alexandriacardinals

October 29

 

An overview (because an underview is strictly within the purview of the auto mechanic):  I’m not really a football fan, lost interest years ago when it, like so many other things, gave in to total commercialization.  If you see a game above the high school level, it is a series of commercials occasionally interrupted by a 3-yard off tackle plunge, followed by yet another TV time out.  But high school football remains mostly above that (though ads are now read over the PA during game directed time outs and our field has a corporate name), and it’s local – you actually know the people involved.  And, as an older person, I will admit to being a fair weather fan.  If attendance requires being outside in inclement weather, I’ll likely stay home and watch a PBS mystery series with the Super.

But this year is different, and we knew it would be.  Through the first five games the Cardinals were 5 – 0 and averaging over 50 points a game.  We were a juggernaut with terrific players at all the skill positions – we could move the ball and score by land or by air.  Then the old bugaboo that is the bane of football started to strike – injuries.  We had our biggest offensive output in game 6 and continued our unblemished season – but we lost Micah Christenson, our running back who had already rushed for over 1,000 yards, to a high ankle sprain (recovery generally 6 weeks minimum) early in the 2nd quarter, and his relief runner, Chandler Cole, was also lost around this time to an ACL (season).  For game 7, we moved our leading receiver, flanker Cody Faber, to running back, and he had a terrific game as we won again. But we missed him at flanker.  Game 8 was a show down with also undefeated St. Cloud Tech, but we were now also minus Will Odland, our senior middle linebacker.  With Cody mostly back at flanker, we moved a tight end into the backfield, mostly to be a blocker.  We had  no running back – in fact, sometimes quarterback Jaran Roste was alone in the backfield.  When he is the only offensive option, we, like any team would be, were easier to defense.  We lost a hard fought game, 26 – 19, to finish the regular season with a 7 – 1 record.  But were still the No. 1-seed in our section.

After a first round bye, we hosted the Moorhead Spuds, again, as they easily dispatched Bemidji in the first round.  Moorhead was on a roll after beginning the season with an almost all new team from the previous year.

[The dreaded Spuds take the field.]

[The Card coaches keep an eye on ’em.]

[And then the Cards . . . ]

[The dreaded committee meeting . . . ]

[And the player introductions, which led to an October surprise.]

[Micah (22) was introduced with the starting offense -he was not expected to be available.]

[As the players align for the Anthem, you can see how fandom is dressed for a late October game . . . ]

[Classmate Brad and I arrived as Inuit ready for a narwhal hunt.]

[And the Spuds kickoff (w/ Chandler Cole (38) on crutches) . . . ]

[Roste fires a pass.  The evening chill really affected the air game.  Both sides dropped passes and potential interceptions.  And the quarterbacks had trouble making accurate throws.  The Spuds hardly passed, recognizing such, but featured two strong running backs.  And their running game dominated most of the first half.  Our defense is not big so is susceptible to such – but it was even more so than usual.  I finally realized our big guy, nose tackle Dan Oberg, 293 pounds, was not even suited up.  A further injured player I was not aware of.]

[Micah did not start.  It appeared that if we didn’t need him, we wouldn’t use him.  The Spuds scored in the 1st quarter on a long, time-consuming drive, and early in the 2nd quarter on a 78-yard burst up the middle by their halfback.  We needed Micah.  With him as a threat in the backfield, Jaran (1) broke off our longest run of the game right here . . . ]

[After the Spuds 2nd touchdown, our long ball wide receiver, Spencer Hockert (84) returned the following kickoff 91 yards untouched for a touchdown.  Our special teams have been outstanding all year – particularly on punt and kickoff returns.  But they are usually handled by Micah and Cody. Absent Micah, we can still turn to Spencer.]

[The Spuds scored again to take a 21 – 7 lead at the half.  The only offensive spark the Cards had shown was when Micah played – you can see an attitude change on the team when he’s in the game.  He was able to play little – he carried 9 times for 43 yards, not bad but not quite his 12-yard per carry average when he was healthy. He re-aggravated his ankle twice, the 2nd time coming out of the game not to return.  Nevertheless, the Cards came out for the 2nd half with a fire in their belly.  The defense swarmed, the Spuds did not get a first down in the 3rd quarter, and Jaran threw a 10-yard TD pass to Cody.

