We Wish you a Merry Christmas

There's still a week and a half until Christmas Eve with so much shopping to do.  While we're all feeling a little stressed because there's nothing under the tree yet, at least Santa, Shrek, George Bailey and Pee Wee Herman are in a festive mood.  Looks like they've gotten into the egg nog a bit.  Have they all been good little boys?  Is this a Christmas office party gone wrong?  Can't you just imagine the conversation?  

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping, everyone!

Desire under the Elms

Sunlight shines through bright yellow leaves on a crisp late fall day. This tree's autumn splendor can't be taken for granted for this majestic elm is located away from the boulevard on a property line, providing a lush canopy for two entire backyards.  In an attempt to save it from the dreaded Dutch Elm DIsease, the tree is treated yearly by a professional arborist who injects chemicals along the root flare. 

Dutch Elm Disease is caused by a fungus which can be spread either by the elm bark beetle or from grafted root system. A tree inspector will look for wilted leaves or branches. Bark is then peeled back from a twig sample and this will usually reveal whether or not the tree is diseased. A healthy tree's underlying wood will be white, if not, distinctive brown streaking will be apparent. 

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board's Forestry Section has been controlling Dutch Elm Disease since the late 1970's when the disease was considered an epidemic.  Its long term goal is to prevent the disease from spreading by prompt removal of stricken trees.  This will hopefully preserve the remaining healthy ones.

Don't you just love that wet dog smell

The first measurable rainfall in weeks didn't deter Bebe and Stella (not pictured, but hiding behind the shed) from frolicking in the backyard. Bebe's eyes always look sad, but this really is one happy, wet dog.  Running around the damp leaves gives them a swishing sound rather than a crunchy one, sort of like a soggy bowl of cereal. The dogs just finished about a half an hour of swishing.  

The weather has been glorious lately here in the land of extremes. Remember the oppressive summer? Then there's last winter. Remember all the rocking and digging (and later repairing) of stuck cars on impassable side streets? This season's forecast calls for more of the same.

Cherish these days.  For a short time at least, you're not asking yourself, "and why do we live here?"

Last Cast of the Day

This isn't up north, nor a scene from a Minnesota Critical Habitat license plate. Its not even a picture off an old Schmidt beer can. This is Lake Harriet, where the late September sun dances off the big top of the bandshell, casting long shadows upon the solemn silhouettes.

According to the Minnesota DNR, the southwest Minneapolis chain of lakes are not only the crown jewels of the park system, they also happen to be excellent fishing lakes. Lake Harriet offers great shore fishing for muskies, bass, sunfish, perch, and walleyes.  In late fall, you can catch walleye at dusk by casting a large minnow hooked on a floating jib about 15 inches above a slip sinker. (As someone in a bait shop or tackle store to show you this rig.)