alexandriacardinals

Life is a full-time job.  And trying to document it is leaving me further and further behind.  Summer Vacation has multiple columns to go . . . we hit five music venues in the last three days . . . and now Cardinal sports have begun.  And ultimately I will try (and fail) to write the definitive “letter to the editor” as to why Alexandria needs a new high school!

This “season opener” is bittersweet.  Kim Walsh published many photos of her daughter, Courtney, along with her 2006 hockey teammates, on her Facebook page and graciously allowed their use on this blog.  It is hard to believe we lost Courtney five years ago – but now we look back with a joy of remembrance of Courtney (No. 15), and that team, and the fun they had together.  In many respects they were our favorite team – a two-year precursor to the state championship team (which we could see coming, particularly when Michelle Anez filled the final piece) – they played the “greatest game ever played” [see previously in this blog].

[Either going to or coming back from the state tournament.  Ever since we moved back to Alex 10 years ago, it never ceases to amaze that these young ladies wear flip-flops on bare feet all winter long.  I guess hockey players really are tough!]

[A favorite photo.  We called the line of Abby, Del and the Bruiser the “Smurf Line” – because of the comparison to the line of the Toft twins, Sara (19) and Andrea (44 (well, 2 here)), both 5’10”, and Courtney at 6′ 1 1/2″.  You get the idea in the following photo of Courtney with Abby on the NYC subway.]

[With her linemates, Andrea and Sara – and I believe that is the order.  Back in the time, I knew for sure.]

[The team took a trip to New York City.  Love the expressions of sophomores, Abby and Del (r), as Courtney, their senior teammate, cuts up.]

We’ll work more of these photos in as the seasons progress.  The staff photographer was likely covering the soccer home opener yesterday, and we will work his handiwork in as it becomes available.  But for now we will harken back to the blog “Teaser” of August 14 and further highlight Greg’s coverage of the summer girls basketball tournament in the Cities:

[Cara Wood, will be the senior point guard.]

[Jess Syvrud, will also play point.]

[Amanda Christianson, a 3, but like her older sister, Angela, will play multiple positions.]

[Whitney Giselle, the post.  She’s 6’1″, but the Super Fans were hoping for about a 3-inch growth spurt this summer to compete with the Fergus and Sartell centers!  😉 ]

[Why we like girls sports!]

[This is Amanda Smock.  She is not now nor has she ever been an Alexandria Cardinal.  She was, however, a Melrose Dutchman.  And she is now the U.S. triple jump champion.  Thought that deserved mention as “close enough.”  🙂 ]

[Award winning photograph!  OK, not.  First morning at camp, 3rd day of vacation.  Camp Brosius waterfront on Elkhart Lake.]

OK, we’re beginning still at Day 2 of the vacation – arriving at camp that evening.  The whole fam damily was there as we gathered on the patio for introductions of staff, and campers, and any one who wondered through the neighborhood.  Then we all went up top – 60-some steps as I recall – to the dwellings and an evening campfire.  For us, Rappaport was home for the week.  It housed The Biddies; Rita’s daughter, Beth, and son-in-law, Chris; Jami and Danny; and me.  The grandson was off on his own in a man-cave!  And what’s camp without some campfire songs?

Campfire song #1:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/8/rc3QYV98Oko

The Biddies belt out “Indiana Our Indiana”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMfeBwDiiZ4&feature=related

[The Biddies sign up for camp activities: crafts, horseshoes, archery, sailing, canoeing, pontooning, shopping . . .]

Campfire song #2:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthobert#p/u/7/bO1lQS9RUMc

 [Home Sweet Home]

Finally, Day 3.  I hit the jackpot our first morning – it has happened a couple of other times over the years – a perfect marine haze at sunrise for grand photo ops:

Then The Biddies took the long stairwell down to breakfast where we ran into Tom who had run into Karina – whatta guy!

