Just went to the post office. By the front desk was a sign: "Cell phones may be used outside." Of course, such a request wouldn't work in Minnesota during winter, but what a relief it was to not have to stand in the line here, which is always long, and listen to people's conversations. Is there some consensus emerging on what is acceptable use of cell phones? Are people finally putting their foot down, as they finally did with smoking? Second-hand loud conversations are almost as irritating as second-hand smoke.

Neither the specimen above nor the cactus wren below were photographed in captivity. Tucson is an ideal habitat for homo retirus with thousands of the species roaming freely even within the city limits.

Called Aunt Olla just now to see how things are going back at the Hilton. She said they are so busy that she hasn't had a chance to call me at all. Just too much going on.

Now this is how the great sportswriters used to do it. Jim Klobuchar is back writing for Minnpost.com and Minnesota sports fans have a chance to watch another great old-timer show off his skills.

Although the chance to see these beautiful animals up close, as I did today at the Desert Museum in Tucson, is enlightening, I came away from the experience with the opinion that taking animals captive for zoos is absolutely wrong. The lions were pacing. The bobcats were looking longingly outward. The otter performed the same diving ritual fifteen times in a row without variance (we decided he was going crazy). Of course, we can't let them go once they lose their instincts for survival, but we can avoid taking new animals captive and grandfather out the entire zoo idea.

A reader passes along this classical classic.