Snow and a White Christmas

Sunday, December 20, 2015. We got snow on Wednesday: the perfect-for-snowballs-and-snowmen variety.


The view through my webcam, Wednesday afternoon. (December 16, 2015)


Freshly-fallen snow in the back yard. (December 16, 2015)


Snow on the branches. (December 16, 2015)

It's not quite as picturesque now: quite a bit of the snow has fallen from branches. But we'll almost certainly have a white Christmas.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like - Easter?!

Sunday, December 13, 2015. It's beginning to look a lot like: Easter, actually. The week's rain melted our snow, and it's been unusually warm: nothing record-breaking, but above freezing on occasion.


St. Paul's addition is taking shape. (December 9, 2015)


Christmas yard display in the neighborhood. (December 9, 2015)

We may get more snow Wednesday: or not. Either way, Christmas is about two weeks away.

Snow, Fog

Sunday, December 6, 2015. We had some clear days this week: but I decided to put off picture-taking until later in the week. That, in retrospect, wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done.


Snow-covered spider web in the kitchen window. Not the sharpest photo I've ever taken. (November 30, 2015)


Sunday morning: fog. (December 6, 2015)

We've also had fog now and then, and snow. That, I got photos of. The spider web was a great deal prettier in person. Each snowflake had a bit of the web to itself. I've never seen that happen.

More Snow, and Holiday Humor

Sunday, November 29, 2015. It's the first Sunday of Advent, and I haven't taken any pictures this week. I did, however, to a holiday-themed picture for Apathetic Lemming of the North, one of my blogs.



The first winter storm of the season should be here Monday and Tuesday. Mywebcam will give you a look at Sauk Centre, near the corner of Ash and South 9th: assuming there aren't technical issues, of course.

The three Catholic parishes around here, St. Alexius, Our Lady of the Angels, and St. Paul's, did something new this year: 'stewardship fliers' for each household, letting us check off or fill in what we could do for the parish and community.

More than 20% of the households in each parish turned in fliers: more than 32% in St. Alexius. That's a remarkably good response, I think.

Neighbors east and northwest of us had their Christmas yard displays out, and lit, by the end of this weekend. Those will look nice, with the coming snowfall.

Spring!

Sunday, Marcy 12, 2015. Whoops. I missed last week's entry. Sorry about that.

We've done the 'spring forward' part of federally-mandated jet lag, which didn't help what I think was a slight almost-a-cold I caught.

Never mind. I'm back, almost awake, and have some photos.

Spring is here, by the way: warmish weather, no snow on the ground, everything.


Monday: snow is melting. (March 9, 2015)


The boat landing, near downtown. I've no idea what we're looking at. Maybe someone did a 'polar bear plunge,' and thoughtfully plugged the hole. Or maybe something else happened. (March 11, 2015)


The bridge and band shell, lakeside park. (March 11, 2015)

Now I really should try to get some sleep.

Last Sunday Before Lent

Sunday, February 15, 2015. We've had a few light snowfalls, the latest one touching up the ground - and making driving a little more interesting this morning.


Arvig's antenna farm, near Main Street and the Lake Woebegon Trail. (February 11, 2015)

This is the last Sunday before Lent, so I brought last year's palms to church this morning. They'll be burned, and used as ash on Ash Wednesday.


Last year's palms at Our Lady of Angels church. (February 15, 2015)

That's all I've got for this week. I all I remember tonight, at any rate.

Christmas 2014

Sunday, December 28, 2014. It warmed up a bit, so Christmas came with some grass visible: again.


Christmas Eve at Our Lady of Angels. They hadn't turned the tree lights on at this point. December 24, 2014.


Still Christmas Eve. As usual at this point in the Christmas season, the wise men haven't quite arrived. They're on the floor, to the left of the poinsettias. December 24, 2014.


Okay: Now the tree's lit. December 24, 2014.


Christmas lights. December 28, 2014.

That's it for this week. I'll be back with more, or less, next Sunday.

Sunshine, Frost, Snow: Christmas is Coming

Sunday, December 21, 2014. I'll say this for the climate here. It's not boring.


Wednesday afternoon: beautifully clear blue sky, sunlight on snow by the Coborn's parking lot. December 17, 2014.


