Blog Converted to Paper

12/01/10

Last night, after four 12-16 hour days interrupted by my four hour birthday party, I finished converting Mary and my blog on our Peace Corps experiences into Five Volumes of photobooks, 740 pages. Copies of this project are going next to my six volume set of Marcel Proust's novel, probably to be remembered and read as often.

For those who encouraged me to write a book, forget it!

Soon, we now have a record we can hold in our hands and a seat to elevate grandchildren at the dining table.

MNRPCV

November 12, 2010

MNRPCV stands for "Minnesota Returned Peace Corps Volunteers" organization, celebrating its 30th Anniversary. We want to be among those who might share in our experiences, dressed in the garb of our country of service, as stated in their bulletin. Not to be deterred as being the only ones so dressed out of several hundred, we set out to schmooze with attendees.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers seem to come in two major groups. There are the earliest of Peace Corps volunteers inspired by President Kennedy's call to service, now in their 60's+, who still retain their "flower child" trappings, and there are the younger returnees who seem to be plucked from the less idealist corporate world. Then there is Mary and me who are dressed for the tropics while a winter storm brews out the reception windows. There is a common theme running through all MNRPCVs, we have participated in a great adventure.

Halloween at 68

October 31, 2010

You never know what you may run across when you venture out for Halloween in downtown Minneapolis.

Jubilant Chilean miners celebrating at the "Ugly Mug"

Nicholas' girlfriend, Heidi Weiskircher, and me

lighting up our costumes at "Sneaky Pete's"

Iowa Football

October 30, 2010

Tailgating is a ritual for many fans. Here are my daughter, Kim; son, Nicholas,

and host, Chris Jensen talking to a fellow Hawkeye.

Fans Storming the field after the game as dejected Michigan State players

in white shuffle back to their locker room for a long flight home.

There are no better fans or place to watch a football game than the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, unless you are a visiting fan of the undefeated, nationally 5th ranked, Michigan State University football team. There are days when everything goes right for the other team and nothing for yours, the result 37-6.

My son, Nicholas, is a die hard Iowa alumnus. The good side is the happy mood of the entire state of Iowa and son on our way back to Minneapolis.