Sweet Martha is a Philthy Wench

Ok. More scenes from the fair. This is Sweet Martha's. Her fame stretches far and wide across the state of Minnesota, from Fergus Falls to Taylors Falls, from Okabena to Owatonna. Sweet Martha makes cookies. Good cookies. Chocolate chip cookies! And her stand at the State Fair is as popular as Girasole and Florida during the golden days of yore (if you know what I mean).
This year, my sister asked if I could pick up some cookies for her friend, since I would be at the fair anyway. I got done with a shift early one day, so I walked over and stood in line. A bucket o' cookies costs $14. I had $13 and a bunch of change, most of which was lurking at the bottom of my purse. I stood at the back of the line, scrounging, and before I knew it, I had been closed in from behind. The swarm continued. And I continued to scrounge.
From the deepest recesses of my purse, I pulled penny after penny, my hope renewing with each occasional dime. I searched and searched, and after I had a healthy handful of metal, I counted. I had made it to $13.97. Three cents short.
I up at Martha, at her sign in all it's carnival glory. How Martha? How could you be so cruel? I have stood in your line, naively prostrated myself before your sweet, chocolately scent, only to be rejected? What kind of cookie goddess are you?
While in the "depths of despair" (which our friend Anne Shirley can relate to), I cried out, seeking a dime, a nickel, even a penny from a nearby worshiper. Lo and behold, a lady had a quarter and my dilemma was solved.
Then I ate a cookie, because by the time I got them I had been in line for nearly 45 minutes. And would I be wrong, if I said it was the sweetest cookie of my life? Maybe. But it was good.

Miriam and the Mystery Novels

Invisible Clidesdale

Belive it or not, there was a giant pulling this thing. I loved it in real life, but the picture did not quite capture it...

Brunch

I really love these people.

To Be Obeyed.

This is no joke.

I'll Play the Blues for You

My last Blues to Bop. I'm not crying. It's just raining on my face.

Collage Fun with Mickel'

Oh so cute. You may look at this picture and think, "Oh how cute! Little Mickel' is making a collage, full of creativity and bright colors." But really, you'd be wrong. She was putting together a very, very disturbing assortment of clip art, magazine cuttings, and scary clowns. Her very dear friend is back in town, you see. I really don't know how to describe their relationship, but it is very special. Obviously.

Needless to say, we had tons of fun making a fun project from things we found at home! Kids, ask your parents if you can use some newpapers and magazines to come up with your own unique collage!

Penny On the Train Track

I didn't actually put a penny on the train tracks, I am pretty sure that is a deportable offense in this country, but I did take this photo on my way to Alba.

Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Minnesota State Fair.

Yes, this is a sign for Ole and Lena's Hotdish on a Stick. You have not officially been introduced to the wonder that is the State Fair.

When I saw this sign, I thought of you, and had to take a picture. Really, friend, you have to come someday. It is a hoot.

Caprese and other treasures

1CHF Ikea cutting board

Free trash night dishes

And caprese of epic proportions

Vote for Jesus! (Huggy Jesus?)

Yes, this is a political yard sign for Jesus Christ. Sometimes, I really wonder what people are hoping to accomplish...

P.S.

I know that many of my recent photos have not been photographically astounding. But sometimes, you just have to take a shot and hope that the people that own the home don't come out, shouting and holding a shotgun...I felt I had to run.

Shinannigans

This is why I love living with/near good people.

Lura and I wanted to send Glenn a message so instead of calling him we rigged this lovely note to hang in front of his balcony door. Kyle saw us from his window across the street in Florida and judged us... But we had a good time.

Il gatto sulla Vespa.

Che Bella Macchina!

Lura and I made friends with these fellows from the balcony....

Bahaha!

He really does make us laugh.

Shades

In an attempt to not melt my eyeballs I have replaced the sunglasses I left in my mom's car at the airport. As my first semi-classy sunglasses buying experience (i.e. Not H&M) I was excited by the fact that the little woman at the store cleaned, wrapped, and bagged my purchase like the Mr. Bean jewelry counter man in Love Actually. Such a scene is more enjoyable when you are buying yourself sunglasses and not buying jewelry for your mistress...

All alone, but not lonely.

Lake-side Couple Stalking, Part II

Early Morning Glory

Gandria

(and a photo of Jeanette that I love)

(and a conversation with an epic view)

Stopping by, if only for a day.

Dance Party

I have taken loads of photos of Tahnee. And Simmy. And Simmy and Tahnee.

But I am pretty sure this one is my favorite.

"He was a lovely boy, clad in skeleton leaves and juices that ooze out of trees."

