alexandriacardinals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I go out in the dark now to get the morning paper.  I’m not a fan of summer because of the heat, the humidity, and the bugs . . . but I love the light and hate it when it starts to disappear again.  We had to get a cable box for the one TV that doesn’t have one – you just knew they’d eventually catch up with all of us.  😉  Well, the ad says easy instructions and you’ll be hooked up in a matter of a couple of minutes.  Well, I scoffed at that before we ever got the box.  Sure enough, when we got it, went through the instructions step-by-step – several times – and of course it never worked.  The supervisor eventually got on the phone with the cable company and FIFTY-FIVE minutes later they finally zapped it to make it work.  The super has lost many mornings over the years on the phone with our friends in Technogeekdom.  Sometimes even a simple visual proves too difficult.  Our friend Anthony Miltich performed locally Saturday and said he’d be at a new-for-him venue here Sunday.  The new venue did not show him performing on their website, so we called that afternoon to confirm he was playing and at what time?   The “venue” upon being called was not familiar with his name, said he wasn’t on the schedule, and that someone else was performing?  We thought it odd Anthony would give us bum info.  We drove by later that afternoon . . . and there he was packing up.  He said he had performed from noon to 4:00, so he would have been playing when we called? But . . . I come not to bury Caesar, I come to praise him.  So, here’s some stuff that’s been going around – none of it contagious, but the music is addicting . . .

[August 14, Phase 2 of the Broadway makeover – now between 6th and 8th Streets.]

[August 17, the Mel Lamar Trio at the winery.  Here Mel explains to Bill the finer points of bonsai trimming, as Al listens on intently.]

[Don’t ever use a chain saw . . . ]

[Trim nail clippers will do the job . . . ]

[August 20, a celebration of the new high school.  Class of ’65 (mine!)  principal, Wayne Elton, his first year as such, let’s us know what he thought of our class!  😉   Again, the Mel Lamar Trio entertained, with girl singer Mary Lou.]

[August 22, Josie was at the winery.  A miserably uncomfortable day with tropical dewpoints – we couldn’t last for the whole show.  The following video is by her mom.  The swimming photo was Facebooked by Josie right after she played high school tennis in the morning and before coming to the winery to entertain us.  The wine is new – made from Minnesota’s-own Frontenac Gris grape.  We like it as it’s light and refreshing.  🙂  ]

“Don’t Know Why”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9QHrxEQokI

[August 25, the Tuesday Morning Senior Men’s Golf League’s Annual Steak Fry, Putting Contest, and “Who Looks Good in Shorts” Soiree at the AGC.]

[“Crazy Dave” decided he couldn’t attend the volleyball season (and new gym) opener the following night because when he totaled the ages of he and Warren together, it was more than the entire volleyball team’s!]

[Somebody picked up my camera and captured ‘someone’ who I believe finished dead last in a field of several thousand.  ‘He’ was just there for the camaraderie anyway (well, and the libations).]

[August 28, Components were at Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale.  “Unsquare Dance” by the boys (David, Bill, Marty, and Brian) played for the first time as a result of a request I made, and Bill remembered, about a year and a half ago.  🙂  Thanks again guys!]

“Unsquare Dance”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJX_8kAiq7w&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

“God Bless the Child”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWXMIdvXhI&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

[David’s daughter, Katy (Katie?) joined them for the first time (for me).  She was very good – maybe next time I’ll get a video.]

“Piano Man”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxNf7XQ-owU&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

[August 29, Lisa Lynn at SAWA.  This is why we had to leave the football game at the half.  Lisa has priority as she only “visits” us once a month, at most, all the way from St. Michael – Albertville.  This was the first time she played “A Thousands Years” (I think), so she asked me to make a video.]

“A Thousand Years”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjdJPVjTzBk&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

[The super checks out the new stuff as SAWA is also an art gallery!  🙂  ]

[Lisa with Karin Berg, as we and the Bergs are her Super Fans (a/k/a, groupies) whenever she performs here.]

[August 30, the supervisor acquires an autographed copy of William Kent Krueger’s latest, “Windigo Island,” at Cherry Street Books. BTW, it debuted as No. 12 on the New York Times best-seller list.]

[August 30, Anthony Miltich & friends (brother Jim, candidate for the Minnesota House, and Victor Facio on percussion) at the winery.  Three videos amongst the photos.]

“Imagine”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otfGXUyCuho&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

“Hallelujah”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkscBXw_2gA&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

“My Traveling Star”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS_1SOJULz0&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

[And then to complete August 30, it was on to Bug-A-Boo Bay for Enterprise (Kevin Klimek and Jim Faber.]

