Mostly the Sinclair Lewis Days Parade

Sunday, July 19, 2015. It's been an interesting few weeks for the family. Among other things, my son-in-law and son have been designing and programming an industrial robot for Spiral Light Candle. That brought me and the other Sauk Centre Gills to North Dakota earlier this week. It's not quite 'life in Sauk Centre,' but — I'm a proud in-law/parent.


Spiral Light Candle factory, after hours. (July 13, 2015)

Meanwhile, back in Sauk Centre, the downtown mural on Sinclair Lewis Avenue is getting closer to completion.


Work in progress: the mural on Sinclair Lewis Avenue, at the corner of Sinclair and Main. (July 15, 2015)


Road work near the Interstate. (July 15, 2015)

It's an old joke. Minnesota's four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and road work. There's something to it.

Sinclair Lewis Days is over now. The parade route went by our house twice: which took a bit of coordination, letting an  outbound unit through the intersection while a returning one waited for its turn. It worked out fine, though.


Sinclair Lewis Days parade begins. (July 18, 2015)


Someone observed that the kids running out before another unit came, to pick up candy, reminded him of chickens going after seed. I see his point: and they were having fun. (July 18, 2015)


Sauk Centre fire/emergency department has at least one new(ish) vehicle - - - (July 18, 2015)


- - - and one that's very vintage. (July 18, 2015)

I've got more photos from the parade: but will spread them out over the next few weeks: along with pictures from the county fair. That's the plan, anyway.

Autumn and — Ping Pool??

Sunday, October 5, 2014 Autumn is here. We've had rain and wind that blew most of the autumn color out of our trees.


My wife and kids may have invented a new game: ping pool? October 3, 2014.

Our granddaughter, son-in-law, and number two daughter, are visiting: which is a delightful distraction.

Sinclair Lewis Days Parade, 2014

Sunday, July 20, 2014. It's been a unusual week here. My son had surgery done: which went well. At the moment, the living room is doubling as a bedroom.

Sinclair Lewis Days was this weekend: including the Saturday evening parade.

I've been watching NASA's replay of video from the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landing. They're running it online, at www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.

I used my webcam to get pictures of the parade this year: except for the one taken from across the street, of course.


Folks getting ready for the parade. July 19, 2014.


About 15 minutes before the parade started. July 19, 2014.


Sinclair Lewis Days parade begins. July 19, 2014.


Quite a few watercraft: including this one, on a trailer behind one of Sauk Centre's rescue trucks. July 19, 2014.


Farm machinery, too. July 19, 2014.

I'll probably share more photos from the parade next week. Right now, I want to get back to reliving the first Moon landing.

Mostly Photos

Sunday, July 6, 2014. I mentioned the Sauk Herald's "Mural project to spruce up corner on Main Street" article back on May 25, 2014. As I said then, I like the red-on-white paint job that the Belmont building has been sporting lately: but the mural could look good, too.


The 'umbrella fountain' at Sinclair Lewis Park. June 30, 2014.


Downtown Sauk Centre. June 30, 2003.


"Let's Get The Red OUT!" June 30, 2010.


The park by the Sinclair Lewis Museum. June 30, 2003.


Fireworks being sold from a truck. June 30, 2003.


North Dakota sky. July 4, 2003.

"North Dakota?" There's an explanation for that. My wife, son, and #3 daughter went to North Dakota over the weekend to visit #2 daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Elizabeth was fascinated by what was going on across the room when I had a camera handy: so I got a picture of her left ear.


Our granddaughter, Elizabeth. July 22, 2010.

That's it for now: but I'm pretty sure that there'll be something to show again next week.

Distractions on Mother's Day

Sunday, May 11, 2014. Mother's Day. Kids had their first communion at Our Lady of Angels church, and I've been a bit distracted by #2 daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter's visit.


Elizabeth Grace (in a dress bought by her great-grandmother, for #1 daughter: and now in its 2nd generation). May 11, 2014.

That's all I've got this week. The distractions are going home soon, so I'll probably have more next Sunday.

Spring is Here: Minnesota Style

Sunday, March 17, 2014. I've been a bit distracted this week. Our new granddaughter has been visiting, and her parents, of course. My wife set up a "Welcome" display in the front room/entry, spelling out "welcome A + S & Elizabeth."

Elizabeth is a little over a month old, so she won't be reading for some time: but it was a nice gesture. It's good to be a granddad.


Some folks shovel, some folks use snowblowers, and then there's more snow. March 11, 2014.

Meanwhile, spring is here: Minnesota style.


Mostly melting snow: and a suggestion of dirt and grass. Spring is here! March 12, 2014.


