Wayzata floods several sports fields each winter, creating vast municipal rinks for courageous, warmly dressed skaters.

In-town skating at the Wayzata municipal rink is not for the faint of heart. With temps in the minus-double digits as I post this foto, you can imagine how hearty and dedicated these skaters must be.  Oh, they dress warmly as well, as you can see. 

Eugene O'Neill Theatre Complex Campus, Waterford, CT, December 2017

Young playwright holds prop -- a likeness of the actress'Cher,' made of papier mache -- as he poses for this foto for the Poppy Blog. My young friend (did not get his name) and other performance artists were finishing up a week- long workshop at the O'Neill when I happened upon them during a recent visit. 

To think that the classic drama "Death of a Salesman" helped made the O'Neill Center possible. My English teacher senior year assigned "Death" to our class.  I've now seen the the play itself on Broadway twice.  The character of Willy Lohman is synonymous with an employee no longer relevant to his job and company, where change has come quickly, and he has not been able to adapt.  Never mind that " ... they know me in the territory ..."  Willy beseeches.  We learned senior year that "Death" was a sterling example of the Tragedy genre.  We know now from personal experience how tragic the end of a career can be. 

The O'Neill boasts classy temporary quarters for actors, playwrights, and other theatrical professionals in-residence for performances and workshops. Each house is named in honor of the luminary who contributed the cost of construction.  Names I recognized included "Michael Douglas" and "August Wilson." Other houses are to be built as soon as funds have been secured.

“Friends are the clans we belong to by accident. Of place and space and grace. What a gift: could such pleasure really be just happenstance?"

        - writer Brian Doyle in his 2015 book, 
          "That's how the Light Gets In."

"Baidarka" - handmade "skin boat" in Aleutian Islander kayak tradition.

Boat builder Christian puts his new "baidarka" skin boat through its maiden voyage paces on a quiet lake in the San Juan Islands.

Skipper Christian poses for a pre-shakedown launch foto by Mark G, well-known Whidbey Island professional lensman.

Stunning attention to detail. Aleutian Islander craftspeople used no plans, made each boat to fit the paddler.  Christian's technique was a carbon copy. 

Christian explains more about his creation:  "My partner Cat and I worked three weeks non-stop building our Baidarka which is a traditional Aleutian skin boat, kind of the predecessor to the modern day kayak.  They are super lightweight and flexible and really nice to paddle.  The traditional ones were made of driftwood and sea lion skin but since we had a hard time finding a dead sea lion this one was made of cedar and ballistic nylon. Neat boats. No screws or nails, everything is lashed together or sewn."

Just look at the size of the sewing needle take a break on the skin boat's deck. 

This baby weighs about 15-lbs, is 18' long, draws perhaps an inch of water.  In the hands of an expert paddler like Christian, the boat is virtually un-capsize-able. 

1920's era Ice Boat kicked ass on Lake Minnetonka back in the day. Now she's in dry dock in the front yard of the West Hennepin History Center in Long Lake, MN, a mere ghost of her glory days under sail.

You've seen the old black and white fotos like I have.  Skeletal wooden frames, massive square feet of sail, and outrigger skate blades that create the bare minimum of friction. In her prime this baby could probably make 40 knots, delighting spectators along the shores of Lake Minnetonka, likely striking terror into the hearts of the skipper and crew.  I must learn more about the boat and reasons for celebrating her history in our neighborhood.  I'll write more soon.

Friday Night Lights in Key West, Big Oil in Maple Plain, Rocking a Boss San Fran Ride, and Big Cheese in Wayzata.

A long time and dear old buddy, really gets into the high school football scene. Here's our man this past weekend as hometown "Conchs" from Key West routed an arch rival from one of the other Fla. keys. Behind on the field during half-time, the "Conchquettes" twirl, dance and promenade to the delight of (sadly) a half-filled stand.  Wait 'til next year, they say. 

Meanwhile, a world away in central Minnesota, a random junk artiste has created a still-life of questionable meaning. Chairs, wagon wheels, an old Schwinn ... and then there's the rearing pony. I still don't get it. Can I get a little help here?

This one I do get.  Much-in-demand San Fran designer cuts a completely contemporary, fascinating figure in the City by the Bay. Add up the Boots, Bricks, Bike, and saddle Bag and you've got a hot, new and iconic brand pedaling the retro look into future. 

The cheese lady at Lund's in Wayzata said the big wheel of Parmesan you see in this foto weighs about 70-lbs. It has a street value somewhere north of $1250. Parm wheels arrive only twice a year at the supermarket, and if you savor the flavor of parm, you'll do no better than this parmesano reggiano, as my brother-in-law Mark G. refers to it.  Mangia, dude!

