The Bone Car

I saw this car on the street once before, but Saturday I got lucky. It was parked at a local coffee shop, and I had an interesting chat with the owner of this "artwork in motion." Come back tomorrow to meet the artist!!

So long, Sparky! Camera Critters Saturday and Sunday

Sparky V, the "biggest ham" in a long line of sea lions to entertain families at Como Park Zoo, died Monday. He was 31. Sparky V holds a special place in Como's celebrity-animal roster, having performed from 1981 to 2001. Sparky V retired when vision problems made it too hard for him to see his trainer's signals. Sparky V was the oldest sea lion ever at Como and the second-oldest in the nation. The average lifespan for a sea lion is 15-25 years. RIP Sparky!
(Information from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, August 5, 2009). I took this photo of the painting of Sparky at Como Zoo in 2006.


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An Audience

The number of people observing indicates the popularity of the paddock, my favorite place at the race track.

Lights, CAMERA, Action-ABC Wednesday "C"

All kinds of activities occur in the Paddock at Canterbury Park. As I was waiting to see the horses and jockeys with my single lens Canon CAMERA at the ready, I observed this professional CAMERA MAN snapping the action. What I wouldn't give for the equipment he is using!

ABC Wednesday is a meme initiated by Denise Nesbit. Check out her blog here.

To see more entries, you can log on by by clicking here.

A Horse of a Different Colour

Before the races, the Paddock is a pleasant area with benches and a landscape that includes an abundance of flowers. Interesting horse, isn't it?

Getting Ready!

The entire process of getting ready for a race is quite fascinating. I can't imagine why there are so many handlers for each horse. I suppose it's because each race follows closely behind the one preceding it...usually about 30-35 minutes. Many hands make quick work!

Frisky! Camera Critters Saturday and Sunday Meme

When we go to the races we visit the paddock to see the horses as they are prepared for each race. They're walked by their trainers, and then we see the jockeys in their colours as they ride out to the track and the post. This horse was very frisky and gave the trainers a very difficult time! A beauty, tho!


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Mother and Daughter

We spent another late afternoon at granddaughter's camp, and got some good family photos. They both swim like fish!!

An aside: Lately I have been featuring postcards as part of a meme on Fridays, but instead I'm now experimenting with a new blog devoted to postcards. I invite you to take a look at this site now and come back to No Postage Due every Friday!

Making a connection

When we visited our grand-daughter's summer camp, the first stop HAD to be the stables. Both she and her grandfather share a passion for horses and often go horseback riding together. Grandfather obviously made a connection with the horse, and he didn't even have apples or carrots for this handsome animal.

ABC Wednesday-B

I was not aware that currants are considered to be berries. Berry means any small fruit that can be eaten whole and lacks objectionable seeds.


Some are: Blueberries,(Vaccinium spp.); Currants,(Ribes spp. Grossulariaceae);Strawberries,(Fragaria);Raspberries,several species (genus Rubus)...your favorite? Raspberries for me--hands down!!

Cyclist #3

Cyclists #2-Family Day

This is a common sight during the summer months, especially since so many streets are now clearly marked with paths for "Bikes Only." Great fun for families!

Multi-Purpose Post:Camera Critters, Cafe Canines and 100 Strangers

These photos satisfy three themes I've been posting lately: Saturday and Sunday Camera Critters, 100 Strangers, and Cafe Canines! Gary took his two beautiful Irish Setters to Starbucks to relax in the sun and to read. A steady stream of admirers stopped to quiz Gary about his two dogs, Mia, age 3 and Carla, 7-years-old. I too couldn't resist talking with Gary and got into the act, too, in more ways than one: Note the reflection. The girls arrive in style with Gary in the classic car. Hope to see them again during this lovely warm weather.

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100 Strangers Project-#12: James

I haven't posted a portrait for my 100 Strangers Project since last March when I still was in Mazatlán, México! After chatting with this young man, I asked if I could photograph him, and, of course, he consented. James is originally from Azusa, California, and he is here in Minnesota to attend Metropolitan State College, majoring in math education. While attending school he works as a cashier at the newly opened Trader Joe's discount gourmet store located on Randolph and Lexington Avenues, the third one opened in the Twin Cities. It is wildly popular, and I must agree that it's a fun place to shop, not only because of the items and prices, but also because of their friendly young clientele, such as James.

