CAMERA CRITTERS-Maggi's Annual Physical

University of Minnesota senior veterinary student at the University of Minnesota's small animal clinic holds our Maggi while the dog is being examined by Dr. Susan Lowum.

Because she was a good, cooperative girl during her exam, Maggi gets a kiss from Dr. Lowum who has taken care of her through major and minor illnesses!  Her temperament and lovable nature makes Maggi a favorite of the veterinary staff, especially after her recent and very serious illness when she was a model patient.

We have taken our animals to the University of Minnesota Veterinary School's clinics for the last 40 years. The drill: First, a vet student examines the animal and then presents the findings to the doctor.  Later the doctor examines the patient, and finally the student and doctor confer with the pet's owner. During this exam we met student Katy D,  who is from New Jersey.  After attending Boston University, she began her veterinary studies at the U of Mn, and she graduates today!  Katy plans to return to New Jersey to begin her career.  Since there weren't too many cows and horses where she grew up, Katy says that she prefers working with small animals.  We wish her many successful and fulfilling years in the animal kingdom! 

Check this meme,  if you want to see more CAMERA CRITTER photos.

A Friendly Face!

  How could you not LOVE this flower??

dulcis ‘sweet.’

The lobby of the new de Paul Tower at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul certainly is a classy place!  While DH and I were leaving the Heart Center on the first floor, I heard the sweet dulcet sounds of a harp.  I introduced myself to the musician, Trudy Harper.

Her slogan is "Have Harp Will Travel." Trudy celebrates over 25 years as a featured performer in the Twin Cities' area for corporate events, senior and faith groups, weddings, non-profit and private celebrations.

Trudy says that among other outcomes, "playing my harp to sooth people who are mourning or in pain is among the most valuable work I do." Trudy plays her gentle harp at St. Joseph's every Wednesday from 11-1:30 pm.  Interested in learning more about this musician, author, and music teacher? Click here for her website.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"O"-OH-LA-LA

I suppose it's fortunate that Patrick's French Bakery is 12 miles from my home, otherwise I would visit it daily.  I recently went there to buy Quiche Lorraine and a Spinach Quiche to take home for a little luncheon surprise and couldn't help salivate over the pastries.  I am always tempted to lick the screen.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts from bloggers throughout the world, go here.

Family Easter Brunch

Nephew Kurt and Uncle Jim 

Nephews Kurt and Freddy (Brothers)

Niece-in-law Mickey and Brother-in-law Fred

Cousin-in-law Todd

Cousin Barbie

Cousins:  Mother and Daughter

Elizabeth and Barb

Sister-in-law Phyllis

Grandson Dominique

Granddaughter Olivia

And .... there were many, many more!

Easter Sunday

This beautiful mosaic is a repost from my Santa Fe, New Mexico blog. Because today is an important day in the Christian world, I wanted to post it here.  The image is on the wall of a passageway at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church located close to the Plaza.  I would like also to acknowledge the importance of appreciating and respecting the important days of ritual for all the religions of the world. May we live in PEACE together. 

Atomic Artist: Tony Price

Tony Price (1937–2000) was a self-styled "Atomic Artist" and outspoken antinuclear activist. After visiting Los Alamos National Laboratory and discovering their salvage yard, he began to create utilitarian objects such as chairs and tables and musical instruments, especially wind chimes and gongs, out of their discarded scraps. He later moved on to creating sculptures, one of which is this crucifix that I photographed in 2008 when it was displayed outside one of the Roman Catholic churches near Santa Fe, N.M.


In 1965 a friend showed him some pieces of test tube bottles found in the Los Alamos salvage heaps, where a scrap auction was held weekly. Price went to see for himself and found what he  called "a perfect mountain of art," piles of brass, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic and bits of electronics thrown away by scientists and technicians. Inspired by the aesthetic quality of this atomic junk pile, he bought some pieces and began to fuse them - his own way to beat swords into plowshares.


To learn more about this fascinating artist, see more of his work, and read his bio, be sure to click here. it will be worth your time.

EARTH DAY

There's no better representation of some of the finer things on earth than blossoming flowers.

Earth Day: The History of A Movement

Each year, Earth Day -- April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The height of hippie and flower-child culture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it.

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news....To read the rest of this essay on Earth Day, click here.

KATHERINE KILBANE NEHER

Katherine Kilbane Neher 

DOB: April 21, 1970

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,  DARLIN'

LOVE, MOM AND DAD!!

ABC WEDNESDAY-N-NUDE

“Crest of the Wave” by Harriet Frishmuth sits under the main dome in Como Park’s Conservatory. It’s a playful sculpture and fountain from 1925 and is modeled after dancer Desha Delteil.

The nude figure has a certain grace and carefree joy — as if the warmth of the Conservatory compared to the frigid Minnesota winters outside was so inviting she stripped her clothes and started dancing. Or maybe not.

While we’re on the subject of nudity, it’s worth noting that a contemporary art critic called the work “one of the most important nudes of our time.” (CREDIT: START SEEING ART).

Yo see more photos for ABC WEDNESDAY,click here.


ADDED LATER: Our weather is STINKO...SNOWING AGAIN!!