I doubt that any birds have used it yet, but some of the birdbath's water wasn't frozen. March 13, 2014.


Clear sky, sunshine, melting snow, water running in the gutter and — yes — a little grass. March 13, 2014.

Now I really should start catching up on sleep.

A Quiet Week

Sunday, August 11, 2013. It's been a cool summer: not good news for farmers, since crops aren't growing as fast as usual: and may not yield as much when it's time for harvest.

On the other hand, we've had some beautiful days.


("The Original") Main Street, near the Interstate. August 9, 2013.


A nice, quiet Friday afternoon. August 9, 2013.

I took those photos Friday afternoon, riding along with my son as he practiced for his first driving test. Being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view while someone else drove was a treat.

Change in Plans

I'm spending the weekend in North Dakota, helping with a family business.

Sadly, I missed Sauk Centre's Corpus Christi procession today: which may or may not have been rained out. I haven't had a chance to check. #1 daughter may (or may not) have had a chance to take photos for me.

If plans don't change again, I'll be back late Monday: and may have something ready here by late Tuesday.

Influenza: It's Nothing to Sneeze At

Sunday, January 6, 2013. Epiphany. I spent quite a bit of the weekend being with family, and wasn't feeling as chipper as I like during the week. Still, as we say here in Minnesota, 'it could be worse.' For many folks it's a great deal worse.

This winter's flu encouraged the nursing home to not allow visitors. That's been going no for weeks now. Happily, we've got telephones: so it's possible to 'visit' without actually visiting.

I heard on the radio that a hospital somewhere in Minnesota had a 'no visitors' policy now, again because of the flu. They were probably talking about the Sleepy Eye Medical Center: or some other place.

I found quite a bit of news about the flu outbreak, including these items:

"Flu death toll rises to 4 in Minnesota"
AP, via KEYC-TV, Mankato (January 6, 2012)

"State health officials say the number of flu-related deaths in Minnesota has risen to four...."

---

"Flu Season Hitting Hard"
Molly Miles, KEYC-TV (Updagted January 6, 2012)

"There's more evidence today of how dangerous the flu can be. The state's latest flu-related death, a 17-year-old boy who died in a St. Paul Hospital....

"So how do you avoid it? [Dr. Chris] Callahan, says for starters, get a flu shot, even if you don't think you are very susceptible....

"...After that, use fervor to avoid the fever.

"Callahan says, 'Wash your hands, good personal hygiene will go a long way in decreasing the transmission from people to people.'

"And if you aren't feeling well, stay home...."

---

"Sleepy Eye Medical Center Restricting Visitors for Flu Concerns"
Dan Ruiter, KEYC-TV ()

"The Sleepy Eye Medical Center has taken the rare step of restricting visitors because of the flu outbreak. That's according to the Sleepy Eye Medical Center CEO Kevin Sellheim.

"Sellheim told News 12 that the measure implemented this week is similar to what the Medical Center did back in 2009 during the H1N1 outbreak. That means until further notice, only immediate family is allowed to visit patients in the hospital...."

---

For more 'official' information about this year's flu:

• "Weekly Influenza & Respiratory Activity: Statistics"
  Minnesota Department of Health
• "2012-2013 Influenza Season Week 52 ending December 29, 2012"
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Apart from that, there's a nice white blanket of snow. Skies are bright blue, except when they're not, and another year has gone by without the Christmas tree in Our Lady of the Angels church falling over. (December 25, 2005)

Still Getting Caught Up

Sunday, October 14, 2012. I got back to Sauk Centre today, after spending the weekend with #2 daughter and son-in-law up in North Dakota. It was mostly a family get-together, but we talked about the Spiral Light Candle company, too.

I'm still getting caught up on photos from September. This year's drought didn't do grass and trees any good, but we've had some pretty good autumn colors anyway.


One of those 'picture postcard' days on Ash Street. September 21, 2012.


This reddish tree by Lake Wobegon Trail is one of my favorites during autumn. September 23, 2012.

That's all I've got for now. Next week I should have more. Or less.

Mother's Day, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012. Once again, for reasons I may never learn, Mother's Day and the first weekend of Minnesota's fishing season are synchronized.

This is another week where 'all I know is what I read in the papers.' Or paper, in this case: the Sauk Centre Herald. There's a pretty good op-ed titled "Heroes and role models," discussion of parking restrictions at a city council meeting made above-the-fold front page, and so did concerns about Sauk Centre's evolving downtown: that last is the "Downtown bar owners express..." item.


Sauk Centre Herald: Another week in small town America. May 13, 2012.

