Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch—Whine & Complain—Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 02/28/07 04:59 AM
It’s a rather nice 28°F, with no wind, making it feel like 28°F, Barometric pressure is 30.07” and steady, the humidity is 69% with a Dewpoint this fine morning of 21°F, if it weren’t for the West Side bluffs of Cherokee Heights, visibility would be 7 miles, the sun will rise precisely at 6:52 am, and our sunset will be at 5:58 pm. So Medford and I are enjoying our porcelain, not China (but made in China) or stoneware Codger Collectible Mugs™ (have I mentioned that TODAY is your LAST OPPORTUNITY to get the February Edition of our collectible mugs?) filled … (20 comments)

Old Men & Coffee Shops—Tuesday February 27, 2007—No Whine-No Complain - 02/27/07 05:19 AM

“Good morning Jay,” Carl greeted as I sat down at our usual table by the front plate glass window in the Cyber-Café with my porcelain, not China (but made in China) or stoneware Codger Collectible Mug™ filled precariously full of organically & shade-grown, fair trade, Guatemalan-Roast coffee, “I hear you’ve been running around with that new camera of yours shooting things.”
“Why yes,” I answered, “yes I have.”
“Do you have that dangerous weapon with you?” Harold asked, and then continued, “I hope you’ll leave it in its case, ‘cause the sign on the door says ‘No Weapons Allowed’.”
“It’s new,” Medford, as usual … (13 comments)

Reflections (and Photos) from Boomer’s Back Porch—The Not-Quite-Awesome “Weather Event” - 02/26/07 05:04 AM
…and Other Ramblings:

As Medford, the irrepressible Daisy Dog, and I (“Boomer” is, as always, inside, glued to his computer), gather on the deck of Boomer’s 148-year-old back porch, it is +26ºF, with a light breeze making it feel like +20ºF, snowing—ever so lightly, it is comfortable enough for us to enjoy our porcelain, not China, but made in China, Codger Collectible Mugs™ (this month’s limited edition of the mugs disappears on Wednesday) of organically & shade-grown, Fair Trade, French-Roast coffee—for about 5 minutes.
The big news over the weekend was the long-anticipated “weather-event.” The snowstorm that was supposed to dump … (15 comments)

Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch: Why are the Codgers™ Blogging on Active Rain? - 02/24/07 08:32 PM
That is a question we’ve pondered more than once. We’re not real estate agents, lenders, stagers, appraisers, closers, or trainers (but we did sleep in a Holiday Inn last night). We used to help homeowners prepare their houses for sale, and new homeowners remodel their new homes—but age crept up on us, and we finally, regretfully had to retire from that as well.
Why do the Raingods tolerate us? (Do you reckon a Raingod will read this post and offer an opinion?) We can’t offer any direct insights into improving your sales and marketing. We’re not blogging experts, and can offer no … (26 comments)

A Codger’s Lazy Saturday Photo Phun (Foto Fun?), Part 3: - 02/24/07 03:47 PM
This is the last of three photo essays, with no real purpose except, perhaps to make our warm state Gentle Readers shiver! So far, our “weather event” has been a dangerous mix of rain, sleet, and a little snow. The heavier snow is expected tonight into tomorrow.
It must be a quiet day on the ‘Rain, as there does not appear to be a lot of activity. It is certainly quiet here—just watchin’ the snow, which seems to have finally begun its assault.
We’re not gonna let our Gentle Readers off-the-hook. Just because these three posts are nearly devoid of meaningful content, we … (0 comments)

A Codger’s Lazy Saturday Photo Phun (Foto Fun?), Part 2: - 02/24/07 02:08 PM
This is the second of three photo essays, with no real purpose except, perhaps to make our warm state Gentle Readers shiver! These winter-driving photos were taken on different days, and with CRS (Can’t Remember Sh*t) setting in today, I’m unable to identify the locations of the last three photos.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jay
… (0 comments)

