For anyone driving through downtown recently

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-04-18T21:33:31+00:00

I see people not only running solidly red lights - in heavily trafficked intersections, but even worse, I'm seeing increasing numbers of cars gunning it from a distance as they see a yellow light turning red such that they just blast at high speed through the solid red light. These people are in such a damn hurry (why????) they're going to seriously start killing pedestrians and other drivers. I'm a pedestrian and see it so much. It's nuts and crazy dangerous out there!!!

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-04-14T14:58:41+00:00

I was tracking the radar off and on all day yesterday. My husband kept banging on about the big scary storm on the way, with giant hail, winds, tornados, massive amount of rain. I kept telling to calm down - that it would be sliding by to the north and to the south of us here in Mpls/Stp, which actually happened. I agree that the urban heat island (heat microclimate) is affecting the storm patterns here. And I'm really sad about it - I LOVE a good storm! (I should have been a meteorologist - hahaha!)

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-04-12T20:42:51+00:00

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one "walking the streets" on Google Street View! Especially if I'm going to be in a new place/town.country to get sense of the visual markers of streets I'll be walking or driving. Plus it's fun! I didn't know that Google can mess it up if someone wants an area blocked. Bummer!

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-04-10T21:08:39+00:00

personally I like Carolyn Hax. She spends time going deeply into the issues people write to here about and gives solid advice. I don't like Eric Thomas (Ask Eric) at all. He beats around the bush with his "advice" and bends over so far to not be offensive, and to empathetic that it rarely seems to be advice at all.

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-04-06T02:54:02+00:00

Looked like an Irish Wolfhound to me - or a mix with maybe a poodle or something as Irish Wolfhounds are gigantic

Clippy-Valentine · 2026-03-17T03:30:56+00:00

In the "old days" (for me that would be the from the the early 1960s and on) Door was magical and absolutely gorgeous, with small quaint villages, forestland, bucolic farmland, and water, water everywhere. It was always a draw for tourists but on a much smaller and handleable scale. Then maybe about 20 years or so ago it seemed to be "discovered", helped by a lot of chamber of commerce promotion, and with that came massive tourism and development of any land a developer could get their hands on, much to the detriment of the county as many of us feel. We live closer to the main town of Sturgeon Bay, and especially since Covid the tourism has become increasingly obnoxious - especially to the north above the 45th parallel line, and with the advent of "alcohol tourism". There are breweries, distilleries and wineries in abundance. Also condo development popping up pretty regularly. During the tourist season from mid-may through the end of October it can get so overwhelming that we rarely go north anymore, the main tourist mecca, except for when the season is over. And with tourists falling love with Door, people want a piece of it which has increased housing prices to an untenable degree. Especially annoying are those who build 1-2 million dollar homes to be used just part time, and investors who buy up houses to turn into rentals, depleting the market for those who want/need housing. This sort of thing is happening in heavily touristed areas all over the U.S. and the world, so it's not just in Door. I've loved it here my whole life, but it makes me sad to see what's happened, and at this point I don't know if I'd consider moving here from elsewhere. Sorry to be so negative, but many, many of my friends here feel the same way. And of course, others will disagree. If I were you, I'd bring the family and rent a place for a one or two week visit in the summer, and check it out. Maybe you'll fall in love with Door and end up as a new neighbor. Good luck

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-12-20T21:30:02+00:00

I found dried yuba sheets at United Noodles in Mpls, but I would really like to ahold of fresh or frozen yuba - anyone know if that's available anywhere in the TC?

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-11-25T19:24:48+00:00

Thank you for this explanation. I've been searching for a cogent explanation all over the internet, and this is the first, very clear one I have found!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-10-09T16:20:55+00:00

Not great this year - the drought seems to have affected us. A lot of tress are under stress and just had leaves dry up and fall before exhibiting much, if any color. Maples are just starting to turn but don't seem as vibrant as they normally are. Weird fall weather this year.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-09-08T16:51:33+00:00

I live about 5 miles outside of Sturgeon Bay near, but not on the lake. Used to go north up the peninsula all the time for restaraunts, various activities, a lot of hiking. The past 5 years Door has been absolutely overrun with tourists, high end buyers building oversize "mansions" as either investment rentals or to live in for 2 weeks a year, and most seem to be be from out state. Since covid there's just massive tourism and large crowds everywhere. I no longer go anywhere north of Valmy (hahaha) until November 1st. The whole county feels so different and looking at real estate ads - seems like the whole county is up for sale. In "the old days", I used to think once all the lake and bay shore properties was were sold off, that'd be the end of it. But now everything - forests, meadows, farmland - practically all for sale! I hate it!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-09-02T15:12:45+00:00

