BY AL FREELAND

I really enjoy the Defeat of Jesse James Day’s auto show every year.   I like it for the same reasons that many “old people” like me revel in the event!!!    It is a walk down memory lane, a time to feel a bit younger as you identify with the machines that grew to be an extension of your body and seem still young, and for me and a few others walking around it was because of “simplicity”. 

The best way to describe what I mean by “simplicity” is as follows: 

1. I was talking with a gentleman that had rebuilt a Model-T Ford.  He gave a fascinating rendition of how Henry Ford had made a very usable car for the masses.  He said that Ford fine tuned the car engine and transmission to a point that is basically the same functional engine and transmission that exists in today’s cars. Once Ford developed the new oiling system, planetary gear transmission, and the basics that are still in our cars today, he stuck with it.  To make the massive sales he had, he just kept reducing the prices, making the Model T almost impossible to not buy; keeping all other competitors at bay.   He built millions of them until he was forced to update the technologies in 1927 when the Model A was released (I think I got the facts right).  The exhibition gentlemen had all the facts about the evolution of the Model-T which made for a fantastic visit.  It was the “keep it simple stupid” or KISS method of manufacturing, marketing and success.
2. Next, as I was walking over to a 1930 Pontiac that caught my eye, I overheard a couple of guys looking at some other older cars who were saying the same thing I had said all day long, “would you look at this Sam – can you believe how simple these engines were – no junk hanging all over it like today!”  Their point was proven all the more when I strolled over to the 1930 Pontiac.  One of the side hoods were raised showing the rebuilt and uncluttered engine (see the picture above).  I think you would agree with me if you were standing by my side, that this engine was designed for easy access and maintenance of all of the major engine wear-parts, including:  the spark plugs easily positioned on top of the engine, starter, generator, gas filter, water pump, manifolds, distributor, and carburetor.  I could touch, remove and replace these all with a couple of wrenches and a couple minutes effort.

I posted the following blog on my old website 3 years ago when I spent a lot of time hunting for the hidden horse shoe.  This year I am one of those hiding it.  Little did I know I was wasting my time, if I had paid any attention to the rule about it having to be on public property.  Regardless, the clues that I did tie into Oaklawn Cemetery in Northfield were just to ironic to not be part of something bigger.  Today, I am assured that it was just pure coincidence.  Read over the old post and take close note of the names on the stones. 

A great time was had by all! Aug 21-23 2009. We stayed in the resort the whole time. There was so much to do that we didn't need to leave. The facility is immense.

Click here to view the VIDEO page.

Hi folks!  I hope you’re having a great summer.  I’ve taken a little time off from TF.com for some web projects at work.  But….my camera continues to click.  I’m getting ready to post a number of great blogs on various topics and they all include great video and photo galleries.  Here’s a hint at what’s to come.

Our puppy Mia is growing up just fine.  She will surprise us with free entertainment on a daily basis…including her new sleeping spot on our recently paid off furniture.  Stay tuned and have a great August. 

Knowing there is nothing planned for the empty field to it's north, the new road markings at the Mendards in Dundas lead traffic into a curb.

My next door neighbor growing up in Northfield was Chris Blomberg.  He and I share June 1st as our birthday.  Tomorrow he turns 34 and I turn 36.  We always had a ton of fun with this, including some grand parties when we lived together in Minneapolis.  We have always made efforts to get together or do something special together on this special day that we share. 

This morning he randomly showed up at my front door on his bike.  He lives about 45 minutes away and I hadn’t seen him in many months.  He was in town for a family event and was going for a spin and decided to drop by.  This was such a great present. 

Happy birthday Chris!

By AL FREELAND

Andrew was born in southwestern Norway. What else did a person do in Southwestern Norway but fish or farm – period! He was born in a little town of Bryne – today still a little town of about 500 people. Outside of the town is a little wooden church called Time (pronounce Teem’ a) Lutheran. I was there about 10 years ago and saw the baptismal font he was baptized in, and the pews that he sat in, and the graveyard his ancestors were buried in. The thread of time and history and ancestry is small, but strong. I felt pulled there and could feel the connections the “thread” was pulling. The following is the Time “Crest” or “Coat of Arms”. (click on the head title to read on)

ALAN FREELAND

Ole Apland was a legend! He came from Norway in 1855, he landed in Canada, took a train to Illinois, and then a wagon train – yes literally a horse drawn wagon train across the prairie to Story County, Iowa. He fell in love with a cute girl named Anna Ersland who was a passenger in the wagon train as well. They became the first couple to be married in Story County, Iowa. He homesteaded his 160 acres and eventually became a wealthy pioneer, acquiring a lot of land in Story County and wealth, and eventually we all became his ancestors.

