we are talking fire truck ! !

Today we are again in Charlotte, visiting Patt's Mom.  On the way to the hospital we went by a yarn shop.  Guess who does not go into yarn shops ?  That would be me.  

Instead I saw a fire truck and like most boys, I went to look at it.  The fire station - getting ready to celebrate its 75th birthday looked interesting too, and so I waved to the firemen and walked right on up.

 

Sure enough, this being such a big world and all, Patt's cousin Art is the Captain at the station - I think station number ten --out of  74 (that is how many Charlotte has - I asked).  Art and I many long years ago, used to chuck bales of hay, pull timber from a  sawmills, and do other genuine real work on Patt's family farm.  -- had good times together too.

Art gave me the Captain's tour of the station, got to open the chute to see the slide pole from the dorm area to the truck parking area too --  I did not slide down (I kinda wanted too though) and I did not get to drive the truck ( and I really wanted to do that).  I did get close.

restaurant Review #10 --and a bonus review

If you like outdoor patio seating in a climate controlled atmosphere, let me recommend this particular restaurant for your dining enjoyment.  Patt and I have eaten here several occasions.  The down side is that it is not particularly close to our home.  It is however on a well traveled trail.  The MSP international airport.  (the big airport in Minneapolis.)  The outdoor seating affords the weary (why is the traveler always described as weary?) traveler a semi-quiet fake sun-shinny place to read a newspaper 

and enjoy a beverage of choice and a have a pre-flight meal.  As is obvious from the margarita container, this is not a high end establishment with cover charges and high end prices.  But Patt likes the margarita, and for three dollars more they will make that scotch a double - and now we are talking bidness.  The location is in terminal one, the old Northwest building, but now the Delta end of things and is a Chilly's (misspelling intentional) and the menu is what one expects at a Chilly's- without airport pricing -- so we have actually been to this particular patio dining area several times as this is a frequently used airport for us.  We both hope to return again too.

As you can see, Patt got first choice when seating was offered, with a full view of the terminal.  Being a bit off the beaten track, it is not to overrun by those en-route travelers walking to various gates, which we, of course eventually join in order to become weary.  I should add the extra three dollars on the margarita makes it a large.

Now The Bonus Review as promised.  Last weekend while in Charlotte at the hospital, low and behold lunch time arrived.  Of course, hospital cafeteria food was off the table as an option, and _____'s Sports Bar and Grill,  ( I really can not remember the name) is nearby.  Big screens everywhere - with volume turned up on all of them.  With a little work and selective listening you could sort out your game of interest and listen sort of, (OSU v Miami to the back of Patt -- I had first choice of seating in this establishment).  Patt was thrilled to be here.  She just about would not come in.  I had already selected my table and was looking around for her and she was still at the door.

"This place is loud" Patt astutely observed.  "You noticed", I shouted back.  "We're staying?"  she yelled.  "Have a seat", "you will enjoy it" I said loudly and hopefully.  In fairness this was a bit of a culture shock to Patt, as she had spent the last 8- 15 hours or so in the hospital where the noise level is a bit less than _____'s Sports Bar and Grill.  and I just think "Sports Bar and Grill" is in the name too.  Can not remember----- it was loud.   lots of OSU fans there - they were loud too.  Did I mention that in addition to volume on the teevees loud, people were speaking loudly and yelling too.  Patt wants to go back.

a time visiting in Charlotte

Earlier this week, we were visiting Patt's Mom, who has been in the hospital.  Laura and Isaac came down from the far northlands to visit Laura's Grandmother.  The two of them (Laura and Grandmother) had wonderful visits and Grandmother got to meet Isaac too who made his first visit to North Carolina.

As a part of the routine slaughter of the fatted calf, I found and took to Patt's Mom's home with us for Laura and Isaac to play with was Laura's old grocery cart.  For being almost 30 years old it did well hauling around balls and trucks.

Note in the two photos below:

Patt and I were enamored with the simple things with Isaac, like feeding 

and bath time, -- gosh he is fun- look at that smile.  Shoot, all he had to do was sit, and I thought it was special.

Now looking at Grandmothers puppies with the young girl who helps take care of them was really special

Though the puppies were interesting, 

what really got Isaac's interest was a physics problem I was working on with my computer.  No it was not physics, it was a Russian article on exploration of Siberia (in Russian) , no it was ......

his sisters and Dad on Skype.  The look on his face was awesome.  He sure did enjoy looking at and talking to his family back north.  and we sure enjoyed having him visit us with his Mom here with Laura's Grandmother.  It was a very good couple of days indeed.

more from Victoria Lake

One of our favorite pastimes this week is fishing.  Holding your fishing pole just right is part of the trick and "I do it" can be heard across the lake establishing that help is not needed --- just in case you were wondering.

Julianna who formerly was a bit intimidated by a flopping fish or even a well griped fish was quite the participant this week as she explored how a fish felt, and there is more --  check out the following photo

yes, what you see here is Julianna and Grandmama actually baiting a hook with a leech.  Julianna would capture one, cut it in half and assist in placing the leech on a hook.  -- with great concentration, as such a task deserved of course.  At the rate which we were pulling in little sunfish, perch, bream, and a seemingly endless supply of hungry little fish that were next to our dock - we were well entertained.  She also had no choice but to help bait her hook.  I mean how many times will a Grandma or GrandDad bait a hook -- (as long as granddaughter wants-  thats how long)

Another activity that takes concentration is puzzle putting together, note, Jen's effort.  She is pretty good at it too.  Julianna played well with her too- keeping Jen quite happy and entertained.

