Joining Minnesotans at the Target Center - Barack Obama's Rally for Health System Momentum

My friends, Jane Newell, Denise Martineau and Byron Aldrich each decided it would be fun to hear President Obama when he decided to speak here in Minnesota. I got a wheel chair for Denise and got my exercise wheeling on the skyway system. We found a handicapped parking on the next level up and here I took a photo of what looks to me like a secret service guy casing out the place. Airport like security here and about 17,000 people showed up for the rally. Barack is quite the speaker, learned his chops in Chicago and kept the cheer leading energy going for the locals. Fun to see a variety of friends, and seeing Peg Chamberlain, who was the campus minister at St Cloud State years back deliver an ecumentical blessing even using the Anishibeg thank you Megwitch.

Sue and Nate Weaver - After some comment - Brightening the day

Well, he are Sue and Nate, after a nice breakfast, as I am preparing to take Nate in my green pony to the MSP International Airport. Grateful that with my trailer in tow, I could drop Nate off at the Delta NW Departures easily as he had only carry on luggage. Nice to see traveling light modeled so well by both of my sons! Good to know how much they can teach me. Speaking of lightening my load, 9-11, yesterday is the day I applied for social securiy retirement and when I booked my flight to the UK, leaving Sept 23. Grateful for the Delta rebate I got for leaving a flight to save 400 bucks on my trip across the pond! Now to find the 1500 year old yew forests and learn from the ancient trees. Tree wisdom and family trees no less.

Sue and Nate Weaver French Meadow Ready for Boston Flight

Here are Sue and Nate at the French Meadow Bakery and Cafe in South Minneapolis where I met them for breakfast prior to Nate's flight to Boston to meet with some on line technical friends who are meeting somewhere in Cambridge MA. I am not sure of the cryptic message on his brilliant yellow T, and what can I expect from my son raised on the wisdom of South Park and the Simpsons. I guess I am in the geezer catagory on this one. Great shirt Nate!

Canasta Sharks Betty and Jane from the Scott - Freitag Tradition

While Great Grandma Betty Scott Blackwell was in town, my spirit sister Jane Scott Newell, invited me over to share in the Freitag-Scott family ritual of canasta. The teams of Betty and Bryon Aldrich, Jane and this author, played to within 5 points of each other with three hand of many naturals and runs of 3 threes. So here are Betty and Jane, after the event with their hands on the cards! A fun time over lamb shank stew, made from scratch by this author, fresh green beans from Byron, and cheese from Cotswold to Welsh Cheddar and a Belgian Kriek Frambois Brew. Ask Jane about the flailing elbows in her large kitchen and the gravity around the balanced martini! Leb wohl und prosper!

CCC Camp Pelican Root Cellar Remains - Sept 09 - Created 1938

This photo faces east and shows my brother Jim looking at the clear spots created by animals, likely deer, who inhabit the "old CCC land" he has stewarded since 1967. Local auther, James D Henderson, who created Pel-Mar Publishing, in Milwaukee WI, married Margaret Hirman who like the Weaver brothers, was raised during her summers on Sunset Beach on the SE Shore of Pelican Lake. On page 43 of his 2008 published Lost in the Woods, The Legacy of CCC Camp Pelican, in an entry dated 25 Feb 1938 " Activity "Root cellar nearing completion on eastern edge of camp on a hill, constructed of No.1 jack pine posts and lumber. Size is 18 ft x 24 ft. x 9 ft with 6 ft wide storm enterence, will hold 250 thousand seedlings, work benches, refrigerator system filled with ice to maintain constant temp of 50 degrees F. " Note Camp Pelican was closed Aug 11, 1938 with the demolition of the camp complete by Sept 1938 according to James Hendersons research reflected on p 45.
I suggest you contact the author to pick up a copy of this fine book that places this camp in perspective of the entire CCC movement of the Great Depression in the US. Thanks Jim! Contact Jim at http://sites.google.com/site/pelmarpublishing/

Jim Weaver cutting his birthday cake to share with friends

Here is the chocolate, chocolate chip cake along with the fruit pie, Dale Kramer contributed as we share dessert. At the porch table are Jim Weaver, Dale Kramer, Kerry Johnston, Clay, John and Aimee Jambor. Grateful for the celebration here at the old "Haeberle -Palmer Cabin" that the Weavers have stewarded since 1967. Glad to be in the company of the old white pine and oak teachers, as well as with the eagles and, with Clay, John and Aimee, with the young turtle nation. A blessing here on Turtle Island.

Jim Weaver celebrating his 69th Birthday, Pelican Lake

My brother Jim, came the Twin Cities for a scientific conference this past weekend at the downtown Hilton in Minneapolis and decided to trek up to Pelican Lake. Here he is, seated at the traditional table where Peg Weaver and others celebrated special times over the years. Neighbors and friends who have supported his families vision for a sustainable, natural history sensitive shared home, joined him in the celebration, including Dale Kramer, and Kerry Johnston pictured here. Clay Jambor, age 7 shared a lot of stories about the painted turtle eggs in the sand by his home on the beach.