365 Days of Education

December 26 – PacMan

My uncle has a Nintendo NES system with 3 games; Mario, Duck Hunt and PacMan. He also has a dial-up internet connection.

My oldest had to connect to the internet just to hear the sounds of a modem connecting.

December 25 – Christmas Morning

December 24 – Snowpocalypse

The beginning of Snowmageddon that canceled many a holiday get together in Minnesota. Doesn’t look too bad in the backyard, but the 2 inches of solid ice on the roads tell a different story.

December 23 – Oak Grill

Eating at the Oak Grill in Dayton’s (now Macy’s, but in an act of defiance, most Minnesotans still call it Dayton’s) is a family tradition dating back to when my mother was a child.

Now, we head down each year to see the display in the 8th floor auditorium and lunch at the Oak Grill. The popovers are divine and the people watching is good, too. Children dressed up to visit Santa. Parents who waited too long to get their name on the seating list placating sugar stressed children for over an hour. Elderly grandparents and great-grandparents in their finery treating grandchildren. (They’re seated, of course. They KNOW to get their names on the list FIRST.)

December 22 – Cabela’s

We pass 4 Cabela’s on our drive to Minnesota and usually stop in Owatonna for deep fried cheese curds. I’d wager there is someone who had this Jerky pistol on their wishlist. Can’t imagine who.

This was taken with my Googlephone. (Also called the MyTouch, which is kind of a creepy name.)

September 7 – Retriever retrieving

Diego, doing what he does best. I guess he couldn’t find a railroad tie to fetch.

September 6 – Grown-up boys

Ready for their grandparents’ vow ceremony.

September 5 – Paul Bunyan is so cool

He’s high-fiving my sister.

Northern Minnesota is loaded with Paul Bunyan statues. Here’s the largest walleye Paul ever caught.

September 4 – Cooking in a compact kitchen

Rice Krispie treats, Chocolate chip cookies are already done, along with pasta sauce. The perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies is being selected.

August 8 – How to enjoy the St. Paul Farmer’s Market

Step 1. Bring your camera.

Step 2. Take pictures of the delights.

Step 3. Inhale. Frequently.

Step 4. Try something new.