Noir (dark side of Hollywood) and Platelet Donation

While I was donating platelets at the Red Cross Sunday morning, I watched a DVD (I'm a double needle donor, so reading a book is out of the question). I don't thing I made it halfway through 'The Long Night', a 'rediscovered American classic', starring Henry Fonda, Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price, and directed by Anatole Litvak. I'll save it for a leisurely home evening or a movie on the porch night. I had no patience with the police, mayor, sheriff all shooting into a rooming house to remove one quiet man. I had no patience to contemplate the directing, acting, sets in terms of 1947 movie production and the psychology of the characters....yesterday, platelets and the dark side just didn't mix. Should have chosen a chick flick. Maybe I am just crabby and tired this week.

Juggling and Slack Rope Walking in Dayton's Bluff's Swede Hollow Park

Between work and a District Council 4 meeting this evening, I stopped in Swede Hollow Park to eat my Carbone's meatballs and garlic bread..mmm. I watched a couple young men string what I thought would be a volley ball net. Instead, I was treated to the two brothers (Dan, and will need to get his brother's name) juggling and slack rope walking. I would have said tight rope, but learned the difference tonight.

What I learned besides the rope difference: The two are from Willmar (sp?) and live just a few blocks up (won't put their address or e-mail here). Daneil Edwards is 25 and his brother is 27. They learned their skills while working at the Renaissance Faire. I love that they are willing to share it with strangers! It was a very still, windless evening, just perfect. They don't like Minnesota cold, and said they would be moving at the end of summer.

I would love to connect them with kids in my neighborhood. Take a walk tomorrow and perhaps you'll see them. I put the photos on Facebook, will get them on blog soon.