Who remember's the good-ol-days when it comes to killer snow storms? The early 80's were the best. For years we were trained to endure long winters that included numerous snow days, routine drifting and the scrolling "Blizzard Warning" alerts at the bottom of the screen. Not any more. Were those times a fluke? A 50 year cycle? El Nino?

Earlier today we saw a rare "Blizzard Warning" close to home. I can't remember that last time I experienced a blizzard. Yes, wait, I can. It was my first year at the University of Minnesota on Halloween of 1991...But I still don't remember it. Since then, the weather patterns have changed. Remember 81-84? It was just the norm to have record breaking temps and snowfall amounts. Those were my first years in Minnesota as a kid. On some level, I internalized the idea that every Minnesota would be just like that. When we have a mild winter, I think, this is odd. But which is it. Are we "normal" now and those times just the oddity?

Yesterday we had the largest 24 hour temperature swing in 20 years. If you consider the wind-chill, it felt 80 degree's colder than the day before. This is absolutely nuts. I'm surprised that we can even cope? You'd think that car tires would deflate and asphalt would just open up and swallow cars. Just look at the tight color depiction of the temp fallout on this map. I plan to come back and look at this post in the summer. We quickly forget just how "bad" it gets when it 95 and sunny out.

Here are photos from the 1980's snow bliss era.
(photos of 1701 Jackson Court. Nfld. 1983)

By TIM FREELAND

NORTHFIELD - As I wallow in disgust over my favorite baseball teams ownership, I struggle to voice how I feel. The combine 1998 Viking angst with the North Star's "escape in the night" with trading the best player in basketball with a multitude of mid-market, mediocre Minnesota sporting organizations causes my to become emotionally distraught year after year. This even includes our University teams. What am I doing wrong? Why do I blame myself? Why can't I just let go of following Minnesota teams.

On January 29th 2008 the Minnesota Twins let the best pitcher in baseball go for 4 prospects. Johan Santana was scouted, drafted, trained and "raised" by the Twins organization. The Twins believed in him from the start and made him who he was. He left not wanting to be here. Something is wrong with this story. I found my good friend's email to be a stress relieving outlet.

"Ladies and Gentleman ..... Gomez, Guerra, Mulvey, Humber .... we got him.

Todd and I had a heated discussion this morning - I said I am done with the Twins i.e. Pohlad. I am tired of hearing of his operating tactic to put back 52% of the twins prior year revenue into the team as Common-Man-Dan Cole says, only gives the Twins "a chip, a chair and a chance" in other words, they are competitive but not enough to get over the hump and into the world series. Maybe these prospects will pan out, but it sounds to me that the Billy Smith had no choice and also "tipped his hand" by signing Morneau and Cuddy last weekend. The Mets realized the Twins would not pay Santana after the 2 singings and Santana's agent put the screws to the Twins, demanding that Santana be dealt by Tuesday, so the Mets gave them who they wanted. The Twins didn't even get the Mets top prospect.

I am also tired of the Twins M.O. of trading a great talent for multiple prospects, hoping some of the prospects pan out and than when those who pan out contract expires they trade for more prospects. You can't win with out pitching and to let the best pitcher in baseball go for 4 unproven players is a joke and an insult. Lavelle Neil III mentioned in his article that Santana asked the Twins last year to sign an extension with him than before it got to expensive and they did nothing . After the Twins knew Santana would not agree to a 4 yr deal, they made the offer (knowing full well he would not sign it) for the purpose of a PR move only.

I told Todd what bothers me the most is that I got caught up in the Twins Saturday at Twins Fest. I was drinking the cool aid. I should have know better that they (Pohlad) would let me down.

I am tired of hearing the Twins have some success at finding raw talent and molding them (AJ Pryzienski trade for Lieriano, Nathan etc). I don't know how you can classify Santana and AJ together. The trade was fine for AJ but not for a superstar like Santana.

