Rouge

Reflections and Rouge on the car in front of me 
as seen through my car's windshield.

1917 Lena Horne

University of Minnesota Medical Complex

Because I tend to prefer small educational environments, I am surprised at how much I loved going to the University of Minnesota.  The opportunities and energy I found on the campus appealed to me and made me happy. This photo is a long-range shot of the medical complex as seen from across the Mississippi River.  If you max the photo you can see the "Health" sign in the middle of the prominent red building.

It was on this campus that Dr. C. Walton Lillehei taught and practiced. Dr Lillehei pioneered a direct, safe approach to open heart operations in the 1950s, he was known as the “father of open heart surgery.” Indeed, hardly any other cardiac surgeon has introduced a greater number of innovative techniques and concepts.

Another leading heart surgeon at the U was Dr. Richard Varco. On Sept. 2, 1952, Dr. Varco and colleagues at the University of Minnesota performed the first successful operation on a beating human heart, saving a 5-year-old girl who had been born with a heart murmur.

Until then, surgeons had found it impossible to perform open cardiac procedures because the heart pulsated with blood. Dr. Varco's team, led by Dr. C. Walton Lillehei and Dr. F. John Lewis, used a risky technique that had worked on animals: cutting off the flow of blood to the heart and lowering the patient's body temperature, stretching the amount of time she could survive without oxygenated blood.

1900 Antoine de Saint-Exupery

17th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival

The 17th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival was held again in downtown St. Paul this past week-end, with one change.  The biggest draw, Dr. John and the Nite Trippers, performed in the new Saint Paul Saints baseball park.  It gave us a chance to see the newly opened facilities, which were quite nifty. The rest of the musical acts were held in the usual sites in and around Mears Park.   I think the crowd was much larger this year.

Family Fun

It was a beautiful day with many people, including DH and me, enjoying the park. Even though I chided them for getting off the water and docking their canoe before I could photograph them, this family cheerfully agreed to pose for me.  Although Anais, Nick, and Mechelle live close to Como Park  this was their first canoe trip on the lake.  Have a feeling that it will not be the last time!

1872 Paul Laurence Dunbar
1850 Lafcadio Hearn

Grill

Perhaps I should have saved this one for Halloween? Found on the grill of a pick-up truck.  I think that you can guess who was driving it.  Yup, a young man doing construction work down the street.

Don't forget July 1st Theme Day: Upside Down

1892 Pearl S Buck

A Great Summer Job

"This is the greatest summer job I've ever had, " Dylan told me when he explained that he works four days a week during the summer as the Assistant Manager of the boat rental area at the Como Park Pavilion.   It's convenient since Dylan doesn't live too far from from the lake.  After graduating from Como Park High School, Dylan enrolled at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  Next September he will begin his junior year advancing his major in communication and a minor in business administration.  Dylan's final school semester will be at Erasmus University Rotterdam.  Without definite plans at this point, when he graduates he plans to travel the world. Great idea, Dylan!!

Don't forget July 1st Theme Day: Upside Down

Danger-Signs, Signs

Two of the prettiest city drives meanders along the Mississippi River on both sides.  West Mississippi River Parkway on the Minneapolis side has bike paths and parks bordered by very attractive homes.  The sign clearly states what occurred a year ago along one of the most attractive sections.  In the distance you can see the Univ. of MN Medical complex that I will feature in a few days.

Linking to Signs, signs.

July Theme Day: Upside Down-Keep your eyes open and your camera handy.  Let’s see how YOU interpret “Upside down!”

Franklin Avenue Bridge

The underside of the Franklin Avenue bridge over the Mississippi.  From this angle the river looks narrow, but the view is deceptive since it is much wider here than it looks.

July Theme Day: Upside Down-Keep your eyes open and your camera handy.  Let’s see how YOU interpret “Upside down!”

