Come Fly With Me!

Today Olivia, our grand-daughter, Jim, and I are flying away to one of my favorite cities, but Maggi, our dog and Sadie, the parrot as well as Chica, the cockatiel are being cared for by our son Karl.  No, we're not flying on Sun Country to Boston, but we're winging off to Santa Fe on Delta, our least favorite airline.  We'd rather be on Sun Country, but it doesn't fly to Albuquerque. We love Sun Country, a small airline headquartered out of the Twin Cities and have used it exclusively in the past to go to Mazatlán, México.  It's familiar to many of us in this area, but I wonder how many bloggers are aware of this little gem?

It may take me awhile to get my Santa Fe blog up and running again, but do come visit it while we're there!  I have my own Santa Fe blog (My Santa Fe-Kate)  for our visits; check here to see what we're doing after we arrive!

Yertle the Turtle

"The turtles are free- As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.”

                                                                                         Dr. Suess

There are several turtles in the pond on St. Kate's campus, but I think this is the same one sunning itself which I see whenever I am there on a hot sunny day.

ONE MORE DAY!

ABC WEDNESDAY -"E"-Eager to Eat!

 




The ducks will follow us everywhere on campus, eager to be fed...a little corn and bread work marvels for imprinting.

Since I have been posting lots of photos recently that I've taken on St. Kate' campus, I should tell you a little bit about it:

A dynamic university educating students to lead and influence, St. Catherine prepares students to make a difference in their professions, their communities and the world. At the University's heart is the largest, most innovative college for women in the nation. St. Kate's also offers a range of graduate and associate programs for
women and men.


Part of the campus backs up to our backyard.  Until a strong wind took it out, we had a white stile over the fence that our kids could use to hop into the campus.  The pond was a big draw where they and their cousins spent many happy hours with the turtles and ducks.


 I'd like you to learn more about the history of this university, whose campus I love, so click here! And to see more ABC Wednesday photos, go to this spot.

The Family

This particular sculpture on St. Kate's college campus by Paul Granlund reminded me of a similar sculpture I posted here in front of United Hospital.  I'll have to go back to check to see if its the same artist. 

Paul T. Granlund (October 6, 1925, Minneapolis, Minnesota - September 15, 2003, Mankato, Minnesota) was an American sculptor. His creative career spanned more than 50 years and more than 650 different works. Most of his work is figurative and made from bronze. His patrons included colleges, hospitals, Lutheran Churches, and other institutions.. Granlund received his Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1952 and his Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan in 1954. During the 1960s, he was on the faculty of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Paul Granlund was the sculptor in residence at his alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College, from 1971 until his retirement in 1996, and maintained a studio at the institution until his death. Over 30 works are on campus, including the friezes and doors of Christ Chapel.

Peggy's Funeral

One of our neighbors unexpectedly died, and her memorial was held in the chapel last Friday at her alma mater, Macalester College.  As we left the service to cross the quad to the reception hall, the sounds of the bagpiper wafted through the air, a tradition at the school for special functions.

It seems as though we have been surrounded by death lately; it gives one pause. May I suggest that we all live in the moment and enjoy life ... now!  An important lesson to learn.

Duck, Duck, Ducklings-Camera Critters

Living behind St. Kate's college has its benefits.  The beautiful campus has a pond where wildlife gather during all four seasons. When granddaughter, Olivia and I went to feed the ducks, we were treated by the sight of a mother duck and her 8 ducklings.  Only six appeared on camera because the other two were too slow to make their City Daily Photos debut.

To see more camera critters, visit this site.

JERRY C, #34 of 100 Strangers Photographs

There's a delightful store that sells shoes and clothing on the corner of 34th Avenue and 50h Street in Minneapolis, Mn, where I recently bought a pair of New Balance sneakers.  Jerry C who retired from Bachman's Florist where he was in charge of leasing plants to individuals and businesses.  Despite living in Cannon Falls which requires a long commute to the Nokomis store, he has been working there since he retired 12 years ago.  i took several photos and this unsmiling portrait of Jerry is the only one that really turned out.  I must learn to take far more photos,  but I was having a good time chatting with Jerry, a very friendly fellow, and I ignored my primary task of taking a good photograph! Now that I have made him famous, I hope he'll forgive me for posting an unsmiling portrait when one in which he was smiling would have been a better reflection of his personality!

Experimenting with Macro

So far I haven't been very successful with macro but I went out early for the morning light, and I think I got  these right this time.

We are always so complementary with our comments, but I wonder if any of you would like to help me improve with some good suggestions, fire away.  If you think it will hurt my feelings, just send me a private message (and you know who you are, my friend!!)

