Postcard Friendship Friday

Visiting Historic Fort Snelling
Discover an 1820's military outpost once the focus of a small settlement but now at the center of Minnesota's Twin Cities metropolitan area.

A full living history program with costumed guides is presented daily during the summer, and on weekends in May, September and October.

Fort Snelling was not only at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, but it was also the confluence of peoples. The histories of the people of Minnesota intersect at the fort, and guests can explore these diverse stories within its walls. (Minnesota Historic Society)

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The Greatest Generation #2

Domestic life in the early-to-mid 20th Century differed considerably from today. I wonder how many people today can their own food?

The Greatest Generation

Television has changed all of our lives, or so it seems. The Greatest Generation exhibit at the History Center in St. Paul has artifacts on many different aspects of American life in the 20th Century.. Of all the popular culture objects this seems to have been one of the most influential. My husband's family had one of the first television sets in their neighborhood. Yes, it was a Zenith with a round screen!

"Come Fly With Me"

About two or three times a week, we take our dog, Maggi, to a dog park which is adjacent to the Minnesota International Airport. Maggi likes the freedom, and I love watching the airplanes takeoff and land. Several runways run parallel with one side of the park, and to watch I take my folding chair, camera, water and book while Jim tramps the area with our grateful and appreciative canine. As you know, Northwest was purchased by Delta, which is making numerous changes and eliminating the NWA main offices in Eagan, MN; many employees are being transferred to other locations and the unions are wrestling with the "merger." As a Minnesotan, I'm not happy that there will be changes for NWA and hope that air transportation out of the Twin Cities will not be adversely affected. By the number of takeoffs and landings on the runways we observed, the traffic still looks very robust!

I GOT MY REPAIRED CANON BACK ... FINALLY -- GOOD AS NEW! And I had a field day experimenting with it, snapping the aircraft.

"Weather-wise it's such a lovely day
You just say the words and we'll beat the birds
Down to Acapulco Bay"

Lyrics: "Come Fly With Me" -- Frank Sinatra

Breaking the Rules

On Family Day we trooped out to visit the camp where our 7-year-old granddaughter is happily attending for much of the summer. We toured the camp and was treated to her skills navigating a canoe. Only one problem: while "showing off" she and her fellow camper disappeared around a bend in the lake, out of sight of the counselors which was against the rules. Well on their way to a favorite spot, an Island, a wise parent in another canoe, guided them back to the dock. Lots of mischief, but it sure looked like a lot of fun!

Chloe,the Sloth-Saturday & Sunday Camera Critters

We who live in the Twin Cities are very fortunate to be able to visit the Como Zoo and Conservatory in beautiful Como Park in St. Paul. There are many educational and informational exhibits; on November 17, 2006, the new Tropical Encounters exhibit opened in the Visitor Center. This exhibit is a total immersion experience into a neotropical rainforest and is the first exhibit that combines both animals from Como Zoo and plants from the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. It features over 250 animals including giant river turtles, frogs, fish, free-roaming birds, leaf-cutter ants, spiders, an anaconda and “Chloe” the sloth. Chloe has been featured on my blog before, but this is the first time that I have been able to photograph her face. Cute, isn't she?!
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Postcard Friendship Friday

This large piece of art is located on a landing on one of the stairwells in the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul where we went to see a special exhibit about the Depression and WWII as it affected Minnesotan. I have seen the exact same image you see in the photo on postcards, which, incidentally are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Guess I'll have to start going to antique shops again. Next week I'll show you some photos I took while going through the outstanding "The Greatest Generation" Exhibit at the History Center Stay tuned!!

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"seriously good preserves"

The phrase, "seriously good preserves" is on the business card for the products sold by the vendor http://www.heathglen.com/. Their display at the Farmer's Market in St. Paul is mouth watering, and these good people provide sample jars of their preserves for tasting purposes: Blueberry Jam with Lime and Mint, Blueberry Lavender with Merlot Wine, Peach Almond, Raspberry Chambord Jam, to name a few. Many of the preserves are even low sugar. Check out their website to see the prices and more selections. Perhaps you'd like to order some?? I'm returning next week to buy several jars for gifts. Good idea, huh?!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!

"Strawberries, Strawberries! Oh, deh's so fresh and fine, and deh's just off the vine! Strawberries, Strawberries." (Porgy and Bess)

Flowers at the Market

Now that there are more vegetables being harvested, the flowers and herbs are being discounted, and are real bargains. Strolling from vendor to vendor, I noticed many, many customers laden with blossoms. Click on the image for a closer look!