Food - Monday Murals

We did something different for Father's Day this year.  We had to postpone the family celebration for one week, but DH and I went to dinner to a favorite small countryside restaurant in rural Wisconsin.  It was a pretty drive on a very pleasant day filled with sunshine.  By the parking lot, the wood building  had two food-related and attractive murals painted on it, The restaurant serves fresh locally raised food so the murals were very appropriate.
Link to Monday Murals

International Yoga Day, India-Sunday, June 21, 2015

When I saw this wonderful AP photo by Ajit Solanki in Saturday's newspaper, I knew that I had found a perfect image for CDP's July theme day, "Upside down."  Since it is not my photo but that of an outstanding Indian photographer, I decided to use it today to acknowledge the event in India and to honor the gifted photographer's work.  It's also the first time that I posted two photos on the same day, but I also had to recognize Father's Day, too!

July Theme Day: Upside Down-Keep your eyes open and your camera handy.  Let’s see how YOU interpret “Upside down!”

A Great Dad!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY,  DA!!

Our children and grand-kids are lucky to have this wonderful man in their lives!

To all those men who are fathers and to those who adopt the role for others who need loving Dads, I salute you all. May you have a happy and memorable day.

Details

Detail of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus.  I often like to view the building from across the Mississippi River because its appearance changes with the color of the light during the day. The galleries feature wonderful exhibits of modern art. Not everyone feels as I do about this museum. I  love this Frank Gehry building!

Sacred Indian Burial Mounds

The Indian Burial Mounds in St. Paul are sacred grounds, legally protected from intrusion or vandalism.

Link to Indian Mounds Park and 
Good Fences 

More Tall Trees

Earlier this month I posted a tall tree in our neighborhood but noticed a number of different trees on St. Kate's campus that can be seen from our house since our property borders the college's soccer field. Much to the consternation of the neighbors, a number of years ago the college cut down hundreds of trees in order to build their soccer field. The row of trees that were left looked scrubby and sick.  Plus we lost many species of song birds and small wild animals. Up to that point St. Kate's had been a wonderful neighbor, but I have held a grudge ever since. These few remaining trees are now enormous and have showy white blossoms that cover the branches from top to bottom.  It's a beautiful sight and this is the first year that I have seen them in blossom.  It makes up just a tiny bit for the loss of the other trees sacrificed for the soccer field. I've called the gardener at the college to help me identify the species but haven't heard back yet.  My google images leads me to believe that it just might be a deciduous tree called a Northern Catalpa.

Buddy's yard-Signs, Signs

Buddy, a rescue dog in our neighborhood, is in training.  When I took this photo he barked, which alerted his owner to my presence, but he didn't leave the yard . A+ Buddy!

 Linking to Signs, Signs

Imitating Birdman

Last Sunday, Birdman of Portland City Photos posted a similar drain sign, leading to the Bay in his city. The one above is one of the most recent curbside signs in my neighborhood.  This reminded me of a community service activity that students did in the school in which I used to teach.  One day in 2012 by happenstance in front of my house, I saw a former colleague shepherding her small group of advisees to paint the warning signs on the the drain areas on our block.  Perhaps the discarded "stuff" is diverted some way to a central location, but it appears that the rainwater and debris along the curbs drain directly to the river.  Who knew!?

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Tall Tree

The tallest tree in our neighborhood!

"Give some tree the gift of green again.
Let one bird sing."
"When Autumn Came" by Faiz Ahmed Faiz
     translated by Naomi Lazard 

Flag Day

A Real Patriot

A Thing of Beauty

Last Saturday St Paul Chamber Orchestra's last concert of the season featured a Frank Martin piece (see below) that included piano, harpsichord, and harp.  What a joy to hear them all together! It was a sweet, melodic piece!

The Petite Symphonie Concertante of 1944/45 made Martin's international reputation and is the best known of his orchestral works.

