Head 'er up, and haul in the sheet.

Dame Margot Butler is a helluva tennis player, runner, cook, singer, photographer, equestrienne, mother, grandmother, and all-round friend. She knows a thing or two about sailing a boat, too, as you can see in this foto which just arrived from Martha's Vineyard.

Pirate Day at the Wad Club.

Pretty scary pirates roamed the seven seas, not to mention Wad Club Harbour! I'm keeping my distance from this little guy -- even though his smile, 'stache and bandana are adorable, and very compelling.

Ellie Comes with Carrot Cake!

Our neighbor and dear pal Ellie Crosby showed up at Pina's Pool with Carrot Cake in hand, and "4" and "0" candles in honor of Paige's birthday. Carrot cake was yummy, Mary, Liz, Paige and Roo were surprised, and old Poppy here was glad to have one of his most loyal blog habitues (Ellie) here as our guest. Let the good times roll!

Full Speed Ahead at Wayzata Depot.

Terry is long-time volunteer chief at Wayzata Depot, not far from gorgeous Lake Minnetonka. Terry's model RR steaming along 45mm tracks here runs on weekends and holidays, and today was the second time I saw it in action. What a hoot! Supported by donations from choo-choo fans of all ages, dedicated volunteers, and Lake Minnetonka Garden Club, you must check it out. It's a trip -- puffs of smoke come out the stack on the bigger of the two engines. Wow!

First Cukes of the Season.

Hot, rainy, great composted soil = quick cuke growing season in Long Lake. We've eaten this, and others, already, plus the tomatoes. Lots more to come and pics from Pina's Planter to follow.

Flippo's Madone: watch out, Lance!

The serious, young bike dudes I know sooner or later get a custom-made ride. Brother-in-law Phil Darrell shows off his Madone here, after taking delivery only last week.

"It's a 17-lb rocket ship," Seth, reports Phil after a ride or two. "This thing goes like the wind. You must get one made for you!"

I don't think so. I don't do rocket ships much any more. And, besides, my Surly Long Haul Trucker is a pretty dreamy ride and just what the doctor ordered.

We and Weirs in Wayzata Wed.

Liz and Ken Weir joined La Nancita and me for ice cream at Ben + Jerry's, before we headed to the banks of Lake Minnetonka with the adorable Weir grandchildren, visiting from CA. Time for a walk, and look at some fish, and reconnection with Minnesota and, of course, a foto for the blog. The Weirs love their grandkids, and the kids sure do know how to reciprocate. Pina and I are honored to be along for the ride!

Velo Trash Collection.

The panniers on my L.H.T. are jammed packed with trash and litter. I picked up a ton of stuff along Cty. Road 24 in Medina on July 5th.

What treasures fill the bags? Spent fireworks displays from the night of the 4th. Plenty of empty beer cans, and Mickey D soda cups. Ten -- count 'em, 10 empty packs of Marlboro cigs. And endless empties of Mountain Dew.

I dumped the bags in a trash can outside Starbucks in Plymouth Station, then pedaled back home on the other side of the road and repeated my pick-up. Good deed or obsession? Hummmm.

Ahoy, Frida!

Here is the good ship "Frida" (as in Kahlo) on her launch day from Dickey's Beach at Pinecrest Lake, California on July 4, 2010.

She sails beautifully. Manufactured at: "Sherman Boatworks", Mendocino, CA.

William Sherman-Chief Naval Architect, Marine Engineer and Shipwright.

Gross weight 85 pounds. Mast height is 13', hull is 8', beam is 4'.

Frida(keel) was laid in January 2010 and she was launched in July 2010.

What about sep of Church + State?

I was on the Long Haul Trucker today in Plymouth, and stopped to record these happy birthday wishes. I find it a little weird, though, seeing God's name as a sign-off on the holiday sentiments. And in colored chalk on this driveway, no less. I'm sure the patriot who drew the sign meant well, but I think she/he should have signed his own name. What do you think?

Shoodaseentheotherguy.

This is gross, but check it out. Joe got into a fight with an Everglades carnivorous toad last night, and ended up with a gash over his right eye that makes us landlubbers shudder.

To hear the patient tell it, "There was a helluva racket out in the garden last night. Probably about 2:30 AM. Nancy shook me awake, handed me the machete, and sent me into the dark."

"I smelled reptile sweat, dove for the creature, machete blade above my head, glistening in the Miami moonlight," describes brother Joe, a tall tale teller if there ever was one, "and swung like a terrified mad man. I missed the toad, of course, but I went face-first into a piece of coral we use in the back ward to tether the snowy egret. My face paid the price."

Off to the ER, almost 825 stitches later, and the medical plan covered everything. The toad is at large, of course, Nancy went back to bed after applying a cold compress to our brave hero, and Uncle Joe, glad to report, lives to fight another day.

Minnesota's Next Governor!

Nancy and I met the next governor of Minnesota last night, Margaret Anderson Kelliher. We were at a fund-raiser and a "get-to-know," and, boy, were we impressed with Ms. Kelliher.

I plan to report frequently on the blog about Margaret's background, accomplishments, integrity, values and plans for the Great State of MN. Let's say for now that she's developed a solid, smart and do-able plan to reverse the decline in the quality and accessibility of education in MN, shore up our crumbling infrastructure too long ignored, and create more than 100,000 new jobs in a sensible and sustainable way.

There's volunteer work to be done before the August 10th Primary, and Pina and I plan to do work to "Make History with Margaret!"

Cap'n Ed, Scallop Fisherman.

My new mariner friend in the foto to the left is skipper of a scallop dragger named "Furious" out of Stonington, CT. Hugo and I hung out with Cap'n Ed at the Town Dock a few weeks back. Very enlightening experience.

The funky item in Ed's right hand -- looks like the sole of a huarache sandal -- is a rubber "skid" that fits on the chain blanket pulled behind the boat.

As the "Furious" makes her way up and down the Eastern Seaboard, as far south as New Jersey, and almost to the Canadian border, the chain blanket kicks up scallops from the seabed, which get scooped up in nets.

The rubber skid protects the chain from its inevitable damage, and every now and then the Cap'n and his crew repair and replace the rubber bumpers.

Hugo and I happened on the "Furious" at just the right time. What an education for us! Good luck, "Furious," and your sister ship, "Regulus."

Jolly Jimmy Butler.

One of my best East Coast pals lives in Greenwich, CT. Jim Butler, pictured to the left, and his dear wife Margot keep the lights on for me when I'm on my road trips from Minnesota.

Butler's pad is central to my girls and their families. And I can hop on a Metro North commuter train and, for the price of a senior citizen, off-peak ticket, be in Grand Central Station in less than an hour.

When I play my cards right, and cajole and coach Jimmy just right, I can get him to break into a BIG smile as I snap a digi foto of these two old pals together.

Sky's Art at Cate Charles Gallery.

How proud old Poppy is of Sky and her paintings!

Together Sky and I took some of her recent pieces to the Cate Charles Gallery in Stonington last week. Gallery owner Kim Charles gave Sky both windows to show off some of her recent her work -- how very cool I think that is!

All you art fans had better get down there, fast, before this exquisite work finds its way to the wall of another collector!