We spent another late afternoon at granddaughter's camp, and got some good family photos. They both swim like fish!!
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.
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. 
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
Visiting Historic Fort Snelling 
Domestic life in the early-to-mid 20th Century differed considerably from today. I wonder how many people today can their own food?
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! 
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?!
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!!
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?!
"Strawberries, Strawberries! Oh, deh's so fresh and fine, and deh's just off the vine! Strawberries, Strawberries." (Porgy and Bess)
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!
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!
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.
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)
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?
"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)
