For the first time this year, I intentionally watched the Vikings Sunday. The reason, of course, was simply because it was the last game played in the Metrodome, a “souvenir game” so to speak.
It turned out to be reasonably entertaining for a late-season game between two teams who had no playoff hopes on the line. It even had some unusual quirks, such as the Vikings playing a solid first half, and most of all, not blowing the lead in the fourth quarter.
Outside of the stadium during the final game, it was below zero temperature before even calculating the windchill. I would like to go back to the ‘70s and read some of the material from when the community leaders at the time would have been touting the benefits of building a domed stadium in Minnesota.
At least the new billion-dollar baby will have a roof as well. Pro sports are for the upscale crowd these days. Why would rich people want to sit outside in terrible weather for three hours plus? How many $12 beers can you drink when it’s below zero?
The Metrodome was state-of-the-art at the time it was built, and it’s sad to see it be tossed away like an old car that would cost more to repair than it’s worth. It served us well – mostly because we always knew there would be a game and it would be comfortable.
That’s where the Twins still missed the boat with Target Field. Milwaukee’s Miller Field has the modern appeal like a Target Field, but also has a retractable roof for those awful-weather days you know will occur. The retractable feature, despite the high price tag, gives everyone the best of both worlds – open sunshine when it’s nice, and protection when it’s not.
I won’t be bidding on any Metrodome memorabilia, but definitely hanging on to memories of a stadium that wasn’t perfect but still was ours!
Mouth-watering Omaha Steaks
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Restaurant review: Don Pablo's, Eden Prairie MN
Even though I’d been to Don Pablo’s in Eden Prairie with others before, it took several years to learn how to get there.
You can easily see it cruising along where 494 starts to head north. But it’s nestled between a couple hotels – over the underpass and through the service roads . . .
Over the years, we’ve had several failed attempts to get there where in which we simply gave up and went somewhere else. Now, after a couple times of reaching the destination, maybe the changes in plans weren’t so bad.
The best thing about Don Pablo’s was the pre-meal basket of chips, which come out slightly warmed. We hurried through these, and a second basket, so fast, it took the edge off the appetite for the meal. Although the chips were delicious, the salsa serving was on the stingy side.
Otherwise, things were extremely average. Nothing wrong, but nothing to get excited about. Plenty of menu choices. The food was ok, but just didn’t have the flavor like El Mazatlan.
And by the time we’re done, the tab runs up faster and higher than the value received. Although we know how to get there now, I don’t have a reason to hurry back.
You can easily see it cruising along where 494 starts to head north. But it’s nestled between a couple hotels – over the underpass and through the service roads . . .
Over the years, we’ve had several failed attempts to get there where in which we simply gave up and went somewhere else. Now, after a couple times of reaching the destination, maybe the changes in plans weren’t so bad.
The best thing about Don Pablo’s was the pre-meal basket of chips, which come out slightly warmed. We hurried through these, and a second basket, so fast, it took the edge off the appetite for the meal. Although the chips were delicious, the salsa serving was on the stingy side.
Otherwise, things were extremely average. Nothing wrong, but nothing to get excited about. Plenty of menu choices. The food was ok, but just didn’t have the flavor like El Mazatlan.
And by the time we’re done, the tab runs up faster and higher than the value received. Although we know how to get there now, I don’t have a reason to hurry back.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Business review: Edel's Meats, Montgomery MN
Walk into any small-town meat market and the aroma is overwhelming. It makes you salivate and it makes you buy. It even follows you out the door for a few minutes.
Edel’s Meats is no exception. They all smell great, but when we make a southern trip, I make a point to stop at Edel’s, not for the smell, but for a product: jiternice.
Jiternice (pronounced e-thur-nitz-uh) is a Czech liver sausage that reportedly uses almost every part of a pig. According to the label, ingredients are pork, barley, pork skins, pork snouts, pork tongues, pork hearts, natural juices, salt, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Although there certainly are others who make it, the only place I know of to get it is at Edel’s in the town of Montgomery, MN, where Czech heritage means many names are spelled with very few vowels.
Jiternice is good when baked to a golden brown, although I confess to having warmed it in a microwave. Jiternice in a microwave is like making pizza in a microwave – you get it heated, but not the toasting effect.
Of course, these days there are more options, as with many products. Besides the traditional rings, you can also get jiternice in links and even patties.
Don’t think about what’s in it. Just give it a try. Here’s where to find it.
