House of Hoops

This is just a very small sample of the shoes available to wear when playing basketball. The prices range widely as does the selection for all kinds of activities: walking, running, jogging--boggles the mind. It helps when the salesperson knows the product, as did the man who helped our grandson. He steered us away from the more expensive Jordan shoes, which he thought were substandard compared with other lines. Our 13-year-old grandson got a terrific pair of size 13 basketball shoes, which, incidentally, are not featured on the photograph that I hastily snapped before we left. What kind of sneakers do you use?

First Attempt

Well, this photo will make a good benchmark. It's my first attempt at a night photo, and it wins the award for 2007 worst photo. Nowhere to go but up!!

Eight More Days

This is an image that will get me through the next eight cold and snowy Minnesota days before we fly to Mazatlán, México for three months. Eight more days!!

Watercolour

On my first trip to South Africa, I found the art world in Durban particularly appealing. I especially enjoyed an art cooperative called the Bat Center, and I made some purchases. I fell in love with this vibrant watercolour, brought it home, had it framed, and hung it above my fireplace. I treasure it. Crazy Cow at Durban Daily Photo has posted a number of photos of the building and some of the art work for sale there. Go see some of the photos, starting here.

Third Snowfall

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." -Norman Vincent Peale

T'was the Night Before Christmas...

"The grandkids stockings were hung by the chimney with care..." Bet you can't guess which stockings are theirs!!

Geo. Morrison's Lake Superior Driftwood Sculpture

Title:Collage IX: Landscape
Artist:George Morrison
Date:1974
Medium:Wood
Dimensions:60 1/8 x 168 1/2 x 3 in. (152.72 x 427.99 x 7.62 cm)
Creation Place:North America, United States, Great Lakes/Woodlands region.

George Morrison
(Grand Portage Band of Chippewa)
Contemporary artist George Morrison is recognized as one of the most significant 20th-century Native American painters.

Born in 1919 on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation near Grand Marais, Minnesota, Morrison went on to study with the New York Art Students League and in France with support from a Fulbright scholarship. He later returned to his homeland, where he rediscovered his Anishinaabe roots. Morrison found the north shore of Lake Superior especially inspiring. He once described this personal journey as a "search for my own reality; I seek the power of the rock, the magic of the water, the religion of the tree, the color of the wind and the enigma of the horizon."

He envisioned the horizon of Lake Superior to be "the edge of the world," and in 1967began to focus artistically on the horizon line, which he described as "more of an obsession." He confided, "I have been using it ever since, as a focal point, to identify the landscape."

In 1970 Morrison began teaching art at the University of Minnesota, where he too produced numerous outstanding young Native and non-Native artists. He never stopped learning, exploring nature and venturing forward through his paintings. Most of his later life he spent painting back home in northern Minnesota. He walked a lot around the surrounding area and once revealed, "There is a spirituality in the landscape at my studio in Grand Portage: the water and the air and the atmosphere. All those elements are coming into me from what I see. I'm not looking at it like I'm painting it. But all of these things are in my mind. It is alive and it changes by the hour. Perhaps that very thing has been transplanted into my head, and then I'm transforming that onto the canvas." To read more of this excerpt comparing Morrison with Southwest Native American artist, Hauser,click here.

He was married to Hazel Belvo, another Minnesota artist, who taught at Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Saint Paul Academy and is known for her series of pieces based on the Witch Tree. Morrison passed away in Grand Marais.

Retirement-AT LAST

After 35 years of faithfully serving the people of the State of Minnesota, my dear husband Jim is retiring. Alleluia!
Lori Swanson, the current Attorney General, presents Jim with a placque acknowledging his service. Grand-daughter Olivia shares the center of attention, of course! Uninvited, I might add! An observation was made that based upon her energy, perhaps she might become a future Minnesota Attorney General!
The man on the right is the ever-popular Warren Spannaus who was Attorney General when Jim first started practicing law. Current and former colleagues, clients of the state of Minnesota, secretaries, judges, friends and our family attended the gathering to wish Jim well and to give him a send-off into the unfamiliar territory of leisure. Since I retired in 2003 I've been waiting for a playmate, and we'll begin our sojourn immediately after the holidays. Where? South of the border, of course.

