Meet Jay

When I discovered the Longfellow Garden last week for the first time, I also discovered Jay, a photographer who lives in Zimmerman, Minnesota.  A former fine arts painter,  Jay switched to photography about ten years ago and has been engaged in his hobby-turned-semi-professional activity doing what he loves. He gave me some tips on locations where I can photograph nature and wildlife within a reasonable driving distance. I guess some more short road trips are in order!

Meet "Bear"

Our new neighbour, Bear, used to scare me as Wild Wendy and I went for walks past the house where Bear occasionally is tethered. WW unwisely would bark sharply and loudly as we walked along the sidewalk as we approached, and Bear would lunge toward us, stopping short at the end of his leash.

I began to walk in the street as we passed the house, bothered by the dog's actions.  Recently his owner was in front of the house so I approached her and explained how I felt and asked her to keep the dog in their backyard. She told me that she occasionally puts Bear in the front for a bit of diversion for him and assured me that Bear is very friendly.  We passed the time together for a little bit, allowing the dogs to get to know one another and to allay my fears. Now we walk confidently past the Bear, greeting him while WW still barks wildly and fiercely. The three of us are now friends. Whew!
Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday I introduced you to a neighbourhood treasure, Longfellow Garden, which my good friend Syb and I found during one of our meanderings.  Lucky us! It is a gem, filled with a variety of beautifully maintained flowers and shrubs of all kinds with vivid colours and hues. I think it is fitting today to celebrate Syb's birthday with a photo of her among these lovely blossoms.  

Happy Birthday, Syb!

An Amazing Garden

Longfellow Garden, a short distance from my home, was an amazing discovery for me just recently. It has been there in slightly different forms over several generations, but I made its discovery just last Labor Day.  It is filled with a variety of plants, flowers and shrubs in a variety of vivid colours. It attracts butterflies, bees, and photographers of all talents. I talked to a few and will soon introduce you to one of the photographers I met there. A talented man with some fabulous equipment.

Wordless Wednesday

Linking to Signs, signs

Rainy Sunday

The foyer at Unity-Unitarian Church last Sunday!

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Wall Hanging Textile

A few days ago I posted fashions designed by Gudrun Sjodén, a talented Swedish textile designer.  In the same exhibit at the American Swedish Institute I enjoyed seeing a beautiful wall hanging, which must have been designed also by this creative woman.

Minnesota State Fair, Fine Arts Building #2

Another sculpture from the Fine Arts Building. Loved the materials used in the sculpture.

September Theme-Teach: a Therapy-Dog-in-Training

Therapy dogs need to be trained to be comfortable around people in wheelchairs, using walkers or walking with crutches.  During the training, volunteers walk among and greet the dogs that are learning these important lessons, especially if the dogs are eventually going to be visiting hospitals, nursing homes or places where people are using this kind of equipment.

On the first day of every month the City Daily Photo Community comes together publishing photos from around the world with their interpretation of a chosen theme. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Linking to Saturday's Critters & Camera Critters

Plastic Bags Artwork

When I go to the Minnesota State Fair, I immediately go to the Fine Arts Building, which is filled with hundreds of juried pieces of art made by Minnesota artists: sculptures, textiles, photography, and paintings in all genres. We have an amazing number of talented artists in our fair state!

This piece is made entirely of recycled plastic bags!!

Happy Neighbors

It is fun to get together at an annual neighbourhood party!
All ages enjoyed themselves!!

Helga (as well as I) is one of our sage elders and Katherine is a young mother of two boys.

J-J was born shortly after they moved next door to us, Meghan is a happy new mother, and Joe is a proud young father.

Morgan is the "mayor" of our neighbourhood and Jean has the prettiest garden in town!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY-"H"

Wordless Wednesday-NEON

Linking to Sign, Signs

Great Little Car!

I was surprised but delighted to see this little buggy in Starbuck's parking lot.  Wish I could go for a ride in it!

Coyote Fence

A friend who saw my photo blogs for the first time mentioned that I use "a lot of colourful images," which made me review my recent posts, and he was right.  Don't know whether it was a compliment, merely an observation, or a critique. I looked through my archives and decided to experiment and edit. I took and posted in colour this coyote fence in Santa Fe, NM several years ago.  Which do you prefer, the B&W or the colour?

Mosaic Religious Art

These lovely mosaics can be found in the courtyard of St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis

Lawn Ornament

Love these pink flamingos! Would you put one or more in your yard or flower garden?

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Summer Grilling

This is one of the delightful treats from the grill that I will miss after winter arrives.

Ghost Bike

I have seen two ghost bikes this summer not far from my house. This one is on E. River Blvd, close to the Lake Street Bridge.  Automobile drivers and cyclists need to be more attentive to one another.

Bold and Beautiful Garments

Gudron Sjodén and her colorful universe!

For more than 40 years, one of Scandinavia's most unique designers and entrepreneurs has been creating whimsical fashion and spreading cheerful splashes of colour all over the fashion world. The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis currently has an exhibit of part of her collection. This unique exhibition highlights some of her original creations, watercolors and archival materials. Can you guess which is my favourite ensemble?

Gudrun Sjödén (born 5 June 1941) is a Swedish fashion designer. 

Sjödén grew up in the village of Julita in Södermanland, and studied textile and fashion at Konstfack 1958-63. She is since 1961 married to photographer Björn Sjödén. Along with him she in 1976 opened her first eponymous fashion store in Stockholm at Regeringsgatan.^[ The company has about one hundred employees and earns a quarter of a billion (SEK) a year.

In 2007 she received a medal from King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. (Credit: Wiki)

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Grass Roots Protest-#Stand On Every Corner

While driving home late Sunday afternoon, I noticed a group of people holding protest signs at the corner of Marshall and Fairview Avenues in St Paul. Not one to pass up an opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot I stopped to talk to them. They are friends and neighbours who have been inspired by #Stand on Every Corner, a movement that appears to be spreading. Read about it here. Bet they wouldn't mind if you joined them!

Kofi Anan, 1938-2018

Kofi Annan, a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, was U.N's secretary-general for two terms, from 1997 to 2006 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. He attended Macalester from1959-1961, earning a degree in economics and setting a school track record in the 60-yard dash. Annan returned to the college several times to give commencement speeches.  In May he was honoured by the college when it renamed its Institute for Global Citizenship for him.

A floral path

These gorgous plants and flowers graced the path I followed Saturday night to a friend's dinner party. Certainly makes a guest feel welcomed!

International Homeless Animals' Day

Here are some of the rescue dogs we have adopted who have lived with us for years and who have enriched our lives and given us immeasurable amounts of pleasure on a daily basis. Won't you consider adopting a homeless animal?

Sweet Maggi-14 years

Still With Us: Lexi-9 years & Wild Wendy-3 years

Link to Saturday's Critters & Camera Critters