[“Perferdia” is always Kevin’s gift to the supervisor.  🙂  ]

“Perfidia”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyc-f6m9TyU&list=UUDt6CCFM-8cxXEwOQhEwkiA

Men have a much better time of it than women; for one thing they marry later; for another thing they die earlier.  ~ H. L. Mencken

Up next:  Back to France?

Moorhead – 18, Alexandria – 13

OK, I have to confess up front.  We did not stay for the whole game.  As usual, we had a competing “engagement.”  But it was the first game at the new school, the new stadium, the new artificial turf, the new . . . everything.  We wanted to arrive a little early for the hamburger/hot dog tailgate party.  And that was good – we had no problems finding parking.  But it was the first game, against a forever big time opponent, it figured to be a sellout . . .

[When we arrived the Spud faithful were tailgating in the parking lot.]

[Our walk to the field . . . one foot in front of the other.]

[Well, let’s see what the place looks like.  Hmmm, possibly threatening weather?]

[There were issues leading up to the game as to whether or not the surrounding track would be “cured” enough to handle traffic.  I think they covered parts of it for egress.]

[The school from the stadium.]

[The ticket office.]

[The field.  Spud fans on the far side.]

[The thingee the team comes out of . . .]

[The same thingee, as cars stream in from the south entrance.]

[Thingee close-up.]

[Thanks to those who made the artificial turf possible.  🙂  ]

[The mighty Spuds thunder onto the field.]

[As the Cards come onto the field, through the thingee . . .]

[It’s time for player introductions.]

[I think this was the first time the team had set foot on their field?]

[Have fun boys, we hit the books next week!]

[As the team is introduced, we had to keep an eye out for Brayden Amundson (7), junior, 6’3″, 178 lbs., wide receiver, who is the grandson of Marlene and Richie Braun.  The Brauns were sitting with us, celebrating Richie’s 83rd birthday on the night.]

[We’ll take the 2nd half kickoff, s’il vous plait (yeah, I’m still not done with France).]

[Cardinals will kickoff and defend the north end zone.]

[And we’re off – the opening kick-off, a new era for Cardinal football.  22 young men run into each other at a relatively high rate of speed.  Occasionally, injuries occur.  The NIH and CDC are looking into this matter. ]

[The Cards first offensive play – a sweep left that netted zilch, or less.  😦  ]

[This obviously is after a Spuds score as Justin Cumberbatch (43), senior, 5’10”, 227 lbs., linebacker, state wrestling champ, returns a kick-off.  The Cards were down 12 – 0 in the first quarter and appeared to be overmatched.]

[A good return to around the 30.]

[The Cards never could get a ground game going (2 net yards for the game?).  But thanks to an impressive looking sophomore quarterback, Jaran Roste (1), 6’3″, 193 lbs., were able to move the ball through the air.  Here the Cards pulled within 12 – 6 on a TD pass to Joe Gorghuber (5), senior, 6’3″, 208 lbs., wide receiver and free safety, and terrific all-around athlete (remember him from the state basketball tournament last spring?).]

[We’re back in it!]

[Has a famous sister.]

[The Cards got the ball back late in the half.  Here Brayden makes his break toward the Echo Press sports editor.]

[Anatomy of a (almost) touchdown play.  With little time left, Roste drops back to pass, has to do some scrambling, eventually finds Gorghuber again (I believe) for the tying touchdown.  The play was well-covered by three on-site photographers.  Unfortunately, as so often happens when a quarterback scrambles, ineligible receivers drifted downfield.  Penalty – no touchdown. 😦  ]

[The Cards had time for another play . . . ]

[But this is how the half ended.]

[Another grandson, Laura and Larry McCoy’s, a 6th-grader, attempted a field goal during the halftime – just a tad too low.  😉  ]

[Then we had to go.  The Spuds pulled it out very late in the game on a trick play.  I think the Cards can take a lot from this game.  The Spuds have dominated this series over the years, as you would think a larger school would.]

[At some point during the game, “The Voice” interviewed Claire Morrison, who was an assistant coach back in my day.  I never played football, for reasons I always felt were logical and rational.  I didn’t like to get hurt.  (Photos stolen from Dennis Stark’s Facebook posting.)]
The trick is growing up without growing old.  ~   Casey Stengel

Up next:  At this point, I have no idea.

