Day Before Halloween, 2011, With Rain

Sunday, October 30, 2011. Tomorrow is Halloween, so 'happy Halloween,' a day early. My wife and #3 daughter have been cutting wicks for the Spiral Light Candle company. That's #2 daughter and my son-in-law's outfit. Aside from that, it's been a quiet couple of weeks in this household. I've had some sort of bug, and my wife's getting over something she ate. She's missed Soo Bahk Do Thursday of this week, and today.


Making long strands of wick into shorter strands. October 28, 2011.

Enough about me and this family.

Our Lady of Angels church had our annual polka Mass: Larry's Concertina Band from Rochester, Minnesota, did the music this year. I enjoy those polka Masses: but suppose they're not for everybody.


Larry's Concertina Band at Our Lady of Angels polka Mass. October 30, 2011.

Rain. We've been having rain. Not a whole lot on any given day, but we've been having rain. Damp, cool, wet, rain. I grilled burgers this noon, anyway.


October's not-so-bright, not-so-blue weather. October 30, 2011.

I haven't gotten out much recently, so here's a selection of photos from recent Halloweens:


Whoops. That's getting ahead of the season. December 21, 2008.


If that person's standing straight, the house is leaning. The top Jack 'o lantern looks a little worried. October 31, 2008.


I like this one: He's looking at the world from a new angle. October 31, 2008.


I get the impression that group on the right's having a heated debate. November 4, 2009.


Those are expressions you don't see every day. November 4, 2009.


Some of the costumes were downright cute: like this butterfly. October 31, 2010.

Here's my contribution to Halloween spookiness.



See you again, next week!

October's Dim Gray Weather

Sunday, October 23, 2011. Last Sunday was one of those wonderful October days. Today was another sort of October day: roofed over by gray ribs of cloud, dampened by drizzle, all a chilly reminder that summer is over.

I've had my flu shot for the season, at Coborn's pharmacy. There were only four pages of paperwork to fill out: and the injection itself was an anticlimax. I barely felt it. Not that I'm complaining.

Next week we'll be having a polka Mass at Our Lady of the Angels church. I'm looking forward to that: but then, I don't mind loud music.

'October's Bright Blue Weather,' and Checking the Furnace

Sunday, October 16, 2011. Today was another one of those "October's bright blue weather" days, pretty much like yesterday. A bit windy, seasonally brisk, and very blue sky.


Some trees, like the one at your left, seem to be going straight from green leaves to bare branches this year. October 15, 2011.

Autumn weather is pretty, and I appreciate that. It's also a sort of 'heads-up' that winter's coming: and that it's time for the usual seasonal routines.

We've had a technician come out and check out the furnace, so we should be good for the winter. At least, there aren't any obvious maintenance issues.

My wife put plastic sheeting over the window by my desk yesterday. #1 daughter's cat, who was here for the weekend - #1 daughter that is, accompanied by cat - was fascinated by what my wife was doing.

I've heard that Diversicom, a regional communications company, has changed hands: but didn't have time to learn details.

Gray Days, Wind Turbine, and Charlie Company

Sunday, October 9, 2011. The last few days have been the sort of typical Minnesota autumn days that tourism promoters probably don't like to emphasize: gray sky, wet pavement, the sort of day that makes being inside a treat. I like both the picture-postcard days and the other sort, myself. There's something to be said for contrast.


Sun hidden by a roof of cloud. October 9, 2011.


Wet streets, damp sidewalk: Our Lady of Angels church. October 9, 2011.

We're nowhere near having ice on the lakes. Not thick enough for ice fishing, anyway. Looks like someone's getting ready, anyway. At least, I'm assuming that the possibly-unique red trailer I saw is someone's ice house.


Part of a semi, refitted for ice fishing? October 9, 2011.

I've been watching a wind turbine going up in the industrial park on the west side of town. Today's the first day I noticed it in operation.


Wind power in Sauk Centre. Either that, or the biggest pinwheel in this part of Minnesota. October 9, 2011.


A closer look at the new-style windmill. October 9, 2011.

Charlie Company's been deployed, again, for a while now. The 1st State Bank sign has some good advice, I think.


"Remember Charlie Company?" Works for me. October 9, 2011.

Tomorrow's Columbus Day: which means that the banks and Post Office will be closed. I don't expect many stores or offices will be closed, though. And that'sanother subject.

Beautiful Bright Blue Skies, Estate Tax SNAFU, New Gospel Book

Sunday, October 2, 2011. We've had those typical Minnesota autumn days: crisp air, clear skies, ridiculously cheerful sunlight.


Blue sky, trees turning color: a picture-postcard autumn day. September 27, 2011.

We've also had those typical Minnesota autumn days: chilling air, grim skies, not a ray of sunlight under the gray roof of clouds.


Ungers: stock liquidation sale in progress. September 27, 2011.

Unger Furniture, downtown, has been running radio ads this week: they're selling the entire inventory, to pay estate taxes.

On a happier note, Our Lady of Angels church has a new Gospel Book.


New/replacement Gospel Book at Our Lady of the Angels church. October 2, 2011.

Dr. Mayer, the dentist - and I hope I've spelled the name right - donated the new book, in memory of his wife, done in the same style as the one that got stolen. It's good to have one again.


I turned 60 on Friday, and am still enjoying these balloons. October 1, 2011.

I've been distracted this weekend: for a happy reason. I turned 60 on Friday, and celebrated the event with my family.