It looks like this cat got hypnotized by the snowflakes falling again this morning but at least the temperature stayed above freezing long enough to melt the snow before dropping in the afternoon.
Hypnotized Cat
Picture of the Day for November 20, 2019
I might be in the minority since I don’t have a smart phone, but looking back just getting a portable phone for a land line was a big advantage but imagine the changes some people have seen in their lives. From today’s cell phones, which are mini computers, back to a phone like this, which was probably on a party line and each household had its own distinctive ring like a long and two shorts. Can you imagine today’s kids having to wait until someone else got off and anyone else on the party line could listen in? I doubt they would be on the phone very long!
This phone was manufactured by the Swedish-American Telephone Co., which was established 1899 and produced a wide range of telephone equipment and was popular in rural areas.
Very Old Phone
Picture of the Day for November 19, 2019
On a nice sunny day, the lighthouse foghorns were not needed but in inclement conditions like today, they were critical to the safety of ship crews before modern technology. The foghorns at Split Rock Lighthouse were first heard in 1910 at a 20 second interval in foggy conditions and could be heard roughly 5 miles away. The first ones were a siren-blast and after 1936 they were a type F diaphone. The foghorns went silent in 1961 as technology changed and reportedly as favor to a nearby resort owner. The Minnesota Historical Society took over the decommissioned lighthouse in 1976 and replica foghorns were placed atop the fog signal building in 1979 but the only sound heard now is a recording of the horn inside the building.
Split Rock Lighthouse Foghorns
Picture of the Day for November 18, 2019
This old wooden wheelbarrow doesn’t look ready for the start of the work week with a broken handle. The wheelbarrow has an interesting design but I think it has seen too many work days and deserves a peaceful retirement.
Retired Wheelbarrow
Picture of the Day for November 17, 2019
A month ago the leaves were falling, but this morning snow was falling instead and blocked any hint of a sunrise.
October Lake Sunrise
Picture of the Day for November 16, 2019
The Great Lakes bulk freighter, Paul R Tregurtha arrived in Duluth today with chunks of ice floating through the canal. It was warmer when I saw the longest vessel (1,013.5 feet) of the Great Lakes arrive in October. The ship’s maiden voyage was in 1981 and she can carry 68,000 long tons of iron ore or 63,616 long tons of coal and she holds a number of cargo records. The Big Paul will be able to make a few more voyages before the winter lay-up when the icy weather closes the canals and locks.
Freighter Paul R Tregurtha
Picture of the Day for November 15, 2019
This stream almost looks like ice but unlike my sidewalk, it wasn’t icy and was a nice flowing creek, at least for a few more weeks before the winter freeze stiffens it.
Flowing Creek
Picture of the Day for November 14, 2019
With the temperatures down to zero, it is hard to find any colorful blooming flowers as most have gone to seed and will float away on windy days like white snowflakes.
Ready to Fly
Picture of the Day for November 13, 2019
At times today, the snowflakes were swirling around (even if nothing was showing up on the radar), but the snowflakes weren’t trapped in a whirlpool like these leaves were on Lost Creek downstream from the waterfall.
Leaves in a Whirlpool
Picture of the Day for November 12, 2019
The forecast is calling for some possible snow tonight and for tomorrow. This pine cone and the pine needles has a warmer ‘fallen’ feel than falling snowflakes even if individual snowflakes can be pretty. Winter came too early this year and shortened the already short autumn season.
Fallen Pine Cone
