Clear Blue Skies

Under the clear blue sky a lovely walk around Bredesen with Annie. Discovered a nature trail that I never knew was there.

Annie found some city scat. What is that?

Biking with Oliver

Shooting Hoops as the Snow Falls

Shooting hoops in the snowstorm.

Dunk it Oliver

President Gump - Encourages His MN Army

The Pres Gump encourages about 800 people to protest during a stay at home order
and social distancing of 6 feet apart.

Winona - 56 Cases and 8 dead

Homesick for Hamburg

Peter was getting homesick for Hamburg so I suggested we drive there.
If you look closely at the sign in the background it clearly states "Welcome to Hamburg."

After 3 looong weeks of shelter at home, it was about time for another safe shelter in car, albeit a short trip.

The picturesque area farms surely represented the area's German heritage - so tidy and
well organized - no messy junk piles on those properties.

Ooops wrong country.

Elbphilharmonie - quite a contrast.

Peter was getting homesick for Hamburg so I suggested we drive there.

If you look closely at the sign in the background it clearly states "Welcome to Hamburg."

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Minnesota April 16, 2020

Spring Ice Melt Update

Photo credit: Master O

Oliver's report on ice melt progress. It looks like not much ice melt on the lake since last posting. 

The air temps have not been cooperating with so many below freezing days.

Utter Confusion

With 25,000 plus people dead here in America, what should we believe?

Shelter at Home.

We have taken the shelter at home most seriously. Food deliveries have eliminated any potential risks taken from shopping at grocery stores.

Sadly I missed Oliver's 10th birthday celebration at the Sugar Shack.  Easter has come and gone. It looks like Katherine's 8th birthday will be added to the list of sacrifices also.

Now over 3 weeks locked in the penthouse has allowed for focus and thought on the deviating effects of the Covid-19. No sense can be gleaned from any of the reporting. My best take away is the lack of testing has killed off people and will continue to do so.

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Minnesota Today:

The latest coronavirus statistics:

• 1,695 cases via 39,241 tests
• 79 deaths
• 405 cases requiring hospitalization
• 177 people remain in the hospital; 75 in intensive care units
• 13 percent of cases in health care workers
• 909 patients recovered
  
  
  
  
  
  

Puddle Hopper

Katherine is like a duck to water - whether a puddle, pond or lake.

Not too many more days and she will beat Auntie Annie winning the first to jump into the lake award. Betsy will be challenged keepinng Katherine out of the cold water.

Merry Sneaster From the Penthouse

Sneaster spent high up in the EW penthouse among the tangled tree branches blanketed in beautiful fresh white snow.   So blessed to have a safe warm cozy spot to shelter at home.

Taking the stay at home order seriously prevents us from sharing Sugar Shack Easter Fun-times.

The stay at home order went into effect at 11:59 p..m. on Friday, March 27. It was originally set to last until Friday, April 10, but has since been extended, and is set to lift May 4th.

St. Louis County Covid-19 now 38 confirmed cases.

Happy Easter Sugar Shack Style

 Looks like the Easter Bunny found the Eggheads at the Sugar Shack. Nice baskets, Bunny.

Griggs on bikes, but of course, and riding off they go on the hunt for colorful Easter eggs.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Katherine is off to a good start.

Wonder if Oliver found any eggs on the top of the hill?

Eggs all collected, now head back inside for your Easter Brunch.

Peek a boo Mr. Kyle.

The Eggheads are in for a delicious Easter Brunch.

Cheers Mom Mom! Another day well done.

S'more Fun Times for Saturday

Ooey Gooey

Perfect s'mores fire.

Katherine is bunny ready in her Easter Egg colors.

Ice still on the lake but Oliver is summer-ready in short sleeves.

Actually, the mercury maybe made it to 50 degrees. Watch out the Easter forecast is not so summer-like promising. Highs in low 30's and low down to 19F.

St. Louis County - Confirmed Corvid Cases 37 - Stay Safe!

One in four Minnesotans over 70 who catch the virus will need to be hospitalized, health officials believe. Nearly one in three of those over 80 will need to go to the hospital, 70% will need ICU.

Dirty Tricks

Photo credit: Mr. Kyle

So they call it a Garden "Work" Party but it looks more like dirty tricks with what's up in the air.

Mr. Mann Nerves of Steel

Photo credit: Master O

As Mr. Mann marks the ice melt, he may not actually have nerves of steel but lucky his feet are of that composition.

April (Snow) Showers (Might) Bring May Flowers

Photo Credit: Mr. Kyle

Betsy makes tracks - can't keep my hiker girl down or inside.

Name that date:

Who recalls the date of the latest spring snowfall? What year was it?

Or, was it a summer snowfall?

I Must Make a Confession

It is Your Story

Choosing door number three. Thank you Peter.

Oliver Monitors Spring Ice Melt - Stay Tuned

Photo credit: Master O

When the ice is off of the lake, who will be the first to jump in?

I bet on Katherine! 

Supermoon - Super Kids

April 7 - Supermoon

Super Kids - Supermoon Night

Reading by the light of the moon - not in that room.

Photo credits: Betsy Joon

Tonight's full moon or supermoon is also known as the "sprouting moon" or "egg moon," welcoming other signs of spring. Hey campers, what signs do you see way up there in the northland? (Under the snow or geese in the sky?) It is also called a "pink moon" but does not really look pink by the way. Generally, the supermoon will appear golden as it rises above the horizon. This is due to an effect caused by our atmosphere. Science project. Kids? It is similar to how the sun oftentimes appears redder as it rises or sets. 

Peter claims at sea as the sun sets there is a flash of green. So far I have not witnessed that. I need to see more sea time.

Normally there are 12 full moons in a calendar year. This year, 2020, there will be 2 full moons in October. The first one on October 1, and the second on the Halloween, October 31st. Having 2 moons in one month - Once in a "blue moon"!    Are you ready Freddy? 

Gotta be in Seattle again for Halloween! Always the best.

There will be 4 supermoons in the year 2020. Remember a supermoon is when the moon appears much bigger and brighter as it rises.

Do keep your eyes on sky mid-April for a grouping of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and the moon in a beautiful perfect alignment. It will be several years before that event occurs again.