Ever Ready!!-Ruby Tuesday

These women are part of a 13-member chapter of The Red Hat Society. The founder of the national group which has now spread throughout the country describes it this way: "The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."

- Sue Ellen Cooper, Queen Mother

Before retirement these three women worked in the Bloomington, Minnesota school system in various capacities. Enjoying their camaraderie they have named their chapter, Ever Ready! They were out enjoying a sunny Minnesota spring day (finally!) at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

Donna Leon

Without question, Donna Leon is my favorite mystery writer.  Author of 20 novels, she is an American woman who has lived abroad teaching English for approximately 30 years, most of which time she has spent in Venice, the setting of her many novels and the city she loves.  I have read all of her books and have become involved with her main characters to the extent that I feel as though I know them as family. When she visited a Twin Cities bookstore recently I was quite charmed by her. Interestingly, she is also involved with an opera company in Italy which is largely supported economically by her, for whom music is a passion. To learn more about this woman, click here.

Palm Sunday

On a warm, sunny day last Tuesday I visited the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park again to see the spring flower display.  I noticed this fan frond on a palm tree and admired its beautiful shape and symmetry.  

Spring Flowers in the Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden is a showcase for seasonal displays of flowers in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park.  The spring flowers in the Sunken Garden are quite breathtaking.  To see a slide show of the many different seasonal displays, click here. When you see the displays in the link, you will understand why many wedding parties often have their formal photos taken here.

Added later:  We actually woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning.  Time to move!!

St Paul's Finest!

The St. Paul Mounted Police when seen on the streets are a big draw.  The accommodating officers stopped and posed when they saw me with my camera. I'm providing a link that gives information on how the horses are selected and trained, the officers training program, how and why the horses are used...with accompanying photos.  Click here for all that information and more!

"When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.  ~William Shakespeare, Henry V

A Good Friend!

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”

Eleanor Roosevelt

ABC WEDNESDAY-M-Bob's Mugs

Although these mugs look somewhat similar, they are highly individualistic.  It was fun to hold each of them  to see which one felt "just right" to fit inside my hand. 

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY posts by bloggers from around the world,  click here.

Rural Scene

Earlier I introduced you to On's Kitchen, a new Thai restaurant with Pad Thai "to die for..." I've become addicted to their spring rolls and have made many trips there to indulge myself.  The decor needs a little upgrading, but this fan brightens the dining room.

April Poetry Month #11


When you hear your inner voice,
forget it.


by Hyoen Sahn

Sunday Brunch

Wouldn't it be great to serve Sunday brunch on these dishes?

April Poetry Month Poem #10

Drinking Verse

 Said Aristotle unto Plato,

'Have another sweet potato?'

Said Plato unto Aristotle,

'Thank you, I prefer the bottle.'

Owen Wister (1860-1938)

Three Artists

Three artists in three different media: Bob, on the left, is the potter whose exhibit I recently introduced you to; Hazel, the painter,  is also a former colleague who, although retired continues her artwork.  Both she and Bob, who is still teaching,  had been department heads in the fine arts department in the school where we all taught our individual disciplines as colleagues.  Peter, on the right, is the glass blower who  had the privilege of having each of us as instructors. He was in one of my English classes as an eighth grader. How time flies!  To see some of Peter's glasswork that I posted previousl, click here. To learn more about Hazel, stop here.
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APRIL POETRY MONTH POEM #9

The Hand
by Mary Ruefle
The teacher asks a question. You know the answer, you suspect you are the only one in the classroom who knows the answer, because the person in question is yourself, and on that you are the greatest living authority, but you don’t raise your hand. You raise the top of your desk and take out an apple. You look out the window. You don’t raise your hand and there is some essential beauty in your fingers, which aren’t even drumming, but lie flat and peaceful. The teacher repeats the question. Outside the window, on an overhanging branch, a robin is ruffling its feathers and spring is in the air.

The Seashells

Here are three of Bob's seashell line.

April Poetry Month #8
"Seashells" by Amy Lowell


Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing me a song, O Please!
A song of ships, and sailor men,
And parrots, and tropical trees,
Of islands lost in the Spanish Main
Which no man ever may find again,
Of fishes and corals under the waves,
And seahorses stabled in great green caves.
Sea Shell, Sea Shell,
Sing of the things you know so well.

The Mask

Last Friday one of my former colleagues in the art department in the school where I used to teach had a pottery exhibit.  He had a very eclectic collection of art pieces, many of which I will show you in the coming days.  There were so many that I loved so I'm going to have to go back to the gallery to decide which piece I need for my casa.


APRIL POETRY MONTH POEM #7

WE WEAR THE MASK
by: Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

E wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes--

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

 

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us while

We wear the mask.

 

We smile, but oh great Christ, our cries

To Thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

We wear the mask!

Turtle Bakery #2

Turtle Bakery and Restaurant has a great menu plus an open workroom where you can see all the delectable bakery from its beginning in flour sacks, and various ingredients, to the machines and ovens that make the whole enterprise work.

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APRIL POEM #6

Blueberries
 

Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,

Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum

In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!

And all ripe together, not some of them green

And some of them ripe!
     You ought to have seen!

Robert Frost