Minnesota Park Worker

Where is he going?
Not an old-fashioned log roll
Worker on the job.


Alert:  July Theme-Celebrating Summer!

Syb's Garden

Blooms in Syb's garden

Lovely shades of pink and white

Lilies of the field

“The earth laughs in flowers.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

July Theme Day: Celebrating Summer

Who's driving?

We pulled up beside this car while waiting for the traffic light to change from red to  green. long enough to admire this sweet canine, whose owner said that she loves to be admired.  Accommodating as I usually am, I whipped out my iPhone and captured this beauty queen for you to adore.

Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters
Alert:  July Theme-Celebrating Summer!

Obama Surprised Laurie, co-owner of the Golden Fig!

Guest Photographer, Dr. Susan Schloff (a former student of mine):  She was in the right place at the right time and has graciously allowed me to post her timely photos here.

Yesterday Barack Obama visited the Twin Cities scheduling stops at two Minneapolis Parks, a Town Meeting, a viewing of Minnehaha Falls, a lunch at Matt's Bar sharing a "Juicy Lucy" lunch with a woman who had written a letter to him earlier this year,  and a surprise visit to the Golden Fig on Grand Avenue in St Paul. Laurie is one of the co-owners of the shop,  an innovative entrepreneur who has been selling her wares at the Farmers Market for years.  Go visit the store after checking it out here. You can order online, too.

Another Summit Avenue house

Many good fences

Add charm to Summit houses

Flowers grace the porch

Linking to Good Fences

Alert:  July Theme Day is Celebrating Summer!

PS.  I should have waited; Obama is visiting the Falls today.  See the photos I posted yesterday.

The Creek

The Creek is Swollen
Not a good place to canoe
Watch the Falls safely


Alert:  July Theme-Celebrating Summer!

Greek or Italian?

Greek or Italian?

I've always used Italian

Hard to know what's best.

Before I saw these tins at Turtle Bakery on Chicago Avenue, I had always used olive oil imported and bottled by our favorite restaurant and deli,  Broders, in Minneapolis. Perhaps I should branch out a bit more? The articles I've read about the kind and quality of olive oil are not always helpful.

Alert:  July Theme Day is Celebrating Summer!

Pianos

Several years ago decorated pianos like this one were located in many public spaces throughout the city of St. Paul.  It was fun to see and listen to pedestrians who stopped to tinkle a tune on one of those. Children also were tempted to try their hand at making music.  This was the first and only piano I saw this year, located outside Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue.  Do you think this qualifies for an unusual Monday Mural?

Linking to Monday Mural

Alert:  July Theme Day is Celebrating Summer!

Ambrosia

The food of the Gods

Travel to Mount Olympus

Find a Cup Bearer

Ambrosia and nectar were believed to be “the food of the gods” in ancient Greece, and Ambrosia is often characterized as a fluid. The Neoclassical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen shows Ganymede – the gods’ cupbearer – serving Ambrosia in a two-handled drinking vessel or kylix to Zeus, the Father of the Gods. Zeus is portrayed as an eagle, which is the guise Zeus took on when he carried Ganymede away from earth and to Mount Olympos, where he made the beautiful young man an immortal servant to the gods. 

(Credit: Minneapolis Institute of Arts)

"The effect of Thorvaldsen’s sculpture is created mostly by the contrast between the smooth skin of the boy and his trusting nature, which is juxtaposed by the detailed rendering of the eagle’s feathers, its harsh look and its sharp beak." (Credit: Thorvaldsen Museum)

Summer Begins!

Sandals and Sneakers

It's the first day of summer

Let the fun begin!

Plastic or the real thing?

 Everyone is getting into the spirit of summer by decorating with flowers.  The Downtowner car wash is spiffing up the building with a few blooms of their own  Perhaps I can persuade them to get rid of the artificial blossoms and trade them for some live flowers!

Supatra

A privacy fence on the patio of Supatra's,  a wonderful Thai cuisine restaurant at 967 W 7th Street.  Worth a visit!

Yesterday and Tuesday of this past week I posted samples of the cuisine at Supatra's and the Buddhist monks who have lunch at the restaurant every Wednesday.  

Linking to Good Fences

Wordless Wednesday

Thai Cuisine

Wonderful Thai Food
Supatra's is in St. Paul
Spicy at its best

Linking to ABC Wednesday &
Our World Tuesday

Fences and flowers

Neighbor's sturdy fence

Welcoming gate and flowers

Aromatic scene

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Scarborough Fair

My hats off to you
Come visit Scarborough Fair

Come in - try one on

A delightful and unusual women's apparel shop at 961 W 7th St

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Click here for a delightful visual of the shop, Scarborough Fair

Linking to Weekend Reflections

Library Renovation

The beginning of the renovation of our neighborhood library.  Because I use it extensively, I feel bereft without it even though another one close by has been doing a wonderful job of taking care of the overflow of patrons to their facility.

Linking to Good Fences.

Wordless Wednesday

Vibrant Flamingos

A pink colony
Very vibrant flamingos
The birds habitat?


Linking to ABC Wednesday

A Gift of Flowers

Whenever I see this basket, I think of my darlin' granddaughter, Olivia, who gave me this for Mother's Day.  What a sweet basket for a sweetheart!

I briefly but accidentally posted this last week, but before I could take it down some of you alert bloggers commented on it.  Here it is again for those who didn't see it the first time around!

Water, Water Everywhere

Sailboats and water

Safely moored at marina

Wait to sail away

Linking to Week-end Reflections

Mississippi River Slough

Quiet reflections

Mississippi backwoods slough

River greenery

Linking to Weekend Reflections

June 6, 1944

June 6, 1944

Photo Credit: Bob Capa

Harley

Sleek and noisy beasts

Part of the fun of road trips

Bikers on the road

Unusual ceramics ABC WEDNESDAY "U"

In the past I have posted photos of art work that hangs in the community room of Unity-Unitarian Church on Grotto Avenue in St. Paul.  Artists apply to have their work exhibited for a month long period in this bright well-lighted room that is used by the church during social times after services and during meetings and other kinds of gatherings.  A wonderful way to expose one's work.  During the month of June, Denise S. Tennen from St. Louis Park, MN has a display of glazed ceramics.

Linked to ABC Wednesday

University Club-ABC WEDNESDAY "U"

St. Paul Private Club
F. Scott celebrated here
Summit Avenue

Linking to ABC Wednesday

The well-established University Club has been a gathering place for generations for young and old, famous as well as infamous.  F. Scott Fitzgerald was a frequent guest. In the current basement area stands a large, long mahogany bar completely covered from end-to-end with carved initials and names of past patrons and guests. When I first learned this bit of interesting St. Paul history, I tried to find F. Scott Fitzgerald's and Zelda's names as well as those of other St. Paul citizens on the bar. Because there were so many, I never found Fitzgerald's name but to my delight, I found  my mother-in-law's name.  Seems that this very proper "lady" that I knew who was usually dressed in white gloves and a hat perhaps wasn't always as she appeared, when she was a beautiful young woman.  My only regret is that I did not make this discovery before our children's "grandma" died because I certainly would have had a lot of fun with my interesting find!

Bird Taking a Break

Sitting on our lawn

Watching the whole world go by

Our fine feathered friend

Zest-June, 2014 Theme Day

What is lemon zest?

Imparts aromatic oils—

Strong citrus flavors

Go here to see more zestful photos!