A Codger’s Lazy Saturday Photo Phun (Foto Fun?), Part 1: - 02/24/07 10:38 AM
So, round 1 of our “weather event” came through last night. This round was not supposed to be severe, and it wasn’t. A little sleet, and high winds, nothing extraordinary. Tonight 4-6” of snow predicted with high winds. Tomorrow, more of the same.
Today I will share some “Windshield Photographs” I’ve shot over the past several days—while practicing the technique.
These shots were all taken along Dakota County Road 46 in Rosemount, MN, located about 20 miles south of St. Paul:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jay
… (0 comments)

ALL HAIL THE MINNESOTA BLOG QUEEN! BLOG QUEEN BONNIE I! - 02/18/07 05:41 AM
At 11:28 PM Saturday night Bonnie Erickson announced her right and proper ascension to the ROYAL THRONE as the QUEEN of MINNESOTA Active Rain Blogdom! Word spread quickly across the realm, and by midnight, the Codgers™ were each in turn, awakened from his slumber by the loud pronouncements of the Royal Town Crier.
An emergency meeting of the sleepy Codgers™ was called; and all in the cold darkness of a Minnesota winter night went to an undisclosed location—safe from the bolts of potato chip dregs that might be hurled by the Once and Former Blog-Queen of Minnesota, “Bloggoddessbroker” Teresa, from the … (15 comments)

“Old Men & Coffee Shops” Hey—It’s Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 (…and you know what that means) - 02/16/07 05:39 AM
Today's episode has been modified at 4:50pm CST due to our inability to find a consistent layout for our trademark graphics. We removed our usual Cyber Cafe banner and our "advertising."We begin with our cast of characters already in the coffee shop:
“Hey Molly,” Medford called, “please bring us another round of that fantastic organically & shade-grown, fair trade, French-Roast coffee.”
“Yeah, Molly,” Jay added, “our Collectible Codger™ porcelain (not REAL china, but made in China) Mugs need refilling!”
 
“KEEP YER BRITCHES ON,” Molly yelled in her usual outdoor voice, “I’LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE!”
 
“So exactly why are we here so early?” Carl … (13 comments)

Another Episode of “Old Men & Coffee Shops” Thursday Feb 15, ‘07 - 02/15/07 05:38 AM

This Episode of “Old Men & Coffee Shops” is brought to you by:
“Olde Codger” Organic and Shade Grown Potato Chips “They’re ALL THAT and a bag of Chips!”
 
 
 
...and by:
 
 Merton, Boardman, Ambrose and Company, For all your Codger wanna-be needs.
 
  
“Yet another +1ºF St. Paul morning, Med,” Jay said as they entered the Cyber-Café for their morning porcelain, not china OR stoneware mug of organically & shade-grown, fair trade, French-roast coffee, a little conversation, and if they are particularly daring—breakfast!
 
“It’s getting a little old,” Medford replied, “we’re more’n half-way through February, should be getting warmer.”
“QUIT YER WHINING, Y’ OLD GOAT,” Molly … (12 comments)

Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch—(what passes for) Codger Excitement on a Monday Morning - 02/12/07 10:54 AM
As Medford & I walked up the steps to “Boomer” Jack’s back porch, I glanced at the old replica “Pruett’s Pig Powder” thermometer mounted on the porch pillar. The temperature this fine St. Paul morning, according to “Pruett” was a rather balmy +13ºF, the Exel Energy stack’s plume told me the wind was light to non-existent, thus making it feel like a rather balmy +13ºF.
“Y’didn’t need to look at the thermometer then,” Medford said as Boomer let Daisy out to greet us, with her tail about to wag off her little beagle-body, “I coulda told you that, dontcha know.”
… (27 comments)

Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch—top 10 reasons to read this Blog! - 02/08/07 05:41 AM
Good morning Gentle Reader. It is -6ºF (feels like -20ºF) this fine St. Paul morning on Boomer’s back porch.
Today we have a couple of things for you, the first being our new porcelain, not china or stoneware “Custom Codger Mug” available only until the end of this month, and from which we are enjoying organically and shade grown, fair trade, French-roast coffee. Medford, as is his disgusting habit, has polluted his coffee with cream & sugar.
 
 

On the left, January's mug, February's mug on the right.
 
