What a Start to Summer!
Hello All,
Well as I mentioned to Chad, this Breeze entry could be a book if I wanted. But we will keep this somewhat concise, which is not one of my primary writing attributes so wish me luck. First off, Minnesota has been rocking with the weather, at least from Memorial day through the first two weeks of June. Obviously it has been a little worse (to say the least) in Iowa and Wisconsin. The flooding in that area is (yes worse than 1993) and I saw a portion of it on the drive home this past weekend. Unbelievable. Here in Minnesota, we have had multiple rounds of severe weather that have included a lot of warnings and a handful of tornadoes. One of those I even saw storm chasing! Yes, my first tornado. Thrilling to say the least! It was preceded by a rotating wall cloud, but there was no funnel ... it just appeared. I haven't seen some footage of this and it almost reminded me, dare I say it, of a couple of the tornadoes in the movie Twister! Yikes! Have I sold my meteorologist soul saying that? Also in Minnesota my community garden plot is going well, and I'll have to start posting some pictures in here of that.
Finally in the northland I also took a trip north to Travis's Cabin a couple weekends ago. Phenomenal time despite falling in the lake boarding the boat almost immediately. Luke took a plunge as well and his was more embarrassing so give him grief too. Thank you 'Vis for an excellent time!
Now this past weekend was really an adventure and the best weekend to date of this young summer. Some of you already know this but it's definitely worthy of blog material. I was working my last overnight shift of a stretch on Friday morning and find out there that I-90, I-94, I-39, I-80, and I-380 were all being closed in stretches due to the flooding. Well I had tickets for the luxurious Greyhound Bus that morning down to Rockford. That was soon scrapped as all bus routes through WI and IA were canceled indefinitely. Having not slept all night and not slept really much the whole week, I had to snooze for a while. But I thought this quick trip home, which had Amy and Brian's wedding centered in it, would not be happening. The 'Stang was tired, it's driver was tired, and there was water everywhere between the 'Sota and the 'Dota.
Well before I went to bed I got some encouraging e-mails/messages from Miles and also Jamie to come home. Miles even said he would drive to meet me half way! This kindness, in particular from what some have said to be "the most negative person they've met", was very touching. Still, I have to admit, it was not looking positive when I went to bed at about 9:30 am. But amidst the slumber, two dreams about Mendota and in particular the wedding and reception, changed things immensely. I honestly do not even remember the dreams that well, I just know they were about Mendota and the Civic Center. Some of you likely are not surprised I had such dreams. It is well documented that in the weeks prior to the SCF I have many, even dozens of dreams about those few days. Ha! Still, I was not 100% gung-ho yet about heading back, because open roads were going to be hard to come by. But even some more surprising encouraging words and the next thing I know I hoisted the 'Stang sails and was en route to the WGLC! One of my better decisions! Thank you to the supporters of this! Even got a call from the bride-to-be that night insisting the wedding would have been canceled if I had not made it down! Somewhat over-exaggerated Amers!
The weekend all around was incredible. Again, to keep this short, a quick list:
1.) Roll immediately into town to Luke's after 1 am. Miles and him toss me a beer and proceed to rip each other to shreds.
2.) Saturday morning downtown I see multiple people I know, including T-man. Love that guy!
3.) Wedding ... Miles and I both change shirt and ties because we don't want to match. And my choice of a purple tie, though it gets ripped on by the guys, was another huge decision!
4.) Beautiful wedding. Sat next to my date Miles. He would soon be replaced.
5.) To Main Street ... GREAT TIMES! On the way Miles and I follow the wedding party listening to some good music, eh Miles?
6.) With Jamie and Mark to get Spark ... jamming again to "Heaven is a Place on Earth!
7.) RECEPTION! Amy and Brian were as happy as could be and they weren't the only ones. Food, drink, dancing, more dancing ... perfect. I even caught the garter! Best reception ever!
8.) Just as great of a Sunday ... Family time, discounted large filling station chocolate malt, saw the boys again, out late checking for ticks ... All good!
Many of the pics from this summer can be found here: http://www.sweetcornforecast.com/pics/personal/2008/summer08.html
I apologize they are not downsized but they are too good to be shrunk! Ha!
Soaking up the sun from the 'Sota to the 'Dota!
