Perfect November day

I've had it with this presidential campaign, which is a common complaint from nearly everyone I know. It's a crying shame that such an historic election moment has been spoiled by ridiculous ad campaigns on television, mailboxes stuffed with more of the same on shiny over-sized cardstock mailers, and by talk-show hosts who rip the candidates to shreds to get laughs. Hard to take this voting thing seriously, historic or not, when mockery is the order of the day. Whether you love or hate Hillary Clinton and/or Sarah Palin, you've gotta admit that the leadership role of women in politics has taken a giant step backward by the way the media has portrayed them. Maybe it's not a giant step backward after all, but rather a reminder that women have to wait in line a while yet before we're given permission move forward again. Not much has changed since the 60's for most women, even though our daughters might argue the point. They'e be wrong, though.

Darrel is outside blowing leaves, Mark is on his lawn tractor bagging grass and leaves, and I'm about to go out and pick up sticks so Larry/Dad/Paco can clean up our yard in anticipation of Leaf Pick-Up-North-of -Broadway Week. Yup, it's been a beautiful fall, with unbeatable weather. I hate to see it end. Living in Minnesota, where we have front row seats for the Theater of the Seasons, doesn't give us much of a choice but to clean up the leaves and get ready for snow.

Don't forget to fall back tonight and to rest up for the big voting adventure on Tuesday. I'll leave you with a happy thought to counteract the growly way I started this entry...only two more days of those disgusting campaign ads and we'll be free at last!

New dirt

Here's a shot of the wall again, this time with **new dirt in the lower planter.Today the landscape guys dug a trench from the patio-corner drainpipe, under the sidewalk, and through the (former) hosta bed to lay a flexible tube to drain water away so that part of the upper yard won't erode. I got a mild earful of how hard it was to dig the trench because of the dense Linden tree root system. Not sure what the "guys" plan to do yet, but there is more to be done, and of course it's the putzy stuff.

Added photo bonus: If you look closely, you'll see Darrel in the recliner on his porch.
**Is there such a thing as "new dirt"? Isn't dirt mostly old? I think so.

Charlie and Angie, I hope you're having a good trip so far. Have fun in NC!

Let the reconstruction begin

The boys showed up today sometime after 7:20, which is when I left for practicum observations in Madelia. They were working hard when I came to check in around 2:00. By 2:30 they'd had enough and called it a day. I had a little conversation with the head honcho about the height of the patio side of the wall (not enough of it heightwise), which he handled well, thank goodness. Apparently the supply of Kasota stone he'd been relying on that had been removed from somewhere on campus was BURIED instead of piled up for re-use. What???? Sharing that bit of information elicited some near snarls from Mr. Landscaper, and I could see the dollar signs multiplying as he explained why the cost of limestone from the quarry is so expensive. The two young helper-landscapers were appeared to listen, but with "Hmm, is that so?" expressions on their faces, which allowed them to take a break on the pretense of learning the trade.

Patio end of wall is under reconstruction...

Steps are wider now to accommodate an oversized load...

Round flower bed on Rosenow-end of yard...

Let the deconstruction begin

This morning, for the first time ever--at least in my vague memory-- people we hired to do specific home improvement labor for us arrived at the time they said they'd arrive. I thought I was dreaming when the landscaper showed up as promised this morning at 8:00 to review the plan to deconstruct the Kasota stone wall in our back yard in preparation to rebuild it. When his helper-landscapers appeared not long after, I nearly went into shock. If they show up again in the morning, I may need oxygen.

Here's what's going on so far...lots of tearing apart.

Miles and Hannah, take a look at the huge black worm that crawled out of the ground when the workers dug away dirt to widen the steps between the upper and lower yard. Fortunately, it's a friendly worm and is keeping an eye on the workers. I wish both of you were here--you'd like all the digging and limestone moving!

No-name blog entry

Will someone please tell me what I've been doing with my time in recent weeks? I can assure you I'm not producing serious intellectual work, cleaning my house, reading great literature, or putting the yard to bed for winter. I don't think I have blackout episodes, although it would explain why I'm not accomplishing much when I should be storing nuts for the winter, so to speak. I know! I'll blame it on the economy. And the upcoming election. Lord knows either one is enough to make a person stop in her tracks and consider being put into a coma for a few years.

The weekend has been great so far. On Friday, Milford went on a tour of college campuses, thanks to his parents. A guy should never be too lackadaisical about his future, and Miles seems to realize it. Annie will blog about Miles' adventures in college, but I do need to note here that he's looking at a Big Ten school -- U of Mn, Mpls, and a MIAC school -- Gustavus. Good to get a broad picture even when it's 17 years before his first semester.

My methods students have been waiting to meet Hannah and Miles. I don't think they'll get to meet Hannah in person this semester, but they did get to check out Miles' crawling techniques and his serious looks on Friday when Annie and Tanner dropped in on my class. After the students left to go to another building for a seminar, Miles crawled on down the hall and met some of my colleagues. He noticed that they're all fairly tall, which is no surprise since he was on the floor. I can't describe how wonderful it is to spend time with Hannah (two weeks ago in NC) and Miles (yesterday and today). I'm so lucky, and so is Grandpappy.

When we got home on Friday afternoon, we were joined by Dad/Lar/Paco /Grandpappy and Auntie Aunchie. Charlie is in Dallas for a conference and/or an elementary school fun run (he'll explain). Two out of three Dellons are in NC and so is GranMarge; Elisabeth is in Orlando at a conference. Once again, too many kiddies are too far away.

"Yeah, where IS everyone?"

"Don't Grandpappy and I look good from the back
when we read together?"

After a great evening with Miles as the centerpiece of entertainment, the Fun Runners went to bed so they could be in good form for the St. Peter Halloween Fun Run today. Annie and Angie will report the highlights on their blogs, but here is a photo of the runners and Miles to get you interested.

"Here we are after a fun Fun Run! And a few more photos for good measure...

"HEY! Doesn't anyone notice that there is a gigantic
spider on my tummy?"

"Auntie Angie told me that a spider is better than
a two-headed porcupine, so I feel better now."

It's quiet here once again, except for the snores from Dad's 15-minute catch-up nap a little while ago. We miss hearing Miles say "baby" with his Elvis twang. Charlie and Elisabeth, travel safely. Angie, drive safely. Miles, don't get stuck between pieces of furniture.

Un viaje a North Carolina

The weather was magnificent, the plane flights tolerable, and Hannah was her entertaining self--in two languages. We've been chuckling over her preference for three-syllable Spanish words that have a single-syllable English equivalent, such as (z)apato/shoe; cabeza/head; arriba/up. Here is la chiquita Hannita showing us her cabeza.

The movie star shades fooled the paparazzi every time!
Sliding was big this weekend. Larry/Paco/Grandpa and Hannah enjoyed using flickers together.
Here she is, studying Grandpa's technique.
We had lunch with Cousin Linda, Dad/Grandpa/Lar's first cousin, and Hannah's first cousin twice removed!

Kiss or burp? You decide!

I'll add some video soon...or as soon as YouTube will let me!

One more time

October is here, arriving about the same time as last year. I'm tired, tired of work, tired of being tired, but not tired of seeing pictures of Hannah and Miles. Miles stayed overnight on Monday, when it was still September, and played all day on Tuesday while Annie went to a meeting in St. Paul. Tanner is on a business trip making money for Al, so Miles had a Grandpa and Grandma Grimmius day on Wednesday while Annie returned to St. Paul for another meeting. Enjoy this video of Grandpappy Paco and Miley. Miles had already begged Larry/Dad/Paco to play this game at least ten times before I began recording the fun.