Craft afternoon was a busy time, Mom stole the show, but I think she has done this before.  My effort at making a table was a little rough looking and elicited no ohhs or ahhs -- much to my disappointment.  These baskets however were real child pleasers.

Cooking was a big deal, the house kitchen was very nice, large, well equipped and we had large  excellent and exciting ( surprised ?) meals.

At one of them we celebrated Stephen's and Lydia's July and August birthdays with cupcakes and candles.  To no ones surprise, neither of them won the award for messy eater.  Isaac got that every time.  There were occasions though where he was pushed for the honor.

you know I am not sure if I have mentioned just how beautiful this place is.  Well it is.  And it has been full moon week too.  The loons (real wild ones too -- hold the jokes, puns and so on here) can be heard outside the cabin across the lake.  Loons are Minnesota's state bird and have a beautiful "call" .  We also have seen a beautiful bald eagle who fishes along our side of the lake too.

Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents and a lake with the Grandchildren

After I picked out the photos I realized what the title had to be. Uncle is quite entertaining, to no ones surprise.

The lake has provided boat rides and one one occasion an abundance of very small fish that the little ones were pulling in one after another.
games to be played with an aunt who kept attention of all

and across the street a small park with swings, slides and a great place to play
the morning and breakfast by the lake
or a cup of coffee and staying warm in the brisk early (well if 8 is early ) morning
and let me tell you - this is really a nice way to spend a little time. Next post I will try to have a picture of the actual parents of these grandchildren of ours.

restaurant Review #9 --for the beef salad

A new Thai restaurant is in the big city. and you know who likes chicken on a stick and I had you know who as a guest- so we had to check the menu and lo-and-behold, they had chicken on a stick, so we stayed and ate.

Note the careful framing of the photo below. I am thinking of entering this in some art contest or something if I can just get the photographer to grant a release -- we are in the clever range of getting a good picture - got a good subject -- me, and name of the restaurant, and jungle like plants - shoot, my shirt even matched.

now check out the table, we almost but did not over order, we did however over eat. and I mean we enjoyed over eating. Sure enough, we got chicken on a stick, but here is the surprise, little Miss adventurous palette, brought half of those home in a box.

My beef salad or larp like dish was the table favorite, though the steamed veggies with garlic (not on my plate) got a "going to get that again", and the chicken with peanut sauce was excellent too. however it too paled in comparison to the "beef salad" hoo- boy, that was gooooooouuuuud !!

The Big Party Day was here

Big doin's it was at our house last night. Patt and Beth hosted (with able assistance from Linda and others) the pending nuptials (don't you just love that word ?) of Dave and Anna. By the way, when that left arm of Patt's is whirling, -- step back. Just ask Stephen some day.

The food spread was beautiful and tasteful, featuring a smoked prime rib by Kelly -- as in "this one was really really special" -- like - "lets do this one again real soon" Kelly.
Since our kitchen is so large, and has those beautiful full windows overlooking the lake, people tended to just flock into the kitchen as indicated below
there was only one un-invited guest attempting to ride into the party, but right off we figured him as a bad guy and banished the potential evil doer - saving the evening. (hoo--rrray )
Chef extra-ordinair and cousin Janet observing the chaos and sampling grape juice
previously referenced chaos- in kitchen-with-a-view.
The children's table ( and as they are getting closer and closer to puberty and who knows what we will have to call the table in the future)
The honored couple - and cake.
It was a grand time. We partied till quite late -- yes it was late too- nearly 10 PM and for us that is quite late. A very good time was had by all, especially the hosts, the guests acted as if they had a good time too and put on a good show if they did not. Being exposed to this many of us at once can be a bit of a challenge has been noted on more than one occasion, but they did well.

one more helper person

Once again from south of the border comes another helper person / worker. Isabelle showed up, a little late one evening and proved to be another helpful person to have around. Early she showed signs of having seen work done before. Once I pointed out that payment for work-- followed work, not merely being present or around work (providing moral support as she referred to it). She was quite the domestic as we had rain most of the day.
Rain let up late in the day providing opportunity for me to find out if dog washing was a transferable skill. It is --with sufficient coaching.
window washing / interior detailing had to move indoors due to rain --
and it is never to late for a V-8 ..............or a Bud- light------ - I forget

restaurant Review #8 --for the retirees

Some of you may know I am considering retirement. If so, I need to be looking around for appropriate dinning opportunities. I will need spacious, level floor, of course not overly crowded, plenty of seating, and plenty of lighting type of place. I am thinking food court ! ! I mean where else can all these features plus security, variety, and a people watching opportunity merge.

The menu options are nearly endless, tending toward routine fast and tasty
There are plenty of familiar logos, and in this particular food court
places where you can still find interesting people to share a meal with
imagine my delight, with my mid eastern kabobs, (not from one of the chains) along with fried rice - go figure - and cucumbers/tomato chopped up stuff, and some kind of pretty good yogurt sauce.