Dedication with Cheer

I'm not really advertising for Walgreens! This volunteer for the Salvation Army danced a bit and sang as she greeted customers scurrying to and fro from the store as the holiday buying period winds down. I have to admire those people who give up their own precious time to volunteer for charity. May they receive the same consideration from others: family, friends, and strangers. Today I intend to go out of my way to make a stranger feel welcome. A good goal, don't you think??!!

Skillful Artists

While visiting a bookstore and coffee shop, I noticed these young artists who were lettering a "sale" for the store. Customers were mesmerized by their ability to letter backwards and with their obvious skills. They graciously agreed to allow me to photograph them on this bright, crisp Minnesota holiday. Hope they like the result!

Nutcracker

This nutcracker in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul is the same decoration that was one of the figures in the Christmas display last year. Although it is an attractive holiday icon, I was a mite disappointed that the decorations were not different. An aside: I haven't posted for the past few days and will probably post sporatically for awhile. I've been to three funerals this past week, and yesterday one of my favorite people on earth died. Puts quite a damper on the holiday cheer.

Favorite Tree Carving

Perhaps it's the influence of The Christmas Carol, but I have always associated this figure, which was carved from a tree, with the holidays. I've posted it from a slightly different angle previously, but it deserves another appearance, don't you think?!

Monsignor Terrence J. Murphy

Monsignor Terrence J. Murphy, 1920-2004, served the University of St. Thomas for 50 years, including 25 years as its president. Murphy was the university's chancellor when he died in February of 2004.

Since I've recently posted a number of art objects I found on the St. Paul campus, I think I should tell you a bit more about the school. The following is from the Wiki website:

"The University of Saint Thomas (also known as UST or simply St. Thomas) is a coeducational archdiocesan Roman Catholic institution of higher learning based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1885 as a Catholic seminary, it is named after St. Thomas Aquinas, a medieval Catholic theologian and philosopher who is the patron saint of learners in the Roman Catholic Church. Now a university with four campuses (St. Paul, Minneapolis, Owatonna in Minnesota, and Rome, Italy), it currently enrolls more than 11,000 students, making it Minnesota's largest independent college or university." To learn some fascinating history about this institution, click here.

Touchdown, Vikings

This is what happens on the field when the Vikings score a touchdown at home in the Dome, not one but several flags go sailing across the field.

Logos and Labels Again

Although the colours are a bit faded, the logo itself is quite clear. The line down the middle indicates where two doors meet to close the opening. It's a familiar sign, but one perhaps you have not committed to memory.

My American Gothic

A delightful ceramic plate found at a craft fair. Recognize it?

"American Gothic," Grant Wood, 1930 Owned by the Chicago Art Institute

Chapeau, Anyone?

Hats off to you, folks!! Have a good week-end!

Hello Dolly!

Another craft fair doll!

Craft Fair

A local middle school has an annual craft fair which I always attend. This year was no exception and despite the falling snow on Saturday I trudged over to see the wares. These doll figures always appeal to me altho I've never purchaed one. Attendance in the morning was sparse because of the snowfall, and my favorite vendor of spectacular birds was not there this year because of a family illness. I had hoped to photograph one of them to show you. Perhaps next year!

Untitled: A Light Dusting of Snow

We're getting more snow! I snapped these just as the flakes started to fall to show Untitled in a slightly different way. See yesterday's photo to compare.

Untitled

This bright and unusual sculpture has a plaque but, unfortunately, it has been vandalized. The identifying words have been scratched off, which is maddening. I took this photo last Friday, the day before our first snowfall so I'm sure it has a different appearance now. I probably should go back and snap it with snow surrounding it.