St. Paul Cyclist

There is a blog that I love and visit religiously every day which concentrates on cyclists. Because I like to bicycle, I am attracted to it for several reasons. The riders dress VERY differently than American cyclists: no fancy-pancy riding clothes, no helmets, but lots and lots of class and chic! It has inspired me to try to photograph American cyclists, which is tough since they whiz by so fast. I bet you'd like to see the blog! Copenhagen Cycle Chic.

TODAY IN MINNESOTA: 1820-Captain Stephen Kearny's expedition to find a road from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Fort St. Anthony (later Snelling) arrives at Lake Pepin, having lost their way. Kearny then marches his men north to the fort. (MN. Historical Society http://events.mnhs.org/bookofdays/)

The Greatest Generation #3

The History Center exhibit on the Greatest Generation included artifacts from WWII as well as the cultural/social posts I showed you before. Bringing home souvenirs from combat is a common practice during warfare, and one soldier brought back this German armband, which ultimately ended up in the History Center's collection. The small photo is a piece of equipment from WWII also.

TODAY IN MINNESOTA: 1940-Minneapolis holds its first Aquatennial, a festival celebrating Minnesota's summers. (MN. Historical Society http://events.mnhs.org/bookofdays/)

1969-Forty Years Ago!

On July 20, 1969, Commander Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon. He said the historic words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

To walk on the moon's surface, the astronauts needed to wear a space suit with a back mounted, portable life support system. This controlled the oxygen, temperature and pressure inside the suit. On the surface, the astronauts had to get used to the reduced gravity. They could jump very high compared to on Earth.

The crew spent a total of two and a half hours on the moon's surface. While on the moon's surface, they performed a variety of experiments and collected soil and rock samples to return to Earth.

An American flag was left on the moon's surface as a reminder of the accomplishment.

**Do you remember where you were doing that fateful event?**

Camera Critters-Saturday and Sunday

To learn the fascinating history of the carousel where this beautiful beast resides, click here. Cafesjian's Carousel has a long and checkered history that began in 1914 when German immigrants carved and painted the horses for a Philadelphia company that moved it to the Minnesota State Fair. In 1988 alarmed Minnesotans learned that it was to be sold in pieces by an auction in New York City. Donors surfaced and it was saved minutes before the auction was to begin. After different locations and more threats of disassembling over the years, it has been restored and now resides proudly in Como Park in its own special building. It's a treasure!

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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)

To see more postcards from bloggers around the globe, click here.

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!!

To see more vintage postcards, click here.

"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!

Blooming Butterflies #4

Another beauty from the exhibit. Perhaps I should go back and get more photos. It's such a pleasure watching them flit about the area, and it's such a thrill if one of them lands on one's arm and occasionally one's head!

Happy Birthday, Maggi!-Saturday and Sunday Camera Critters

If you have visited my blog with some regularity, you have probably seen pictures of Maggi before. For us she's special and "born on the 4th of July" has special meaning since today is her birthday.

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LET'S CELEBRATE BECAUSE THE 4TH OF JULY CONTAINS MY 1,000TH POST!

Postcard Friday

Split Lock guided ships along the north shore of Lake Superior from 1910 until 1969. Towering above a 130 foot cliff, it sends a beacon of light 22 miles into the lake, and it is ceremoniously lighted once each year. It is one of North American's most renowned lighthouse that is now maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society. (Postcard photos were taken by Dennis O'Hara and Lee Radzak)

To see more vintage postcards, click here.

Blooming Butterflies #3

Not a butterfly, but some of these giant moths were included as part of the exhibit. I have never seen a moth this large, have you?

Empty-July 2009 Theme Day

"No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there is wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.” Erma Bombeck quotes (U.S. humorist, 1927-1996)

A bed empty of a sleeping body. Wonder who just left it? Our grandson is staying with us for four weeks while he is attending summer school in our neighborhood. You never would have guessed that this is how a 15-year-old boy would leave the room when he left for the day. Right?

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