On 12/28/2022 we (the family) drove through Oak Park in Minot ND to see the light displays through the program run by The Sertoma Club of Minot. For just $5.00 you can load up the car with as many people as possible to view lot's and lots of light displays set up in the park. I took a lot of still photos wishing I would have had some video... then I remembered "The Dash Cam". It's pretty low quality but you get the idea. This is a very short video of one or two displays out of what I would guess to be 50 to 75 displays. BTW Sertoma is a strange abbreviation of SERVICE TO MANKIND.Here is the one minute video from the Dash Cam followed by a few stills.  The pic above is a display by a local engineering firm and it depicts the Broadway bridge over the mouse river that separates North and S... 01/01/2023

It can be very frustrating watching new construction of a home you are moving to or even a remodel in the home you are currently in as it most often seems to go as slow as molasses. Maybe if we could see the progress we might think it's a runaway train that we need to get away from like Joe in Timmothy' Timm's cartoon, Titus and Philemon.A side note.My friend Jen (sister in Christ) let's us know that the CP Rail Christmas train IS on track and will (has been) be back in Minot ND this year.Prior to my retirement from Real Estate I worked with a Developer and several Builders as well as contractors. It doesn't take long when working with such people in the industry to get the gist of the time frame it takes to build a quality home. If things are going slow you just may think about it and ... 12/20/2022

This is one of Minot North Dakota's Jokes. The leaders of our community coined the phrase "Why Not Minot" for several reasons. Just at it's face value it's a good slogan, Why Not Minot? Second is that everyone mispronounces our name, most wanting to give it a French spin asking: "Are you in Minnow?" Funny thing is that our name is in honor of a big RR man who is not French at all.Anyhow! It did not take the young men and women at The Air Force Base to respond to Why Not Minot with:"Freezin Is The Reason" 12/09/2022

It's our first REAL snow (Blizzard)and we will most likely be keeping it until May of 2023.I love taking pictures after a fresh snowfall, I just wish this one would have waited another month before blanketing us. I am going to need a blower or air hose to clean off my many bird feeders.No mail today, Veterans Day.It was only 8" so nothing that would slow a North Dakotian down. Even a little Toyota can plow through eight inches of snow.This is my "artsy" picture, shot over a flatbed trailer showing the frozen flowers in the garden and the snow atop the playhouse roof.  11/11/2022

I'm giving a shout out to the Minot Public Library.Several years ago, approximately 20, I met the head librarian of the Minot Public Library and we became good friends. In fact Jerry and I get together once a week for beer and card games. But I digress.Jerry retired about 7 years but in the 30 years he was their he was super progressive in finding ways that the library could serve it's patrons. The good news is that since his retirement the library has stayed the course Jerry set for it.One of the many things the Library is the Live Action Role Playing (LARP) fun. Take a look at their website and you will see all the amazing fun our Library offers. 11/05/2022

If you live in the Minot Area and you want safe Trick or Treating for your kids hope in the car tomorrow and hit these good people up for Trunk or Treating.My kids are to old (although they both would go if they could) but If you are new to town I tell you where we would go.1) Scheels, 2) Marketplace Foods, 3 + 4) Both of the Trinity Health locations above 5) The Optimist Club 6 - 10 any and all that remain. WHAT A DEAL!!!   10/30/2022

This video shows the results of us (Timmothy N. Timm and I) moving to the lower level of the building we were already in at 201 Main Street South, Minot North Dakota. The bulk of the video is about the Titus & Philemon Art Gallery but I also give you a glimpse of my office, Ward County Notary Services. We gained considerably more space with this move and the added bonus of lower rent made the move a no-brainer. I assumed that all this new wall space would allow us to invite one or more new artists to join us ... WRONG! With two gifted children who are both professional artists and admittedly I am showing off some of my photography there is little to no wall space left. One challenge I had not considered is that this building was constructed during the cold war and was designed to be THE... 10/29/2022

Today is/was The Downtown Haunting. Actually I'm not sure what they call it BUT from all the happy faces and big smiles I'd say it was a very happy day.Here we have one happy girlWe also had Sisters and little BrothersCrowds EVERYWHERE.Sistersand Moms.A lot of fun and a lot of candy for all. 10/28/2022

Oh NO! We received snow before Halloween again.It's always kind of a crap shoot as to what kind of weather the kids get for Halloweening up North here. Reflecting back to my childhood and even through the years of my children I'd say it's been pretty 50/50 as to the number of years with and without snow on Halloween. My son Timmothy reflects that he did NOT remember very many with snow.The snow may not be as much of a bummer for the kids, after all they still get a ton of candy, as it is for parents who want everyone to see how cute the kids costumes are (hard to see under a parka, stocking hat, and mittins. 10/24/2022

I'll have another post when everything is complete but I wanted everyone to know that The End Is Near!The Gallery is really shaping up.No pictures of my office space yet. It is such a mess that I went into panic mode looking for my notary stamp for a closing tomorrow (remember that I am now making a living as a notary... having my stamp is helpful) 😂.  10/11/2022