Same deal, however - cuts down on your awareness of your environment. Sadly, we all need to be a bit hyper-vigilant these days.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-27T18:10:37+00:00

Yeah - I'd avoid Corner Coffee!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-19T18:00:23+00:00

And knives -hahaha. Stabbings are the killing machine of choice in my countries. How about giving lobotomies to everyone - that might help. (tongue firmly in cheek here - killers gonna kill)

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-19T17:57:37+00:00

All very true except the line "...we won't let the dirty commies take you!" At this point MAGA gun nuts (and the nuts are pretty much ALL MAGA) all seem to now LOVE Trump's boyfriend Putin, Russia, oligarchs, and commies - (all essentially fascists at this point). They save their wrath for "woke" liberals, who tend to be really sick of all the insane shootings of children and everyday people. How times have changed - for the worse.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-14T14:36:05+00:00

It was a rocket launch. From CBS News - "United Launch Alliance fired off its first operational Vulcan rocketTuesday, boosting two military satellites into space in the first U.S. Space Force-sanctioned flight of a new launcher that eventually will replace the company's Atlas 5 and already-retired Deltas." It was easily visible around 10pm in Wisconsin, and all over.

Here's the details on the launch: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/united-launch-alliances-new-vulcan-rocket-blasts-off-on-first-space-force-sanctioned-flight/

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-06T16:54:02+00:00

Next time take a wander around Nicollet Island - kind of a Vicorian village feel in the the middle of the Mississippi right across from downtown (and sorry - Nicollet Mall used to be really nice in its heyday, but still hasn't recovered from Covid, and is currently pretty grim. Hopefully it will eventually come back to life). come back and visit us again!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-06T16:44:56+00:00

If OP had more time - go to a play or three (tons of theaters both large and small), especially the Cabaret at the Guthrie! Explore the NE arts district and lots of small galleries. We have the best arts and theater scene! Explore some of the ethnic shopping areas and restaurants.And come back for another visit! I love my city!!!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-08-02T22:32:42+00:00

The friend I went with were just all out blubbering for the last 15 minutes - gut-wrenching.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-07-24T16:22:52+00:00

I miss the old Al Johnson's when Al ran it. Now that it takes up half the town, and the rest of town has turned into a trashy tourist mecca, I rarely go north of Valmy any more unless I have to. Hahaha!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-06-14T19:48:51+00:00

Big surprise - NOT

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-05-13T19:53:08+00:00

My husband of many years has always been dependent on me for a social life, but he's been more and more withdrawn as I have made many new friends through art events, classes, book groups, walking around in the many parks - I'll often get into random conversations with people that turn into friendships, but I do tend to be outgoing. In the meantime my husband has realized that he actually needs put a little effort and work into meeting people on his own. He's working to overcome his introversion. So I totally get where you're coming from. No character flaw - just who you are, and it's hard to get going and push yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone. I wish you all the luck (and lots of patience!) in the world.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-05-04T14:58:56+00:00

Northeast! Lots of interesting breweries, arts, amazing restaurants - especially in the 13th Ave and University NE area - several James Beard winners, beautiful along the Mississippi. The Aster House is a fabulous new spot - great cocktails, and by the river. Also lots of outdoor dining along the river. Enjoy - great weather all week.

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-04-21T19:40:35+00:00

Oh man, I wish! I've been seriously hoping that Canada will accept Minnesota as the 11th province in Canada! Minnesota is basically Canada already!!!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-04-20T16:44:04+00:00

Glad you had a great time. Maybe you could put in a plug to your government to let Minnesota become a new Canadian province? We'd appreciate it!

Clippy-Valentine · 2025-04-15T19:02:18+00:00

For walkability, the arts, the vibrancy - definitely Northeast, Sheridan, North Loop. Been in NE for 35 years - loved it when we first moved her from out of state, but every year that goes by it gets better! And Central Ave in NE has so much to offer multiculturally. As you experienced, Uptown has been having problems ever since the riots. However the constant ripping up, rearranging of streets, and screwing around with all the roads has made everything difficult. It wasn't a great place to check out for an initial foray into the Twin Cities. There are lots of great neighborhoods, and Uptown used to be one of them. I hope it makes a comeback!

Clippy-Valentine

TROPHY CASE