A New Statue

Yesterday Bill Clinton was in town to dedicate a new statue on the capitol lawn in St. Paul. A lot of current and retired politicians showed up for the dedication. I wasn't invited, as far as I know, but today was a beautiful day and the PW and I wanted to see what the statue looked like, so we went down there to scout out the location of the memorial. The Happy Warrior, Hubert Humphrey, has been gone from this world for 30 years. Yesterday Walter Mondale and Skip Humphrey, HHH's son, were there along with our current senators and a smattering of Representatives and unveiled the statue. Today, there were far fewer people and no politicians at all there to view the site, which is just north of the Charles Lindburgh memorial and somewhat closer to the capitol itself. It's not a bad likeness from what I know of HHH, and a pretty nice tribute to the former VP, multiple term Senator, and one time mayor of Minneapolis.

The Minnesota State Capitol on a beautiful August day. The scaffolding indicates that work is going on maintaining the very old building which is much in need of repair. We walked around the grounds, looking at most of the memorials, but the capitol building itself was locked. One of the guys who was catering an event in the afternoon said that the building was to open at one p.m., but we didn't hang around to go inside.  It's quite a nice capitol building.  I dare say one of the top 50 in the nation.

The Viet Nam War and Korean War Memorials are both quite striking and remind me of the many wars we have fought in my lifetime. As is the newer World War II exhibit. 

Another memorial at the Minnesota Capitol is dedicated to living soldiers, those who survived their time in the service of their country.

Just a word of congratulations to Andy Murray who won the men's singles gold medal in straight sets at the London Olympics. It was a big day for the Brits and the Scots today, and not so good for Roger Federer and the Swiss. Murray also was able to win a silver medal in the mixed doubles - one of the best tennis days for the English populace since about 1937 or so.

August Flees

August is nearly half gone. Next week is the first week of the Minnesota State Fair. Soon thereafter a herd of Republicans come to town to choose a "white-haired old guy" as their presidential candidate. There will be a circus-like atmosphere in staid old St. Paul. Soon thereafter school starts.

This weekend the Prairie Princess was here to visit. We saw a Woody Allen movie, ate some Thai food, and went to the Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church on Summit. She's gone now, back to the prairie restoration project in Glyndon. She and Herb were clowning around in the kitchen before she left and the result is below.



Quote of the day: Said by Walter Dix, the bronze medal winner in the 100 meter dash in Beijing. He said this of Usain "Lightning" Bolt, the gold medal winner in world record time. He said, "That man can run."

If you saw the race you probably know what he means, and how understated it is.

I played tennis three times last week after our return from the east shore of Lake Michigan. I'm in a slump. The zone is nowhere to be seen. I'll be searching for it all week.

Herb is off to Como Park to see the lantern floating ceremony that closes the Japanese Festival that has been going on today. He's riding his bike.