Bee's Knees

After thinking about yesterday's tennis result, I realized that the match turned because I was tired, some would say knackered. I've been too diligent in my pursuit of exercise and athletics and the tank was empty. Maybe not enough food for the task. So, even though it was one of the most beautiful days in the history of days, I rested today. I drove the Matrix to Lake Harriet in Minneapolis to walk around the grounds with my camera. The Rose Garden is there. The Peace Garden is there. A lot of flowers and a lake with a 2.75 mile circumference is there, too. I was hoping to find wildlife and capture some images. This pollinator was just taking off as I snapped, but I got him. I think he's a bumble bee. And wildlife.


The walk along the lake was scenic. It was close to noon and a lot of people were out to walk and rollerblade or bike. I encountered another Science Museum dinosaur and took his picture with the band shell and the lake behind him. He's a little bony, but a good representative of his species. I think he may qualify as "yard art."


The young lady visitor from the East will be arriving on Tuesday by air. I have promised Thai food, blueberries and hugs. There will be jet lag and a heat wave to contend with, but it's stiil summer at home.

Herb rode his bike to work again today and added another 30 miles to his total for the year. He seems fully recovered from the accident and back to full vigor.

I have been caught up in the Tour de France excitement. I have to admit it kind of grows on you. I watched the stage this morning in real time and now I'm starting to get some better familiarity with the names and reputations - thanks to the boys at Versus.

Harry Potter mania gets into full swing tomorrow. No spoilers from me.

Wicked Wind from the North

It was a very windy day. We had wind advisories from the weather bureau which the TV weather creature says means wind at 30-35 mph. I deferred a bike ride and went to find a photo of the wind. This is a stretched out American flag down near Harriet Island, extended by the wind.



I walked along the river at Harriet Island and over the Wabasha Street bridge looking for one of the ceramic Science Museum dinosaurs. The wind lived up to the forecast. And I found this Renaissance Festival dino on the downtown side, very near the bridge. The dinosaurs are meant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Science Museum. They are popping up all over St Paul.

The Other Paris

I find that the Minnesota Rocks number 9 that I pictured yesterday is more likely number 8 by Lazarus Takawira of Zimbabwe. The place I found it was really the Lower Landing Park. Lourdes Cue's art work is still missing. Sorry. The search will continue. As a bonus I include "St Paul Portasaurus" from the same area of the Lower Landing Park, to replace in our hearts the Grand Avenue dino recently vandalized. They are a promotional campaign by the Science Museum of Minnesota.


I played three sets of tennis doubles this morning at Marie Park. It was a beautiful and calm morning. Calm meaning very little wind. Wilson felt heavy and unresponsive in warm-ups, but he was up to the task and performed admirably 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 with an assortment of partners. Tomorrow's schedule includes a USTA 8.0 Mixed Doubles league match at Nicollet Tennis Center.

In honor of a day when both Kagami-Sensei and Ms. Wireless have blogged on xanga and the 24th birthday of Wireless, I offer the following image from 1985, when we were just getting to know these people. You will note that the 5 year-old super hero is Unky Herb of "Maybe I'm a Lion" video fame. Note the giant legos.


Justine Henin, the Belgian mighty mite won her third consecutive Roland Garros women's single title over Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-2, good for 1 million euros. Tomorrow at 8 am CDT the match of unbeatables begins: Nadal against Federer. I continue to endorse Raffy.

The blogger known as Carl Ponanz (only by himself - his name is Ponutz) stopped by for some tea and to look over some old photos that he had recently acquired. We took the opportunity to discuss the old days and some of the weirdness of the world. He also promised to be more diligent in his postings to his blog.

San Antonio Spurs against Lebron James tonight in Game 2.

Dinosaurs

The photo is St. Paul's figurine of the year - dinosaurs. This one is called "Twincitiesasaurus" and sits on Grand Avenue near Milton. After at least three years of "Peanuts" figures, we've gone to paleontology for this year.



I had a rest day from biking and from tennis. It was a beautiful day however, and I found time to mow the lawn and stroll the neighborhood.

Milagros means "miraculous" in Spanish but no miracles today. S. Williams defeats M. Sequera 6-0, 7-6 in Paris. My predicted favorites - Mauresmo and Nadal won and continue in the tournament.