OK, I lied.  This is not the penultimate day in Paris.  So shoot me (well, not in the literal sense).  But it was time once again to don my cub reporter hat – the high school activities schedule is underway!  The day dawned lovely over beautiful Lake Darling.  I grabbed what diffused light photos I could (though I missed the best light by having to take out the garbage cans then rush back upstairs for my camera).  Not a creature was stirring – not even Dangerous Dan.  The evening would bring the first indoor sporting event in the still not open for scholarship brand spanking new Alexandria Area High School.  Our Cards were taking on the 2-time defending state champions and this year’s pre-season No. 1-ranked team, the Marshall Tigers.  The only thing I know about Marshall is that when people retire there they tend to move to Alex.

[This is the new gym, on Pohlig Court, with the dreaded Tigers warming up in the background.  The gym seems “empty” because none of the achievement banners from Jefferson were moved here – the school will create its own legacies.  In the immediate foreground is my high school principal, with his supervisor.]

[Our Cards gather on the left in a pre-game ritual reminiscent of the TV ad’s spelling bee Maori warrior chant.]

[And here come our Cards, resplendent in what I believe to be new warm-ups (you know men and their fashion sense)?]

[As you will note from the roster, we are a senior dominated team.  Even senioritis can be overwhelmed, however, by . . .]

[Playing for the 1st time on a new home court against the No. 1 team in the state.]

[Kalley Bistodeau (2), 5’8″ senior outside hitter, and a team leader, warms up.]

[Gotta be Gretchen Watkins, 5’7″ senior libero.]

[I could not believe in the broad daylight of overhead lights a multiple volleyball heist was taking place.  Upon further review, that’s Jackie Peters, assistant coach, ‘Y’ official who keeps an eye on the Fat Boys, and weekend sommelier at the winery!  🙂  ]

[The JV work out by adjusting the railings, which flip 90 degrees sideways to fold back into the wall.]

[Amanda Haack (11), 5’6″ senior setter, keeps an eye on Abby Pohlen (5), 5’11” so. middle hitter.  Abby played well in a relief role as what already seemed like a short-handed team suffered an injury mid-game (it appears Morgan Melrose (4), 5’8″ junior RH (?), tweaked an ankle – later she seemed OK but I don’t believe she played again). ]

[Alexis Stern (8), 5’9″ junior outside hitter, also saw considerable playing time.]

[I believe this is Jordan Lamb (12), 5’9″ so. outside hitter . . . ]

[Upon further review, I believe this to be Jordan Lamb (hey, it’s the first game for me too!).]

[Somebody hitting the ball with significant force.]

[In the parlance of the sport, the scoreboard.]

[The JV visits with a . . . fan?]

[“The Voice,” with Michelle Johnson, is back for another year to call Cardinal action.  Don’t tell him I said so, but for a small town broadcaster he’s pretty darn good.  They like their new chairs!  🙂  ]

[An occasional accomplice of “The Voice,” which to my knowledge has created no deleterious effects.]

[There they are.  Our future leaders.  For whom we provided a new multi-million dollar facility.  Sheree wasn’t even there to keep an eye on them?  Don’t worry, some day they’ll be fine.  The supervisor did get a little annoyed with them at times – thought they jinxed the Cards with their cheers.  E.g., after a short run by the Cards, they chanted “Overrrated” at the Tigers – the Cards put their next serve in the net.  She said, “See, I told you!”]

[We’re No. 1!   And for the most part they played like it.  Very few mistakes.]

[The fans all rise in anticipation . . . or the National Anthem, which ever came first.  I did advise all around after the Anthem that it was nice to have a functional and audible PA system!  🙂  ]

[Time for team introductions . . . ]

[Katie Dolan (7), 5’6″ senior DS (?), leads off.  I screwed up most of the team – sorry.  I’ll get them all over the season.  But seemed like every time a head moved across the camera sightline, the subject went out of focus.  I need a photographer’s booth!]

[Liz Schultz (1), 5’10” senior middle hitter.  I was concerned to see the heavy wrap her thigh.]

[Amanda (there’s only one this year, so I can just call her Amanda).]

[Gretchen]

[Let’s play volleyball!!!]

[Kalley leads the team back to the huddle.  She seems to be thinking about what favor of Blizzard she’ll have after the game?]

[Morgan, Liz, and Brooke Swanson (6), 5’11” senior middle hitter, man the net.  OK, I can tell you now.  We lost.  The first game was something out of a Freddie Krueger movie.  We weren’t playing volleyball . . . maybe some version of pickle ball?  We went into the net so often I thought we were the subject of a population study by the DNR.  Combine those with service faults, and we just gave away way too many free points in that game.  To the Cards credit, however, we came back in the next two games that went down to the wire, 25 – 23 and 28 – 26.  In both games, service errors continued to haunt us – we could have won both those games (recognizing, of course, that serving is a part of the game).]

