Untitled

This lovely sculpture is directly outside the main entrance of the University of St. Thomas' library on the St. Paul campus where I'm taking an art history course. Art work is scattered throughout the campus, both inside the buildings and outside on the grounds. Some are labelled, others are not. When I can't find the title or artist's name, I get a mite frustrated. In the past I've logged on to the school's website but have not been successful in finding a place where the art pieces are located and displayed. Guess I'll go to the library and ask them to help me out! Isn't this a lovely piece, though, especially against the bright blue sky with scattered clouds? It reminds me a bit of some of the pieces I've seen at camps, commemorating the Holocaust (Dachau outside of Munich for one), but instead of twisted bodies, this is very joyful with freedom of movement. As bodies were meant to be!!

[After today I'm going to take a little break. I need to reorder my life and priortize my activities in a slightly different way for awhile. But, I'll be back, dipping in now and then to see what you people are doing before I return full-time again].

Pay Attention, please!

Listen, up!! I may no longer be in the classroom, but I can still teach by example!!

Pavement Poetry

While I was walking home from my class Thursday morning, I noticed this note carelessly tossed (or lost) on the sidewalk. To me it was a poem to life, and it brightened my day!

Drill, Baby, Drill!!

The playground at my granddaughter's school is getting a facelift. It was fun watching the workers with the equipment.

Birthday Quiz

Sorry folks, but no-one guessed what was in the gift box I posted on September 11. DH knows that I love perfume, and he's a careful observer. He noticed that a bottle of my favorite scent, Tuscany, by Estee Lauder (the nearly-empty one in front) was getting low. It's been increasingly hard to get but he tracked it down and bought a bottle for me. Behind the perfume is a make-up kit containing lots of lipsticks and other fun cosmetics. Last year he found a company that makes perfume that is no longer sold and he ordered a bottle of a scent, Replique, that I used to wear when we were dating. In addition, he gave both of us a subscription to the Minnesota Opera this season. Gotta love the guy!

Obama Campaign Headquarters-St. Paul, MN

Children's art work is prominently displayed on the wall of the St. Paul Obama Headquarters where I will volunteer 'til November 3rd. The cardboard figure on the left does not quite measure up to the Fitzgerald sculpture I recently posted so instead of talking to Obama, I'll just work for him, at least until Election Day.

A Little Bit of Everything!

My favorite salad.

One of Our Boys!

On several Friday mornings during the winter concert season my DH and I attend the St. Paul Chamber orchestra. Across the street from the beautiful Ordway Center is a small jewel of a park that is surrounded on all four sides by the Ordway, Larkmark Center, the Central Library, and the St. Paul Hotel. In addition to beautiful flowers the park contains several sculptures that depict part of the city's history, several of which I have already posted but my favorite is "one of our boys", FScott Fitzgerald. My dear husband who wrote his college thesis on This Side of Paradise is amused because I always stop to say "hello" and have a brief conversation with Scott. Often I tell him how much my students enjoyed reading The Great Gatsby and sometimes quote a line or two from the novel. What could be better: great music and great literature, coming together in one day...how I love it!

The Ultimate in Coordination!

The upholstery in the van and the dog caught my eye. I wonder if it was planned?

St.Paul Landmark

The First National Bank Building in downtown St. Paul is a familiar landmark.
Some interesting Facts:
-The First National Bank Building was the tallest in St.Paul from 1930 until 1986.
-The tower atop the building supports a large red flashing "1st" which can be seen for many miles in all directions.
-The First National Bank Building is connected by skyway to Kellogg Square Apartments, US Bank Center, and the adjacent Merchant's Bank Building.
-The basement contained a 96-foot pistol firing range to help bank guards stay sharp in case of a bank robbery.

9/11 Remembered-Seven years later

Seven Years Later. Again, I relied upon television to give me the photos I needed to demonstate one small aspect of the many ways 9/11 was commemorated in our country.

A Different 9-11: Happy Birthday to me!