Dan, Dan...the accordian man-ABC WEDNESDAY "D"

Art fairs are one of the best parts of summer in the Midwest. Despite an early morning shower with increasing humidity, I went to the annual event on St Kate's campus in St. Paul, MN. on July 23rd. Strolling among the tents and crowds of people visiting the fair was Dan Turpening, who provided some lively accordian music. We chatted and  he mentioned that he visits and performs at many different craft shows. Originally from Pennsylvania he now lives in south Minneapolis. He has played this instrument for about eight years and obviously enjoys it.

Over a year ago I decided to participate in Flickr's 100 Strangers group, but I've been slow in taking portraits just for this project.  Often I snap photos and then proceed on my way without interviewing the subject. I've decided to concentrate more on photos for this group and have recently picked up the pace a little bit. Dan is #33/100. (I think I miscounted and have a few more, but I'm on my way now!)

You can find out more about the project at www.100strangers.com

And, to see more ABC Wednesday posts from bloggers around the world, go here.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"D"-Maggi, the Dog

Our dear dog, Maggi, is

Collared!

Poor Maggi has had a tough year, visiting the U of MN Veterinary Clinic too often.  Just when she was on the mend from a protracted illness this past winter, she developed an ear infection and has a ruptured cyst on her back which had become infected.  The inflatable collar that she is wearing to keep her away from her wounds is a big improvement from the stiff "lampshade" apparatus of yore. Without a doubt, she is the sweetest and most expensive dog we have ever owned!

To see other posts for ABC WEDNESDAY,  click here.

9 more days!

Fences

Do Fences

Make Good Neighbors?

House of Hope Presbyterian Church already has harvested 70 pounds of peppers, tomatoes and assorted vegetables from its new,  front-yard garden, which will feed low-income immigrants who go to Neighborhood House, a social service agency and gathering spot on St. Paul's West Side.The church, at 797 Summit Ave., has the support of city staff, city officials and many of its neighbors.It also has a big problem: The garden's new galvanized-steel-panel, rabbit-proof fence might not meet design standards in the Historic Hill District.
Now, preservationists are pressuring city officials for the equivalent of a cease-and-desist order. The St. Paul City Council held a hearing Wednesday on a permit appeal filed by two former members of the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission.

Scott Hayman said he had no affiliation with the church or the garden, but he lives across the street from both. When he looks outside his living-room window, he has to smile.

"I think it was well done, and I like it," Hayman said of the fence. "I've lived there for 19 years. I have no problem with it."

So What's the Big Deal??

Bridge Over Hwy 94

I took this photo as we were travelling on Highway 94 from Minneapolis to St. Paul.  The blue structure is a footbridge across the highway from the Walker Art Sculpture Garden to the Loring Park area. At one time these two areas were connected but the freeway cut it into two and changed the landscape. In the background several churches are visible as well as the Lowry Hill tunnel, which was completed in 1971.

Sunday bridges is a meme started by Louis LaVache. Go here to see more bridges from around the world.

Camera Critters-Truck Art

Seen on a truck, unloading merchandise at Lund's grocery store in the Village.


To see more camera critters from around the world, click here.

Pride of Baltimore II

For the second summer in a row, Three Tall Ships arrived in Duluth, Minnesota and stayed for three days to the delight of residents and tourists alike. The Pride of Baltimore II (Length: 157) was commissioned in 1958 in memory of the original Pride of Baltimore which sank in bad weather off Puerto Rico.  The current Pride was built as a reproduction of an 1812 era topsail schooner, often referred to as Baltimore Clippers.  The clipper ships made a great contribution to the US side in the War of 1812.

Sailing on one of these would be a real trip!

The Niagara

The Niagara is the largest of the Three Tall Ships that were in Duluth several weeks ago (Length: 1980). After the War of 1812, the original Niagara was scuttled in Erie Harbor.  In 1913 she was bought and reconstructed,  and between 1933 and 1943 another complete reconstruction took place. Masts and rigging were installed in 1963.  By the end of the 1980's, time had again taken its toll on the ship, and the Niagara was closed to the public due to severe deterioration.  In 1988, a new Niagara was built that includes some original timber.

We arrived in Duluth on the last day of the Three Tall Ships appearance and too late to reserve a spot on one of them for a short sail on Lake Superior.  Next year!!

ABC WEDNESDAY-"C"-ANOTHER CYCLE

Mother and child on another cycle, which is a bit different than the one I posted yesterday.

To see more ABC posts for the letter "C" visit more blogs from around the world, go here.

ABC WEDNESDAY-"C" CYCLE

To see more ABC Wednesday contributions from bloggers around the globe, check out these posts.

Theme Day: August 1, 2011-Postcard Worthy

Two of the Three Tall Ships

on Lake Superior

The Pride of Baltimore II

The Lynx

Today is August's Theme Day.  To see many postcard-worthy photos posted by CDP bloggers from around the world Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Come back Thursday and Friday and I'll show you more of the Three Tall Ships.