[“The Twins.”  The season’s just started and I’m already thinking how much I’m going to miss them next year.  OK, Kalley and Amanda aren’t really twins, of course, they just look alike and play alike and are full-timers on the court.]

[Gretchen serves . . . Kalley in a defensive set.]

[Katie]

[Morgan, with Gretchen.]

[And again.]

[Amanda calls out encouragement to her mates . . . ]

[Either that or places her Blizzard order?]

[Then returns to her duties at the net.  As the setter, this is her position.  But at 5’6″ she also has blocking responsibilities, which I think she does surprisingly well against much taller opponents.]

[Her Liz joins her in a block attempt.]

[Liz jump serves . . . ]

[Amanda is the only other who uses the jump serve.]

[It’s not enough to just broadcast the game . . . he has “Voice of Alexandria” photo responsibilities.]

[No, that wasn’t . . . was it?]

[Amanda and Liz]

[OK, team meeting . . . ]

[Is it still going to be Blizzards this year . . . or Culver’s?]

[I heard turtle sundae is the flavor-of-the-day!!!]

[Watch your tongue, 15!]

[Liz smites a mighty blow – she lead us in kills.]

[While Amanda ponders a turtle sundae, Kalley signals the play to the back row.]

[Did you get that?  It’s 3!]

[There was a ball around here someplace?]

[Net judge points to our side.  We don’t seem too excited about it?]

[It’s so close!]

[Give me a head with hair, long beautiful hair . . .  And it was over.  The Cards are defending conference champs at 11 – 1 last year.  We should be in the mix again this year.  The season has just begun.  Oh, and the girls soccer team was playing St. Cloud Cathedral outside (well, of course) while this game was going on and came away with a good 5 – 0 win.]

Why must women torment me so?  ~  Theodore Dreiser

[If you’ll remember from your table of contents, Reetz and her luggage never made connections in Europe.  She didn’t know this day if they ever would.  So, she was purchasing attire on the run and would now need packaging to take it all home (assuming it would get there).  We thus began the day shopping for luggage . . .]

[In the Rue Cler neighborhood where early in the morning all the restaurants were being re-stocked.]

[Who knew?]

[The everywhere landmark . . . we’re on the way to the Rodin Museum.]

[Down this street . . . errr, rue . . . ]

[Et, voila!  Welcome to Musee Rodin!  🙂  ]

[Bill checks the program to synchronize schedules.]

[How Rodin-esque!]

[Reetz and I ISO . . . the tops?]

[A rather famous sculpture that’s “also in” the Indianapolis Museum of Art.]

 

      [Again, hopefully a representative sampling in the museum.]

[We loved this!  Obviously a group of pre-schoolers, with their teacher, sitting politely on the floor with their sketch pads drawing . . . “The Kiss.”  🙂  ]

[The aforementioned kiss.]

[“The Thinker,” soon to be reprised by moi outside.]

[The other side of “The Kiss.”]

  

[We will also see them again outside later.]

[The kids and “The Kiss.”]

[The man, himself.]

[Can’t help but think of “The Music Man.”  😉  ]

 [I thought this the prototype for “Two Feet of Snow.”]

[Two Feet of Snow.]

[The Biddies didn’t now which way to turn next?]

[Laaaaaaadies and gentlemen, presenting the Burghers of Calais!]

[The golden dome is Les Invalides, “home” of Napoleon’s tomb.]

[Do not recall the name – attracted to the detail.]

[The Three Shades, again.]

[There’s that tower again.]

[Above, the sign saying “ABOVE . . .” ]

[The above was a tour of the sculpture garden as we walked to the backyard.]

[Les Invalides]

[The museum’s backyard – apparently not a pool day.]

[Frolicking in the garden amongst the flowers.]

[Why, yes, I was the inspiration for “The Thinker” – well, spiritually and intellectually, if not physically.  😉  ]

[People have told us that the Rodin is their favorite.  Understandable.  Of a much more comfortable size than say, the Louvre or Versailles, and not the overwhelming crowds.]

[Hey, it’s France!]

[And for all you Lily Allen fans out there . . . well, this concert was postponed but we noticed she did make it up during the summer.]

I wonder why I ever bothered with sex, he thought; there’s nothing in this breathing world so gratifying as an artfully placed semicolon.  ~  Camille Desmoulins

Up next:  Well, we snuck the volleyball game in here, but . . . Part 2?