Once upon a September morn, I was born. A much better way to remember 9-11, isn't it? Thanks to DH, this lovely gift appeared today. Now I can't wait to see what's in it! Quiz: A postcard from the city on the Mississippi goes to the first person who correctly guesses what's in it!! (Gosh, I hope it's something good!!)

The horsey set

There's something about horses that really appeals to me. For some reason, my husband loves the top photo. Can't imagine why because the rear end of one of them sort of spoils it for me. Nonetheless, I like both photos.

High School Seniors!!

School has barely begun, but already the seniors are out and about, doing their "traditional" little tricks. Foam sprayed on the lawn next to the T-P'ed trees was their signature--"Seniors"--lucky homeowners.

Mmmm Good!

A decade or two ago there were many riding stables close to St. Paul, but now they are fewer in number. We were lucky enough to find Davenport Stables in an area that is about 50 minutes from our home. The stable is well-maintained with plenty of land for all the horses.

RNC Is Over!!

On August 29, I posted a collage of the DNC from photos I took while watching television. To go full circle, here is another collage of the Republican Convention. Perhaps we'll now get back to our normal everyday life here in river city. I had fully intended to mingle with the crowds and the protestors, but my family prevailed upon me to remain in our much quieter neighborhood. A chance of a lifetime, but I decided to honour my family's request. I still think they're spoil sports, though, and I'll have to settle for television coverage. I'll never get this same chance again!!

Lovely Lady

I was very surprised to see this lovely statue on a very small front yard of a modest house on a leafy, tree-filled street. The world is full of pleasant surprises if one only looks for them!

Labor Day, September 1, 2008

Despite the fact that the Republican National Convention is in town and I had hoped to get photos of the protestors plus it was theme day (with lots of computer viewing), I went instead on our annual trek to the Minnesota State Fair. (I missed some photo ops as protestors made their views known) The day was brutally hot and humid, but, as usual, we had a good time.

Sister City-Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia

Novosibirsk (Russian: Новосиби́рск, pronounced [nəvəsʲɪˈbʲirsk]) is Russia's third-largest city, after Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It is also the largest city in Siberia and the administrative center of Siberian Federal District, in the southwest where it is located.

A number of years ago I took students from our school in St. Paul as well as a small group from Duluth, Minnesota to Siberia to join students from Norway and the USSR for a winter trek that was filmed by the Soviet government for tourism purposes. This was before the break-up of the Soviet territories. There were hundreds of students that walked or cross-country skied from village to village. As you can see from the photo, the Soviets took pity on me and gave me a sled pulled by reindeer that transported me from place to place. Villagers greeted us warmly and private homes housed the students overnight. During the evening the students from these different countries usually met in community centers for athletic competitions, recreational and cultural dances. It was a spectacular event, exhausting but spectacular.

The above image is a photograph from the trip. I have borrowed my son's printer and have no manual so I had to guess at the method to scan. I had not done this before but after several attempts I produced this acceptable, but not great, picture. Could be better, but here it is. I have good memories of this journey because of the friendliness of the people, despite the many hardships they had to endure during that period of history.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participantsAdelaide, Australia by Gordon, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Aurora, South Africa by shelagh, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Busan, Korea South by iamnbinb, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Chateaubriant, France by trieulet, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chennai, India by Shantaram, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Darmstadt, Germany by Elsch, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Gothenburg, Sweden by Lo/David, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Helsinki, Finland by PPusa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Honningsvag, Norway by J., Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Istanbul, Turkey by mustafa34, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Karwar, India by Yogesh, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Madrid, Spain by Tr3nta, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Anthony, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Muizenberg, South Africa by Pentaxjunkie, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Nice, France by Angelaj, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Elsa, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pensacola (FL), USA by P J, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Andrew Foderaro, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by Burd Zel Krai, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Seoul, South Korea by Phil, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Telluride (CO), USA by mtsrool, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torino, Italy by Fabrizio, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Turin, Italy by Livio, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,