Thursday afternoon: overcast, fog, hoarfrost decorating trees — and cars. Frosted branches in the trees were lovely, frosted roads: now so much. December 18, 2014.

We're into the fourth week of advent, and there's snow forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday. I'm pretty sure we'll have a "white Christmas."

Yesterday's Post, Snow, Rain, and One Photo

Monday, November 24, 2014. These 'Sauk Centre Journal' entries generally get posted Sunday evening. I thought there was something I was forgetting last night: and I was right. Now, following the 'better late than never' principle, is yesterday's entry. Except not it's today. And by the time you see it, it may be tomorrow, or the day after.

Never mind. Here's the one photo I took last week:


Lake access between Sauk Centre's campground and lakeside park. November 19, 2014.

We had snow, or rain, depending on what time it was, yesterday. This morning it was definitely snow: not much, but enough to notice.

Farewell, Ungers; Hello Hillcrest Plaza

Sunday, November 16, 2014. Winter started this Monday, when about nine inches of snow fell. Since then, it's been below zero, Fahrenheit, several nights, and we've had a few 'cat track' snowfalls.


Snow, about 1:30 p.m. on Monday. November 10, 2014.


By Tuesday, we had about nine inches. November 11, 2014.

I was sorry to see a 'going out of business' sign in front of Unger's Furniture, downtown. That place has been a landmark here since the start of the 20th century. Looks like they couldn't pay off the estate taxes. (September 27, 2011)

I'll remember the 'good times,' including Unger's participation in the 2008 Sinclair Lewis Days parade. (July 19, 2008)


Ungers: a Sauk Centre fixture for 113 years, going out of business. November 12, 2014.


The Hillcrest Motel on south Main is now Hillcrest Plaza: rental office space. November 12, 2014.

Another change in town: the Hillcrest Motel on south Main is now Hillcrest Plaza, an office park.

Happy (Snow-Free) Easter!

Sunday, April 20, 2014. Easter Sunday. Some folks from Kenya are visiting our parish. I've wondered what they think of springtime in Minnesota.


Wednesday around 6:00 p.m., after more than a foot of snow fell. April 16, 2014.


A more reasonable facsimile of spring weather this afternoon. April 20, 2014.

That's about all I've got for this week. Happy Easter!

Springtime in Minnesota: Still More Snow

It's snowing again.

Schools closed at 1:00.

That's what my webscam saw, about 20 minutes ago.

Palm Sunday: With Easter and Snow Coming

Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday. That's embarrassing: I'd put "2013" as the year for every photo in March, and several in February. The good news is that it was an easy fix.

I saw my first two robins this week; some of the grass is not only visible: but turning green; and temperatures were above freezing today. Not much above freezing, but above nevertheless.

I don't want to start any wild rumors: but Spring may finally be here.

Our new granddaughter, Elizabeth, was baptized yesterday. ("Baptism: Elizabeth Grace," Through One Dad's Eye (April 12, 2014))


Elizabeth Grace, waiting: fairly patiently. April 12, 2014.

The house was anything but quiet yesterday afternoon, since we had some folks over to celebrate.


Palm Sunday at Our Lady of the Angels. April 13, 2014.


A sign of Spring: the street sweeper making its rounds. April 9, 2014.

I checked the forecast, which has no winter storms: so far. We do, however, expect snow and a bit of wind on Wednesday.

Another Week, Yet Another Winter Storm: Springtime in Minnesota

Sunday, April 6, 2014. I see I mislabeled last week's post "March 24." That's embarrassing, and has been corrected: but I've got an excuse of sorts.

I haven't been as ill as others in the household, but we've all been participating in whatever's going around town. We call it "stomach flu," although there's probably a more accurate term.

These three pictures, from my webcam, show what sort of a week it's been.


Tuesday, 8:40 a.m.: Springtime in Minnesota. April 1, 2014.


Thursday, 8:20 a.m.: snowing, again. April 3, 2014.


Friday, 8:56 a.m., and we're getting picture-postcard snow. April 4, 2014.

Thursday's springtime winter storm encouraged the public school to lock the doors at 4:00 p.m. and cancel all afternoon and evening activities. Or, rather, they cancelled the activities and then locked the doors.

