Practical Joker.

I like practical jokes. Who doesn't, right?!? Ha, well this one is great. Jimmy is a buddy of mine and Ashley is a girl we met recently, well we like to call her Smashley for pretty obvious reasons. So Jimmy likes to make fun of her ordering the House Chardonnay at Washington Square, a neighborhood watering hole, I just like to make fun of her for everything really... So on to the joke, up at the Square there is a black board where they post gift certificates. People can buy drinks specifically or whatever and put to and from with crazy nicknames and what not. Seems too easy right? Ok well last time Jimmy and Smashley talked there were some ruffled feathers. I decided to smooth this over for them, or just see what happens... ;) So lets see what happens!

****** Update****

LOL, Yes! A few days ago I received a call from a friend, Shannon, that told me Smashley called her and was ALL up and excited that she was sitting at the bar and noticed that Jimmy had bought her a drink! That was a good laugh! Oh it doesn't stop there! Last night a few friends and I went up to the square to have dinner and some drinks. Jimmy and Ashley showed up and she said across the table, "Jimmy! Thanks for the drink!" He responded by saying "What are you drinking?" Needless to say he had no clue what she was talking about. It was at that point that I lost it! Jimmy caught on and thought it was pretty good, Ashley on the other hand had no comment to be made.. Another joke success! Life is short, make fun of it!

RIP Jule....

A gorgeous sunrise as another soul returns to the earth. You are greatly missed. We loved you so much.

30 Seconds To Mars Show @ First Ave

Great show! Jared is a great performer. A must see!!!

Social D.

Rock on!! I've been waiting for a very long time to see these guys rock out the stage!! Then they say they are coming out with a new album and I get to hear songs before they are released! Holy Shit! Awesome!

On The Ride Home.

Had to stop and take a pic. Hope you like it!

4-Wheeling Up At The Cabin

Grilling At Mi Casa!

Got a new camera as well!

New Nephew!!

Joseph Austin Connolly! So precious.

Bonsai Collection Growing Larger.

Had to make a tiered table to fit them all! Not so bad if I don't say so myself! Made of 75% recycled wood!

Salsa Garden

Planted! There is a Tomatillo plant, Tomato, Green Pepper, Serrano, Habenero, Poblano, 6 Jalepeno plants, and onions! Can't wait to start eating some veggies!

Misty's Tree!

Thanks to everyones donations, Misty's tree has been planted! I just want to thank each and every person that donated. You are amazing people.

Thanks again, Dan

These Are New!

They remind me of the decals used in California saying drains to ocean. Very cool.

Como Ferns

Today I went to Como zoo to check out the Bonsai exhibit since I met Mike. The collection is amazing! You have to see it! I will post some pictures for you to check them out but I would highly recommend you go and see these in person! Her tho is the picture that stole the moment. A fern. Love the colors and the lines of this simple yet majestic plant!

Bonsai Class!

I've been getting more into Bonsai this year so I decided to take a little class through the school district. It ends up that the teacher, Mike, is a main person at Como zoo building up the collection! I learned a lot about Bonsai!

This is the tree I made to take home!

Tragedy Strikes!

It was a blustery day! Blew over a sapling that I was going to train in the way of the Bonzai! Hope it survives!

Brick Border Around the Trees in Front

Finished! Russ and I raked out all of the rocks that used to be in there and I bricked all the way around it! Not as bad as I thought it would be... just took me forever! Putting in an hour here and an hour there. Ugh, done!

RIP Joe Bergeron.

Sad, sad day.

Now That Is A Gun Rack.

No explanation necessary. Other than its not a completely fake rack. Just the guns. Lol.

There is A God.

... and this is proof that he loves us.. Lol. Fired up the smoker and slow-roasted some Baby back racks of ribs! If any one out there is an avid BBQ'er you should give me a call, we have something in common and we need to cook some shit up!

550th POST!!!

I wanted to let you all know that I am starting a fundraiser. I am raising money to plant a tree for my friend Misty Cortez. Here is my story.

Please click on the link to Donate.

Growing Memories Facebook Page

As I rode in the back seat of my parents’ car one wintery afternoon on highway 61 in White Bear Lake, we came across the scene of a horrendous accident. Crushed metal, glass, and emergency vehicles were everywhere. One particular thing stood out to me amidst the chaos – a small yellow object lying motionless on the ground. When we got close enough for me to make out what that object was I froze. It was a young girl that couldn’t have been any older than me lying lifeless on the icy road. I shuddered and returned to my gaze frontward. Little did I know at the time that the scene I had just witnessed would stay with me forever.

The following day I resumed my normal activities – until I walked into my third grade classroom. The first thing I noticed was that one of the girls that sat at my table was missing. Right after the teacher called the class to order she announced that Misty Cortez had been in a car accident and killed. My parents later informed me that the car accident we saw on highway 61 was the one that had killed Misty.

In an effort to keep her memory alive my elementary school planted a tree. We had a ceremony the day we planted the tree in her honor and everyday after that we’d see that tree and remember why we planted it.

Many years passed by and one day I noticed that the tree was no longer there. I do not know why it was gone but it was and, once again, I remembered Misty.

It saddens me that her memory was swept away under the rug, forgotten as easy as yesterday’s trash. She deserves to be remembered, as everyone does. We all get a chance to make a name for ourselves and be remembered in various ways. Misty never got that chance. I want to give her that chance to have a long prosperous life as a part of nature. Blessing our lives with oxygen and completing the circle of life. We still need her, as she needs us to keep her alive. I am just the vessel that her memory lives on in. I want to pass that on to you.

Together we can make a difference in anyone’s life. All we have to do is reach out. Even a little will go a long way. Help me keep Misty’s memory alive – for Misty, her family, and for others that have passed on.