Rear View

This photo was taken from a parking ramp on the other side of Hwy 35E  in the area of many  health care buildings on Smith Avenue in St. Paul.  It shows the back view of the houses on Summit Avenue.  Just below the larger homes is a small, tucked-away-almost-hidden street with much smaller houses, which cannot be seen from Summit.  This view shows a very different perspective than driving or walking down the celebrated and historic avenue when facing the beautiful facades. (Note the colors: pretty bleak winter browns!)

Tomorrow is the big day for the February 1st Theme Day for CDP bloggers: If you had to leave forever the city from which you usually post, what would you miss most? 

Christmas Past

Some people just cannot let go of the holiday spirit.  I noticed this bright arrangement on one of my walks and thought about the difficulty of taking down and putting way decoratons.  This homeowner must be one of those who like to hang on!

Student Kate

Kate is a junior who came to our retirement luncheon as an "official photographer" for the group picture for the school newspaper. She is very excited about the new Center for the Performing Arts, currently under construction.  She mentioned that her class will be the first one to graduate after the structure has been built.  Since the building should be completed by the opening of school next fall, she and her classmates will have many opportunities to enjoy and use the new Center.  On the wall behind Kate are photos of former Headmasters who have run the school.  The one behind  Kate on the right side of the photo is the man who initially hired me, and my favorite of them all.

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

Construction-ABC WEDNESDAY "C"

A few weeks ago I told you about our neighborhood's unhappiness with the closing of Barnes and Noble to be replaced by a small Target store.  The space is now empty. I'm not a betting woman, yet wanna bet that the bookstore poster will be abandoned during the renovation?

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Construction Boss Lady!!

 Shannon, who interestingly graduated from the school in 1974, is a project manager of the Huss Center for the Performing Arts, which is currently under construction by the McGough firm. She gave former faculty and staff whom I featured yesterday a tour of the future 30,000 sq. ft. multiple-use building.  It doesn't look like much now but it is going to be a beautiful and useful space that will be a super addition to the student body for creative activity.

Linking to ABC Wednesday -"C" 

Former Colleagues

Last Friday the school where I used to teach treated former faculty and staff to their annual luncheon, but before we started to socialize, we were given a tour of the Huss Center for Performing Arts, which is under construction. Below are two English department former colleagues (Kate and Dutton) getting ready to tour the facility.

The trio are Lower School friends and former colleagues. The dynamic duo kept the Middle and Upper School working on schedule.  Great folks!

Linking to ABC Wednesday

All retired now!
Click on this photo for a clearer view.

Gypsy Moon

Gypsy Moon is a small shop on Randolph Avenue located across from St. Kate's campus.  It has an eclectic inventory of pillows, women's frocks, sweaters, pictures, signs of all kind, jewelry, scarves, vintage furniture and many other irresistible items. Bronwyn who was in charge of the store while I was browsing told she is went to Webster Elementary School (now named the Michelle and Barack Obama School),  Ramsey Junior and Highland Park High School.  An entire educational career in St. Paul.

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

Pastry Chefs at Turtle

 On Mondays a friend and I pick up donated bread, rolls, and pastries from Turtle Bakery on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis to take to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, which uses it as part of their free Monday night supper for homeless street people.  While enjoying a cup of coffee at the restaurant, I like to watch Gabriella (on the left) and Angelica work their magic,.  It is hard to resist buying their delectable creations to take home!

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

Sun, Sea, and Sand

I DID IT!!  

I found a condo to rent, booked a flight, and in three weeks I'll be posting from 

my Mazatlán, México blog.

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 
February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 
from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

Meet Alex . . . Again!

Last week I showed you three Minnesota workers who are in the process of repairing our fireplaces both inside and outside.  In the earlier photo, Alex was wearing a stocking hat but a few days later he appeared without it, and I was impressed with his shock of curly hair.  He is as nice as he is good-lookin'!!  Guess you can't escape "Minnesota Nice!"  Incidentally, the exterior chimney has been successfully repaired as well as the living room fireplace, but the basement fireplace chimney gave them problems so we have to wait on an ordered smaller lining.  I guess it's okay since I'll be able to see these nice guys again!

