Category: Etcetera
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Otter Falls Again
I love Otter Falls. We had been here before, but a view like this is still magnificent. Here are a few snaps from Ryan: And look–there’s me in white! Yup, worth the 10 miles.
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Father-In-Law
“Michael Prins of Eden Prairie, MN passed awÂÂÂay peacefully in his home on July 30 at the age of 60, after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in October 2009. He was born May 28, 1951 in Grand Rapids, MI to George & Dorothy Prins. Mike was married to Cindy Schleif in 1974. He…
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Rome: The Pantheon at Night
On our second night in Rome, Ryan and I went to hang out by the Trevi fountain after dinner and generally wander the streets. We were walking down an alley when we were struck by the sight of this: Photo taken from my iPhone “Well this is neat,” Ryan said as he took out his…
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Rome: La Pietà di Michelangelo
I’ve never thought much of sculpture, but the longer I stayed in Italy, the more I would. In fact, a recurring theme on our trip to Italy was experiencing the work of Michaelangelo. And one of the first pieces that struck me was The Pietà (1498–1499). Housed in in St Peter’s Basilica, it depicts Mary…
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Travel Cities 2010
As this has become an annual tradition, below is a summary of my trips over the year! 2010 began as a down year in travel as I started a new job and focused on buying our first home, but it was still good nonetheless: WINTER January 18-22 Alexandria, VA February 3-6 San Francisco, CA February…
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Christmas Etymology
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone! It’s holiday fun fact time again. This time a simple etymology tidbit about the word “Christmas” or “Xmas”. The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning “Christ’s Mass”. It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.[8] “Cristes” is…
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How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday
Excerpt from Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin They say, Mr. President, that we are stealing away the rights of the States. So I have come to-day to advise you, that there is another State right I think we ought to steal.†Raising his head from his pile…
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My November Guest
“My November Guest” by Robert Frost My Sorrow, when she’s here with me, Thinks these dark days of autumn rain Are beautiful as days can be; She loves the bare, the withered tree; She walks the sodden pasture lane. Her pleasure will not let me stay. She talks and I am fain to list: She’s…
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Moms and Daughters
Me and Nikki with our moms at the wedding reception in Roselle, IL
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Finished Reading “Team of Rivals”
After avoiding the ending for weeks, I finally finished reading Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln last night, an epic multi-biography on Lincoln and his cabinet. I daresay it’s one of the most exciting US history books I’ve read; the story alone is amazing, the narrative though is outstanding. Now I can…