Pike Place Flowers

Pike Place Market is a public market overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington, United States. The Market opened August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States. It is a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. Named after the central street, Pike Place runs northwest from Pike Street to Virginia Street. With more than 10 million visitors annually, Pike Place Market is Seattle's most popular tourist destination and is the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the world.

Pike Place Fisherman

There are many interesting places in Pike Place, but the seafood area is mesmerising.  Ryan, this native Seattle lad couldn't have been more friendly and welcoming to out-of-towners.

Linking  Signs, Signs and ABC Wednesday

Pike Place Farmers Market

We identified ourselves as Minnesotans to this man (whose name I didn't record and have since forgotten--forgive me!), and we talked about the the development of Honeycrisp and Sweet Tango Apples. He thanked us and the University of Minnesota and cooperative apple growers for giving the apple world these wonderful fruit!. 

Honeycrisp (Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp') is an apple cultivar (cultivated variety) developed at the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station's Horticultural Research Center at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Designated in 1974 with the MN 1711 test designation, patented in 1988, and released in 1991, the Honeycrisp, once slated to be discarded, has rapidly become a prized commercial commodity, as its sweetness, firmness, and tartness make it an ideal apple for eating raw.^[2] It has much larger cells than most apples, which rupture when bitten to fill the mouth with juice.^[3] The Honeycrisp also retains its pigment well and boasts a relatively long shelf life when stored in cool, dry conditions.^[4]

Seattle Aquarium

Lots of variety

Seattle Waterfront

So much to see and enjoy on the waterfront!

Foggy but Beautiful Washington

We got a quick introduction to the weather we might expect as we wound our way through Washington state on our way to Seattle.

Snowy Montana

What a surprise to wake up to a snowy yet another barren, lonely landscape in Montana.

North Dakota Scenery

Yes, along many miles of North Dakota by the train tracks were scenes of barrenness and isolation, but there was also a beauty of muted colors with occasional hills and,  much to my surprise,  an area of beautiful marshes!

Msp to Sea

This is how it all began: a trip to Seattle from St. Paul!

 Because DH and I had not been on a train for several decades, we decided to take the Empire Builder. The staff on the train were remarkably friendly, effiicient and they worked incredibly hard for long hours. Our compartment looked great in the brochure, but in reality it is very teeny-tiny.  The couch makes up  into a bed and a bunk comes down from the ceiling.  Pretty cramped quarters.  It was "a fun" experience because of the passing scenery and the friendly passengers you meet on the train, but once was enough!

PS.  On the last day in Seattle, I lost the journal you see on the table in the compartment.  Sad!

Fall or Halloween

I think that this decorated house has a home owner that is more interested in celebrating autumn rather than Halloween.

Another weather vane!

Yesterday I walked around our neigborhood, trying to find more weather vanes.  There aren't many, but this one is atop a cupola on the roof of a garage three houses down from ours.  I've concluded that the vanes usually are on top detached garages of homes built probably between 1930-1950.  Of the three that I posted, which is your favorite?

Weather Vane

Looking Up is always a good idea.  While walking Wild Wendy yesterday afternoon, I spied this beautiful old weather vane so now I need to find more of these in the neighborhood.  I removed the one from the top of my garage years ago and have it affixed on the wall above my kitchen window.
(Bottom photo)

Twin City Marathon, 2016

Perfect weather for the marathon: sun, blue sky, and  cooler temperatures. This year I got to Summit Avenue at the wrong place and the wrong time. The trees produced alternating patches of sun and shade plus the major share of the runners had already gone past the block when I had arrived. Next year I will arrive earlier and select a better place to photograph.  The variety of marathoners always makes it interesting!

Autumn

Autumn is gradually changing the colours of the neighbourhood scenery!

Where Are the Lawn Signs?

In previous years many yards in our neighbourhood had lawn signs that supported the home owners' person(s)-of-choice. As our homes on our street gradually lost retired people, younger families moved in with fewer homes displaying political signs.  Perhaps it is a change in political styles and preferences.  This year as November 8 approaches, there is a noticeable absence of lawn signs. From Fairview to Cleveland Avenues, these are the only two presidential campaign signs along the street. Perhaps this is a statement of political malaise or something else?

Photography and Paintings

This painting is the last one I will show you from the recent exhibit, Seeing Nature, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The painting I posted yesterday was my husband's favourite in the show because he loved the mystical quality of it. This one today also has the same feeling about it for me.

"Lake Light"

April Gornik

American, born 1953

"Lake Light," 2008

Oil on linen

A cloudburst drenches a mountain range on the horizon in a vast and empty tropical landscape.

Here is another wonderful painting from a recent exhibit, Seeing Nature, that was at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that I told you about here and here.

Blessing of the Animals in Honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4

 Some animals at Unity Unitarian church in St Paul were blessed on Sunday, October 2. They definitely are not second-class citizens because they were honoured by having  a ceremony all their own with song, poetry, and responsive readings led by our Co-Minister, Minsterial Intern and musician. Animals included a turtle, rabbit, and many dogs, as well as Wild Wendy. Where are the animals you say? The bright sun, shade and shadow did not cooperate with my camera's lens!

Library Patio

This is the enclosed outdoor patio in our neighbourhood library.  A clean, bright, and cheerful place to rest, read, chat with friends and drink coffee as seen by my cup of latte on the white table. The flowers I posted yesterday are part of this delightful oasis.

Hot Lips Turtlehead

Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips'

 Our wonderful neighbourhood library has an outdoor enclosed patio with shrubs and plants (Come back tomorrow to see it).  Sitting inside, I noticed its attractiveness and went outdoors to enjoy it during this wonderful autumn weather. I was mesmerised by this late flowering plant that hosted many bees that would fly quickly into the blossom, disappear and within seconds fly out again, much faster than I could photograph. It is a perennial that I hope to plant next spring.

Turtlehead Interesting Notes

Rose-pink flowers on dense terminal spikes perk up the garden when this stunning herbaceous perennial begins to flower in late summer. Lustrous, deep green foliage adds another attractive feature during the growing season. 'Hot Lips' Lyon's turtlehead thrives in rich, moist soil and light shade; however, it is remarkably tolerant of dry conditions. It grows 2-3' tall and can be pinched in May to produce a bushier plant. An excellent choice for growing in containers, it is also deer resistant as well as a butterfly host plant. To spice up your late summer garden,

I caught one of the bees as it was emerging from one of the blossoms

Theme Day, October 2016, Abandoned

I suspect that there will probably be a number of abandoned buildings posted for this theme day, but I couldn't resist selecting this one because I think it evokes many feelings: rustic beauty, nostalgia, isolation and many more. It also sadly is a statement about the condition of our rural past.

Go here to see other photos of "abandonment" posted by City Daily Photo bloggers.