MTF
Well as I mentioned to Chad, this Breeze entry could be a book if I wanted. But we will keep this somewhat concise, which is not one of my primary writing attributes so wish me luck. First off, Minnesota has been rocking with the weather, at least from Memorial day through the first two weeks of June. Obviously it has been a little worse (to say the least) in Iowa and Wisconsin. The flooding in that area is (yes worse than 1993) and I saw a portion of it on the drive home this past weekend. Unbelievable. Here in Minnesota, we have had multiple rounds of severe weather that have included a lot of warnings and a handful of tornadoes. One of those I even saw storm chasing! Yes, my first tornado. Thrilling to say the least! It was preceded by a rotating wall cloud, but there was no funnel ... it just appeared. I haven't seen some footage of this and it almost reminded me, dare I say it, of a couple of the tornadoes in the movie Twister! Yikes! Have I sold my meteorologist soul saying that? Also in Minnesota my community garden plot is going well, and I'll have to start posting some pictures in here of that.
Finally in the northland I also took a trip north to Travis's Cabin a couple weekends ago. Phenomenal time despite falling in the lake boarding the boat almost immediately. Luke took a plunge as well and his was more embarrassing so give him grief too. Thank you 'Vis for an excellent time!
Now this past weekend was really an adventure and the best weekend to date of this young summer. Some of you already know this but it's definitely worthy of blog material. I was working my last overnight shift of a stretch on Friday morning and find out there that I-90, I-94, I-39, I-80, and I-380 were all being closed in stretches due to the flooding. Well I had tickets for the luxurious Greyhound Bus that morning down to Rockford. That was soon scrapped as all bus routes through WI and IA were canceled indefinitely. Having not slept all night and not slept really much the whole week, I had to snooze for a while. But I thought this quick trip home, which had Amy and Brian's wedding centered in it, would not be happening. The 'Stang was tired, it's driver was tired, and there was water everywhere between the 'Sota and the 'Dota.
Well before I went to bed I got some encouraging e-mails/messages from Miles and also Jamie to come home. Miles even said he would drive to meet me half way! This kindness, in particular from what some have said to be "the most negative person they've met", was very touching. Still, I have to admit, it was not looking positive when I went to bed at about 9:30 am. But amidst the slumber, two dreams about Mendota and in particular the wedding and reception, changed things immensely. I honestly do not even remember the dreams that well, I just know they were about Mendota and the Civic Center. Some of you likely are not surprised I had such dreams. It is well documented that in the weeks prior to the SCF I have many, even dozens of dreams about those few days. Ha! Still, I was not 100% gung-ho yet about heading back, because open roads were going to be hard to come by. But even some more surprising encouraging words and the next thing I know I hoisted the 'Stang sails and was en route to the WGLC! One of my better decisions! Thank you to the supporters of this! Even got a call from the bride-to-be that night insisting the wedding would have been canceled if I had not made it down! Somewhat over-exaggerated Amers!
The weekend all around was incredible. Again, to keep this short, a quick list:
1.) Roll immediately into town to Luke's after 1 am. Miles and him toss me a beer and proceed to rip each other to shreds.
2.) Saturday morning downtown I see multiple people I know, including T-man. Love that guy!
3.) Wedding ... Miles and I both change shirt and ties because we don't want to match. And my choice of a purple tie, though it gets ripped on by the guys, was another huge decision!
4.) Beautiful wedding. Sat next to my date Miles. He would soon be replaced.
5.) To Main Street ... GREAT TIMES! On the way Miles and I follow the wedding party listening to some good music, eh Miles?
6.) With Jamie and Mark to get Spark ... jamming again to "Heaven is a Place on Earth!
7.) RECEPTION! Amy and Brian were as happy as could be and they weren't the only ones. Food, drink, dancing, more dancing ... perfect. I even caught the garter! Best reception ever!
8.) Just as great of a Sunday ... Family time, discounted large filling station chocolate malt, saw the boys again, out late checking for ticks ... All good!
Many of the pics from this summer can be found here: http://www.sweetcornforecast.com/pics/personal/2008/summer08.html
I apologize they are not downsized but they are too good to be shrunk! Ha!
Soaking up the sun from the 'Sota to the 'Dota!
MTF
Nothing dates one so dreadfully as to think someplace is uptown. At our age one must be watchful of these conversational gray hairs.
Reply to this