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

ABC WEDNESDAY="B"

Repost: Another photo from my archives, 2007 in Mazatlán.  I miss the cultural differences and the wonderful people in that country; we have not been back there for about 4 or 5 years.  Perhaps a brief escape this winter might chase away my doldrums?

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

ABC Wednesday-"B": Blocks of Ice

It is Winter Carnival Time again, which is a big deal and an annual fun fest in the city of St Paul. Workers are constructing the Royal Courtyard in downtown Rice Park from more than 1,000 blocks of ice, weighing from 500 to 700 lbs—actually a small structure when compared to former Winter Carnival Ice Palaces.  Read about the construction here.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

History In 1885, a New York Times Reporter wrote that Saint Paul was the "Siberia of America" and questioned whether it was fit for human habitation. Offended by this attack on their Capital City, the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce decided not only to prove that Saint Paul was habitable, but that its citizens were very much alive during winter, the most dominant season. Thus was born the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. In 1886, King Boreas I was crowned at the first Winter Carnival. This festival also featured an ice castle -- an elaborate creation made from ice from Minnesota lakes . The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, also known as "The Coolest Celebration on Earth," is the nation's oldest and largest winter festival. With many events -- including the breathtaking ice sculptures and parades  -- the Carnival has become a trademark of history, community spirit and togetherness, turning Saint Paul into a winter wonderland in late January. City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On  February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city  from which you usually post, what would you miss most?

Monday Mural-Mazatlán, México

I started posting photos on CDP in 2007, and until the last month or two never seemed to have a problem finding images/subjects to photograph.  Something is amiss. The gray, gloomy winter weather has not inspired me, and I feel that I haven't really done much to improve my technical skills over these almost-eight years. Previously during the winter I posted from Mazatlán or Santa Fe blogs I created as we spent winter months in either of these two places.  There never seemed to be a dearth of things  to capture for the blog.  Lately I have had to search my archives to find something to post, such as this one taken on a tour of private homes in Maz in 2008.  I know I definitely need a vacation and a change of scenery.  Perhaps I'm just getting burned out?!

Linking to Monday Murals

Fireplace Repaired?

Alex waived at me Friday morning as they unloaded the liners for the fireplaces.  I was relieved that both would be completed by the end of the day.  No such luck.  After previous backbreaking work to clear the debris in the fireplaces, it was discovered that the basement fireplace is too narrow for a standard liner.  Now we have to have a special, more narrow liner installed.  We'll learn more on Monday.  Fingers crossed!!

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most?  

Any similarities?

As I was looking at photos in my archive, I had to smile at these two.  Looking very similar in basic style, they show very different environments even though they were taken in the same month.  For regular viewers, this following question should be relatively easy.  In which U.S cities were each of these benches taken? Or were they in the same city??

Added Later:  My goodnesss but this is a toughie!  Perhaps I could instead fib and say that they're both in the same city!  You people are too sharp!!

Minnesota Workers

 Three hearty Minnesotans who have been working on our fireplaces for the last few days.  Alex was preparing to put up the scaffolding I showed you in yesterday's photo.  Nick on the left was working on the hole (below) that was focused on our inside flue and Dave on the far right was working in concert with the other two.  Because the ground is frozen, the design of the basement fireplace may pose a problem, meaning that they'd have to come back in the spring to finish the work.  They promised me that they would try to complete it by Friday. I am depending on these wonderful Minnesotans to finish the job by the end of the week.  Fingers Crossed!!

Home Ownership

Remember the sweet photo of a painting my Florida friend sent me that I posted last Sunday?  Well, the homestead looks a little different now.  Fireplace repair, both inside and out,  is an expensive item.  If you are in the market to buy a house with one or two of them,  be sure to check it out.  Our two looked in good shape, but it was deceptive.  They should be repaired soon (nay, rebuilt!) for a good old-fashioned fire to warm the cockles of our hearts while our pocketbook has taken a substantial hit. How I love owning a home!!

Dear Abby II, ABC Wednesday "A"

Monday Morning Girls Club: Almost exactly a year ago I introduced you to Abby.  I haven't seen her since last sunmmer, but as a member of the Monday Morning Girls Club, Dear Abby joined my friend Syb and me at Turtle Bakery on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis yesterday.  We were overjoyed to see Abby.   Abby's neighbor occasionally walks her to the bakery where she is fed and treated royally by the staff there and greeted warmly by us and other passersby. I posted one of these photos of Abby a year ago; she hasn't aged much has she?!

