There is a huge, old castle-like building not far out of Duluth on ;the shore of Lake Superior, and I’ve always wondered exactly what it was built for.  When I was researching some local history this month I learned all about how a typhoid outbreak long ago spurred action in creating…

I might have mentioned that our bright yellow kayak has been strapped to the top of my van for a few months now so that it is ready in case the stars align, meaning that I’m in front of Lake Superior when the water is calm and my husband is…

Superglue!  Oh my goodness!  I’ve been afraid of superglue my entire life. I think my parents may have filled my head with tales about gluing all my fingers together and never getting them apart again.  I’ve never really used superglue because I’ve always associated it with a dark, ominous feeling…

I am constantly surprised at the rate my children run through shoes.  Their feet seem to grow at exponential, unpredictable rates.  They wear through shoes in an unfathomable fashion.  Pieces of velcro worn through in a season, holes in the toes, holes in the toes, holes in the soles, broken…

My buddy was excited to go to Hartley while the big kidlets were away at school.  We greeted all the animals in the nature center.  The snapping turtle is my favorite.  He likes the painted turtle and the snake.  It was a beautiful morning, and we explored the butterfly garden,…

We were on a small hike.  Lately Mr. Trouble on Feet likes to bring a backpack when he  is hiking, loaded with a water bottle and a magnifying glass.  Magnifying glasses are just fun for everyone, I think.  I really loved using my Grandma Jan’s magnifying glasses when I was…

I’m a bit behind, so these images are from a week ago on Sunday, not this past Sunday.  We were a bit pressed for time because we had been watching some preschoolers for friends, and then there was a homework frenzy, but it was a beautiful evening, and I didn’t…

I’ve always loved bugs, and for a while when I was in the early stages of middle school I thought being an entomologist would be rather interesting.  There are just so MANY different kinds of bugs.  The other day I was teaching a piano lesson to a middle school boy,…

Breakfast in the bathtub:  donuts.  Specifically, the three big kids requested Bavarian Creme donuts.  Mr. TOF wanted a round donut with sprinkles.  Breakfast was followed by a quick present opening session in the dining room, on par with birthday traditions around here.  Dr. Peds had been working and working at…