21st Poet Laureate of USA, Juan Felipe Herrera

Let Me Tell You What a Poem Brings

BY JUAN FELIPE HERRERA

for Charles Fishman

Before you go further, 

let me tell you what a poem brings, 

first, you must know the secret, there is no poem 

to speak of, it is a way to attain a life without boundaries, 

yes, it is that easy, a poem, imagine me telling you this, 

instead of going day by day against the razors, well, 

the judgments, all the tick-tock bronze, a leather jacket 

sizing you up, the fashion mall, for example, from 

the outside you think you are being entertained, 

when you enter, things change, you get caught by surprise, 

your mouth goes sour, you get thirsty, your legs grow cold 

standing still in the middle of a storm, a poem, of course, 

is always open for business too, except, as you can see, 

it isn’t exactly business that pulls your spirit into 

the alarming waters, there you can bathe, you can play, 

you can even join in on the gossip—the mist, that is, 

the mist becomes central to your existence.

“Let Me Tell You What a Poem Brings” from Half of the World in Light: New and Selected Poems by Juan Felipe Herrera. Copyright © 2008 Juan Felipe Herrera. Reprinted by permission of the University of Arizona Press. This material is protected from unauthorized downloading and distribution.

Source: Half of the World in Light (The University of Arizona Press, 2008)

Couldn't be more thrilled to hear of Herrera's selection as 21st Poet Laureate! (The photo is from Google images)

Incredible Yard

This neighbor's double-lot yard is beautifully manicured and planted with flowers and shrubs.

Secret of Life-Signs, Signs

Do not miss Penzey's Spices, an herb and spice shop  on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.  It recently has been expanded with more room for all those marvelous spices one needs in a kitchen.  I've been shopping there for years and have a drawer full of spices that help me make delicious meals. I even have a small case of herbs and spices that comes with us whenever DH and I leave town for warmer climes in the winter months. I regularly collect recipes that are supplied in the store and have signed up for their wonderful catalogue, plus I take advantage of their coupons,  promotions and gifts of free spices given periodically to regular customers. Check here  to learn more about the spices and to see if there is a store in your area.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Two Lovely Women

 If you live in the Twin Cities and need hearing aids, visit these two women at Associated Hearing of Maplewood.  Several weeks ago I needed to replace my old aids, and I found the perfect agency to take care of me and my hearing needs. Michelle, the brunette, and Lisa, the blonde, are the two who did all that is necessary to test, fit, order my new hearing aids and follow through with all that is necessary.  Hearing much improved!! You couldn't meet  two more charming, professional and personable women.  I actually look forward to my office visits because of them!

A Joyful Person

 I enjoy hanging out at the Farmers Market in downtown St Paul because I have met some fascinating people there. Joy's name fits this woman perfectly.  She has been a fixture at the Farmers Market for years and claims that her job is her therapy.  Joy loads her van up each week-end during the summer with hand-crafted items: quilts, clothes of all kinds, including infant and children's apparel, some hand-made toys, sweaters for the cooler months, hand woven rugs and just about any item that can be designed and made with human hands,  and she sells these items for retired people, some of whom are in nursing homes.  Every once in a while I have picked up an item for myself--a  skirt or gift for a family member or friend.    I think my main reason for stopping is to chat with this woman who radiates cheerfulness and joy.

The 17th Annual Jazz Festival was held in downtown St Paul last weekend.  Since the CHS baseball field just opened, the biggest draw was scheduled there; most of the other acts were held in the same area, Mears Park, within a few blocks of the ball field.  It gave us an opportunity to see the new field, which is a wonderful addition to our city as well as enjoy the music. 

And here's Jackie!

Jackie went to South St. Paul high school and then went off to Arizona State in Tempe to attend college.  She is a junior majoring in biology and intends to go on to graduate school. but during the summer she works at the St. Paul Farmers Market at the Bagel Bar.  She makes a killer toasted sesame bagel lox sandwich loaded with cream cheese, tomatoes, onions, capers, olives, jalapeño peppers and plenty of lox! Num!! Service with a million dollar smile!

St. Paul Farmers Market

  Vendor and Customers

Customer with cookies and Karmel Korn Vendor

Come and get your hummus from a lovely young woman!

My Back Yard

My back yard has never looked so good!  Yesterday I posted flowers and today Minnesota workers.

Early in the morning Century Link workers asked if they could spend the day working in my yard, and I quickly and enthusiastically told them they are welcome!