(Bottom photo: guest photographer, Glenn)
Linking to ABC Wednesday

Sweet Surprise!!

Friends are wonderful!  Most of our friends know that we are beginning the process of downsizing with the intention of selling our home to move into a condo or apartment, which will simplify our lives.  Yesterday a FedEx truck arrived with a delightful surprise.  Knowing that our children grew up in this house that obviously has sentimental value for them, an artist friend living in Florida rendered this beautifully matted and framed painting for us.  Because our house has such straight lines, she softened it by subtle tones of barely perceptible colors to both the bricks and the roof tiles (which you cannot see in the photo, unfortunately). She painted the exact number of window panes and added the flag, hanging red geranium plants on the porch (my nod to gardening), the flowering crabapple tree and Maggi wearing her red, white, and blue Fourth of July scarf. She even included our neighbor's huge Maple tree.  Friends are wonderful!!

Summit Avenue Fashion Model

Using a chain saw to carve statues from felled trees is popular in St. Paul.  One of my favorites is a woman on a boulevard in front of a stately home on Summit Avenue.  When the weather turns chilly or cold, some wag (the owner?) offers her a bit of warmth.  I need to go by during this bitter winter weather we have been having to see if she is wearing something warmer today.

Minneapolis History

If you have ever visited Minnesota, you will quickly learn that the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, are very different.  The early milling industry that flourished along the Mississippi became the signature business of Minneapolis.

The Gold Medal Flour sign still shines at night atop the grain elevator. Across the river, the former competitor Pillsbury A Mill is topped with a sign reading "Pillsbury's Best Flour."

Throw Away Society

In just one block, I counted six trees discarded along the curb.  Although a sad sight, it is the sign of the times.  I intend to drag one home, set it up in the back yard and offer a number of goodies for the birds.  Think of the ways we could help the birds if all the trees provided food and protection from the elements for our fine feathers friends. Seems like a sensible thing to do, especially since the windchill the last few days have closed schools again because of the danger of frostbite for the kiddies walking to school.   Windchill? Way below -38 Tuesday morning! 

The Demise of B&N

Looking into the old Barnes and Noble store from the adjoining Starbucks, it looks like the space is gradually being emptied in preparation for the small Target store, which no-one wants in our neighborhood.  With a large Walgreens across the street, we do not need this store.  Who is to blame?  Some posters blamed the residents for changing their purchasing behavior, but I believe that the Village Council had its hand in it. Our small neighborhood shopping centers are being invaded by chain stores, which change the look and feel of our environment.  I vow,  and it is an easy decision, never to step foot in this Target.  That particular store is not one that I often frequent anyway so it is not much of a sacrifice.  I'd like our Village Council to bring back some "class" to our neighborhood!!

An aside: I am now among the living!  After 15 days of battling a wicked virus, I am slowly recovering.  Now I have to go on a photo shoot to continue with my CDP posts.  It's a little scary because I am afraid of a relapse. . .haven't been this sick in years, but I definitely have cabin fever, which I suppose is a good sign!

A Sad Loss

CLOSED:  December 31, 2014
DISMANTLED: January 3, 2015

REPLACEMENT: Target

No-one wants Target in Highland Village!  It is cheapening our neighborhood!!

Homeowner's Landmark

Property owners on the North Shore of Lake Superior individualize their property with their own designs.  While walking a side road in Lutsen, I found some interesting artwork that is both symbolic lakeshore and North woods to differentiate this property from any of the neighbors.

January 1, 2015-Theme: Photo of the Year

The Essence of the North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota

To begin the New Year, it is traditional for City Daily Photo bloggers to post a favorite photo from the previous year.  This may not be my favorite, but it certainly depicts a favorite Minnesota spot for me.  To see what others have posted for their yearly photo, go here.

By Way of Explanation: On December 23, I got clobbered by a mean, mean virus.  I have just emerged from my bedroom and hope that I am on the way to recovery.  It has been a long haul.  This afternoon we will open our Christmas gifts.