[Then in the 4th quarter, with Micah looking on from the sidelines, Jaran scored on a 3-yard run to tie the game.  And just previous to that, Cody went out of the game after taking a hard hit.  He was told to take his helmet off – he was done for the game, and the Cardinals were out of running backs.]

[The Spuds got their offense cranked up enough again to score and take a 6-point lead – the Cards blocked the PAT attempt.  The Cards had time, about 4 minutes, and began a drive with two straight 3rd down conversions.  Then the play of the game – and season.  A long pass from Jaran up the left sideline was deflected by a couple of Spud defenders right into Spencer’s hands, and he turned it into a 73-yard TD reception.  The game was tied, a PAT conversion would likely win the game for the Cards – I think there was less than two minutes left in the game.  But we botched the snap.  Arrgghhh!  We were going to OT.]

[In overtime, both teams get 4 plays from the 10-yard line.  Both teams kicked field goalson their 4th play in the first OT.  In the 2nd OT, Jaran threw a 10-yard TD pass to Spencer – except the ref ruled he was juggling the ball when he went out of bounds (if you see the Voice of Alexandria video, it sure looks like a TD).  Jaran, obviously upset with the previous call, then stormed to a 10-yard TD on the next play.  The Cards then led 37 – 30 as the Spuds took the ball.  When the Spuds 4th down pass attempt in the 2nd OT was batted away by the Cards, the team stormed the field . . . ]

[Then the fans joined in . . . ]

[We win!!  We win!!  And will now face Sartell next Friday at St. Johns for the section title.  The Sabres can almost walk there – we have an hour drive, and we’re the No.1 seed?  😉  ]

I have not the least sympathy for these useless and destructive pastimes, football and politics.  ~  Cesar Aira

Up Next:  The Netherlands

May 4

~ Kinderdijk

God made the Earth, but the Dutch made Holland.

[Please join us as we cruise from Germany to the Netherlands . . .]

[Proof positive that Earth has indeed been visited by alien beings.]

[But enough of that – it’s time for golf!]

[One of our few ventures to rooftop during day cruising.  It was quite windy and chilly on this day, but we needed to work on our putting strokes.]

[John thinks I’d rather play hockey.]

[You wouldn’t know it here, but Helen is the native Minnesotan!]

[Nevertheless, cows thought it a good day to go to the beach.]

[Cars on barges get great mileage.]

[Holland?]

[It must be.  And of course you know Holland is merely a region in the Netherlands though it is sometimes used to refer to the entire country.]

[Apparently a bridge of little significance as it cannot be found in travel scripture.]

[And it looks like such a nice bridge.]

[Civilization . . . and more cows.]

[When you come to the fork in the river, take it.]

[The Super, as usual, is first in line waiting for the lunch doors to open!]

[At lunch, the Super and the professor discuss the finer points of windmills and fluid dynamics.]

[An out the lunch window shot for reasons unknown.]

[And we have arrived at Kinderdijk, where we will tour . . . windmills!]

[We will learn all about the meaning of our opening quote . . . and try to figure out how the Dutch figured out how to reclaim land in this manner.]

[It’s beyond my capacity to recollect it all here.]

[Wooden Shoes? A typical Dutch heritage? Probably there is not one person who can give us a solid answer to that question. Through the ages, wooden shoes were found all over the European mainland, from the Scandinavian countries up north to the Mediterranean south. Some even claim that it were the French who invented the wooden footwear. Fact is, that nowadays wooden shoes are a true symbol for Holland, just as much as windmills, tulips and cheese.  (From http://www.dutchwoodenshoes.net/wooden-shoes-a-brief-history/)]

[It is with these huge corkscrews that the Dutch move water to different levels.]

[And here is our guide who explained how it all worked.]

[Let’s go look at one, up close and personal.]

[Anita and Gerry posing . . . ]

[And some other tourist.]

[Words to live by!]

[If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a duck.]

[If it looks like a windmill and sounds like a windmill, it’s probably a windmill.]

[I’ve forgotten the significance of this alignment, but it’s probably available through research.]

[We’re now inside a windmill . . . they were built prior to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.]

[These are big wooden gears.  It’s all very complicated.  Even Professor Kiehne, a mechanical engineer, posited that it is unlikely windmills sprang from the mind of an individual, that they evolved over time.]