Edel’s Meats is no exception. They all smell great, but when we make a southern trip, I make a point to stop at Edel’s, not for the smell, but for a product: jiternice.
Jiternice (pronounced e-thur-nitz-uh) is a Czech liver sausage that reportedly uses almost every part of a pig. According to the label, ingredients are pork, barley, pork skins, pork snouts, pork tongues, pork hearts, natural juices, salt, spices, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Although there certainly are others who make it, the only place I know of to get it is at Edel’s in the town of Montgomery, MN, where Czech heritage means many names are spelled with very few vowels.
Jiternice is good when baked to a golden brown, although I confess to having warmed it in a microwave. Jiternice in a microwave is like making pizza in a microwave – you get it heated, but not the toasting effect.
Of course, these days there are more options, as with many products. Besides the traditional rings, you can also get jiternice in links and even patties.
Don’t think about what’s in it. Just give it a try. Here’s where to find it.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Books: Heaven (and hell)
Keeping in mind that we should not take man’s word over God’s word regarding what Heaven will be like, there are a number of books on the market that describe stories of heavenly experiences.
Individually, these make no claims other than telling their own stories and sharing them with others. Skeptics will argue that the narratives are made up, based on dreams or wishes, or any other reason to refute them.
Being careful to not put too much reliance on any one account, taken collectively, these books do present at least a description of what we can expect or hope Heaven to be like.
Many of the writers simply say some things about Heaven are inexpressible in human terms and descriptions, such as colors and music that are way beyond our current capacity to see and hear.
While we’re still here waiting for eternity, here is a list of thought-provoking Heaven-themed books, all of which are worth the time to read and re-read:
• “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent) – The 4-year-old son of a Nebraska pastor nearly dies during emergency surgery; then over the next couple years reveals astounding descriptions of Heaven itself, sitting on Jesus’s lap, and telling family members about events in their lives that young Colton could not possibly have known about except having learned in his heavenly visit.
• “Heaven Changes Everything: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind” (Todd and Sonja Burpo) – The follow-up book a few years later describing experiences after sharing their original story with others, and best of all, lessons learned and to learn from the process.
• “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife” (Eben Alexander) – The near-death experience of a neurosurgeon and how he finds that the spiritual aspects of life trump scientific beliefs.
• “90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life” (Don Piper) – A Baptist minister involved in a major car accident tells his spiritual realm experiences. Actually, this one focuses more on recovery afterward with only a couple brief chapters of describing Heaven.
• “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World” (Kevin and Alex Malarkey) – Another car accident story, this one in which son Alex survives and later describes angels, life beyond this world, and even meeting Jesus.
• “Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry” (Akiane and Foreli Kramarik) – Go back to “Heaven is for Real:” after Colton Burpo rejected numerous paintings of Jesus as not looking like him, Akiane’s was just right. They had no connection whatsoever, other than agreeing on the appearance of Jesus. This book tells Akiane’s story of how she became a widely known painter and poet while just a young child.
• “23 Minutes in Hell” (Bill Wiese) – A look at the other side and its heat, stench, and eternal suffering. This also includes an escape from hell with Jesus.
Again, being careful not to put too much stock in any one account, together these books paint a fascinating picture of what’s in store for us. There are many other books as well, and that gives us something to do while we’re still waiting.
Individually, these make no claims other than telling their own stories and sharing them with others. Skeptics will argue that the narratives are made up, based on dreams or wishes, or any other reason to refute them.
Being careful to not put too much reliance on any one account, taken collectively, these books do present at least a description of what we can expect or hope Heaven to be like.
Many of the writers simply say some things about Heaven are inexpressible in human terms and descriptions, such as colors and music that are way beyond our current capacity to see and hear.
While we’re still here waiting for eternity, here is a list of thought-provoking Heaven-themed books, all of which are worth the time to read and re-read:
• “Heaven is for Real” (Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent) – The 4-year-old son of a Nebraska pastor nearly dies during emergency surgery; then over the next couple years reveals astounding descriptions of Heaven itself, sitting on Jesus’s lap, and telling family members about events in their lives that young Colton could not possibly have known about except having learned in his heavenly visit.
• “Heaven Changes Everything: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind” (Todd and Sonja Burpo) – The follow-up book a few years later describing experiences after sharing their original story with others, and best of all, lessons learned and to learn from the process.
