Candidate Forum

The Chamber of Commerce's Candidates Forum at the City Hall in Albert Lea last night was a unique experience for us. Here is the link to the segment of the recording of Charles' exchange with Joey Neely, who is running for the same position, City Council - Ward 4.

It's a blessing!

Today was a big day at the Alkula house: Gracie and her three kittens are safely confined in the three-season room, otherwise known as "the cat room."

We've spent much of the past few weeks, after mistakenly thinking Gracie was on her own, trying to gain the trust of the kittens. Getting them used to a consistent, safe place to eat and rest was a big part of the effort.

Today, Connie, one of our neighbors, noticed all four cats going onto our deck and into the cat room. Connie was able to quietly, and quickly, close the sliding glass door, thus securing the cat family in the house.

The process now will focus on getting the kittens acclimated to human contact (Gracie already is content to be petted though not held). 

It's Clergy Appreciation Day

B&B Cafe 'offered a treat for area clergy this morning, a free breakfast! Charles took advantage of the opportunity and enjoyed a nice meal before going to work.

Three more for the portfolio

Näcken (The Watersprite)
20x20, marble acrylic on canvas

Saarella palaa (Fire on the Island)
30x40, marble acrylic on canvas

Tuuli tuudittele (The Wind Rocks)
30x40, Marble acrylic on canvas

Charles completed three paintings this weekend, two of them for an exhibit in January, and the other for a staff member at Thorne Crest.
 

The Cat Room takes shape

New look in the 3-season room

Gracie stops by to say, "Hi!"

An infrequent visitor ventures into the room

We set up some patio furniture in the 3-season room this week so that we'd have a place to sit or the cats would have a place to rest in between outside exploring.

Autumn in Albert Lea

 It was an unusually warm day in southern Minnesota as autumn continues to offer scenery which is a real treat every day.

The kittens arrive

With the discovery that Gracie had already given birth to a litter, we were hoping to locate them and get them inside. With the work that had been put into gaining Gracie's trust, we are thrilled to see that THREE kittens have joined her for regular rest and food in the 3-season room. The eventual goal is to rehome all four with a humane society before the end of this month.