Our Cat Grayson, 2001-2010

Grayson, the proud white and tan cat from the banks of Grace Lake,MN passed away early on February 15. His extensive femur bone injury due to a tragic ceiling beam fall—the last of his many legendary household explorations—proved too much for the medical specialists. Grayson is remembered by his saviors Kata and Judson who rescued him as a kitten from the cold Minnesota wilderness; his human parents Ben and Toni, two traditionally non-cat people who eventually embraced the feline species; Macy his Minnesota Maltese sister; and his Weimaraner half-brother Berlin, who is still searching under the bed for his arch rival. Grayson would represent the best and worst of the Aughts. He was partisan and selfish at times, but surprisingly loving and unpredictable in the best of ways. He will be missed.

Visiting the Spanish Empire in America

Mark Twain liked San Antonio. The author famously rated it as one of only four unique cities in the United States -- the others being Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco. He touched on a complaint about many American cities that apparently was valid even a century ago: one place was not much different from another.

San Antonio's rare unique factor lies in its historical roots. As a place where Spanish and English are heard on the street, it is a true cross cultural center. Often forgotten is the fact that the city belonged to the vast Spanish Empire in the American southwest, one that most American's seem to forget, especially since Boston and Philadelphia gobble up most of the attention we give to our country’s origins.

But if you look past the Alamo and the famous Riverwalk, there are still remnants of that old world. In the city limits rest a series of rarely visited ruins that look remarkably similar to those of ancient Rome or perhaps a rundown Tuscan village. There you’ll find the remains of old Spanish missions. These brilliantly flawed but also idealistic Spanish conceptions of "community”, are worth a visit and remembering.


Mission Concepción. Est. 1731




Mission Espada, Est. 1721




Mission San José, Est. 1720




Mission San Juan Capistrano, Est. 1731


Mission San Antonio de Valero, Aka The Alamo

Snowadelphia

Our loft neighbors and dogs playing in the courtyard.

Christmas in Minnesota...with the McLarens

Off to the Christmas Eve service at church with the family.


Judson and Ben attemping to cross country ski in 2 feet of snow!


Judson's 2am Christmas gift to the family :)


Annual McLaren/Pearson Christmas...in Cambridge this year...always a good time.

Christmas in Minnesota...with the Brandenburgs

On our 5th Wedding Anniversary with our Yule Log cake. (Ben's sister is so creative...for 5 years of marriage the gift is wood)


Our niece and nephew enjoying their new slinkies.


The guys can't get enough of all the new toys!


The entire Brandenburg family...thanks to gmail chat Paul and Jodi could be with us from DC.

Christmas in Minnesota...with Friends

Visiting the Lindstroms in Muncie, IN on our drive home to MN.


Visiting the Morgans at Loyola University in Chicago, IL on our drive home to MN.


Brunch with the Crists and Heerwalds.


At the Walker Art Center with the Hermes and Hudsons.


Lunch at Cafe Latte with Baumgartens and Stores.


Dinner with Tepes at our favorite Punch Pizza! (back at Brandenburg's for dessert)

BBB Rated 2010

The best of an otherwise forgettable year.

Update: Looks like this post never went live in 2010.



Film: Winter’s Bone by Debra Granik
TV: Mad Men
Fiction: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.
Documentary: Restrepo by Sebastian Junger & Tim Hetherington (RIP)
NonFiction: To Change the World by James Davison Hunter
Album: Arcade Fire, The Suburbs
Song: The National, “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
Newsmaker: Aung San Suu Kyi
Blog: The Way of Improvement Leads Home by historian John Fea