Joe Day to Day

Air quality's been bad lately. Above photos taken Thursday, July 16. Glenwood Avenue in Minneapolis.

Glenwood Avenue yesterday, Friday, July 17. Air quality much improved. That said, it's still shitty and worse in so many other places.

This is from WCCO-TV in Minneapolis on Thursday.

And this from KSTP-TV.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

We were gone for about a week and a half. Here's what the yard looks like.

I admit it's a little overgrown in spots but it's not as bad as I anticipated.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - Day 9: Last Day

Last day today. We leave this afternoon. Decided to squeeze in what was supposed to be my second cigar last night but my plan was thwarted by the haboob.

Monday, July 13, 2026 - Day 8: The Big Haboob Part 3

Monday, July 13, 2026 - Day 8: The Big Haboob Part 2

Monday, July 13, 2026 - Day 8: The Big Haboob

Lots of running around today. Lunch at Chipotle. 

Stopped in to have a visit with Brenda and Irv to say good bye since we won't see them tomorrow. Irv finished the puzzle he's been working on the last few days. Picked up one more cigar. Did some grocery shopping for dinner and too pick up some things to restock the pantry.

Also picked up some more Knob Creek for John since I depleted what was left in his bottle. Was gonna make it a two-cigar night, BUT…

Another one of these came in as I was on my first cigar.

This photo was taken at 7:18 pm.

Sunday, July 12, 2026 - Day 7: Spiders, Old Fashioneds, and Dust (Oh My!)

Brenda called this morning saying she had gotten what she thought was a spider bite and was concerned it was going to get infected so she asked if we'd take her to urgent care. We went over to check it out. Brenda was able to speak to her doctor. She sent them a photograph of the bite on her leg. The doctor felt it was something that could be managed from home and phoned in a prescription of antibiotics to the pharmacy. Dale and I said we pick them up after we got some lunch.

We went to a place called Peoria Artisinal Brewery and had some brunch. I got a couple old fashioneds.

After brunch we stopped by Walgreen's to pick up the prescription for Brenda and then dropped it off.

For dinner Dale made some cod. He cooked it up in a skilled with tomatoes, capers, onions, and some white wine. After dinner I sat by the pool for my daily cigar.

Dale came out to join me as I finished up my cigar and we watched the sky. Were startled by a notification on our phones for a dust storm warning.

Saturday, July 10, 2026 - Day 6: Lunch, Cigar Time, and More

Late lunch at Brenda and Irv's place. We ordered from Good China and picked it up and took it over. It's been so nice being able to spend time with them. I think they're enjoying it too.

I've been having my daily cigar after dinner but tonight I did it before.

Still quite hot out and very humid.

However the sun had cleared the house and there was slight but steady breeze which made it more pleasant. For how hot it's been I try to where the least restricting clothing possible. When sitting out back I'm usually just in my swimsuit and a muscle shirt.

For our late dinner Dale and I put together a charcuterie plate. We watched the World Cup game between Argentiina and Switzerland. Great game. Argentina won.

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 5: Cigar Time

Cigar after a long and fun day.

Li'l Bit's been keeping herself pretty scarce although a couple days ago she started to show her cute little face.

This is the closest she's gotten to me thus far.

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 4: Hula's Modern Tiki

On the way home from the Phoenix Art Museum Dale and I stopped for happy hour and an early dinner at Hula's Modern Tiki. This is another place we stop just about every trip. We've really come to enjoy it. It's got lot's of windows and is bright and sunny. It looks out on a busy Phoenix city street and is in a very charming mid-century neighborhood. Service is always good here too.

Dale went with white wine. I started with the Painkiller. Yum yum yum. This is just about my favorite tiki cocktail. 

For food we started out with the Hawaiian ceviche. Delicious.

For my second drink I went with their Blue Hawaiian. Probably my other favorite tiki drink. This was the first tiki drink I ever had over at Bandana Square in St. Paul when I turned 19 years old. Back in the day that was the legal drinking age so it was also the first drink I had legally.