[After a longer than brief sabbatical created by an unusually high number of music events in the immediate viewing area, we return to the scene of summer vacation.  It is now September 3 – when last we left you Tommy was noshing with Karina . . .]

Our first full day at camp was Night Out in Elkhart Lake – the usual Biddies were joined by honorary Biddie, Cindy, for the festivities:

The next morning . . .

[Tom drawing at water’s edge.  We suspect the subject matter was the sailboats.  However, a certain someone (who shall remain nameless) commented, “I never saw a guy looking so close at a page that didn’t have a naked woman on it! ; )  (Don’t tell Ruthie I said that!)  Very, very cute couple!”]

[The lakeside hugging bench – now all you have to do is find a huggee!]

[Campers from Fort Wayne, Vickie & Scott, who have also been to Vacationland USA.]

[The Biddies “dressed” for dinner that night (as we all did).]

[Close personal fellow campers.]

Then an after dinner stroll around the camp lakeshore:

It only took two weeks, but I finally finished days 3 & 4!!  🙂

Let it be known to all within the sound of my keyboard that your household maintenance correspondent within the space of two sunrises washed and vacuumed the car, sprayed the entire driveway for weeds, replaced “the pin” in the steering column of the lawn mower [see previous Mr. Maintenance discussion], helped the supervisor replace faux rock fallen from the house with landscape block adhesive (which sticks to your fingers like Super Glue, is applied with a caulking gun that was borrowed from a handyman neighbor because it is not on Mr. Maintenance’s regular implement use schedule), and tonight . . . shucked corn!  Schonberg corn, to be exact.  When this organically-grown corn hits town, the entire populace scrambles for their fair share.

[The supervisor inspects my “adhesiving.”]

[Mmmmmm, Schonberg corn is the reward.]

Despite the “water warning” sign above, the HQ and family are on their annual vacation at Betsy Ross resort on Lake Ida.  She offered the following photos as a counterpoint to those usually displayed from Lake Darling:

[The HQ]

[Her Lake Ida photos (thanks, Kath!) ;-)]

Loren Berg lives at Blakes by the Lakes.  The Lake Carlos side of the property has, like most places in western Minnesota, had high water issues all year.  Here are Loren’s submittals:

Brother Cam’s lifelong D.C. buddy, Rog “The Travelin’ Man” Tweed, was in Alex this summer and contributed the following (warning: they’re not all in Alex!):

[He “captured” the cottonwood “snow” that I could not.]

[Le Homme Dieu View marina – Mr. Blanchard, I believe.]

[Local landmark.]

[I don’t know – but I don’t condone!]

[Minnehaha Falls – not in Alex.]

[Cam at the oldest house in Minneapolis (not Alex).]

[UW-Eau Claire and the Chippewa River – again, not in Alex.]

[Rog’s Alex hosts waving good-bye!]

We had to take out a section of dock (land inspected by the supervisor) to get it above water, moved the Moby Obie much closer to shore so we can get it out under the lift canopy, and a photo of neighbor Dangerous Dan’s dock mostly under water:

Oh, and fellow Patchouli groupie, Sue Elliot (in the Cities) sent the following videos of Teenage and The Puzzle, two of my favorites, from Minnehaha Falls, surprisingly enough 😉 :

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=9_OxbdU9g3w&feature=email

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=yyiB_52jhJQ&feature=email

Many thanks to all the contributors!

[I apologize for the final 4.  It’s just that I have no other format for their display.  And I know Crazy Dave and DOM will like them.]

[The supervisor’s “lakescaping” on the shores of beautiful Lake Darling.]

There was another big weekend here in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Friday afternoon Patchouli was back at Carlos Creek Winery – and will be again on September 3 and October 15. Here are a few photos and four videos from the event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTWGya9RCUU&feature=related

[We had to duck under the porch for a little bit.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc5SDVE861g&feature=related

[A video you won’t see every day!] 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx4rzEibnaU  [The Woodlands]

[The vineyards are now under netting for protection from the birds.]

[Julie and Bruce]