Stillwater - Lara does Minnesota too!

Ed and Lara have now come to enjoy the wonders of the Minnesota summer.  Lara noted that if she lived on a lake she would never leave...sounds like Jimbo.
Always easy to find enough family to join the party and Friday was no exception - and perfect weather always helps.  We came from many directions despite the excessive road construction we are enjoying this summer.
Jimbo has installed his own strap between the trees and has mastered the first 5 steps...hmmm will he make it to the other end before summers end?
And more birthdays - this time John Sandor got to celebrate his big day. 
Christopher made a new friend  - Jack the dog.  And was the perfect partner for throwing the ball over and over again until both were satisfied.

Saint Paul - Christopher does Minnesota

Christopher, with Mom and Dad, was the most recent arrivals for a summer visit to Minnesota.
Unfortunately for all the camera was in the work bag and you will all miss out on pics of the parks, museums, zoo and dinosaurs we found around the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis - Tommy and Eddie change colors for a day and cheer on the TWINS

After the big storms from the night before it took until mid-afternoon for the clouds to finally break and for the sun quickly warm things back up.
Tommy and Eddie took in all the sites and activities at the new stadium. 
And it was a nail biter but the Twins came out on top at the very end!

Charlotte moves on

Tried to get a walk in between the storms today.  Headed towards St Kate's and the art fair. 
I find the chapel at Saint Catherine's to be a very interesting building.  I would have expected a chapel at a woman's university to have a feminine feel but once you step inside you discover it is a very cavernous, spartan and simple experience.  Thought I may be able to capture a few pics but they stopped me before I could get the job done - oh well.
My backyard neighbors for 20 plus years Charlotte and Margaret now reside on the campus at a retirement facility.  I stopped to say hello and learned that Charlotte after 91 years has left planet earth for eternal life.  She had a great run and unfortunately the body slowed down as the mind stayed sharp.
Margaret and her have been connected since they met in college - in her words she is now "existing".  Tough days ahead for her.
We had a great connection and many good times across the back yard.  No worries about Charlotte - she will always leave me with great memories and many warm thoughts.   I can only hope I can make the walk to the post office that she did when I am the age she was when she did it - or that I make it to that age!

Stillwater - Danny's Tricks

The build up was big and how could we miss the show so off we wandered to the neighbors where Danny had set up his "strap walk".
Despite the crowd he was both willing to show us his skills and let everyone get a free lesson on how to do it - Jimbo figured he would master it on the second attempt.
A video of the expert and some amateur attempts to follow.

Stillwater - Cirque De Soleil tryouts...

Vote for your favorite!!!

My insurance wasn't good enough for me to give it a try...

Stillwater - Jimbe does his Jed Clampett routine

Jimbo patiently waiting by the lake to shoot the local muskrat...or at least that is the current story...

Stillwater - The DeMarkeys hit the lake!

Abbey, Lizzie, Tom and Eddie took full advantage of the heat and humidity and headed to the lake at Margie and Jimbo's.
With the addition of Nancy and her crew we had a good contingent of Cashmans to celebrate the day and all the July birthdays.
A boat ride with a swim to finish the day before everyone took their turning trying out for "Danny's Cirque De Soleil Team" - I think Danny is the only one that has any hope of making the team!