• “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife” (Eben Alexander) – The near-death experience of a neurosurgeon and how he finds that the spiritual aspects of life trump scientific beliefs.
• “90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life” (Don Piper) – A Baptist minister involved in a major car accident tells his spiritual realm experiences. Actually, this one focuses more on recovery afterward with only a couple brief chapters of describing Heaven.
• “The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World” (Kevin and Alex Malarkey) – Another car accident story, this one in which son Alex survives and later describes angels, life beyond this world, and even meeting Jesus.
• “Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry” (Akiane and Foreli Kramarik) – Go back to “Heaven is for Real:” after Colton Burpo rejected numerous paintings of Jesus as not looking like him, Akiane’s was just right. They had no connection whatsoever, other than agreeing on the appearance of Jesus. This book tells Akiane’s story of how she became a widely known painter and poet while just a young child.
• “23 Minutes in Hell” (Bill Wiese) – A look at the other side and its heat, stench, and eternal suffering. This also includes an escape from hell with Jesus.
Again, being careful not to put too much stock in any one account, together these books paint a fascinating picture of what’s in store for us. There are many other books as well, and that gives us something to do while we’re still waiting.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Book review: 'My Life on the Run'
“My Life On the Run” by Bart Yasso (pub. 2008):
From the Runner’s World icon, a great collection of stories, especially of extreme races that most of us would never ever considering attempting for one reason or many.
Going through deserts, up mountains, naked, with burros, biking across the US (twice), on Antarctica, Mt. Kilimanjaro, India, training a group from a rehab facility for a 22-mile relay, the US Mountain Running Team, getting married in Italy and running a marathon the next day, and finally being inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions – the list goes on, each an interesting tale. The distance alone rules out most of us. Then add the extreme conditions or circumstances. He also tells of battles with addiction and Lyme disease. All told with humorous touches.
Yasso also describes inventing the “Yasso 800s” workout, which in many cases, gives a reasonably accurate prediction to a marathoner’s finishing time. There also is the reaction from one guy who didn’t get it right and changed the name (it rhymes).
The book also includes several suggested training schedules for everything from a 5k to a full marathon, each at three levels for beginner, seasoned, and hard-core. I myself will stick to my on-the-fly daily jaunts rather than a rigid schedule because, at my level, it works for me and keeps me interested.
As for apparel, there’s a discussion about running being a free-for-all as to what’s acceptable to wear. Unlike other sports, almost anything goes. Some “stunt runners” will do an entire race in boots or costume. I keep it on the plain side, but I guess I fit in.
At the end, is a series of short items about specific runners and another series about races around the world. About our own TC Marathon, besides the now familiar term as the “most scenic urban marathon in America,” Yasso also describes it as one of best-organized marathons in the country. Agreed.
Bart’s slide show is entitled “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You.” More great advice from someone who’s been there, literally.
From the Runner’s World icon, a great collection of stories, especially of extreme races that most of us would never ever considering attempting for one reason or many.
Going through deserts, up mountains, naked, with burros, biking across the US (twice), on Antarctica, Mt. Kilimanjaro, India, training a group from a rehab facility for a 22-mile relay, the US Mountain Running Team, getting married in Italy and running a marathon the next day, and finally being inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions – the list goes on, each an interesting tale. The distance alone rules out most of us. Then add the extreme conditions or circumstances. He also tells of battles with addiction and Lyme disease. All told with humorous touches.
Yasso also describes inventing the “Yasso 800s” workout, which in many cases, gives a reasonably accurate prediction to a marathoner’s finishing time. There also is the reaction from one guy who didn’t get it right and changed the name (it rhymes).
The book also includes several suggested training schedules for everything from a 5k to a full marathon, each at three levels for beginner, seasoned, and hard-core. I myself will stick to my on-the-fly daily jaunts rather than a rigid schedule because, at my level, it works for me and keeps me interested.
As for apparel, there’s a discussion about running being a free-for-all as to what’s acceptable to wear. Unlike other sports, almost anything goes. Some “stunt runners” will do an entire race in boots or costume. I keep it on the plain side, but I guess I fit in.
At the end, is a series of short items about specific runners and another series about races around the world. About our own TC Marathon, besides the now familiar term as the “most scenic urban marathon in America,” Yasso also describes it as one of best-organized marathons in the country. Agreed.
