Electrician-Mn Workers Series

Friday will be my 100th post on this blog! Whew!!And, I'll soon get a new camera for my birthday. Can't wait.













I'm not sure whether or not this woman was flattered when I asked her if I might take her photo for my Mn. Workers Series. She was repairing a light outside Lunds supermarket on the side of the building.

Joy-Minnesota Workers Series

Joy has been a fixture at the Farmers' Mkt for years. She sells handcrafted merchandise (quilts, adult and children's clothing, toys, rugs, and other objects) for senior citizens. She and a willing customer posed for me to illustrate again the different ways Minnesotans earn their living, and, in Joy's case, by providing a good service.

Irresistible

My weekly "fix" is to go to the Farmers' Market and wander around. I think I need to find a place to live with good weather where I can do this on a regular basis, rather than just a few months out of the year. Anyone know where I can find a place like that??!!

Koda and Rusty

Minnesota Worker Series: Koda and Rusty are two workers of a different sort! On Sunday I noticed a woman with both of these Service Dogs at the St. Paul Farmers' Market. She told me a little bit about the program, helped by many volunteers: ''Helping Paws service dogs promote self-sufficiency and empower people with physical disabilities. The dogs are not just companions; they are hardworking partners that allow many of the graduates to live more free, unconstrained lives both at home and in public. The dogs not only help with daily living tasks but also give added confidence and renewed self-esteem. The friendship and companionship of a Helping Paws service dog is priceless." (http://www.helpingpaws.org/)

Barrier Lights

I saw a long line of these barrier lights, next to some completed road construction. Wonder where they'll go next.

Black is Beautiful!

I have driven past this mural at the intersection of Victoria and Selby for many years and have always admired it. Friday night we ate at Lee and Dee's BBQ storefront-type restaurant, right next door to it. An opportunity I could not ignore. Beauty in the most unlikely places.

Wet Paint and Moleskine Notebooks

Wet Paint Art Supply store is a riot of color both inside and out. Thursday's blog on Paris Breakfasts mentioned moleskine notebooks. After I retired, I discovered computers big time (although I'm still a neophyte) and neglected my journals. While I was teaching I could never pass up a sale, bought journals, saved them, and then gave them as gifts to graduatiing seniors. Now I still have drawers full of unused, brand new journals. But, today I went shopping at Wet Paint; I probably should have at least ONE moleskine notebook. There's a pretty good selection from which to choose!

Golden Gopher??

A Golden Gopher is the mascot of the University of Minnesota. I went hunting for one to shoot, but they are very elusive. Instead I found this chipmunk, which will have to do. A small cousin, perhaps?

Red Alert

Don't forget to record your user name and password, as well as the email you use for your
acct(s)--I just spent an hour trying to figure it out. Whew!

Marian, the Librarian (MN Workers series)

Actually, Marian is not the name of this lovely woman who works in probably the most important building in our neighborhood, the St. Paul Branch Library in Highland Park. As I accumulate more photos, I'll occasionally post them to show you the Minnesota work force.

William Mitchell College of Law

This building, which has been expanded and renovated in recent years, originally was a Roman Catholic private girls' school, Our Lady of Peace. Today it is a school which has evolved from an earlier, well-established evening law school that served students of all ages. Probably its most celebrated alum is former Chief Justice Warren Burger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_E._Burger).

The Peace Pole

With the current world problems, it might be good if the world leaders read the message on this peace pole.

Hungry?

The next time you're in town, give me a buzz, and we'll go get the best burgers in St.Paul at The Nook, across the street from Cretin-Derham Hall High School. It's a saloon with several tables for fine dining. Although it's had several owners over the years, it's a neighborhood favorite, and the loyal clientele continue to eat there year after year. My DH went there when he was young, my own children also patronized the place, and now we take our grandchildren there--for burgers only, of course. Three generations isn't bad; bet there are other St. Paul families that have visited it over the years, too. Give me a ring!!

Gulf Shrimp on the Street (MN Worker)

MN. Worker Series: This is a first for our little neighborhood. On the street at a busy intersection close to a Starbucks store, I saw this sign and salesman. The man has been there two days in a row, but I wonder how long it will take before the police move him along? Unlike many other cities, both here and abroad, this is not a common sales practice right here in River City.

Minnesota Workers-A New Series

Minnesota is blessed with a low unemployment rate, and those who are gainfully employed are very hard workers. Recently we had our front yard beautified by Lilydale Landscapers and liked them so much we had our back yard redone. Occurred to me that Minnesotans earn their livelihood in a variety of ways. In future photos I'll show you the way we earn our livings. Incidentally, do you like the tattoo on one of our favorite workers??!!

Como's Bonsai Trees

Conservatory at Como Park has a variety of unusual and unique plants in the many greenhouses attached to it. One of the spaces is devoted to Bonsai trees, nature in minature. "Juniperus Virginia" or Eastern Red Cedar on the bottom is 35 years old, and "Acer Palmatam" or Japanese Maple on the top is a mere 26 years of age. Check this site for a visual treat of Como Park: http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

Sparky

The Twin Cities have many wonderful parks, one of which is Como Park in St. Paul. From its original 300 acres it has developed over the years to include a zoo, conservatory (both recently remodeled), a Japanese Garden, kiddie rides, picnic grounds, and swimming pool. In 1997 it observed its 100th birthday. (http://www.comozooconservatory.org/zoo/history.html) Sparky the Seal depicted in the above painting, which is on display at the zoo, has been a mainstay and big draw at outdoor performances for fifty years; actually several seals have played the role (Ssh, don't tell the children that there's been more than one). Since the performance began there have been six different seals, playing the role of Sparky. An addendum: Today (Thursday, August 17th) the morning newspapers were full of stories about the Zoo and the 6 Sparky Seals because of the 50 year anniversary. Great coincidence with my post---now if only Sparky could read!

¡Anticipation-Mazatlán México!

I posted this on Kate-travels, too, but I am so excited, I want EVERYONE to know that I'm going to live in Maz for 3 months in 2007. I have travelled a good deal over the years, but recently have found that I keep returning to México, a fascinating country with wonderful people. I just rented a house in El Centro, my favorite part of the town. I'll need to start brushing up on my very, very elementary Spanish skills. While there I will just vegetate, take pictures for my travel blog, and enjoy the culture. I also hope to volunteer in an orphanage, teaching English as a second language to the children.,

Renovation

Would you buy a condo in this building??

Ride Anyone #2??

Before I started blogging, I passed this lot frequently with rows and rows of parked yellow cabs. Never gave it another thought. Now I view it differently, asking myself, " Hmmm, wonder what kind of photo that would be!" Seeing is great!!