Car Show Day 1 :: Rain Delay

I left the house before 6 a.m. armed with caffeine and a camera for the first day of the Iola Old Car Show. I think the scattered rain showers caused an unexpected rain delay of the freak show... I mean of interesting photo opportunities. Sorry about that.

Thankfully the rain was light and didn't come around too often. It kept things cool, too. Which is always good at the car show where people (who shouldn't) start to shed clothes at the first sign of heat or humidity.

I got to enjoy some time with Carter today, too. He helped me work in our magazine booth for about 2 hours. And by "work" I mean test out the cheese curds and soft-serve twist cones. It's always best to get the deep-fried stuff on the first day when the grease is fresh. (There, now you learned something.)

While Carter was helping me, Daddy actually had to drive all the way back to Rapids. The guys are at the Brewers-Reds game in Milwaukee tonight but somebody forgot the tickets at home. And by "somebody" I mean not me.

I'm glad they escaped for a guys' night while I contemplate my strategy for tomorrow and get 8 hours of sleep! I was serious about the disappointing photographic opportunities from my prime spot. Either there were none, really, or I am so used to this crowd that nothing seems unusual any more.
Just this woman who was clowning around -- or seemed to be -- in her flowered hat, colorful shoes, striped shirt and polka dot pants. Not everyone could pull that off and be taken seriously. Then there was this guy ... who figures drinking and driving is safe -- as long as you wear a helmet!

When I saw him towards the end of the day, I thought, you know, this show has potential after all! Tune in tomorrow when it will be sunny and warm with an 80% chance of freaks.

They're Coming

As we get prepped for the Iola Old Car Show -- held right on the grounds where hubby and I work -- I can't help but wonder what sort of sights I'll see this year.

Oh I don't mean cars, though there'll be some beauties, I mean people!

From where I sit, holed up in a vending trailer selling our magazines and books, I see a lot of different things. And by different, I mean "variety" but also "not the norm." It definitely helps the time pass more quickly -- and I'll need that with my long stints at the show the next 3 days!

Today was a physical set-up day, getting all the merchandise in place and hanging all the promotional signs, etc. Very hot out. Very sweaty. Good thing Carter twisted Daddy's arm to make him stop for ice cream on the way home. He twisted it so good Daddy stopped at Shivers so Carter could get his soft serve and at King Cone so he and I could get the good stuff.

Hey, I don't have an addiction. It's just National Ice Cream Month and I am being patriotic. (That's what someone told me and, really, why would I bother to double check that fact?)

To aid in his cool-down, Carter also had me buzz his hair tonight while Daddy buzzed the lawn. I think I got the better deal. Plus I'm not too keen on going in the backyard these days!

Now I just have to find my Old Cars shirts to wear and I'll fit right in. If you're coming to Iola, let me know! Otherwise, I hope to capture some entertaining moments for you! Wish me luck!

Virtual Tour

OK, you asked for it. Well, not really. But I am forcing you on a virtual tour of Target Field and our day at the ballpark. Feel free to exit the tour bus at any time. Just be sure it comes to a complete stop first.
Walking up on 7th Street, this was our first view of the stadium. Wow, that's a funky design alright! Couldn't wait to get inside but there is so much to see around the outside first.

Had to give my boy Joe Mauer a hug from his favorite central Wisconsin stalker, I mean fan.

Speaking of stalking... Hi, Gary Gaetti! Nice to see you again!

Very cool bronze statues around the perimeter. Everyone from Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew to Kirby Puckett striking his World Series pose!

This bronze glove was a hot seat! Literally. Very hot to sit on so we smiled rather quickly for the camera.

View from right field. If you look at the top level behind home plate, that is where we were sitting. See how it's in the shade? That was a blessing in disguise on a 90 and sunny day!

Looking from our seats down left field we can see the countdown to Bert Blyleven's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame and see the Twins' retired numbers displayed -- including a black band over the number of recently departed Killebrew.

Did I overlook the Budweiser deck? Hubby didn't! We'll go to another Twins game when I can get us tickets there!

Since it was July 4th, there were some patriotic displays, too.

