Yeah, Yeah, Yeah - I'm a slacker. What can I say? I've been a little busy with friends, the gardens, reading, soaking up this fabulous weather.
Ice In July
That's right folks, there's fresh ice at the X this week. The Wild's developmental camp wraps up on Sunday, July 17 with a scrimmage that's open to the public. After watching today's game I have hope for the near and not too distant future of this team. We still need a high scoring center, RFN, but our "shelf stock" is looking better than it has in a long time. My favorite part of the day was talking with a youth hockey team that was here from Germany. They were acting like paparazzi, snapping pictures of one of their celebrity-status goalie - Dennis Endras. Deniis is the draft pick that's supposed to be the next Backstrom...we'll see about that. Nate Prosser played like he belongs in the NHL. It's just another 60 days until training camp and I'm betting Nate really makes it hard for TR to send him off to Houston. Casey Wellman - I think he's my new puppylove in addition to playing very well. Tyler Cuma is not injured this time around so he's getting his first real look. Let's hope he can stay in one piece going into this season. I had an awesome time today, met some really nice people (local and foreign) and got to see the future of this team. It's going to get better, maybe not this season, but we certainly have some pieces that will click in a matter of a few short years. You just have to remind yourself that we're still at least two years away from totalling exorcising the demon that is Doug Risebrough from the team.
Yesterday's News
Just in case you've recently arrived back home from another country and haven't caught up on the local sports scene: Mikko Koivu signed an extension to his current contract. In another year he'll be making boatload of money. There are incentive bonuses and a no trade clause that will keep him here for the next 8 years. Two great articles on Mikko's signing: Russo and BleacherReport will break things down for you.
In The Garden
Are your flower baskets looking gangly and straggly? It’s not unusual for your annuals to get a little out of hand this time of the season. The best remedy is to cut them back. Yes, you’ll lose some blooms for the next week or so. Your plants will thank you by coming back thicker and stronger heading into the second half of the summer season. Take each stem down to at least the next branching/division below the head. Whack it back, as I always say. There’s nothing like a little pruning to let your plants know who’s boss.
Hamster Rap
For a car line that probably won’t be in business for much longer, Kia certainly rocks their commercials. I don’t have anything against Hyundai, I’m just going by what I read about car models that probably won’t survive. I’m currently bouncin’ in a Tuscon that I love. I’ve also driven 3 Sonatas over the 150,000 mile mark, each. Here's a little something to get you groovin'
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sizzlin' Hot, Crowding the Goal
Feel The Burn
Sunshine and Soaring Temperatures - two of my favorite things. Yep, it’s summer in Minnesota and I am in my GLORY! These are the days I live for. These are the days I cry out loud for during January, February and March. These are the days that recharge my very soul. I am happiest when reading a book, sipping ice tea and listening to my iPod all while soaking up rays on my deck. If the Twins have a day game broadcasting on the radio I reach a level of bliss that cannot be rivaled. I quite often find myself smiling, even when I’m alone. And for all of you sissy-na-na’s out there, suck it up. I spent five summers inside a greenhouse with temperatures well over 100⁰ - sweating from pores I don't think ladies are supposed to sweat from. I was often sloshing in my boots because that's where all of that sweat pooled. I’ve had to literally peel articles of clothing from my body that were crusted by dried sweat – hence my love for Oxyclean. So, I don’t wanna hear you nancies whining about breaking a sweat while going from your air-conditioned cars to your air-conditioned offices. You winter freaks will get your time with the ice and cold. Just let me have these wonderfully stinkin’ hot summer days in peace.
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The Eight Wild Reindeer
There's Backstrom and Harding, Hackett and Khudobin, Dubielewicz and Kuemper, Gustafsson and now Endras.
Looks like the Wild have signed another goalie, this one out of Germany. According to Russo the Wild is counting on this kid to be the next Niklas Backstrom. Ooh, how exciting! Er, Wait a minute, what about Khudobin?? If the Wild are so high on Dennis Endras coming over from Germany in another season what's to become of my Hobbit? I popped over to see what MsConduct was thinking and sure enough, we're on the same wavelength. Will he stick it out for another season to see what the future will bring in the NHL or will he look to the European league to cash in on the big bucks? Of course, there is a lot of time to work things out. Dubie is out of the picture, IMO. That leaves Khudobin and Hackett in Houston for now and I'm sure they'll be pushing each other for top spot. Who knows what can happen via injury or performance pressure for any of these guys?
Robbie Earl Is Back! I admire his energy and dedication so I'm happy to see he's signed a one year deal.
Sunshine and Soaring Temperatures - two of my favorite things. Yep, it’s summer in Minnesota and I am in my GLORY! These are the days I live for. These are the days I cry out loud for during January, February and March. These are the days that recharge my very soul. I am happiest when reading a book, sipping ice tea and listening to my iPod all while soaking up rays on my deck. If the Twins have a day game broadcasting on the radio I reach a level of bliss that cannot be rivaled. I quite often find myself smiling, even when I’m alone. And for all of you sissy-na-na’s out there, suck it up. I spent five summers inside a greenhouse with temperatures well over 100⁰ - sweating from pores I don't think ladies are supposed to sweat from. I was often sloshing in my boots because that's where all of that sweat pooled. I’ve had to literally peel articles of clothing from my body that were crusted by dried sweat – hence my love for Oxyclean. So, I don’t wanna hear you nancies whining about breaking a sweat while going from your air-conditioned cars to your air-conditioned offices. You winter freaks will get your time with the ice and cold. Just let me have these wonderfully stinkin’ hot summer days in peace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Eight Wild Reindeer
There's Backstrom and Harding, Hackett and Khudobin, Dubielewicz and Kuemper, Gustafsson and now Endras.