Season's First Snowfall, December 1, 2007-10 inches

After an afternoon and evening watching snow fall on December 1, these are a few scenes I observed during my Sunday morning stroll the next day.

The Cage

This sculpture on the lawn near the O'Shaughnessy Science Hall on Summit Avenue has a plaque. To learn more about the sculptor, click here and here.

The High Bridge-The Mighty Mississippi

The High Bridge is a bridge that carries Minnesota State Highway 149 over the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota. The bridge is a two lane, street set-up over the river. The original bridge, built in 1895, was damaged by a storm in 1905. The southernmost five spans were rebuilt. Due to deterioration over the years, the old bridge was demolished in 1985. A new bridge was built and opened in 1987. The ornamental ironwork on the new bridge was built using iron from the old bridge. The High Bridge has a height of 160 feet, making it the highest bridge in St. Paul. (Wiki Website) ADDED LATER: The photo is not tipsy; the bridge is indeed slanted because the banks on either side are of different heights. The boats are a paddle wheeler used for tourism and houseboats as restaurants and a B & B.

There are 128 bloggers who have theme day photos. Visit as many as you can and leave a comment! Here they are...Enjoy!
Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Entrophy

When scurrying around the St Paul UST campus, trying to find information of the sculptures I have posted the last two days, I found this painting in the Engineering Building on Summit Avenue. This one did have an explanatory plaque!!

Entrophy by Kevin Gross, 1996
Gift of Faculty
From the Division of Science and Mathematics

I rather fancy this image. Don't you?

Another Co-ed at UST

FRONT
BACK I'm still looking for more information regarding these art pieces. I'll try to photograph more of the art that's scattered around the campus on the next sunny day.

Co-ed

The St.Paul campus of the University of St. Thomas has several of these metal silhouettes in front of one of the buildings. When I find information, which seems to be non-existent, about the campus art I'll post it later. 'Til then, just enjoy this pretty co-ed.

Sweet Tooth Heaven

Old-fashioned candy stores may be a thing of the past, but this array of goodies in one of the concourses at Rosedale Center should warm the heart of any small child.

ADDED LATER: It just occurred to me that I could have added an old classic Ogden Nash aphorism: "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker!"

FScott Fitzgerald's Commodore Hotel

The Commodore
"The Commodore Hotel has been a landmark location in St. Paul for over 70 years. An early advertisement read "A high class Residential Service that features, among other things, the 'Homelike spirit' and a location in the most aristocratic and quiet section of the city." Socialites and flappers, businessmen, writers and artists of all sorts found their way to the Commodore, attracted by the same things then that appeal today... marvelous Art Deco decoration and comfortable furnishings, a wonderful location in a glamourous and convenient neighborhood and a relaxed, welcoming style that makes you feel right at home.

Prior to 1978 the Commodore was a residential hotel and home to such notables as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis. In 1912 Fitzgerald wrote: 'We got to the Commodore in St. Paul, and while the leaves blew up the street we waited for our children to be born.'"(From http://www.universityclubofstpaul.com/commodore.html)

The top photo is an older more familiar sign that St. Paulite's readily recognize, but the striped awning was added after major renovation and addition of residental units. If you would like to learn more about St. Paul's favorite son, FScott Fitzgerald visit this website, which is wonderfully informative. Want more? Check my earlier Fitzgerald unit with photos of his birthplace, school, and childhood homes, which begins here from November 10, 2006 to November 14, 2006.

Red Hat Society

If you want to join The Red Hat Society for "Fun after Fifty, there's no better place to find your purple outfit and red hat than The Encore consignment shop on St. Clair and Hamline Avenues, a shop I have introduced you to here. Have a good week-end, everyone! See you Monday.

