Monday evening after supper we went down to the Rose Garden and were delighted with the show.

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This morning we went to the agate festival in Moose Lake. Below are two pictures of the agate stampede and a tall ship we happened upon when returning to Duluth.

Today we toured the factory and enjoyed a free lunch at the 100th anniversary party of Duluth Pack.
Yesterday we went to the huge rummage sale at the UU church and the ice cream social in our building.
Wednesday we had the grounds tour at Glensheen and stayed for the band concert.

When we weren't paying attention, the peonies came out at the rose garden (pictures below). They seem to have been battered by the rough weather and are past their prime. The roses will be ready this week for their coming-out party.
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This Week

The annual concert of Strikepoint, an outstanding handbell choir, was last night. They are amazing.

This morning we went to The Swamp Sisters for breakfast with our friends Bill & Marlene, Lowell & Bev, and their friends, Paul & Adel.

Our aerobics class is challenging but satisfying and one of my favorite activities.

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This morning we attended Unitarian church and this evening the Grandma's Marathon volunteer appreciation supper.

Goings On

A long rainy spell finally ended yesterday so we took a ride up to Gooseberry Falls State Park to see the spectacle I captured in THIS VIDEO.

We've been enjoying the music performances at music camp at UMD. Last night were the small ensemble recitals and today the piano, string, choir, and band camps. Thursday was the faculty concert.

Grandma's Marathon

Grandma's Marathon is the biggest annual event in Duluth. This is the 35th year. For several years Jane and I been volunteering on Thursday evening before the race in the job of "packet pickup" where runners get their timing chips and documents. We were out Saturday morning but too late to see the leaders go by. It was too cold for us so we didn't watch very long. Friday we heard talks by running legend, Dick Beardsley and Olympic champion, Frank Shorter.
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Twenty-one of us had a foggy but fun walk today. Pictures require 2 clicks to open full size.

Monday evening we went to the Duluth Art Institute to see an exhibit entitled Esther Bubley: On Assignment. She was a leading photo-journalist from the early 1940s to the late 1960s. While we were there we viewed the excellent documentary, War Photographer, about photo-journalist, James Nachtwey. I highly recommend this important film but be forewarned it is very disturbing.

Yesterday we went to see Woody Allen's new movie, Midnight in Paris and liked it a lot. It is a charming romantic comedy and delightfully nostalgic.

The weather forecast above illustrates one of the reasons we keep returning to Duluth.

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Let The Good Times Roll

We arrived in Duluth on the afternoon of June 7 feeling lucky to have had no mishaps and with good memories of the old friendships renewed and new friendships made among the Evergreeners who hosted us along the way. Thay are in Dunedin, FL, Columbus, GA, Baxter, TN, Indianapolis, Davis, IL, Stillwater, MN

Among our stops we visited Jane's son, Steve and his wife, Carol in Sebring and the new Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. We enjoyed this a lot and recommend it. Pictures are below.

And Away We Go

We're getting ready to leave Monday on our annual getaway to the northwoods and our "summer camp for seniors."

This past Tuesday at Muvico, Jane and I attended an advance screening of The Hangover Part II. It was the worst movie we saw this year -- an absolute waste of time.

Last week at Muvico Jane and I saw Water for Elephants -- basically a love story in a traveling circus. I would have liked a little more realism in the backstory of the circus. It seemed contrived and unrealistic. For the most part, I found the interactions of characters overly simplified. It was modestly engaging and I think most viewers would enjoy the movie but I can't call it a "must see."

Could this 1998 magazine be prophetic?

 

                 Fourteen of us enjoyed a walk this  
              morning on Lake Trail in Palm Beach.

Mothers Day

Last Sunday (Mothers Day) Jane and I had an enjoyable visit to the gardens of The American Orchid Society in Delray Beach. Below are a few snapshots from there.
 
 Also on Sunday we had free suppers at Duffy's Sports Grill. The manager offered us free meals for agreeing to move to another table so they could use our table for a larger group.

Eight of us enjoyed a not-so-frugal supper Wednesday at Relish.

Sunfest Fireworks