 
 
 
 
The second, a little reinforcement for your visits to our Blog:
If “Carnac” can … (10 comments)

Reflections from Boomer’s Back Porch—No Editorial—But a few Photos - 02/07/07 05:42 AM
As I stepped of my back porch en route to “Boomer’s” back porch, I was greeted by a -4º St. Paul morning with a NW breeze of 6 mph, making it feel like -15º. In spite of the temperature, I decided not to drive, the lure of Boomer’s organically and shade grown, fair trade, (I think it will be) Sumatran-blend coffee served in an official “Codger Collectible (porcelain, not china, stoneware or plastic) Mug” is just too great to take the time to get the car out of the garage.
So as not to risk further embarrassment at the hands of that … (14 comments)

GOOD FREAKING MORNING GENTLE READER, IT’S FREAKING COLD OUT HERE ON MY PORCH! - 02/05/07 05:57 AM
WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? I READ ARDELL’S FREAKING POST AND HER STYLE SEEMED TO HAVE RUBBED FREAKING OFF!
Well, she did evoke 111 comments. We’re all about comments. LOOK AT THE FREAKING NAME OF OUR BLOG: “CYBER CAFÉ & BACK PORCH CONVER-FREAKING-SATIONS!” Sorry—I can’t help myself.
Today we (the FREAKING (oops) Codgers) will likely post more than once (don’t fret, Blogging Bonnie, not THAT much), just to give our point total a jump. Consider this the first cut of an LP album, sometimes a gem may lurk in deeper cuts—or not!
I kinda liked that photo view of St. Paul taken from Mounds … (25 comments)

Reflections from my Back Porch—Jay’s High-Anxiety Adventure in a new Digi-camera Purchase - 02/04/07 09:50 AM
First—for our friends of the temperate parts of the country—I don’t believe the temperature ever went above 0ºF yesterday, I’s hovering around -13ºF on my back porch this morning, with a relatively light (8mph) wind making it feel like -26ºF. Needless to say, I didn’t tarry long on the porch.
OK, so yesterday I set out to purchase a new digital camera. My needs are simple. I don’t wish to spend an obscene amount of money. It does not have to make phone calls. I don’t really need video. I rarely feel compelled to photograph at night. Zoom, panorama, close up … (18 comments)

Reflections from my Back Porch on a Brisk Saturday Morning! - 02/03/07 07:55 AM
A quick check of my porch thermometer revealed a temperature of -10ºF with a strong wind. Back safely inside, an on-line weather check told me the wind is northwesterly at 20mph and the wind chill factor is a very brisk -33ºF! Time to work on my winter tan!
I really need my porcelain mug of organically & shade grown, fair trade, Sumatran-blend coffee to warm my semi-frozen hands, and to warm my insides!
Friday I took a short road-trip up along US Highway 8 from Forest Lake through Chisago City and Lindstrom to Center City. I had some business in Center … (14 comments)

Friday, Feb 02, 2007—Just Stepped out the door of My back Porch—and Stepped Right Back In! - 02/02/07 05:56 AM
It’s -07ºF with a wind chill of -26ºF on my back porch this morning. A predicted high of +10ºF  with WNW winds of 10 to 20mph, with the wind chill hovering around -10º to –20ºF! Graphic notwithstanding—I’m NOTwithSTANDING outside!
Here in Minnesota, the weather is ALWAYS a subject of conversation:
“Cold enough for ya, den?”
“Ya-sure, you betcha.”
If it gets any colder, conversations outside will cease altogether—we’re much too impatient to wait ‘til spring for the words to thaw out.
Whatcha think, den, Gentle Reader—cold enough for ya?
Jay (stayin’ inside for now) Merton … (21 comments)

Thursday February 1ST on Boomer’s back Porch: NEW CODGER PRODUCTS INTRODUCED! - 02/01/07 05:25 AM
It’s a brisk +/-0ºF (feels like -10ºF) on the back porch this fine morning. I’ve already had a sip or two from my Official Codger porcelain mug of organically & shade-grown, fair trade, Sumatran blend coffee, and my remaining synapses are firing in good order.
Boomer, as usual has his attention deeply into the past, chronicling all those dead family members, Daisy & Medford are as usual beside me, whining about how cold it is—well Medford is.
Today we release the February line of Codger Stuff! This month you only have 28 days to grab these soon-to-be-collector’s-items! DON’T WAIT ‘TIL … (7 comments)