Charlie Company is still home, for which we're all grateful. And this week there weren't any tornado warnings: which I don't mind a bit.


Saturday afternoon. May 12, 2012.

Things at my household haven't been as uneventfully serene as that photo of Saturday afternoon might suggest. #2 daughter and son-in-law and #1 daughter were here for the weekend - and Mother's Day. I've re-arranged my schedule to make room for a new project or two: more about that will be in tomorrow's post on Apathetic Lemming of the North. Nothing spectacular: but by life hasn't been dull, either.

Fog, Frost, and a Factory

Sunday, February 5, 2012. We had frost on the trees Saturday morning. Probably before that, too, what with the fog, but Saturday is when I got some photos.


Frost on evergreens. It's like a fairyland forest is in bloom. February 4, 2012.


A little more than a week, and Valentine's Day is here. February 4, 2012.


Frost crystals: a closer look. February 4, 3012.

I drove to Hillsboro, North Dakota, on Wednesday, coming back the same day. I like driving, usually: but fog was particularly interesting on the return trip. Starting around Fergus Falls, all the way to Sauk Centre, visibility was very far from ideal.

My wife and I, and #3 daughter, spent a little time visiting with #2 daughter and son-in-law: but the trip was mostly 'business.' There were papers to sign.

My son-in-law and daughter started Spiral Light Candle (spirallightcandle.com) about a year ago. They've got a remarkable, new, sort of candle, and folks seem to like it. The candle factory is moving out of their garage, into a building that's going to be the company's factory and offices. While I'm plugging their business, they've got a Spiral Light Candle Corp. Storefront on Amazon.com.


Spiral Light Candle factory: My son-in-law took this picture. December 31, 2011.


Same place, a little over a month later. There's still more to get done. February 2, 2012.

My son-in-law and #2 daughter are doing most of the work, but I've been lending a hand where I can. One thing I'll say: my life hasn't been boring.

Somewhat-related posts in other blogs:

• "Spiral Light Candle Factory Construction: More Photos"
  Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (January 18, 2012)
• "Loan Approved: Next, Spiral Light Candle's New Factory"
  Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (December 20, 2011)
• "Candles: Analysis, News, and Very Odd Questions"
  Starting a Small Business Without Losing My Mind (December 3, 2011)
• "Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show, Labels, and Money"
  A Catholic Citizen in America (August 2, 2011)

One Week Before Christmas

Sunday, December 18, 2011. Like I said in one of my
blogs: "Christmas is a time for frenzied purchases, family gatherings, and frazzled nerves. Sometimes family gatherings lead to frazzled nerves, and that's another topic." I suspect that we may hear more about the lunatic end of the holiday experience. My 'family gathering' for the season happened yesterday, and was fun. I hope yours is, or are, too.


Santa, maybe taking off - or landing - with a jet pack? Hats off to the folks who put that up, for a different angle on Christmas lights. December 7, 2011.


Holiday garlands over Main Street. The Original Main Street, that is. December 9, 2011.


Some lights in the yard, lights outlining the roof: and you've got your Christmas decorations. The outside ones, anyway. December 7, 2011.

My family has the 'permanent' Christmas tree set up in the living room, there's a largish real tree in Our Lady of the Angels church, and we've got just one week left before Christmas day. I (finally) remembered to get something for my wife: which I wrapped in a rubber band. Maybe I can get #3 daughter to help me do something a little nicer than that.

Beautiful Weather, Not Much to Report, More July 2011 Storm Photos

Sunday, August 28, 2011. I've been a little distracted this week: a lot, actually. The Sauk Centre Gills have been helping my son-in-law and #2 daughter at the Spiral Light Candle company. They've got a website up, SpiralLightCandle.com, with a video showing how the self filling candle works.

Now that I've gotten that shameless plug out of the way, a few words about the beautiful weather we've had, Sauk Centre School's open house this Tuesday, and 'day after' photos from that storm we had back in July. Like this set:


Sinclair Lewis Park, down by the lake, lost quite a few trees during that storm in July. July 11, 2011.


What's remarkable is that the gazebo and the 'umbrella fountain' came through in one piece. And that nobody was hurt or killed. July 11, 2011.


That tree took part of the sidewalk with it. This was in Sinclair Lewis Park, but the tree-and-sidewalk situation was pretty common around town. July 11, 2011.


It takes a lot of force to snap a tree like that. July 11, 2011.

That's it for today. I've been up to North Dakota for the weekend: a sort of family visit plus working with candles. I'm glad we went, glad we're back, and in need of sleep. Good night.

