Also, here is a picture of Faaberg Cemetery in Rindal.

One feels almost obliged to shoot the hoar frost when it arrives. It does add interest to the winter scenes, but seldom do the photographs reach their promise. It is like taking pictures of mountains. You're almost better off putting the camera away and just storing them in your memory. 

A striking work by artist Kim Cogan.

Just found out he is running. The old DFL hand has switched parties, and in the process, I think he may have made himself the most compelling candidate the GOP has to offer. 

UPDATE: Minnpost's Doug Grow was on this earlier. 

I have been emailing contacts in New Zealand to set up visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and the like. Having been to New Zealand, I know their wonderful hospitality and willingness to accomodate. 

One of the first administrators to respond happens to have a team of inspectors from the Ministry of Health visiting in February. Well, I wrote back, I sure would like to take those inspectors out to dinner and pick their brains. He responded that they would likely be open to such a prospect and that said inspectors would have a "broad perspective" on aged care in the country. 

Boy, I hope that works out!

New Zealand is a small country. Everybody knows each other, it seems, and once you get in with one person you will have all the contacts you need. That is already taking place in the planning for this trip. I am looking forward to it more each day. It has been a long time since I have been overseas, and memories of my first trip to New Zealand in 1988 are coming back. I was such a pup, barely able to take it in. 

Two of my favorite trips were sort of obscure quests: 1) a baseball tour of 10 ballparks and 10 games in 10 days and 2) a trip sponsored by Pipedreams where we explored ancient Mexican pipe organs. Obscure quests lead to the most interesting people. Rather than seeing all the tourist sights (although nothing prevents one from doing so), an offbeat purpose leads to many serendipitous meetings and situations. 

Here's hoping the study of long term care for the aged might be considered such an obscure quest. 

Went in to see Aunt Olla at the Hilton today. I was somewhat under the weather, but it was just a miserable late stage cold, so I decided to go in anyway. 

Olla was perusing the latest quack health catalogues that arrived in the mail today. One touted red wine. She is now determined to drink red wine to prolong her life. I said they should be coming to see what you did to live so blame long, you shouldn't be consulting them. 

In any case, the subject of the inevitable funeral arose. Her latest is to have Olla's friend Nick Hoffman come to play "Abide With Me" at the graveside service. Nick, in addition to his solo efforts, plays with Kenny Chesney and has for many years. So of course, Olla doesn't figure Kenny would like to be left out of the festivities. So, he can come sing along, "if he wants." 

"I am sure he'll come," she said of Kenny, if his schedule permits. She doesn't expect him to cancel a concert or anything, but she sure wants him to feel welcome. 

And there will be plenty of food, and young guys love to eat.

Boy, did the long, beautiful fall and mild early winter help. I was energetic right into mid-January. Then, when that cold spell hit, I sort of went into hibernation--where I have remained, as is evidenced by the lack of blog entries. 

Now, we are preparing for the New Zealand trip which begins one week from today. Last night, I booked hotels for the first couple of nights. The Internet is so powerful that you can actually rehearse driving to the hotel on Google Earth. My main worry is driving on the left side of the road. I have visited with numerous people who have done it and it seems that the first hour is the worst. One simply has to concentrate.

I am also rehearsing roundabouts in my head. I still am not sure on the basic principle involved in tackling a roundabout. Do you get to the middle right away and then slowly, via centrifugal force, edge out to the perimeter before veering off in the new direction?

Last night, I decided that we will only tackle the North Island this trip. All of the potential sites for me to visit are on the North Island. The South Island is wild and scenic, but probably not as fitting for this trip. The North Island is stunning as well, and the ferry trip between the two islands consumes a day each way. With the South Island off the itinerary, the schedule becomes less stressful. I am not into break-neck trips unless somebody else is doing (has done) the planning.

Trimming down always feels good. I overscheduled my last trip to Europe ten years ago and ended up punting at the end and skipping a couple of destinations just because I was tired of new destinations and wanted to stay put for a few days and soak in the atmosphere. 

As I have thought about where to spend a little time, the Taranaki region of the North Island has stood out. Any wonder why?