Christmas 2012

On this day in 1990, Kirby Miles Berg, my youngest brother, died in a house fire, leaving a hole in  my life forever. He was 31 years old and left behind a young daughter to grow up without a father. Two days ago 20 innocent young children were gunned down. I cannot comprehend the pain of those families. All this seemed to tear the scab off of my memory and the pain is closer to the surface this year. It tends to temper the joy of Christmas a little. Nothing is permanent; nothing is forever. All life is transitory. I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter next week.



I like this song more than most Christmas music. It captures that sad longing, poignant happiness that the season can be. Have a good holiday.

Bertin CLB Brakes

Tony Tambini sent me pictures of his frenchy built-up Bertin townie with the CLB brakes mounted. This gives me much pleasure. The brakes really were a little rough when I sent them to him. Almost embarasingly so. I doubt they had ever been cleaned or polished. Tony certainly didn't waste his good fortune. Jeez, those brakes look great! I wouldn't have believed it was possible. The whole bike looks good for that matter.

Dr. Alex Moulton

Alex Moulton died yesterday at the age of 92. He was an industrial designer involved in the suspensions of automobiles (Mini Cooper), airplanes and bicycles. These photos are of a folding bicycle at Rydjor Bike in Austin, Minnesota, my local bike shop.

And the nice part, actually signed and dated by Dr. Moulton himself. I know Dan told me the circumstances of this, but I can't remember.

Christmas Memory Lane

There was a time I felt that there was no point in having an artificial Christmas tree. Either it was a natural fresh killed tree or it was pointless piece of plastic. So we would go out to Paul Budd's farm and take our bow saw out into the trees and select a likely tree. We went through all of the cutting, hacking, trimming rituals. Then tie the victim to the car roof and ... well, you know - dirty, sappy, pine needles, bird nests. I have mellowed. Now I just take a fake tree out of a box, pop it open like a perverse arboreal umbrella and get the lights working. From then on it's pretty much Lorna's world. She wouldn't tolerate much help anyway. All the ornaments have to go in special places with particular neighbors - little themes and vignettes scattered in carefully placed 'random' locations about the tree.

Snowflake tatted by my grandmother, carved Danish ornament, counted cross-stitch girl made by Lorna, photo Lorna's mother Florence and Aunt Dorothy - State Fair 1935, icicle made by me, Grandma Adena's makeup compact, Lenox ornament from my sister. The whole tree is filled with mementos and the older we get the more crowded the tree gets. We fill the tree and we become someone else's memento down the line.

Rachael Price

Things I Cannot Change

I like the high, lonesome banjo and the kid's raspy voice. I would like to take him aside and discuss his attire though. Just don't fit the package.

Hard To Buy For

Tony Tambini had a need for some vintage French brake calipers. I happen to have a set knocking about in a bottom drawer. It was something I was not using and likely never would, so naturally I gave them to him, certainly not expecting anything in return. I came home yesterday and there was package by the door. My neighbor Christy and I adjourned to the Growlery this afternoon and smoked a couple of them. Excellent. Thanks Tony, not necessary, but appreciated.

Lanesboro Community Party

I understand this may have originated as a fund raiser for something. Over the years it has evolved into a community gathering, just ... just because. There was a program, drawings for free "stuff", a formal dinner - bring your own beverage, then a band played while people sat and talked, or danced the night away.  

 Our table seating included Lorna and me, a bunch of Kiehnes, and John Davis. A good group.

Life Is Good

We are spending a few days at the cottage on Church Hill. I've been continuing to insulate the basement walls and generally tighten things up for winter. Tomorrow maybe I'll get to replacing the basement door threshold. Lorna has yoga early tomorrow morning. While she's burning off calories, I may sneak over to the Pastry Shop and see what Brett has in mind for my breakfast.

The pug is doing well. Greet all the folks back at home for me.

I should have hung the bicycle from the ceiling with monofilament.

Smalltown Food Picture no.42

As I have said before, if you want to eat really well, throw yourself at the mercy of the cook. This was what Brett wanted to fix for me this morning - called a "ah-h-h, it's sort of a capocollo scramble". It was sliced peppers and assorted veggies, and capocollo ham - scrambled with an egg and covered with grated parmesan and diced tomato. And some herbs. It sounds so simple, but it was just amazing. Very hot and spicy.

"In its production, capocollo is first lightly seasoned, often with red and sometimes white wine, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices that differ depending on region. The meat is then salted (and was traditionally massaged) and stuffed into a .casing, and hung for up to six months to cure. Differences in flavor can also depend on what type of wood is used for smoking, as well as what breed of pig is selected. Capocollo is esteemed for its delicate flavor and tender, fatty texture, and is often more expensive than most other salumi. In many countries, it is often sold as a gourmet food item."

Lorna's omelet and hashbrowns

For those keeping track:
Two breakfast courses, coffee, one loaf of fresh baked bread and a bag of blueberry scones - $16 and change. Plus some for Hannah for keeping my cup full. ;-)

Giuseppe Marinoni

Giuseppe Marinoni makes beautiful bicycles. He also rides them. The Hour Record has been the Gold Standard for bicycle manliness since Eddy Merckx threw down the gauntlet in 1972, riding 49.431 km in one hour. I had no idea there were age categories. On October 20th Marinoni rode 35.728 km in one hour to set the 74-79 age group record. I best get training, I only have seven years left before I'm due at the starting line.   

Nishiki Progress

Before 

After

Old back quill extender