A day brightener

These still may not be outside yet, but seeing them on a restaurant table where a group of women were celebrating a friend's birthday has given me hope that perhaps spring is on its way!!

Gichitwaa Kateri-Monday Mural

Not strictly a mural, but this sign is outside a Catholic Native American Church on Park Avenue in Minneapolis.  The church and the canonization of the first Native American woman has an interesting history, not without controversy.  To learn the history of this woman and the Roman Catholic parish that has services in both Dakota and Ojibwa, go here.

By coincidence I posted a photo of a Kateri statue in front of the St. Francis Assisi Basilica Cathedral in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico on my February 3, 2014  Santa Fe blog.

Linking to Monday Mural

Surly Nation

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: Two Minnesotans, one an avid homebrewer who runs an industrial abrasives manufacturing business started by his Pakistani father and German mother, and the other, a heavy metal guitarist-turned-head brewer, cross paths at the San Diego Brewers Conference. The homebrewer offers to help the head brewer brew at his current brewery, and eventually convinces the head brewer to team up with him to convert the abrasives factory into a brewery, make world-renowned beer, and become one of the fastest growing breweries in the country.

As weird as it may seem, that’s exactly how it happened. (To continue this saga, click here).
Alert: April Theme Day is fast approaching: "My Camera-shy Self Portrait"- 

"If you are camera shy, what would you show us?  Your shadow?  Your silhouette?  Your back or feet or hands?  Your heavily photoshopped self?  A collection of the things that are important to you?"

Big Hole in the Ground

There is neither a beginning nor end to street repair in St. Paul. . .or so it seems~

Alert: April Theme Day is fast approaching: "My Camera-shy Self Portrait"- 

"If you are camera shy, what would you show us?  Your shadow?  Your silhouette?  Your back or feet or hands?  Your heavily photoshopped self?  A collection of the things that are important to you?"

Trudging

Trudging Toward the End of the Week

Alert: April Theme Day is fast approaching: "My Camera-shy Self-Portrait"

"If you are camera shy, what would you show us?  Your shadow?  Your silhouette?  Your back or feet or hands?  Your heavily photoshopped self?  A collection of the things that are important to you?

Good Fences

A fresh snowfall transforms an ordinary fence.

He will not go behind his father's saying,

And he likes having thought of it so well

He says again, "Good fences make good neighbours."

"Mending Wall" by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, 1874
Tennessee Williams, 1911

Linking to Good Fences

Signs & Wordless Wednesday

Linking to Signs2 & Wordless Wednesday

Aretha Franklin: 1942

Elton John: 1947

Spring is here!

Spring is finally here!  Monday, March 23, 6:15 a.m. CDT--The Last Snowfall???????????

Faces in the Crowd

The last of the St. Patrick''s Day photos, I promise!

It truly was a family day.  Parade began at 12:00 noon and that cut down on the unruly revelers. It helped that it was during the week rather than on a week-end. The three guys were the only ones that I saw with any alcohol and they behaved quite well.  After the parade ended, long queues formed in front of the Liffey and other Irish bars on west 7th Street.  I would have liked to lift a pint or two, but poor DH was home sick in bed.  Have to tend the Irish invalids, too!

Seamus' Best Friend!

The Irish Wolfhound (Irish: Cú Faoil, Irish pronunciation: [ˈkuː ˈfˠiːlʲ]) is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), specifically a sighthound. The name originates from its purpose (wolf hunting with dogs) rather than from its appearance. The breed was originally developed from war hounds to one used for hunting and guarding. Irish Wolfhounds can be an imposing sight due to their formidable size; they are the tallest of all dog breeds.^[1]

For lots of good information on the breed, go here.

First Day of Spring

Spring's Very First Day

Sun in an Overcast Sky

No Buds or Blossoms

Bouncing Babe

~Spring is Here!!~

Soaring above the crowd with Landmark Center reflected in the building.

Getting ready to soar!

Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band

Brian Boru c. 941 – 23 April 1014, Old Irish: Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; Middle Irish: Brian Bóruma; modern Irish: Brian Bóroimhe) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming King of Ireland. He is the founder of the O'Brien dynasty.
Credit: Wikipedia

Three Red-headed Irish Lasses

The Parade was Full of Red-heads!

A Clanish City

 Just a few of the many clans marching in St Paul today 

St Paddy's Day Prelude

Tomorrow I am going to go downtown to the St. Patrick's Day Parade to see if I can get a better photo  to represent that important day.  Knowing what parades are like, perhaps this is prophetic…cleaning up the streets after the revelers have left!

Bill, the Bibliophile-Minnesota Worker #5

I love libraries
Bibliophiles are  my friends
Shall we read a book?

Minnesota Worker #4-Marvelous Madeline

Madeline  is a Volunteer Coordinator for a Unitarian parish in St. Paul.  She seems unflappable and manages to hold together many different events, helping to find people to fulfill a variety of tasks and necessary roles for the various functions at her church.

A Trend? Fashion?

A little break from the Minnesota Workers theme. . .

On a somewhat chilly Minnesota afternoon in a crowded cafe, I looked up from my journal writing and noticed two high school girls at the counter.  Short, shorts, high black boots, black stockings and some interesting tattoos.  I couldn't help but wondered what the reaction from my parents (way back when)  would have been if I had dressed like this young woman?  What would my reaction had been if this had been my daughter?  Would I have followed this fashion at her age? I puzzled over those questions as I watched the girls, but after examining a number of variables, I didn't come to any definite conclusions.  What's your reaction?

Minnesota Worker #3-Amazing Amanda

Amanda is our favorite waitperson at Cook's Restaurant on Payne Avenue in St. Paul. Cook is one of our recent culinary finds and Amanda is part of the experience that continues to draw us back for breakfast or brunch.  She is professional, charming, and friendly.  Amanda has a great sense of humor and makes all patrons feel special.  A very special woman!

Meet Marvelous Megan-Minnesota Worker #2

 Megan was a stranger about a year or so ago, but since I discovered this marvelous resource person at T-Mobile, she has become a familiar face.  She is not only charming and beautiful, but she is patient with people "of a certain age" who want to become more internet savvy.  Megan has become our private "tutor" of choice at the retail store in our neighborhood.  Whether she is conferring with a co-worker or a customer, Megan is professional and friendly. T-Mobile has been lucky to have this smart woman as an employee for the past 7 years.

Minnesota Worker

According to his co-worker John is a very hard worker.  After graduating from De La Salle  High School in Minneapolis John spent sometime in a community college but now is trying to determine which direction he should follow for his future.  In high school he loved and participated in athletics, especially enjoying both basketball and football. Friendly and helpful, John has all the qualities for success in whatever field he chooses.  In addition, he makes a terrific latte!

America's Future

During St. Paul's balmy 45 degree weather on Sunday, I noticed this enterprising young woman selling Girl Scout cookies.  17-year-old Rachel is a high school senior at a local suburban high school and has been in the Girl Scouts for 14 years, since kindergarten.   Her sash contains many badges, among them bronze, silver, and gold.  The gold, which she just recently earned, required 80 hours of community service. Rachel mentioned that it is equivalent to an Eagle Scout.  Okay, Boy Scouters, let's see you match this beautiful young woman.! Judging by her poise and motivation, our future is secure with young women like Rachel.

International Women's Day-Make it Happen!

Getty Images

To learn more about the History of International Women's Day, 

go here.