Bobo the Bear!



Like Citizen Kane's Xanadu, basements can be incredible treasure troves filled with amazing things. Recently discovered in our basement was a poor abandoned fellow we're calling "Bobo". We think his mother ran away to the Big Apple - does she still remember her little Bobo?




Uh-oh!



Looks like Bobo may have been adopted already....

Hey, what's up -- this is John. Hope everyone is well in the North Country. I won't bore you all with how green it is getting down here, how many flowers are blooming, etc.

I wanted to let everyone know that Lynda and I are coming to MN. I'm attending a conference downtown with a poster presentation. We'll be in town from the evening of 4/30 through the afternoon of Sunday 5/5. We'll be staying at the meeting hotel downtown (well, why not?) but hope to spend as much time with you all as possible.

Things are well here -- I recently did a long bike ride on my recumbent bike -- the Tour of Pike County Georgia (the main town is Zebulon, by the way). Also, this week I did my seminar at Emory U. that Ingrid mentioned. I think it went pretty well, at least no one got hurt...Lynda and I are planning 2 bike vacations -- to White Springs, FL in April (which has among other things the Sewanee River and the Stephen Foster museum -- although he was never there). And we just rented a cottage for 5 nights on Orcas Island, Washington for July -- we'll go up there and do some biking in the San Juan Islands after Lynda's early music workshop out there. See you all soon.

John

ZZzzzzz....

Woke up this morning ... seemed too light out, and the alarm clock was *BLANK*! Uh-oh.

Our power was out - probably for about 5 hours. Quickly scrambled to wake Liv and Norris. Liv got to the bus okay (on time, even!).

Power came back on around 7:30, and I got to work around one hour late ... BIKING, of course!

Hey thanks Tom for the bit of encouragment. I know that if you were here, I could definitely count on you. You are the best!

Anyways, my birthday spent with my parents and Pete was a lot of fun. We went out to dinner at my favorite restaurant downtown called Copelands of New Orleans. My parents got me my favorite flowers...peach roses! Then afterwards we just rented the movie "Trapped" and went back over to my parents house to watch it on the big screen. We were going to possibly go bowling downtown, but since my mom was still not feeling well, we decided to take it easy.

Then on Saturday, Pete took me out to dinner at Palominos downtown. We had heard it had really good food, but I dont think I ordered the right thing. Pete's pork chop was delicious though. Then he took me to the Sheraton hotel for the night. We always have such fun together. It's so true that your spouse is your best friend. I love you honey!

Then on Sunday we went over to Mark and Nancys for the afternoon to celebrate my birthday and Nancys. The weather was just beautiful and it was a perfect day to grill hamburgers on the grill. They were delicious by the way. We played several rounds of Yahtzee and Pictionary.

Despite my brothers absence, my birthday was a great time. Thanks everyone for making it such a special weekend for me.

I also wanted to add that when Pete and I were in Chicago we went and ate at Giordanos and I definitely agree with Tom that they have the best pizza ever. You guys looked like you had a good time.

Well, I suppose I should go home now from work. I have been here way too long. Take care everyone!

Hello,

So I rented a car, invited my roommate to join me, and spent two days in Chicago for spring break. It was great to see Tom! I'm sorry I couldn't make it up in time to see Teresa and Norris (unexpected car trouble) but hopefully I'll get to see everyone again soon. My roommate, Liana, and I spent some time at the art institute (and heard a lecture there), at Navy Pier (there's a great stained glass window museum there, and a ferris wheel), and the Sears Tower--but the highlight was definitely hanging out with Tom, eating Chicago pizza and listening to the blues. Click on the photo for a few more pictures:



Look, we're in Chicag-

Ancestors!

The other day, Liv noticed a deal on AOLwhere ancestry.com had free searches available on the complete 1930 US census. On a whim she entered her Great Grandpa Hans Asper's name, and found it (That was pretty easy, as there were only two entries - one in South Dakota, and another in Illinois). [note: Those free searches might only work if you are using AOL. When I tried it with a regular browser, it seemed to want me to buy a subscription.]

Digging a little more I went for Andersons and Petersons! (brings to mind another joke from Paul's joke book, about lakes in Minnesota). It took a little more time, but I did find Mae (May) and Fred! Here is a portion of their entries (click on the link for a blow-up):






You can search for more on Ancestry.com - I have the full pages downloaded, but they are pretty big - I can print them out and bring them to the next family gathering.

Maria, if I were in Minneapolis I would come- in fact, I would take the bus to get there. Happy Birthday!

