Harry Potter Mania

Saturday morning came bright and beautiful and the regular gang gathered for some tennis. We played two sets on the courts at Marie Park again, but there have been injuries and sore joints that needed some rest, so we bypassed a third set and scheduled a Monday return match. I switched rackets again, as reaction to my disheartening loss on Thursday, back to the Wilson k SixOne.

I haven't shown the locally grown tomato plants for a while, but here they are. The weight of the fruit has caused collapse of the main stalks and wind and rain have added to the droop. There are a lot of green tomatoes that should be ready to harvest about the first of August. Do I smell spaghetti sauce? I have picked 7 cherry tomatoes and two zukes from the "garden." They are all organic, too.


I liked the mailbox "yard art" proposed by Santini and take this opportunity to enter this fine, old classic mailbox into the contest. It shows a traditional sense of style mixed with utility and grace.


My mailman delivered a copy of "Harry Potter" to my door this morning. It was apparently ordered ahead of time by the Kagami Sensei, so that she would have something to guide her through the impending period of jet lag beginning on Tuesday. It was addressed to her with an admonition to the mail creature not to deliver before July 21, 2007. The whole population of teenagers and a bunch of older fans are at this moment trying to discover the fate of one fictional Harry Potter.

I had corn on the cob tonight purchased this p.m. from the hardware store farmer's pickup as recommended by Mr Moohoo. Very good stuff. The corn crop is ready.

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.