  ~ The HQ

Love the news, period. Thank you so much. And, as a photographer, I get a big kick out of the photos that you post. Now, captioning is another thing. Well, not really, but there is one photo 3-1-12-4 of the Super Fans at the recent blow out. If you look to your left, the gentleman seems to be asleep! Was that indicative of: 1. Older age; 2. Great meal before hand; or, 3. A darn boring game? Thanks, Tom. And it was good to see your smiling face; or at least what’s behind the camera that we can see.  ~ Terry L.

So, you were just testing me to see if I really read your blog???? ~ The HQ

Great pictures Tom and comments!!  Thanks ~ Dave S.

Thanks Tom .. my Sarah was a lot like Bud’s Sarah..JV MVP two years running .. has been starting last two years..she is the best athlete in the family .. my 3 boys reluctantly acknowledge! 8 time letter winner .. Softball is her best sport .. scholarship may be in offing…between Duluth or Eau Claire I think.  Those Trumms must be great players .. been reading about them in the Echo and your stuff for a while!! Good to see Alex girls sports thriving.  ~ Dave S.

I met Matt’s [Veline] father Bill years ago, when I was still a teen. He was as nice as could be to me and encouraged me to stick with the guitar. ~ KBT

So stinky!  ~  The HQ [Re: girls’ hockey uniforms]

Tom, you forgot to put Tissue Alert in the subject box!! What a wonderful tribute!!   Thanks for the memories. ~ Love, k [The HQ]

That was great!!!   I loved Dick, and haven’t thought about him in a long time.  What a guy!  I remember he stayed overnight at our house on Bryant street – not sure why he was there overnight.  But he had loud nightmares during the night.  And every time we went to his apartment downtown he had cold water in the tub, with Pepsi, I think, being cooled.  Lots of memories! ~ Lil Mayo

Tom: thanks again for all the great emails; both Rita and I love to hear about Alex. I know Ruth is on Facebook and I should send her a “Friends” message. ~ Terry L.

Your photos are pretty darn good for a writer…Loved the ones from the trip north with all the fall foliage. Rita and I went out last Saturday on a photo expedition to the Mountain Loop Highway that is about 35 miles north of us. Then, on Tuesday, I took a trip to a US Navy station which is in the mountains and has cabins and campsites to rent. I had never been there but was looking for fall foliage. We have had such a weird weather year that the leaves aren’t turning like most years. And, I couldn’t see any eagles. ~ Terry L.

[Cardinal fans are all alike under the skin.]

Were you out cruising the lakes in the beautiful fall weather?  On your party barge?  And from the air …. on my way out last Sunday.  Thanks ~ Bob L.   P.S. Visiting with you guys was a highlight of my reunion weekend.

The hair and face coloring is similar but your Uncle Ted has a much better nose!!! ~ Sara

Elkhart Lake Wisconsin?  Did you get to Siebken’s?  I worked at Road America many times.  Made my first trip there in about 1968.  Lots of memories including the last time I was there as a guest of a racing team and I tried to climb the fence to help out with an accident. ~ John H.  [And we’re off again to Elkhart Lake in a couple weeks.]

[It’s still their fault!  😉  ]

Love the photos! We sure had a great trip and really enjoyed seeing you… even though the trip was so short. Soon enough, we’ll be up there for good! ~ Jami [the supervisor’s daughter]

Love the EcoHome tour! Can’t wait to get up there and see if we can find the cordwood people at home. ~ Jami

Love the EcoHome tour! Beautiful!  Thank you for preserving my peonies to enjoy another day.  ~ Ruthie

Love!!! The photos of the trees! Can’t wait to be a Minnesotan!! ~ Jami

[OK, and his fault, too!]

People tell me they love Tom’s blog. I love to hear this so please leave a comment. You will make his and my day.  ~ Ruthie [Always listen to your supervisor!]

I think this blogsite is AWESOME. Really fun to see all the goings on from up North – can’t wait until I too am a Minnesotan! I’m starting to feel like a local! And even though I don’t know a lot of these ’65ers, it’s fun to see their high school photos compared to today (and I even recognize a few of them now!). But I will say we need more photos of the Supervisor – she is my favorite. ~ The Supervisor’s Biggest Fan [Always listen to your supervisor’s daughter!]