Bikes, Cups, Bags, Vests, Lights, and a bloody mess of a right shin.

Red Rooster Restaurant in Long Lake would not give me an adult to-go cup full of icy cold water.  Against some state liquor regs, or something like that.  I did find a Kiddee-cup and the staff filled that w/agua and the rig fit just fine in the handlebar cup holder on the Giant Cypress.

Picked up a pair red rear flasher lights at Gear West the other evening. Now I am visible as possible to following traffic.  Fluorescent vest  from same bike shop and I feel pretty confident when I'm wearing it. As for the stylin' bag hanging off the rear rack: it's from the UK, handmade of waxed cotton, easily carries a quart of milk, loaf of bread and two navel oranges home from the market.

Delicious Cold Press now on tap at Harvest Moon Co-Op. Kombucha available as well.  Kombu seems sweet, Tiny C. Press is smooth, no bitter after taste, no gut-burn afterward.

I don't fall off the bike much, but I did take a tumble the other day. On my way to Panera, on a road under construction, all pavement dug up and removed, sand and gravel kinda graded smooth, plus a big orange sign that said No Thru Traffic. My front wheel ended up in much deeper sand than I imagined. Came to abrupt stop. Lost my balance, and went down on the road surface landing on my right leg. Of course I continued to my coffee destination, accepted the concerned comments from the baristas, stayed long enough to take a foto, then mounted back up and headed home to warm water, hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin and plenty of Band-aids. Boo-boo all better now, thanks for asking.

Sometimes Things look Clearer, make more sense, when they're Presented in Black + White.

 I bought this winter cap from a street vendor in lower Manhattan not long after Barack Obama had been elected President of the United States.

 Loaner bikes available for guests at classy new hotel "Landing," just opened this summer in Wayzata, MN.

 Back-lit shots never easy to capture in color or Black + White.  I'm inside super-hot retail destination, "Foundry Home Goods," in trendy Minneapolis North Loop. 

 These babies grow in my front yard and, right this minute, I cannot think what the flowers are called.  They are big and gorgeous, seem to have been in-bloom all Summer long.

Neighborhood support for striking bakery workers is seen here in the front yard sign, two blocks south of the Franklin Street Bakery.

Minneapolis Somali-American "Inside Out Project" - Personal and Intimate Portraits that Highlight our Shared Humanity.

Minneapolis has the largest Somali-American population of any city in our country. All during July the center hosts a stunning exhibit of photos in tribute to the people, personalities, capabilities and accomplishments of the S-A community.  We came across the "133 Pinnacle" building while exploring the North Loop last weekend. iPhone fotos do little justice to the beauty of the building and the posters.  I'm headed back there again to learn more.  Will report and post when I get back.

Inspired by large‐format street “pastings”, the Inside Out Project Minneapolis Somali-American Community gives those involved the opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement about Somali- American people and their commitment to our community and our Country. The Inside Out Project is a global platform for people to share their stories and transform their messages into works of public art. Over 260,000 people have participated in 129 countries. The Inside Out Project has displays from Ecuador to Nepal, Mexico to Palestine, inspiring group action on themes such as hope, diversity and climate change.

By bringing Inside Out to Minneapolis, residents will gain a new understanding of the Somali-American identity. These stories will not be framed through the lens of political news or immigration discussions; they are instead, personal and intimate portraits that highlight our shared humanity.

Inside Out is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world. These digitally uploaded images are made into posters and sent back to the project’s co-creators, for them to exhibit in their own communities. These exhibitions will be documented, archived and be made available online at http://www.insideoutproject.net/

Hanging out at the Walker, getting to know the Walker Collage Multiverse #10 by Frank Big Bear.

You can see the new Sculpture Garden in the background, but the green grass, the angles, the strolling art aficionados are reason enough to  keep your eyes focused right here on the foreground.   

You'll read all about artist Frank Big Bear in the following image, but for now here's a look at his lengthy collage installation aross the blue plate special of a diner in the Museum's grill.

I love this one. It's in the underground parking garage and promises a child-like (adult-like as well) adventure if you'll simply walk through the door to your left.

If you happen to see this collage yourself
you'll note recurrent themes of war, cars, popular culture. Plenty of big, naked breasts as well.

Redesigned, enlarged, and more appealingly merchandised book-cum-gift shop than when I last visited the Walker.  Good stuff here as well as throughout the Museum.  Next stop and next time: the Sculpture Garden.  Stay tuned for more.

Independence Day the Hamel Way

Long-time Hamel resident and local legend Buck Manning waves the flag, wishes us a Happy 4th, and reminds us all to come to Hamel tomorrow to watch the parade!

