By Taryn
Every summer I try to make at least one day where I go downtown Alexandria and slowly make my way through all the different shops. Since the big box stores moved in, the Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. and the mall was built, downtown had to evolve into something else. No more shoe stores or JCPenney. I think the only store that is still downtown from my childhood is an office supply store, some jewelry stores and Ben Franklin, which now is mostly a craft store. This summer's find was a cute tablecloth for $6, from Sweden. The folk dress from the island of Gotland is on the left, below.
Here's a link to another view of Gotland's folkdrakt.
Tracy and I - We spent time today with Cyndi, then Mom, and visited Tracy's friend, also at Knute for rehab. Then a good walk, grilling with the guys, and several games of Farkel. A busy and fun Saturday.
A year ago this weekend we had snow. Yesterday Alexandria reached a high of 84 degrees F. Today some Minnesota towns reached 90. The down side - mosquitoes. We haven't had a frost or hard freeze yet. The leaves are off most of the trees here, or golden leaves still on the trees reflect the sun, so the light is amazing. 
In 1985 our road was a narrow two track road with grass growing down the middle, that wound right through the resort yard.
We've had just the right amount of rain this summer, something never said about Minnesota. It rains every few days, then nice days of sun. My plants are doing well. I should also give credit to my neighbor Betty, who watered for me when I was gone this summer.
I was out mowing today. I trudge slowly when it's this hot and humid, and frogs have a chance to hop out of the way. But twice, once on each side of the yard, I miraculously spotted baby birds hunkered down in the grass, sitting very still, within inches of the mower. I'm glad I saw them. After moving the first one to safety, I did see later that it was chirping away and the mother bird was feeding it bugs. Later, on the other side of the yard, the same scene repeated itself. I love the beak. It makes this little guy look cranky.
This labyrinth was in front of the bakery.
Ingvor noted that it has the typical Swedish potato nose. After that we could see profiles in many of the rauks. 
This is Chuck in front of Jungfru rauk at Lickershamn. It is about 12 meters high, and 20 meters above Baltic sea level. Translated from the website link: The "Maiden" rauk has gotten its name after the tragic story about the Maiden Öllegard and her beloved Helge, which ended with them throwing themselves into the sea. (Which reminds me of a pun: She threatened to jump off the cliff, but it was only a bluff.)
In June, Andrea, Haylie and I toured Lummelunda cave. This is the photo of the original cave opening, which only skinny kids could crawl into. Since then, they have built an opening for tourists (and grandmothers), and an interpretive center. They showed this video before we went into the cave, about the three boys who discovered it.
We took a nice hike at Högklint, just south of Visby, where Haylie and I explored a shallow cave.
Here is a palm sized chunk of limestone that shows some of the fossils: coral, sea lilies, sponges, shells. Some of the layers have a pink color to them.
The quarry at Sundre.
The blocks of limestone are sawed into slices with diamond tipped sawblades, lots of water, and very slow progress. Some of the limestone after slicing, but before polishing or cutting to size.
l-r: Stefan, Andrea, Haylie, Göran, Anita, Taryn 
The website for Vamlingbo Prästgården (parish farm) is found here:
Gotland Games are held every summer in Stånga, at their athletic fields. In this video a Swedish girl shows how to throw the pole (caber in Scotland), which has to make a turn in the air to land correctly.
Another game might prove the adage, "Age and treachery will overcome youth and speed". Unfortunately, the gray haired gentleman lost his match.
We had the best weather on spring break! We took some nice bike rides, did yardwork, soaked up the sun. If you want to learn more about the Boreal Chorus Frogs of Minnesota, here's the link.
Pussy willow on our walk. One year on Palm Sunday our minister thought that it would be more authentic to pass out pussy willows to everyone in the congregation in lieu of palm branches. One of the choir members looked quizzically at his and said, "Walk softly and carry a big pussy willow?" We were cracking up. 
The Lake Ida to Lake Charley creek is quite full of water, and noisy with Canada geese couples.
A nice sunset over Lake Carlos on the north end, near the State Park. We ate at Anderson's Outpost and were on our way home. The ice is turning black now on all the lakes, with large open areas where the creeks come in. 
"Things that can't be used in March", or "Why we have to park outside"
Okay, obviously this isn't a photo from 1965, it's the OTHER legendary Minnesota blizzard, the Armistice Day blizzard. But it's 45 years since the St. Patrick's Day blizzard of 1965, and 45 years since our dad Lester died at the age of 45. The numbers seemed to be important to me today.
I have another poem inspired by this year's weather.