What you just read was a SUPER summary of the entire life a pioneer that could be a feature length, trilogy, movie, novel, and/or a lifetime of study! What I want to focus on is just one fact of his life – actually his death. One very small, insignificant perhaps fact. (click title heading to read on)

My Grandma Esta Freeland-Cox has spent many many hours with a quilting needle in her hands during her 96 years.  It’s been a source of entertainment, socialization and crafting for years.  When I was very young Grandma Esta told me that I’d receive a hand made quilt some day when I graduated from high school.  She simply asked me what color I wanted.  Under pressure and completely unaware of the longevity of this decision, I said “yellow” for some reason.  I hated yellow then, and still do today.  BUT…when I graduated from Northfield High School in 1991, there was my quilt on the gift table, sealed for freshness in a plastic covering.  Each of her grandchildren received a hand sewn quilt at graduation as their gift.  There were five of us.  Mine was yellow. 

I recently realized that I have slept with this quilt off and on for eighteen years since graduation.  This included all of college and in five different homes.  So, last week I laid the quilt out on the bed, as seen in the photo, and carefully studied the patterns and reminisced on all of the years that this piece has served me.  I ran across her little tag that is sewn onto each of her creations.  Click on it to see the larger view.  It says “Specially Fashioned by Esta Cox”.  Why did it take me eighteen years to see this?  I guess we take tags for granted. 

Last week I asked grandma about the material on the floral patterns.  She explained that she had stockpiles of materials in her collection from years of setting aside pieces of clothing and cloth samples of interest.  She even thought some used in my quilt were from her mothers collection.  Although she could not identify any particular piece of cloth in particular, she did indicate that any old piece could have been anything from her maternity clothing to her mom’s Sunday church outfit.

How’s that for lasting quality.

So what in the world is the story here?  Well..here is a legend of unprecedented party-house leadership that led to hazy memories for thousands. This is the story of my college-life glory year at an off campus house at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis MN.

While my best friend Chad and I were  living in the college dormitory, we couldn’t get into any of the “fraternity” parties to save our life.  Let’s be honest, why would the frat-boys want to invite a bunch of guys to their parties.  So, we’d walk down University avenue, trying to get into the hopping parties but wouldn’t be allowed in because we weren’t “brothers”.  So, we made our own fraternity.  The next year, we rented the biggest, baddest house we could find closest to frat-row and named it “D.O.A”, which of course, was a sarcastic take on the medical term D.O.A. for “dead on arrival”.  We even found an old boat decking at a flea-market, painted our name on it and distressed it to taste.  It hung over the fireplace.  (notice the photo of a visit from my parents.  Don’t I look so innocent in my 90’s grunge flannel and pony tail).  We wanted to have our own little fraternity where everyone was welcome that wanted to have a good time.  We actually considered prohibiting fraternity members, but decided against that, because it was against our house motto of having a good time…..all the time. (click story title to keep reading)

How about a road trip to all 12 Northfield's across the US? Doesn't make you feel very exclusive, does it?

• Northfield, CT
• Northfield, IL
• Northfield, IN
• Northfield, KY
• Northfield, ME
• Northfield, MA
• Northfield, MN
• Northfield, NH
• Northfield, NJ
• Northfield, OH
• Northfield, VT
• Northfield, WI

View Northfield's in a larger map

I just can’t write enough about this band in one post.  They were the house band at the Cabooze on the West Bank in Minneapolis in the 90’s.  They put on one of the best live shows on the face of the earth.  The members were a collaborative gathering of from many other successful acts such as Price, Mambo’s Combo, Beat the Clock & Paul Westerberg. 

Check out a video.  (strong language warning for your ears).  Website is www.greazymeal.com

This is Tech Talk with Tim and Adam, a weekly radio program on helpful tips and tricks for the common computer user, broadcast on 1080AM KYMN Radio out of Northfield Minnesota. You can listen to a copy of these shows at here, can podcast or just listen live weekly at 11AM on Friday's, rebroadcast at 5:30 Sunday nights. Tim Freeland is KYMN host and webmaster along with Adam Gurno, software developer and owner of Brown Dog Computers, ready to inform, discuss and teach you better and new ways to use computers and the internet to improve your quality of life.

Click the arrow to listen to the show!