Timmothy's first cartoon, made specifically for the Northern Sentry newspaper will be in this Friday and every Friday there after.The Northern Sentry is the official newspaper for the Minot Air Force Base and is delivered to every occupant of the base, those serving the base that live in town and to many subscribers all over the USA who have served at the MAFB.As Timmothy's father I have to ask, pretty good for a 20 year old man, don't you think? For those of you who do not know his story, Timmothy was diagnosed with high functioning autism yet he has been on the honor role every year, published two comic strip books, and is now published in two news papers (one daily). 10/05/2022

We could use some rain around here (the Minot ND area). It has been a very long time since I remember a real "Thunder Boomer" and frankly I love a good rain storm.Unlike Joe in Timmothy's comic strip, I actually sleep better when a good rain comes in the middle of the night. I wouldn't know if the rain made me go to the bathroom, I get up most nights any way to do that.If there is anything making me walk around like a Zombe these days it's the experience of moving my business. Just like the home owners who list with us or the home buyers trusting in our word I wonder if the move is what is best for me and Timmothy. And then there is the cleaning, painting, and do I need an electrician or not.At the risk of droning on I just want to clarify a couple of things. 1) I am in a commercial bui... 09/30/2022

Scandinavian heritage is a big think here in Minot North Dakota, so much so that we host the largest celebration of Scandinavian heritage in America. That celebration is a four day event called the Horsk Hostfest and it encompasses the largest and many other building of the North Dakota State Fairgrounds.Because it is a four day event and many visitors what to be present for every minute of it the fair grounds set up facilities to accommodate hundreds of campers and motor homes.It really is great entertainment with free entertainment stages set up and running the entire four days. Here are this years top headliners (not free).Not Scandinavian? Neither am I but I've enjoyed this festival for years. The festival had taken a two year break due to covid but it's sure to make a terrific come... 09/27/2022

After months and months we're in. This was a Million Dollar remodel and worth every penny of it.Yesterday was our "soft opening" , you can imagine how excited we were. It's not quite finished. In this picture you can see that we have not put up the 12' rugged cross we just had received.Prior to the remodel this was a very narrow hall way lined with closets. This will be a fellowship area next to our new kitchen. It will be great for coffee and conversation before and after worship.The kitchen is compact and oped to two areas including the fellowship area pictured above.This was an absolute total remodel taking the building down to the stick walls AND even replacing an exterior wall and adding reinforcing beams that went 6' into the ground on top of cement pads. There are areas that I di... 09/26/2022

Today and tomorrow, September 15th & 16th, the "Friends of the Library" are having a book sale at the Minot Public Library. This would be a great time to stock up for your winter reading and videos. Everything is sold by good will offering. In addition to books and videos there are CD's, DVD's, games and puzzles.I was there early this morning and picked up a several books and videos. I am most looking forward to watching my Simpsons and Alfred Hitchcock videos. 09/15/2022

I am getting too old for this.I am at that age where I really had hoped to never make another move either at work or at home again. At least this move is an office move within the same building so no packing or shipping will be involved.As you can see from the picture at the top of the post I have some prep work to do painting and filling in holes and cracks. The good news is that I am more than doubling my space and my rent will be a quarter of what it is now.Obviously the down side is the decent DOWN the steps and that there is no elevator available. More GOOD news is that the Art Gallery can use all walls down the steps, in the halls, and of course in the office and the gallery area it self. The feature picture at the top really only shows about half the space of the new Gallery (tha... 09/12/2022

Hoory! It's Fall Clean Up Weekthis coming Sept 19th - Sept 23rdI am so ready for this! I need to get rid of a couple of large copiers, some furniture, and other odds and ends.The City is VERY specific as to what day they will be at your house. If you put it out a day late it will sit there until YOU remove it. Here is a map/schedule for you:For more information you can click here to go to the City's web page on this matter. 09/02/2022

The key word in this post and the above poster is "BY" and that it is NOT in the park. The event is held next to (North) of Harley's and across the street (East of) Marketplace Foods in the Arrowhead mall.Eagles Wings Church is just far enough off of the road that it is easy to miss. I have not attended this church but it has a very good reputation in the community.Who doesn't like free food, Daryl's Racing Pigs, bouncy houses & classic cars? I recommend you go and have a GREAT time! 08/26/2022

When I saw this camper set up in the park I was curious as to where they came from. Even though the park closes at 10PM and they will have to leave I thought it was great that they totally set up with their gas powered generator, awning out, and even bringing the canoe. Once I got close enough I could see they were not from out of State... they were from right here in Minot.I thought, that is a pretty good idea, to get the most out of your new camper. Made me wonder where I/we could set up in town for the day.Some other pics from our walk yesterday.Just a note: I had to walk from park bench to park bench and take about a 10 minute break at each bench due to my current medical situation. It was hot out (90 degrees) Baby doesn't always have her tongue out that far. It was a perfect day. T... 08/15/2022

Route 316Our church, Grace Lutheran, is a small "new" church in town with limited volunteers so when we hold Vacation Bible School it is BIG, One Day event (and just half a day at that).The theme this year, Route 315, is a take-off of Route 66 but of course it's Route John 3:16. Just like last year Timmothy and I volunteered to be the food and snack masters.The church was very well decorated (hard to do when we are in a complete remodel of the church building, inside and out) with all the hallways made out to look like highways with signs and scenery.Everyone had a great time.Timmothy and I got to be the first ones to every use the new, almost completed, kitchen (during the remodel). I wanted to note that a couple of things from my RE career came in very handy. For open houses I had pur... 08/14/2022