Of course, you can't go wrong with a lighthouse picture either -- especially when it's one of my favorites, Split Rock Lighthouse up past Duluth!

A water tower on a downtown building pays tribute to the late Harmon Killebrew. You could see a lot from our high view.

Including some baseball action! Here Michael Cuddyer is up to bat. Hubby cheered for him since #5 is on his fantasy baseball team.

The extra cheering must have worked.... Home run, Cuddyer!!

A little later, Danny Valencia hits a 3-run homer. Here Mauer touches home with Cuddyer right behind him and Valencia getting a high five as he rounds 3rd. Whoo-hoo!

Nice job, kiddo! Way to give us something to cheer about!

When stalking is a good thing... see how capturing Joe's every at bat got me this great action shot? The bat broke and part is in Joes hand still and the other part is blasting into the umpire's shin! Ouch! There was a delay in game until the ump said he was OK to continue.

Hot enough for you, Joe? All those stares from the upper deck must be getting to him!

Speaking of hotties.... I got to go home with these 2 good-looking fans.

And we went home happy. Final score: 7-0!

Uncle Sam's cousin T.C. says, "See you next time!!"

And there definitely will be a next time! (When the restraining order is lifted.)

Right on Target

We really couldn't have planned our day any better.

With our short commute from the hotel, we got to Target Field at 11:30 and had time to walk around the outside and check out all the cool things there are to see there. And take lots of pictures, naturally!

The new stadium is amazing. I absolutely love it. And on a warm and sunny day like today, it is so good to be playing (er, watching) baseball outdoors!

I guess I can say that because we were seated in the shade all day. That's not how I planned it, but I'll be happy to take credit. We were in the 3rd level up (highest level) right behind home plate. Not a bad seat at all. Got to see all of the strikes, hits and HOME RUNS quite clearly! Got some good pictures I'll share when I get a minute.

My boys ended up winning 7-0! Sweet!

Carter enjoyed learning how to keep the scorebook for the first time. And I enjoyed seeing him fill in all the boxes for the Twins.

The game itself only lasted about 2 1/2 hours so we got out of the Cities and were home by 8 p.m. Now the guys went into town to watch the fireworks. I don't mean to be anti-American, but I need to stay home, take some drugs and get some sleep. The only downer this weekend was an awful sore throat and dry cough that hit me Sunday morning and has been nagging me ever since. I did not feel close to 100% today but there was no way I was missing my first trip to Target Field.

Plus, a little stop at DQ on the way home helped a bit. But just not enough.

If you're heading out to fireworks, enjoy! I hope you had a great July 4th holiday weekend and got the opportunity to thank someone special for our freedoms. God bless America, indeed.

Play ball!

Welcome to Twins Territory

Now I lay me down to sleep... Target Field is at my feet...

Hey, it is on the map anyway. We are officially in Twins Territory, holed up at a Hilton just 20 minutes from Target Field. Will be able to wake up and skip on down there for my first game at the new stadium!

Yup, I'm a little excited.

We took the long way to get over here because we had some important stops to make.

We actually didn't leave Rapids until noon because it's hubby's birthday and we had to make sure he slept in and then had ample time to open his one present. Which we think is awesome -- a home-plate shaped shelving case with the Reds logo that he can display his Reds autographed baseballs in. Very cool.

Our first stop was my parents' house. When we go there, Mom wasted no time in spiriting Carter and me off to some gigantic garage sale! Seriously. Good news. Carter bought a Celtics shirt for just 25 cents. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Later we headed up to my twin's place to check out her storm damage. They still don't have power and might not for 5 days. They not only had their barn collapse, a big shed also is over and the roof off their shop blew into the field down the road. Crazy awful damage!

We all went out to eat in town (Siren) so that they could all get a break. Plus we wanted to take my parents out for their anniversary (yesterday). Plus I wanted the birthday boy to get a good meal. It was very good. We are still full.

Our plan was just to drive into Minnesota and get a hotel room somewhere north of the Cities. It was a neat drive. We saw fireworks in various cities along the hole route. Of course, I claimed I planned that for a special birthday gift!