[Living quarters in the windmill.]

[If you unlock this wheel  and turn it this way, it turns the big thing that way, and so on.]

[When in operation, one does not want to be any where near the rotating blades.  They have taken more lives than running with scissors.]

[Pam avails herself of photo op time.]

[A new appreciation gleaned for these devices.]

[Still a duck.]

[Wonderfully lengthy words.]

[Ahhh, how to make and repair this stuff.]

[Our guide reminded me of Tom’s dad, Merill.  He noted it’s all about windage and elevation, cranks and levers.]

[You are here!]

[Back aboard ship as we enjoy our last evening doing so.]

[Reheboth?  Are we in Delaware?]

[Beautiful weather to be on deck.]

[Further proof that aliens have landed on our planet!]

[Oh all the money that e’er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e’er I’ve done
Alas, it was to none but me and all the harm that e’er I’ve done
Alas, it was to none but me
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To memory now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all]

[Oh all the comrades that e’er I’ve had
Are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e’er I’ve had
Would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and I’ll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all ~ A Parting Glass]

[By morn, we shall be in Amsterdam.]

Lovers of air travel find it exhilarating to hang poised between the illusion of immortality and the fact of death. ~  Alexander Chase

Up Next:  Amsterdam, the final three days of our adventure.

May 3

~ Cologne

[As Facebooked:   Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Cologne (as in “Eau de . . . “). [We] visited the cathedral (after John got his quiet box exchanged), whose dark exterior color is the result of two things: burning coal and burning coal. The exterior cannot be cleaned as a result of one thing: it is built of sandstone. See the little green ladder at the top of the left tower – NOT ON YOUR LIFE!]

[Yes, this is where the product name originated.  I have never had need for such product because I naturally smell like cookies.]

[. . . John getting his quiet box fixed.]

[The Dom Hotel is adjacent to the Cathedral.  You will see more shots of it . . . it’s an inside joke with  DOM 1.]

[A view from the “next” side.]

[Worldwide, scaffolding has become the new architectural chic.]

[As you can see, it’s the Romano-Germanic Museum.  The Romans had a settlement here upon which today’s Cologne is built.  I’ve heard you can say that about a lot of places?  It’s adjacent to the Cathedral and we’ll return here in a bit.]

[Oh, here’s the little green ladder . . . leading all the way to the top!]

[We’ve moved along now – this is on the side of City Hall . . . ]

[JFK visited here June 1963.]

[City Hall, as is everything in Europe, is under repair/renovation.]

[This the entire city, under glass, in City Hall.]

[At some previous time and place, I mentioned our new friend Eric from Australia, who had never seen snow in his life until this trip.  That’s him, second from the right in the dark glasses.]

[This was some special stained glass in City Hall.  It was unique for some reason, but now I can’t find anything about it?]

[City Hall Tower]

[You will note the bottom of the middle figure.  “Mooning” is feature of many (several?) such structures in Germany – it’s the sculptor or architect making a political statement.]

[Museum Ludwig . . . I know because that’s what it says on the building.]

[We’re on a walk through town back toward the Cathedral, looking back at the City Hall Tower from whence we have just departed.]

[Aaaah, the now well-known Dom Hotel – we’re on familiar ground here.]

[So, now a quick peak into the Romano-Germanic Museum, with the Super, a/k/a, “Parnelli” Ruthie, checking out her favorite modes of transportation.]

[The museum was designed around the famous Dionysus mosaic, which dates back almost 2,000 years.]

[And if you aren’t quite sure, yup, we’re in the Cathedral now.  It represents the epitome of “high ceilings.”]

[And, of course, any self-respecting Cathedral has to have stained glass . . . lots of stained glass.]

[And gold – don’t forget the gold!]

[Just another magnificent structure . . . ]

[With better than average floors.]

[Helen and John share a moment with the Tomb of Engelbert von der Mark.  I have no other words for this.]

[Oh, there’s Aussie Eric again in the center of the photo.]

[The Shrine of the Three Kings]

[The previously noted and abundant stained glass.]

[The Shrine of the Magi]

[Did I mention the floors?]

[The Altarpiece Triptych of the Three Kings by Stefan Lochner]

[As Facebooked:  Cologne is also famous for its chocolate museum. Now why would I want to go there? After the long walk back to the boat, it was time to just put your feet up and and enjoy the view of the cathedral.]