Sometimes, you find your favorite book at a garage sale for $0.50. Those are good times.

I heart RAs too.

But I would not think to express it on toilet paper. With an unnecessary apostrophe.

Here's to you, TP love note leaver.

Soaring

I stood and watched the eagle fly
Spread his wings and soar across the sky.
So gracefully he flew.

New Students Beware

We are a force of nature.

I posted the other photo I took at the same time... I think it is better and it is wider and focused on more people on the other side of the circle. But I love this one too and feel like it is neglected... so you get to see it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Wayne Yust.

Dad and I suited up today and went to check on the bees. They're doing well, thank you. Also, I got stung. It was really very exciting.

Casualty

We walked home quite late and encountered a cacophonous scene in the inersection... Once it was all cleared of cursing Italians, police, and mild wreckage, this was all that was left.

Dueling Pianos, Part Two

Mickel' and Jay took me out for my b-day. We went to the Shouthouse in MPLS for dueling pianos. I think these guys were even better duelers than the other ones. Impressive.

If I had to pick 5 favorite places on earth...

...small places -to stand and exist and get drunk on the sensory-richness- this would for sure be on the list.

Lunch with Mom

Two words: The Harem.

Sobriety, day 5

I didn't mind adhering to the no-booze orientation policy, but being back in Switalia and staring at this lovely collection as we ate lunch would have been enough to tempt the Virgin Mary. So I took a photo.

What ho! Could it be another bucket list?!

I opened up one of my new thrift store purchases and for a brief, shining moment I thought I, too, had discovered a bucket list!
But really it was just a sheet of paper with "Cindy Anderson" written on it. I'm wondering why Cindy thought she needed to write her name so largely. Really, Cindy, you were getting rid of the book anyway.

P.S. Yes, it WAS the book on Oprah's book list and no, it was not good. Really, it wasn't.

Panama Jack, Marcela, and other things to look at while I should be paying attention...

Isanti County Park

Dad and I went on a photographic excursion today, to the park. Our goal was to get some good pictures of wildlife, and we did get some pictures, but it was a little too dark for them to turn out very well. We got within about 40 yards of some of them, but we spooked them and dang those things are quick.
We did find about a million tracks, though.

Making Friends... in Piazza Riforma

At the urging of Ms. Fanara....

I did some baking today. Remember those Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies?

Yeah. Exactly.

Lifelines (or cycles)

I love Franklin because people tell and live good stories. Even the ones that aren't conventionally exciting are beautiful and well-told. Seriously. I have never laughed so hard or felt so emotionally drained.

This was Lura's, exceptional and eloquent as could be expected.

Huh? What?

So, this picture was taken at a very special place called Ben Franklin. I really don't know what to say about it, except that many things there caught my eye. This was in the section called "Crafts, Styrofoam, and Birds." ???

We also found an assortment of clown figurines.

I still don't know what else to say about it.

Mai Flower

Seriously, I love her. She is level headed, she cracks me up, she interprets dreams, and her shopping lists look like the secrets of the universe.

PS- I have been playing with iPhoto and it is so easy to mess with photos that it makes me feel dirty and unethical (because lots of the photos have started out sucking and I don't want to be that person who takes crap photos and posts amazing ones. I call that lying... but I like this anyway)

Wow, Alauna. A bug on a flower...How original!

Maybe not. But I can never resist.

I love rolls of paper.

But I did not feel like working on the stuff I had the paper for, so instead I spent time taking strange photos through the paper tube. Profound, eh?

North Country Coffee

This is the local hot spot for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and many other delightful drinks. My new favorite is probably the Blended Italian Soda. Raspberry.
These teas, however, would be very exciting on a cold day, so once September hits we're set. One was called The Laughing Hyena and I thought it sounded like a beautiful wonder.


P.S.
Everything in this part of Minnesota is called "North Country" (i.e. North Country Coffee, North Country Credit Union, North Country Insurance, etc.)

From Girasole.

Things are looking good... real good.

A Day at Canterbury

When a Minnesotan hears "Canterbury," thoughts turn not to Chaucer, nor England, nor cathedral. Our Canterbury, you see, is a racetrack. And we spent the day there and it was a blast. We placed bets, laughed at the commentary, and generally enjoyed the tiny-ness of the jockeys. While most of our bets didn't win big, we did have a bit of luck with a horse named Sheriff Hotdog....

We happened to be at the park on Extreme Race Day. This was an especial treat, as there were not only horse races, but also ostrich and camel races. I got there quite late, so I missed 'em, but apparently they were real funny. Canterbury also offers an annual wiener dog race. Mickel' thinks Myshkin (who she described today as "a warrior") might be a good contestant.