Ended up getting a hotel room just north of Minneapolis so it will only be a 20-minute drive to the field tomorrow. Game time is at 1:10 p.m. so I want to be there when the gates open at 11:40 a.m. I am excited to see the new place for the first time.

After their come-from-behind win against the Brewers today, I am hoping for good things. But will be content with a nice sunny day that just might call for some cool Twins treat!

Pick-Up Sticks

There's no real way to explain it, other than we just got lucky.

Three of my sisters (1 in Minnesota and 2 in northwest Wisconsin) were without power today. And all three were dealing with the aftermath of last night's wicked storms. We, on the other hand, just got by with a ton of downed branches. Just little branches. All over the backyard, especially.

So while they cleaned up their big messes -- everything from blown-over sheds and barns and trees -- we just had to pick up sticks. (It's not as fun as the old game, that's for sure.)

It was another hot day -- but maybe only 90 and definitely not a heat index of 100 like most places yesterday. After picking up the branches, I tackled a little yardwork that I have neglected the previous 4 weekends (I blame baseball). That weed-pulling business didn't last long when I had sweat dripping in my eyes. Now I know why I've neglected this project! I'll have to wait for it to cool down just slightly to resume it.

Jim worked up a sweat helping the neighbor 3 houses down who lost a big tree in last night's storm. Carter worked up a sweat, too, crushing cans from 2 different "Cans for Carter" campaigns. That took him longer than anticipated so the recycling place was not open by the time they got there. So he'll just have to keep collecting cans. I suspect after the first "cash in" he will realize it's probably not worth the effort monetarily. But we'll see.

This afternoon and evening, we were at the Marshfield Motor Speedway watching our nephew Colin race. He ended up not qualifying for the main event (the special July 4th weekend 100-lapper) so that was a bummer. It's not nearly as fun to go to the races when you have no one to cheer for!

We gave Jim's parents a ride, too. We decided not to stay for the fireworks but did see some sporadic outbursts in the sky on the way home. Glad some people have reasons to celebrate. I hope my family will soon as well.

Hot Stuff

It's not surprising today is by far the hottest day of the year. I mean 9 years ago on this very day it was 112 degrees. In Vegas that is. At the Little White Chapel by the Courthouse.

So for Mr. and Mrs. Austin, this 95 degree business is nothing. Of course, we're sitting in the air-conditioning just like we were on our honeymoon. But the scenery has changed. We've got a big ol' TV in the living room now and a teenage boy on the couch.

Yes, it's good to finally have our new flat screen TV hooked up and actually working -- after a week of complications I can hardly explain (yes, they're that technical) -- but it's even better to have that teenager back!

Since his camp was only a half hour from work, I went to go pick him up over lunch hour. I got there in time to see part of their closing ceremony. All the kids were singing and laughing and I could tell our boy had a good time.
I was right. The whole way back to work, I heard about new games, new songs, new things he did over the past 6 days. And although he slept in a tent one night, he wasn't really roughing it, was he?

I am so glad he had a good time and learned a little about nature, God and himself. He's plenty tuckered out, though. All that fresh air. Late night around the campfire and early mornings. Yup, it's a good kind of tired.

Tonight we had planned to watch the Twins on TV since they are playing the Brewers and we can actually see them for a change. And on HD, too. Unfortunately, there is a rain delay so Carter and I are in the basement watching Sandlot to get our baseball fix.

I wasn't even giving that rain delay in the Twin Cities any serious thought. But then my mom just called a few minutes ago and told me it got very, very wicked along the border. She said my sisters up in Grantsburg lost some trees, my twin lost her barn and possibly their cattle and all of them, including my parents, are without power. (But my parents can still call on their lovely rotary phone!)

There was no tornado warning so my parents think it was just high winds. Very high. I told my mom to keep an eye on the weather so they could go in the basement if the radar looks bad again. "We can't watch TV. We don't have electricity," she said. Duh, me. I forget how dependent we are on that! I looked up the radar for them and told them there's another line of bad storms about to cross into their area from Minnesota. Maybe going in the basement would be a good thing. Plus, it's probably way cooler down there.

Now I just need to pray that everything goes OK for them and see what we can do to help. If you're in the praying mood, there's some folks in northwest Wisconsin who could use your support. Thanks.