Also, I don't want to hear how nice Pohlad was for kicking in an extra $25 mil to ensure the new stadium would have all the best options. People don't realize that the Pohlads stand to recover triple the cost they put in the stadium after it is completed. Imagine what the Twins worth will be after a new stadium. Pohlad will make 3 to 4 times what he paid for the Twins when he sells it.

anyway I digress -

Todd said I should not be a sports fan because I get so worked up over it and maybe he is right. I just want my favorite teams to win and I am tired of being strung along with a "competitive" team - one and done - not a "great" team..."

-JAMES WATERS

Kayla is the 2nd from left in this years Christmas pageant  at Rejoice Lutheran at the Northfield senior high school.  Notice the perfect twirl to the left and then back again.  And all this under pressure of the audience and in full costume.  What an Angel!

What did I just call her? This week at the Northfield Montessori, my daughter Rylie has been named "Star of the Week" (S.O.W).

I recall in 2nd grade the teacher choose a pupil each Friday as the star student of that week. They would get a card with some candy affixed and was allowed to be the first at doing something. I also recall being one of the last to receive this honor later in the school year. I figure every kid had to "win" once and I must have been one of those "this kids turn" winners.

Well, this is Rylie's 2nd time as Star of the Week. So, she must be doing something right.

This honor includes:

• Being first in all lines.
• Bringing either a game, movie or book of choice each day to share.
• Bring in treats on Friday for everyone.
• Wearing a custom made star necklace around their neck all week.
• Bringing in photos of the family and a brief profile for the wall.
• And of course, ton's of gushing and pampering.

Congratulations Rylie. Take a bow!

My Dad recently had shoulder surgery and my brother has had both done over the past few years. On January 16th, I finally did it. I'm the biggest chicken, so I had to just schedule it and block out the anxiety. It's done and it wasn't so bad.

I'm doing ok. The pain is still an issue but that will go away and I control it with meds and constant icing. Prior to the surgery I actually worked myself up to watching my to-be surgery on Youtube. At first I couldn't watch but I was able to desensitize myself over time. Some thought that was stupid, but it actually helped my learn exactly what I was going to have done. In the process I learned the anatomy terms and saw the procedure inside and out.

Cheers the Dr. Shepley and the Northfield Hospital staff. They were very helpful, thorough, kind & patient with my apprehension.

Here are shots from the inside of my shoulder. I've annotated areas of interest.

No, this wasn't me, but found it very amusing. Wish I had the guts to do something like this.

Now, this IS me. Click to enlarge for easy reading.

This is a video of the bone grinding process (nice terminology).  They use this spinning tool to grind away the problem bone areas. 

minnesota tatoo

Originally uploaded by timfreeland

How do you like my new tattoo? I'm one dedicated Minnesotan!

Naaa. I'm too big of a chicken to get a tattoo, but someone did. Over the years, I've been infatuated with the map shape of Minnesota. Probably since I was in grade school and did a project on what defines it's boarders.

Over the years I've seen various companies use the shape of the state in their logos. I've decided to start keeping track of them. Click here to see my collection so far. More to come.

If you have any ideas or unique images, please send a post and attach your file.

1937

Originally uploaded by timfreeland

A few months ago, I sought to find every St Paul Winter Carnival Pinback button ever made. I quickly found out that there were many many sets out there. There is the official pin-set, but every group of royalty has their own, each "wind", the Vulcan's, the sponsors, past royalty, etc. I don't know if you could actually collect everything that exists. But, at least I have almost all of the "official" ones. I must disclose that I do not have the 1916, and the 3 from the last 1890, nor do I expect to ever have them. They are too expensive for my blood. I have made "place holder" replica's of them to sit in my collection and I am ok with that.

With this 1937 purchase, I feel complete. I feel peace in my heart, knowing that I need not hover over ever eBay listing or call any more antique shops in the cities.

Click here to view photos of the entire set.