Looks like the Wild have signed another goalie, this one out of Germany. According to Russo the Wild is counting on this kid to be the next Niklas Backstrom. Ooh, how exciting! Er, Wait a minute, what about Khudobin?? If the Wild are so high on Dennis Endras coming over from Germany in another season what's to become of my Hobbit? I popped over to see what MsConduct was thinking and sure enough, we're on the same wavelength. Will he stick it out for another season to see what the future will bring in the NHL or will he look to the European league to cash in on the big bucks? Of course, there is a lot of time to work things out. Dubie is out of the picture, IMO. That leaves Khudobin and Hackett in Houston for now and I'm sure they'll be pushing each other for top spot. Who knows what can happen via injury or performance pressure for any of these guys?
Robbie Earl Is Back! I admire his energy and dedication so I'm happy to see he's signed a one year deal.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Infidelity and Sparklers
My Cheatin’ Heart
I have a confession to make – I’ve been spending time with a different sport lately. I feel kind of naughty, like I’ve been cheating on the love of my life, at a very crucial time in our relationship. I pretty much blew off the first day of NHL free agency on July 1st. Instead, I spent the next four days splashing around in Lake Minnetonka with Buster and frolicking at Target Field with the Twins. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to know what was happening with the Wild during this year’s free agency scramble. I was in the loop, thanks to a friend with a data package and twitter alerts from Michael Russo. It made me feel a little less guilty about not being there for my Wild on one of the most important days of the off-season. Of course, there was a price to pay for my infidelity. I think I cursed the Twins since they lost all three games I attended since last Thursday. I’ll take the hit Connie, I’m so sorry. I’m owning up to my infidelity. I’ll start making amends to you Wild fans right now. Here's Russo's Blog, in case you haven't read through it.
A bullet point rundown:
• Matt Cullen signs on for 3 year deal worth $10.5 million
• Eric Nystrom signs on for 3 year deal worth $4.2 million
• Boogaard signs with the Rangers for 4 year/$6.6 million deal
• Andrew Ebbett signed with the Coyotes
• John Scott signed with the Hawks
• Owen Nolan was not re-signed by the Wild, or any other team – for now
• Let’s Undress extended his contract for another 2 years
• No word on extending Koivu’s contract yet
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Yankee Doodle Dandy
I hope you all had a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend, especially with the extra day off most of you got. How great was it to take in the fireworks on Sunday night knowing you still had all day Monday to goof off? I had to take a pass on the opportunity to watch the fireworks from Bobbi’s spectacular view on the river, but I did make it to my usual spot – my deck. The cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville and Eagan all put on shows that can be seen from my deck. There are also several folks in the surrounding neighborhoods that put on firework shows. It started about 8 years ago with just a couple of neighbors lighting off a few of the big guns before the Real Show kicked off. This year there were at least six houses putting on pyrotechnic shows that likely should have been licensed, but very enjoyable up close. Oohs and aahs were audible throughout the valley and up the hill to my property. The muggy haze left over from the humid day turned to blue and the smell of gunpowder soon filled the air. In between rounds of aerial shells I watched firebugs darting in and out of the artic willows below me. Standing there at the deck rail, with the sights and sounds of a quintessential Minnesota summer day coming to a spectacular close, I realized how lucky I am. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
I have a confession to make – I’ve been spending time with a different sport lately. I feel kind of naughty, like I’ve been cheating on the love of my life, at a very crucial time in our relationship. I pretty much blew off the first day of NHL free agency on July 1st. Instead, I spent the next four days splashing around in Lake Minnetonka with Buster and frolicking at Target Field with the Twins. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to know what was happening with the Wild during this year’s free agency scramble. I was in the loop, thanks to a friend with a data package and twitter alerts from Michael Russo. It made me feel a little less guilty about not being there for my Wild on one of the most important days of the off-season. Of course, there was a price to pay for my infidelity. I think I cursed the Twins since they lost all three games I attended since last Thursday. I’ll take the hit Connie, I’m so sorry. I’m owning up to my infidelity. I’ll start making amends to you Wild fans right now. Here's Russo's Blog, in case you haven't read through it.
A bullet point rundown:
• Matt Cullen signs on for 3 year deal worth $10.5 million
• Eric Nystrom signs on for 3 year deal worth $4.2 million
• Boogaard signs with the Rangers for 4 year/$6.6 million deal
• Andrew Ebbett signed with the Coyotes
• John Scott signed with the Hawks
• Owen Nolan was not re-signed by the Wild, or any other team – for now
• Let’s Undress extended his contract for another 2 years
• No word on extending Koivu’s contract yet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yankee Doodle Dandy
I hope you all had a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend, especially with the extra day off most of you got. How great was it to take in the fireworks on Sunday night knowing you still had all day Monday to goof off? I had to take a pass on the opportunity to watch the fireworks from Bobbi’s spectacular view on the river, but I did make it to my usual spot – my deck. The cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville and Eagan all put on shows that can be seen from my deck. There are also several folks in the surrounding neighborhoods that put on firework shows. It started about 8 years ago with just a couple of neighbors lighting off a few of the big guns before the Real Show kicked off. This year there were at least six houses putting on pyrotechnic shows that likely should have been licensed, but very enjoyable up close. Oohs and aahs were audible throughout the valley and up the hill to my property. The muggy haze left over from the humid day turned to blue and the smell of gunpowder soon filled the air. In between rounds of aerial shells I watched firebugs darting in and out of the artic willows below me. Standing there at the deck rail, with the sights and sounds of a quintessential Minnesota summer day coming to a spectacular close, I realized how lucky I am. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
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