Snow is off the yard across the street, and most other places with no drifts and exposure to sunlight. I've heard that we'll have highs around 70 next week. I won't mind a bit.

Minnesota Spring: Another Week, Another Winter Storm.

Sunday, March 30, 2014. It's springtime in Minnesota, with another winter storm due to arrive late Monday night. The parish priest joked that God gave us this climate, so folks living elsewhere wouldn't envy the natural beauty of central Minnesota.

Thursday's storm encouraged the public school to lock up at 4:00 p.m., and cancel all afternoon and evening activities.


About noon, Thursday. March 27, 2014.

I'm just about ready for summer. Most of the snow should be gone by then. Here's a quick look at the week's weather.


Wednesday, and the band shell benches are nearly free of snow. March 26, 2014.


Thursday, 7:47 a.m.: mostly rain. March 27, 2014.


Thursday, 10:29 a.m., and snow has started. March 27, 2014.


Thursday. 1:07 p.m., and we're getting picture-postcard snow. March 27, 2014.


Saturday morning: clear blue sky, sunshine, fresh snow, and the streets have been cleared. March 29, 2014.

I'll say this for this spring's weather: it's kept our snow cover fresh. Here's another look out the front window.


Springtime in Minnesota: noon, March 27, 2014.

I checked the weather, and now we're looking forward to ice pellets Monday night. Either way, I'll be glad to stay inside.

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.

Snow, Changes in the Church, Chilly Weather, More Snow, Ash Wednesday: and Still More Snow

Sunday, March 2, 2014. It's chilly this evening: -9.6 ° Fahrenheit. There's the usual wind chill advisory. This time it's not all that cold, and there's no blowing snow to speak of, so schools will probably open on time.

I've gotten a few robocalls from the public school, with 'two hours late' or 'no classes information. I've lost track of how many of which happened. This is a winter when I've been very glad to not have an 'outside' job.

The first photo is from last week: but it's about the same scene I've seen out the window this week, too: and the week before last. We don't have a shortage of snow, and I've said that before.


Some folks shovel, some folks use snowblowers, and then there's more snow. February 21, 2014.

Our Lady of Angels church carved out more space for folks with wheelchairs. Whoever did the carpentry on the two pews did a fine job. It looks like 'it's always been that way.' A few indentations on the carpet tell a different story.


More space for folks with wheelchairs at Our Lady of Angels church. March 1, 2014.

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the kickoff event for Lent. I'm looking forward to that.


Snow, blue sky, sunshine. It's nice to be inside. March 2, 2014.

Like I said: we've got a lot of snow this winter.

Anonther Week, More Snow

Sunday, February 23, 2014. Going through some picture files, I found this sunset: from November 24, 2013.


A sunset from last year. November 24, 2013.

We've had another winter storm, and more snow. It's picturesque, but I won't mind seeing green grass again.


Snow sculpture. February 21, 2014.

This week's Sauk Centre Herald posted an article about Joe Frericks, John Metcalf and Joe Deters, who are retiring from the Sauk Centre Fire Department: "Hanging up their hats," Bryan Zollman, Sauk Centre Herald. (February 21, 2014)

That's all I've got for this week.

New Places, and Shoveling the Roof

Sunday, February 16, 2014. I still haven't been in La Central Market and Isabella Boutique, unless you count their website: www.lacentralmarketmn.com. I did get a photo of the storefront, though. It's where Corner Drug used to be.


LaCentral Market and Isabella Boutique, at the corner of Sinclair Lewis Avenue and Main. February 1, 2014.


Shoveling Coborn's roof. February 11, 2014.


Sunshine, snow, clear sky, and the industrial park windmill. February 12, 2014.


New-to-me: Elmerz, west of Walmart. February 12, 2014.

We've had quite a bit of snow this winter. It's scenic, but means more work for folks with sidewalks, driveways, parking lots: and, in some cases, roofs.

ElmerZ restaurant and bar opened recently. It's whereGerard's used to be. The Sauk Centre Herald did a pretty good writeup on the new place: "Zimmer family to reopen popular establishment," Sauk Centre Herald. (November 8, 2013)