Bart’s slide show is entitled “Never Limit Where Running Can Take You.” More great advice from someone who’s been there, literally.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Restaurant review: Windmill Bar and Lounge, Mapleton MN
There aren’t a lot of places to eat in little Mapleton, MN (pop. 1,763). In fact, your only choice may be the Windmill Bar and Lounge on Highway 22, and on a Saturday, you’ll have to wait until 5 p.m. for the kitchen to open.
Once it does, though, it serves the purpose. This is not your fancy decorated fine dining. It is, as the name implies, a small-town bar and lounge. There is plenty of seating, free popcorn, game activities, a few tv screens, and if you’re staying away from the chain-names, it’s a good choice.
The menu points out the owners are Tami and 9 Toes, but doesn’t provide the details on the Toe reference, which seems to be obvious. You can “toe-size” any burger, and the prime burger choice is the Toe Burger – already upgraded in size with additional toppings including jalapenos. There are plenty of non-burger choices as well.
Unless you want to drive 20 miles to Mankato for more choices, when in Mapleton, blow in to the Windmill.
Once it does, though, it serves the purpose. This is not your fancy decorated fine dining. It is, as the name implies, a small-town bar and lounge. There is plenty of seating, free popcorn, game activities, a few tv screens, and if you’re staying away from the chain-names, it’s a good choice.
The menu points out the owners are Tami and 9 Toes, but doesn’t provide the details on the Toe reference, which seems to be obvious. You can “toe-size” any burger, and the prime burger choice is the Toe Burger – already upgraded in size with additional toppings including jalapenos. There are plenty of non-burger choices as well.
Unless you want to drive 20 miles to Mankato for more choices, when in Mapleton, blow in to the Windmill.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Christmas shopping: part 5, unofficially finished!
Retraced a previous trip. Because one of my readers is also a gift recipient, I can’t describe it any more than an Undisclosed Retail Establishment (URE).
Upon entering the URE, it was painfully obvious that the intensity level of Christmas shopping has increased from our previous steps. I even suggested that one of us acquire a place in line while the other picks up what we came for. We toughed it out and both shopped and waited. Judging by the volume, maybe the economy isn’t as bad as it still seems to be.
With that task complete, we were then left at a crossroads: whether to go to a frequently-visited Walmart or an unfamiliar one. We chose the adventure of a new one. (They are different – the same components, but arranged differently – sort of like buildings Legos into different arrangements.)
It was at the “new” Walmart, I made these comparisons of hiking through Walmart and hiking through the Rocky Mountains:
• you can go out-and-back, a loop, or simply aim for a desired distance.
• the scenery changes as progress from along a creek, through pharmacy, open meadows, housewares, thick forest, electronics, etc.
• you are constantly presented with navigational decisions to make: stepping around the tree root or the fat lady, avoiding the jagged rock or group of tweenagers, and so on.
• it is fairly like to run into Duck Dynasty-like characters in either place.
• for the advanced, you can even use your GPS to return to your car(t).
There are some differences, though, such as very few elevation changes in Walmart, not more than a few inches. And although you protected from the weather, you can’t follow the sun as a guide. In fact, in a 24-hour Walmart, time is irrelevant since you don’t have worry about finishing before nightfall.
Upon entering the URE, it was painfully obvious that the intensity level of Christmas shopping has increased from our previous steps. I even suggested that one of us acquire a place in line while the other picks up what we came for. We toughed it out and both shopped and waited. Judging by the volume, maybe the economy isn’t as bad as it still seems to be.
With that task complete, we were then left at a crossroads: whether to go to a frequently-visited Walmart or an unfamiliar one. We chose the adventure of a new one. (They are different – the same components, but arranged differently – sort of like buildings Legos into different arrangements.)
It was at the “new” Walmart, I made these comparisons of hiking through Walmart and hiking through the Rocky Mountains:
• you can go out-and-back, a loop, or simply aim for a desired distance.
• the scenery changes as progress from along a creek, through pharmacy, open meadows, housewares, thick forest, electronics, etc.
• you are constantly presented with navigational decisions to make: stepping around the tree root or the fat lady, avoiding the jagged rock or group of tweenagers, and so on.
• it is fairly like to run into Duck Dynasty-like characters in either place.
• for the advanced, you can even use your GPS to return to your car(t).
There are some differences, though, such as very few elevation changes in Walmart, not more than a few inches. And although you protected from the weather, you can’t follow the sun as a guide. In fact, in a 24-hour Walmart, time is irrelevant since you don’t have worry about finishing before nightfall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)