Why tree stumps are good.

Shortly after we moved in, I started drilling a couple of holes in some old tree stumps in hopes to speed the rotting process, and thusly, the removal process. A neighbor commented on a chemical I could dump in the holes to further speed that process along. Now I wish I hadn't even drilled the holes. Look at this beautiful polypore that is taking up residence. Both stumps have them, and there are three other species growing on or between the stumps. What a great summer for fungi!

Our Alley

No setback laws existed back in the early 1900s, but they do now. Any work you might want to do can only be repair work on these old buildings. New ones would have to go in at least fifteen feet from the alley, and, in our case, that would chew up most of our backyard. We had the inspector out, and he go a good chuckle out of the 1970s metal building attached to the 1907 wood garage behind, concrete floor in the old part (albeit heaving up and down) and dirt floor (with carpeting) in the front.

At least someone used it

Went out back to try to take a picture of the bugs swarming at the hummingbird feeder, but it was nearly impossible. I got stung twice by yellow jackets, and those stupid little Japanese beetles were biting me the entire time. Our hummingbird feeder was a flop this year. One early fall hanger-on came through for a couple of days, and that was it. Last year, after we moved in, we had dozens---rubies, emeralds, you name it we had it. This year, one little ruby and that was that. And, as to those Japanese beetles; I don't remember them when I was a kid. We had lady bugs, and they did not bite. Now you have to discriminate. Is it safe to let the little bugger crawl on you or not? I love lady bugs, but I hate them Japanese beetles.

Since we're on the subject of tombstones

Another one to add to the great debate over whether or not stones in Cottage Grove and River Falls came from the same source. By highway, there's some distance between us, but going down the Kinni to the St. Croix and then up the pass through St. Croix Bluffs Park, we could darn near be sister cities. Going to head to the library today to do some digging. Doggone Slinger has got me all distracted now.

Only the Good Die Young

I'm a big fan of graveyards. Besides the art of the stones, and the interest in the rocks that were used to make them, cemeteries are tremendously tranquil and a great telescope into the past. One of the saddest things about the olds stones is how many kids died young. We were at a cemetery in Utah, and there was a string of four stones, all kids from the same family who died within a year of five. It leads me to wonder the circumstances of their death. Disease? Starvation? Parents? Many sad tales at the graveyard.

Looks are deceiving

It sure looks like a nice fall day for golf, doesn't it? Yeah, sure, if you like hurricane winds. Had one shot, fifty yards right of the pin, land pin high after the wind worked it's magic. But, like they say, "A bad day golfing is better than a good day working." True'dat!

Circa 1910

This puts the age of our house in perspective. This postcard image dates to three years after our house was built. The wide streets, so that horses could turn around with a cart behind, provided the space for the cool center island that runs the length of Main. Accidental aesthetics are the best.

Thrift Store

The G.T. Smith Building from 1916 now houses Treasures from the Heart, a great thrift store that benefits the local hospice program.

The Early 20s Lull

Hit the wall early, and have to resort to a picture of a beat-up and worthless front yard planter for today's photo. Damn that work and all the other things that suck up valuable time!

Looking down the Kinni

The Kinnickinnic as it flows south from town to the St. Croix.

Ingram Center

Across the Maple Street Bridge is the Ingram Center a location of varied civic organizations and the community gardens. This odd arch sits at its rear. I'm new enough to town that I don't know the history of this yet. Are the shells local? Was this once the community hospital? Why did this merit preservation when so many other historical artifacts have gone by the wayside? Why is my camera set on super dark mode?

What about roller skates?

or skateboards? or those funny shoes with wheels in them? or unicycles? or tricycles, for that matter?

South Fork at Glen Park

A series of small falls as the South Fork enters the main body of the Kinnickinnic at Glen Park.

Maple, Sycamore, or ?

Gotta get out my tree books here. My daughter grabbed this leaf and immediately identified it as maple. I don't necessarily disagree, but it has an odd feel to it. It has a maple's red, but the look is black maple or something else entirely.

Walking Bridge

Great walking bridge downtown. Water is shallow, and it is always fun to see what the town thugs have tossed over the side. No bodies or anything, but we have seen a bike, a fishing rod, and a big chunk of concrete. New York's got nothing on us for excitement.

How to turn a penny into $15

The meters on Main Street our cheap. A penny gets you 12 minutes, and a dime two hours. But, beware, they watch these cheap meters, and, as I can attest, you can get tickets. We've been here a year, and I already have two. One for too long in a coffee shop with only a nickel in the meter, and the other for too long in the hardware store on a penny.

Music in the Park

We are a small college town, population 12,000 or so, with a great community sense. Friday nights are "Music in the Park" nights, and last night was the last night for the season. Temperatures are feeling fall-like, leaves are starting to change, birds are coming through on their way south. My favorite time of year by far. Good sleeping weather and the last respite before winter (and winter sucks).

Where we live

A great mixture of houses from the 1900s to the 1930s. Our house sits next to a house with seven foot doors, where once lived a 6'8" woman, who tilted her house diagonally so that none of her windows peered into ours. Great neighborhood!

Nip and Tuck

School starts in three days, and THEY said the bridge would be completed by the time school started. It is going down to the wire.

Academy Playground

School building that houses the Renaissance Academy, a bunch of civic organizations, and the River Falls Public Montessori, a premier learning institution.