Ingrid (and her roomate Leanne is that right Ingrid?) was in town last night and I thought we weren't going to be able to hang out because I had a conflict- but the conflict fell through so we got together and showed Chicago how to party! Well, maybe not like that exactly. First we went to Giordano's pizzeria, which is the best Chicago pizza as far as I am concerned. http://www.giordanos.com

Then we got coffee and waited around for some live music and headed over to the Blue Chicago for some real Chicago blues. http://www.bluechicago.com

Then we jumped on the redline (we needed the same train) and I headed back home and they went back to their hostel which Ingrid called, "spectacular!" She didn't stop raving about how wonderful it was and how nice their new roomates were. Ingrid took pictures so hopefully she'll post them.

Tom.

Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes. So far my birthday has been good. I came into work this morning and there was a bouquet of spring flowers from my co-workers and then Pete came and brought me lunch along with a bouquet of carnations and a balloon. However, my brother Tom hasnt been very nice to me. He isnt coming to my birthday celebration just because he doesnt want to drive downtown to the restaurant that I want to go to. He also told me that my birthday is such a chore for him and that I am being selfish cause I want to go to a specific restaurant for my birthday. Like he should talk about being selfish!! Anyways, I just needed to vent about it. My other brother is sick, but that's something that he cant help. I am just sad that he wont be able to be there. So, I guess it's just going to be my parents, Pete and I. I am glad that they are able to come and I know that the four of us will have fun, it's just the thought of my brother not willing to sacrifice one evening for his only sister. At least I have two other brothers...Tom and Stevie. But I am trying not to let my brother bother me and ruin my day. Plus, all the sweet things that other people are doing for me are making up for it.

       

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Happy Birthday Maria! How does it feel to be 22 honey?

Sorry to hear about your romantic bust-up, Tom. But now you are free to become the fourth Swedish Lutheran monk.

Norris and I are home from Chicago. My workshop presentation lasted until 5:30 on Wednesday and we were told not to try to leave the city at rush hour so we went out for a bit of dinner. However, we had to leave by 6:45 or we'd have to pay for another overpriced day of parking at the hotel, so eventually we took the plunge. Stayed overnight at a Super 8 in a cornfield in Wisconsin... quite a change from the Sheraton in downtown Chicago. Norris never felt well the entire trip, but every once and a while he'd croak out, "Spring break!"

Hi everybody!
You all remember in Paul's jokebook, the story about the Swedish maid who says to her employer, "You know that vase you were always afraid I would break? Your worries are over." Now Mark won't ever forget Maria's name, 'cause he's been there, done that.
Happy Birthday and Happy First Day of Spring, Maria! Have a great day on your birthday!
Cool pigs, Liv. Did you mean that you make them during driver's ed? Nancy

hey everyone- remember Jessica? well, she left me for another man. Okay, it's not that bad but we're not together now.
I just thought I'd let you all know. Don't worry, it's not that sad.
Tom

Hey bikers I started biking to work last week. I rode three times in February too. Its nice having daylight in the morning and evening. Tip for bikers- clean all the sand from the streets that accumulates on your bike after early spring rides and save yourself maintenance problems later on. Does anyone need a tune up , tire repair, etc. Let me know.

Hey what's-your-name-sister-in-law,

Don't worry, often times I am called Stephen and Peter before my dad gets to Tom. You are not alone.

Ste- uh, Pe- uh- Tom

Last night Pete and I went over to Nancy and Marks for a birthday dinner for Nancy. It was a great time and the food was delicious. Thanks Mark for making steak. We played several rounds of Yahtzee and I finally won a game!! Another highlight was when Mark forgot his daughter in laws name during our dinner prayer. How embarassing for both of us. It was such a shocker. All I have to say is that from now on he probably wont ever forget my name again.....hopefully. Cant wait to see you all on Sunday. Have a great day everyone!

Happy Birthday, Nancy and Maria!

Janelle and Matt

....Hmmm - I'm finally home and looking at our calendar for Sunday and I see we've got a conflict then. You might want to work around us - between school and Norris's work schedule, I don't know when we can make it.

COUGARS ARE GOING TO ROUND 2 IN THE STATE TOURNIE!!! We just shut out Shakopee!!!
In other news, I'm taking drivers ed. It is very boring. My friend Eliza and I make pigs out squishy erasers. Here is a pic:

Well, I guess we should be learning about why "safety belts" only work when you where them...
---Livvi'i
(Como rules, I think you can think about what that means for the Shakopee Sabers...)

Anything like Lutheran Monks? Postmodern Celtic Baptists


The first thing people do after entering the quiet sanctuary is pause at a table to light prayer candles for friends and loved ones, the tiny flames adding to the glow of nearby candle trees. ....