The BB* Graveyard

 *Badminton Birdie

A heap o' discarded shuttlecocks seen in the parking lot of Can-AM Elite Badminton Club. We felt the original images lacked a certain je ne sais quoi so we threw in a couple of spiffed up-versions created with the google photos "remix" tool. 

Allergy Warning: This Post Contains NUTmobile

Like the Wienermobile, the NUTmobiles (there are 3 of them) make promotional stops all over the country, spreading their message of peanutty goodness. Yesterday's stop in San Jose was at the Winchester Mystery House. 

Where Grasshoppers Fear To ̶T̶r̶e̶a̶d̶ ̶ Hop

According to their website, Menahga, MN is "a hidden gem in central Minnesota that offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and small-town hospitality."

 

But...for certain members of the animal kingdom, there's a dark, dangerous presence one encounters upon entering the town. 

St. Urho Statue in front of Menahga Area Museum

From the plaque beneath the statue:

 

THE LEGEND OF ST. URHO
ONE OF THE LESSER KNOWN, BUT EXTRAORDINARY LEGENDS OF AGES PAST IS THE LEGEND OF ST. URHO-PATRON SAINT OF THE FINNISH VINEYARD WORKERS.
BEFORE THE LAST GLACIAL PERIOD WILD GRAPES GREW WITH ABUNDANCE IN THE AREA NOW KNOWN AS FINLAND. THE WILD GRAPES WERE THREATENED BY A PLAGUE OF GRASSHOPPERS UNTIL ST. URHO BANISHED THE LOT OF THEM WITH A FEW SELECTED FINNISH WORDS...

"HEINASIRKKA, HEINASIRKKA. MENETAALTA HIITEEN" (TRANSLATED: "GRASSHOPPER, GRASSHOPPER, GO AWAY!")

 

 The town celebrates St. Urho's Day on March 16th every year. It's one festivity we don't plan on attending.