City of Richfield Hits Public Art Sweetspot with Creation of Community Amphitheater.

Approaching the Lake, venue tent in background securely tethered, while the cyclists in attendance are well served with air for tires and tools for minor repairs and tune ups.

"Cajon" is a Latino boom box -- not an electric version that blasts music at too many decibels. These chrome-plated beauties are hollow inside, meant to be played like bong drums.  Musicians "hands" are etched into the metal, symbolic of the joyous music to be played in this new venue.

Passers-by agreed to pose at stainless steel pipes -- themselves symbolic of another musical instrument, the pipe organ.  Music will be everywhere when Amphitheater is in full swing.

Stunning ceramic tiles by local artists tell the story of the City, her residents, diversity of population and interests, but with common love of music and performance, and being tougher as one.

A little sammy to tide us over on our way downtown to chow at "El Jefe" food truck.

There was finally a break in the weather this morning.  Near-100 degree temps yesterday in Minnie gave way to 60's and 70's on Sunday. Thanks to  massive thunderstorms strong enough to down  40' trees all over the Metro, and cut off the cable signal carrying the Men's Finals of the French Open, we couldn't actually see Rafa make quick work of Stan.  But just knowing that Nadal was on his way to a 10th Championship in Roland-Garros made us plenty hungry. And on our way to Food Truck Court we headed, with a ham sandwich for Poppina and me to split, resting with grace and style on the dash board of the T + C.

Shopping for Organic Plants at Two Pony Gardens. Check back with Us later this Summer for the Abundance that's Sure to Come.

A Late Spring Cornucopia of Organic Plants awaited us this evening at Two Pony Gardens. We'll be Back in Shopping Mode when Plants are ready for Harvest!

Boy Scouts and their Leaders take to the Trails in Baker Park.

Scout Leaders (three of a dozen or so I met today in Baker Park) just about ready to hit the trail again.  My new best friends put their 70-member Boy Scout troop from West Hennepin through get-in-shape paces every weekend  The 10-mile hike today -- with full packs -- is part of the rigorous training in prep for a mid-August adventure in remote Wyoming. One of the troop masters was carrying an 8-lb. barbell in his back pack -- talk about a guy getting in shape.  

Hanging out with Brant Egertson of VELOFIX Mobile Bike Shop.

Inside Brant Egertson's VELOFIX Mercedes-Benz Sprinter -- every Park Tool ever made and enough room to tear down and rebuild bicycles all day long.  Plus:  VELOFIX comes to your house!

Van Operator and Master "Wrench" Brant Egertson could not have been more enthusiastic about the great service that VELOFIX offers busy cyclists. 

Brant explains here that VELOFIX is a Canadian company, and his bosses in the Twin Cities hold the Minnesota franchise.

Juice 1 is not part of the VELOFIX fleet.  I met this Ford outside a laundromat in Long Lake.

Velo hero Charlie Paterson lost his life to reckless motorist on Hwy. 60.

Who was Charles Paterson?  How did he die? What happened to the motorist who hit Charlie? Who erected this Ghost Bike tribute?  Who maintains the memorial?  I searched archives of weekly Wickenburg Sun and was never able to find the answers. If you know please let me know.

A friend of mine wrote this to another friend ......

"We don’t see the world as it is.  We see the world as we are."

Miniature Summer Camping Diorama on Display in Hennepin County Library, Plymouth Branch.

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Through a Mirror, Sharply (with help from Emoji's)

One of the grandkids reported bhow much they loved emojis -- so much so a couple of cuties ended up on the rear view mirror of the Dodge Charger.  Wait.  Who's the emoji? Who's the real person? 

Still sold out of Coke for the season. Bummer.

You can't drop a Susan B. Anthony and get a cold one out the bottom door.  Machine still closed for the season, though drinks are still available at check-out a Dundee Nursery.

Jaffray Home Repair arrives with everything needed to keep the Hoyt homestead looking sharp, well-maintaned, fresh, strong and desirable.

Bob Jaffray has been doing some excellent work around our place this spring.  First time he arrived to discuss a job I was surprised he wasn't driving an F-150 or pulling a big Haul-Mark like the lawnmower guys do.  Yet when the workshop in a box spilled out of the back of the gently-used Suburban and Bob set up, started milling lumber, stirring paint, and mixing cement, it was clear he had everything he needed to get 'er done.  I'm sure the Ford dealer would love to put Bob into a 2017 "Northland Division,"  but I bear witness to a man, his tools and his ride, being perfectly matched to the task at hand.  Thank you, Bob.