My Thanksgivings!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Blogger Friends! I know that this day is a special day for citizens of our country, but I want to include everyone on worldwide DPB on a day when we give special thanks. For what am I thankful? Too many blessings and privileges to list, but foremost among them are:

My beautiful family...and friends...

My country, warts and all that allows me to
...worship or not worship as I choose
...the right to freedom of speech and press
...all the other Bill of Rights

a chance to lobby and vote for the candidates of my choice, even if they don't
win!

opportunities to become educated, and
...a healthy, happy life.

Ignore the Red!

The red reflection may detract from a pristine presentation of the logo, but I think it's readily identifiable. I'd love to have that symbol on something I own! You know what it is, don't you? Would you, too, like one of them??

A Tail's Tale

We have all acknowledged at one time or another the importance and influence of logos and labels. Recently I've read that women are highly influenced by labels when buying wine. I always buy Yellow Tale wine, and if you want to see the astounding sales as a result of the effective label, read this article published in a wine magazine. Months ago when I first started to buy Yellow Tale, I asked Sally of Sydney if she was familiar with the wine; Sally was the first who provided me with the story of their phenomenonal success as a result of the newly designed wine label.

Familiar?

Wouldn't it be great to invent a product with a logo familiar to everyone? It would also be nice to be able to design a label which is also immediately familiar internationally. I think I'll explore this thread for a little while. What kind of computer do you own? Is its logo one that is familiar around the globe?

Pre-Christmas Merchandising #1

WHERE'S SANTA?WHY, HE'S OUT TO LUNCH!!
I'm afraid we're losing a battle! Yesterday on Thursday, November 15, exactly one week, before Thanksgiving, I had lunch in Rosedale, a large St. Paul Mall. I walked around looking for photo opportunities and no-where could I find any Thanksgiving decorations. You guessed it! Every store I entered or passed had their Christmas decoration and merchandising already displayed. The mall corridors and halls were filled with the same kind of decorations. We ARE losing the merchandising battle, but we can individually in our own personal lives replace materialism with a little spirituality.

Thanksgiving Comes First

A group of bloggers are protesting the commercialization of the Christmas holiday because of early advertising, even before Thanksgiving has taken place. The protest includes a campaign against the offenders: department stores and malls, for example. If you visit the following link, you'll get a full explanation: Fenix at her recent post.

Startling Figures

Whether you support or oppose US involvement in Iraq, these figures are sobering. I find it interesting that someone feels strongly enough to add this message to a mobile billboard, the car. In order to voice their opinions on many different issues, this seems to be a ever-increasing trend among citizens to advertise their political leanings, using bumper stickers, artwork, and slogans. I have no desire to start a political discussion or argument on the blog, but I find it fascinating.

MVP

These photos are a mite fuzzy, but if you've ever been in a large gymnasium during a football dinner with three elementary football teams, their coaches, and the players' families, you'll know that getting any pictures at all is a minor miracle! The coaches deserve kudos for giving up their time to help these young people learn skills and discipline, good sportsmanship, perseverance during defeat and humility when victorious. I'm convinced that a measure of a country is how the adults treat and teach their children. These trophies were awarded to my grandson, Dominique, who was identified as the Most Valuable Player Defense on the 14-year-old team. He's turning out to be a pretty good athlete. What's a grandmother to do? Brag! Brag! Brag!

Old-fashioned Sunday #3

The previous two murals are in better shape than this one; as you can see, the architectural defect is not camouflaged as well as yesterday's. Even though the murals have been neglected, the scenes of days-gone-by are still clearly visible on all three that I have posted. Have a good week-end, everyone. I'll see you on Monday!

Old-fashioned Sunday #2

"Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling." Walt Whitman

I am adding a photo today of another mural from the same building as the one I posted yesterday. As you can see, the mural tried to camouflage an architectural defect in the wall. I'm assuming that it might have been a huge door or window at one time. I imagine that I'll have to return to try to figure it out to satisfy the curiosity of the bloggers who visit!