[So while the Cathedral is Cologne’s main entree, the Chocolate Museum is its dessert.]

[First, a little chocolate latte in the dining room with a view . . . ]

[Taken in honor of “Karin” Berg, a SAWA and winery music soul mate.]

[Then, to the goodies!]

[The neighborhood out front.]

[And the museum exterior . . . ]

[The view back toward city center.]

[Waiting out front for the train . . . ]

[Still, shots of the neighborhood.]

[And here comes our ride!]

[All aboard!]

[On the train, traveling to downtown.]

[And we’re back at the Cathedral.]

[On the 3rd visit to the Cathedral on the same day, I feel qualified to “present it”to you.]

[Now we’re walking back to the boat.  As I recall, it was farther than we thought.  This is the main railway station.]

[A last look back at the Cathedral.]

[At the river now, our boat’s the last one down there.]

[Relaxing back on board, feet up, “Good-bye, Cathedral!”]

[Rollin’ on the river – Good-bye, Cologne!]

[Oompah time back on board the boat.  You betcha it’s local!]

[Helen checks social media . . . ]

[The Super checks fine dining!  Always first in the room  – nobody better take our table!]

[Now here’s a centerpiece that should be mandatory on every table!!]

[The guy with the hat – maybe not so much.]

[Oy, there’s a mustache that could use a trim.]

[Weakie, this should settle any food display issues??]

[Oompah, oompah!]

[OK, that should take care of any further discussions about an oompah shortage!]

[Meanwhile, back at the bread bowl.]

[The wine rack, I assume covers just a single meal.]

[This was the first cruise I recall that the passengers were invited for a tour of the kitchen.  It’s quite an operation, in what I would define as a small space, to simultaneously feed over 200 people three times a day!  Here Tom checks the guy in the hat.]

[The Super and the head chef.  I already forgot what the hat day was all about?]

[As were we told, it was all in the kitchen design, into which obviously a lot thought was given.]

[And the dining room.]

[A now we’re going to leave Germany . . . ]

[Heading for the Netherlands.  This photo is now this computer’s wallpaper.]

If you look like your passport photo, you’re too ill to travel.  ~ Will Kommen

Up Next:  Europe.

October 22

[Tyler Michaels as Bobby Vee (St. Paul Pioneer Press photo).]

[So, early in the week the Howells sent an e-mail asking if we were up going to “Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story” at the History Theatre in St. Paul on Saturday.  A quick check of the calendar indicated that was a possible dreaded fall clean up day . . . WE’RE IN!! First on the list when we arrived in St. Paul – fining dining at The St. Paul Grill!]

[Then an amble to the theatre through downtown St. Paul on a beautiful autumn day.]

[The Fitzgerald where the new guy would be hosting his 2nd edition of “Prairie Home Companion” later that day (I think?).]

[Across the street from the Fitz.]

[The scaffolding is starting to come down around the capitol.]

[If you were a follower of “Sesame Street,” you know “h” stands for history.]

[I did not know the History Theatre was “tied” to McNally Smith?]

[We’re in, row H (which as you recall stands for history).]

[Of course, the theatre was full by the opening whistle.]

[Your playbill]

[An introductory video on YouTube . . . ]

[The playbill continued . . . ]

[And if you’ve been on Medicare for at least a couple years, you will recognize and know the words to every song on the “playlist!”  Hey kids, remember when we used to listen to these songs all day long on KDWB and all night on WLS in Chicago?]

[Wonderful cast . . . ]

[And hey, Dave Berg!  Matthew Rubbelke (“Bill”) is a somewhat younger you!]

[I videoed some of Bobby’s family here, at winery, August 2011, with my old snapshot camera: Tommy (son), Julie (niece), ad Matt (nephew, Bill’s son).]

[This photo of the whole Velline family after the show is on loan from Julie’s FB page.  We did get a chance to visit with Matt and Julie, now long time residents of Alexandria, before the show.]

[You have one week left to see this show!]

If I didn’t do this well, I just wouldn’t have anything to do…I can’t cook, and I’d be a terrible housewife.”  ~  Freddie Mercury (Queen)

Up Next:  Please finish Europe . . .