What A Weekend! Part 1

So much for the rain. The weather's been gorgeous. Granted, we need the rain, but I'll take the summer-like weather in near mid-September anytime. Beats the years were it turns cold and wintery early. On friday's lunch break I got sprinkled on for a few minutes. I blamed it on my bus driver mate as he was driving by just as it happened. ;-)

I took a break and picked up a new - brand new actually book that came in from my request at the Library called gringolandia. Can't wait to start it, but I have another book of short stories I need to finish due on Monday. I read about the book on another blogspot called La Bloga. It's focus is Chicana, Chicano, Latina, Latino, & more. Literature, Writers, Children's Literature, News, Views & Reviews. After reading several books over the summer by Latin and South American writers, I was looking for more and actually stumbled upon the blog looking for a 'sun' photo during a google search. I have come to really enjoy reading Literature by authors from other countries, giving me a new perspective on those countries, their culture and because many of them involve historical content as well and I like to read about their experiences. This also helps me to more understand my friend in some ways.

From the site as of September 8, 2009
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Ok back to my weekend...
So Friday after work, I came home, changed into my sunbaking atire and started out for the deck. As I sat down, I remembered it was Prawn Man Day! Fabian Seafood out of Texas comes up about once a month, sometimes twice to sell Prawns, Blue Crab Meat, seasonal oysters and sometimes fish as well. I skipped/missed last month and thought, yeah it's time for a treat. I drove up to their truck on Central Entrance and was pleasantly surprised as the driver had Red Snapper! yay! It wasn't on the email, nor the post card. Naturally I purchased one for myself as well as some prawns, then decided to head over to the grocery store for some additional items. As I cut through the University (Woodland Ave is still under construction) at the stop there, I noticed my friend driving his bus - and we had a quick wave. Always nice to see his smiling face. Shopping done, returned home to start the grill for dinner and a fire after. What a gorgeous night. I was outside until around 10p and really didn't want to come back inside.

Sat had me up early for work as I had hours to make up from Monday's holiday (at the Census there is no holiday pay) and I really needed the hours and expected it to rain, so I figured no big deal. Well, it never rained. I did manage to stop at the Duluth Farmer's Market before work and pay a visit to the pasty lady, picking up a couple of veggie pasties for my lunches (she had been absent for two weeks and sold out the week before that early - I was jonesin man!) as well as a nice fat cinnamon roll for my brekky treat for getting up so early. After work, my goal was to head over to the Harvest and Energy festival, so leaving the car parked at work since it was free, I walked over to Bayfront Park, by way of checking out first the Clelia II parked behind the DECC. It was the cruise ship's last visit for the year - it had been stopping at the Duluth Port every two weeks all summer and this was the first time I had a chance to see it. It is all fenced off due to Homeland Security and not having a proper check-in area yet so as to screen the disembarking passengers from other countries. Somehow I had imagined the ship would be bigger. Another spectator mentioned that he thought the ship was older too, from the 60's or 70's. *shrug* You can take a virtual tour of the ship. Below are some shots from my mobile.

Approaching the park from behind the Aquarium, you could see a few of the kites flying over the festival area. The black dots around the light post would be them. I really miss my digital camera and the better shots it takes over the mobile, but for now it will have to do.

I was surprised to find they were charging this year ($4 9-4p then $10 adults after 4p/Under 18 Free) for entrance to such an important happening. The city needs money, but this is one event that is really important for people to attend, families especially with the Kite Flying and other free things to do such as pony rides, petting zoo and massages and just the encouragement for being greener people and citizens. I can't believe the city can subsidize the electric bill for an upcoming "Biggest Ever Christmas Light Display" this year, and for two people to go to Sweden to 'learn how to be a greener city' (when this could be done by local vendors, the internet and phone calls much cheaper) yet not keep this event free and accessible to more people, also allowing for that $4 fee to go to vendors for food or products that are more useful to the visitors. Parking was $5 as well, luckily I left my car at work. Families really felt the pinch having to pay $13 just to attend from those added fees. The flyer states that the entrance fee help to support the work of the LSSFA and LSEA, but the woman at the gate told me it was due to the city charging for use of the park. So they made out on the fee and the parking. I really hate this city's ignorance and wasteful spending on items and events it deems worthy/necessary, while others much more worthy are not. But that's a whole different rant. The Trolley was running to the festival all day as well so hopefully many took advantage of a 50 cent ride versus $5 parking.

As I entered the park, there was a Music tent and performing was 3 Song Sunday - they were very good and entertaining between songs as well with their banter.Then it was off to the Energy Fair Tent 1Exhibitors from many Renewable & Clean Energy, as well as Local Arts & Crafts vendors, Businesses & Non-Profits. Also many local food vendors and a slow food dinner at 5p. All thanks to the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association (LSSFA) and the Lake Superior Energy Association (LSEA)

There were also many workshops and presentations throughout the day given by various vendors and storytellers geared for both children and adults.

Then onto the Farmer's Market Tent

Next was the Kite Flying sponsored by the Kiwanis Club out on the main Bayfront grass areaRounding the corner from that brought me full circle to more of the demos on the walkway - this one being of pedal and other alternative power sources and Energy Fair Tent 2.After stopping for a bit to listen to Old Knifey & The Cut Throats in the music tent, it was time to head home and get a few other things done.

As I walked back to work to get my car, I could hear music playing, coming from the amphitheatre under the Library. (a.k.a. the skateboard stage outside the main library on Michigan Street.) Turns out there was a Woman's Songwriting Festival going on there. Stopped for a few minutes to have a listen to Aurora Baer perform. She had such an amazing voice - something like Holly Hunter's with a little more throaty depth and twang. A woman photographer near me said, "It's hard to believe she's only 20." I agreed.There were a total of 10 performers, each doing 30 minute sets, all free. 12p-5p

amy abts
aurora baer
sarah morgan
ashley northey
charity huot
kathy mctavish
stephanie dykema
diane miller
leane perius

My intentions were to head up to Hawk Ridge for some of the migration viewing, but after returing home I had other things to sort as my son was coming home later that evening. Ah well. I did manage to stop on the way and pick up some birch and other pieces of wood from Lower Chester Parkway. It's like that here. So many things at once, or totally nothing to do at all some weekends.

Later by candlelight

I had some of my snapper, as well as fresh green beans and Yukon Gold potatoes I had picked up at the Farmer's Market. Then a chocolate coconut bar as well for a treat. Then it was time for some reading and my evening fire as I had a chat with some of my Aussie mates.

Wish you all were here to share in this day and fire.