Candles That aren't Candles; Candles With a New Twist, and a '50s Diner

Sunday, June 26, 2011. Our neighbors, more-or-less across the street north, had a tree removed on Friday. It was one of those that had 'character.' Or wasn't all that healthy. Depends on your point of view. Anyway, South 9th was closed off for part of the morning, and a crew made fairly short work of the towering-but-scraggly thing.


Not as spectacular as making one cut at the base,
and hoping for the best - but a whole lot safer. June 24, 2011.

I finally went to the new Sauk Hop Diner on Main Street - near the corner of Sinclair Lewis Avenue and Main. "The Original Main Street," as it says on the signs. The Sauk Herald did a pretty good article on the Sauk Hop and Golden Star
onJanuary 18, 2011. There isn't much connection between the two places: except that they're not quite across from each other on Main, and fairly new. The Sauk Hop opened in February, and I missed it. Oh, well - better late than never?

The Golden Star, by the way, has a sign in the window saying that they have no connection with the previous owners. Can't say that I blame them for pointing that out, under the circumstances. I wrote about the Golden Star, on June 12, 2011.

Where was I? Main street, eateries, Sauk Hop. Right.


"Sauk Hop?" "Shear Paradise?" Folks are having fun with business names. I like it. June 24, 2011.


Definitely '50s theme inside. Good coffee, too. I haven't had a meal there yet. June 24, 2011.

Quite a bit of the shed we pulled down last weekend is in a dumpster now - and there's still debris left over, so we'll be going back for seconds. My son-in-law and #2 daughter helped cut some of the larger pieces down to size. He's developed a self-filling candle. It's called the Spiral Light Candle - I'm not going to try describing it. There's a time-lapse video of an early version that shows how these things work.

"Spiral Self Filling Candle"

anoasisproduction, YouTube, (March 15, 2011)
video, 0:42

I've reduced the video's size, to fit this page - follow the link, and you should see the original at YouTube.

If you think I'm proud of my son-in-law's new spin on candles: you're right. They're available in a few states now, including Minnesota. Provided you go to Marc'ette Floral, on Main and South 6th, or Hidden Treasure downtown. I wrote about Hidden Treasure last year, December 2, 2010, and was back last Friday.


Those large candles in the center are the Spiral Light ones. Hidden Treasure has another new wrinkle in candles, too. June 24, 2011.


Those three candles are - not candles. C batteries run a little LED that flickers a whole lot like a 'real' candle. Another technology that I hadn't seen before. June 24, 2011.

There's more - but it's late, and I need to call it a day.

Father's Day - Or - "I Thought ... I Could Just Push It Over"

Sunday, June 19, 2011. Father's Day. Some plans I had this week got rained out: and then there was that tornado watch Friday night - and part of Saturday morning. Not much happened, happily, apart from some serious lightning, thunder, and rain. Can't say I'm disappointed at that.

This weekend, some of my in-laws came over to help my wife take down an old shed in the back yard. It's been useful for storage, but also is where my wife wants a garden. I think that's it.

Anyway, it's been leaning over for the quarter-century or so we've been here, and we figured it would be a simple matter of applying pressure, and making sure nobody was in the way when it went down. Here's how the project went, starting about 11:15 Saturday morning:


The job looked simple enough: pull down one old shed. June 18, 2011.


One end of a chain to a 4x4, the other looped around a stud on the back wall. One steady pull, and the whole thing should go down. June 18, 2011.


If you look carefully, you'll see the two strips of siding that came off: although they're partly hidden by the lilac. June 18, 2011.

It was around this point that my wife said, "I thought you said I could just push it over."

I gather that the chain had cut right through one of the studs. Result: one cut stud, about two feet pulled off one strip of siding, and another yard of siding gone from the strip below that.


Now we're getting serious: that chain's secured to a corner post - - -


- - - and the shed's still standing. June 18, 2011.


South wall gone, plus half the east wall and most of the west one. And - yes, the shed is still standing. June 18, 2011.


Here we go again, cutting through more supports. June 18, 2011.


Pulling another corner post out - and not much else moved. June 18, 2011.


Not long after this, there wasn't much left holding up the roof. And, finally, the shed finally was down. Pretty much. June 18, 2011.

The shed finally went down about 35 minutes after the first two strips of siding came off. The next step is hauling it away, a few pieces at a time.

The other big deal for me also has more to do with the Gill household than Sauk Centre as a whole. The freezer we bought a quarter-century back, more or less, stopped working today. (Father's Day - and the Freezer Gave Up, Through One Dad's Eye (June 19, 2011))

I've got checking out the new eatery at Sinclair Lewis and Main high on my 'to do' list for next week - we'll see how that comes out.