Dale and I both got Caesar salads for dinner. I had mine with shrimp and Dale had his with salman. We've had these here before and they're very delicious and filling. I also ordered a side of fried plantains to share. This could also work as a dessert.

The guy sitting next to us asked if we lived in the neighborhood. I told him no and where we're actually from. I asked him the same question. Turns out he's living in the Phoenix metro much farther out but that he was raised in the neighborhood Hula's is in. He said he loved it as a place to grow up. Dale and I have talked before about how if we lived in Phoenix this is where we'd like to live.

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 3c: Phoenix Art Museum (More Fun Stuff)

Friday, July 10, 2023 - Day 5, Part 3b: Phoenix Art Museum

I was unaware that the Phoenix Art Museum has a fashion collection and a rather large one at that. I was also unaware that the museum is only 66 years old.

Beach robe and belt Dress 1966-1968 screenprinted Confil (wet-laid polyester and cellulose blend) Phoenix Art Museum

(left) Hubert de Givenchy (French, 1927-2018) Evening coat, 1960s silk satin shantung with silk organza appliqué and silk embroidery Mr. John, Inc. (American, founded 1948) Hat, 1950s silk (right) Hubert de Givenchy (French, 1921-2018) Evening dress, coat, and purse,1960s silk cloqué; silk cloqué and rhinestones Hat, 1960s silk velvet with pearls, crystals, and rhinestones

Bill Blass (American, 1922-2002) Coat, 1969 printed cotton velveteen with silk floss embroidery and glass buttons

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 3a: Phoenix Art Museum

Our first stop at the Phoenix Art Museum was the Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection exhibit. Dale and I both really enjoyed it.

From the PAM website: Florentine Baroque: The Haukohl Collection presents more than 30 examples of painting, sculpture, and decorative arts drawn from the most important Florentine Baroque art collection outside of Italy, assembled over more than 40 years by Houston-based art collector and co-founder of the Medici Archive Project Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl. Featured artworks by local Florentine artists and artists living across Europe reflect Florence’s flourishing art industry, as well as the cultural and intellectual legacy of the Medici Grand Dukes on the Renaissance and Baroque movements.

Some highlights:

Onorio Marinari (Italian, 1627-1715) Saint Sebastian (San Sebastián), early 1690s oil on canvas

Felice Ficherelli (Italian, 1603-1660) Saint Sebastian Tended by Saint Irene, c. 1630s oil on canvas

Onorio Marinari (Italian, 1627-1715) Madonna and Child, 17th century oil on

Jacopo Giorgi (Italian, 1623-1665) Penitent Magdalene, c. 1656 oil on paper laid on canvas

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 2: Picking Up Cigars

Today we decided to take a field trip to the Phoenix Art Museum. On the way there we stopped at Ambassador Fine Cigars which had been recommended to me by John and Dianne.

What a great place! Their humidor was huge. There's another whole aisle on the other side of the one pictured above. The man working there was incredibly attentive and helpful. He checked for a cigar I was looking for and when he discovered they didn't have it he made a suggestion for a different one which I ended up getting. I also found a couple others I like. Their lounge is huge and very well ventilated. When I got back in the car Dale said he couldn't smell smoke on me at all.

Friday, July 10, 2026 - Day 5, Part 1: Another Quiet, Laid Back, Relaxing Morning

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - Day 4: Another Quiet, Laid Back, Relaxing Day

Another quiet day. Again tarted out with coffee and swimming in the pool. Much more humid this morning than it's been. 

Dale had some work to do for church. I immersed myself in podcasts, reading, and stretching.

This afternoon we picked up a tv tray for Brenda and Irv at Walmart. We dropped it off at their place and stayed for cocktail hour and had a nice chat. On the way home we picked up salads for dinner at Safeway.