Sophie Joe's Emporium

First, Happy Birthday to all the Leap Year babies!

 An artist with the initials "ES" painted this mural outside the entrance to Sophie Joe's Emporium on W-7th Street in Saint Paul in 2011.  Obviously it needs a touch up here and there, but it's a terrific draw into the establishment, which is a large space with dozens of small booths that the individual vendors rent to sell their "stuff" on consignment. Below you can see a detail of the large mural as well as one of the booths.  I could spend a whole day in this space, going from one consignment space to another.

Linking to Monday Murals

Our Friday Field Trip

Once a week my DH and I plan a Friday Field Trip, which brings us to cultural and social activities and places that take us out of our daily routine.  It always ends the week on a positive note and sparks up the week-end. Last Friday we went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see the new exhibit, "State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now."  It is an eclectic collection of 132 works from 52 living American Artists, which includes sculpture, paintings, photographs, and fabric art, for example. The print above is from Kirk Criipens in California which shows the effects of "The Great Recession: Foreclosure."  By coincidence the next night we went to see the movie, The Big Short.
Both the image in the print and the movie were very sobering.

Our cartoon dog, Wild Wendy

You'll have to forgive me for posting another photo of Wild Wendy; she is so new to us that we are still amused at her cartoon personality.  She started Obedience I class last Wednesday, which she loved. The smallest of the ten dogs there, and, of course, the smartest.  Actually, she really is catching on fast, but she still has a long way to go before I can use her as a therapy dog. PS. It is still taking a long time for us to "get over" Maggi's death.

Linking to Camera Critters
Saturday's Critters

Added Later:  I just opened the Variety section of the Msp Star Tribune section and Wendy is featured as "Pet of the Week"  -- go, Wild Wendy!!

Decorative Fence

I am fortunate to live close to my favorite river, the Mississippi. Obviously this photo is from my archives, taken several years ago, but it is perfect for the Good Fences meme today.  I long for this familiar scene as I wait for spring and summer to arrive.

New Shop on Grand Avenue

 Last summer I noticed this new shop that opened on Grand Avenue near Macalaster College. I haven't graced its doorstep yet since I am working on maintaining a vegetarian diet,  but I wonder if it has been successful?  I think I'll go visit today or tomorrow to see if business has been good.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Go See Native American Art!

Last Monday I introduced you to the Pow Wow Grounds cafe that also has an art gallery next to the coffee shop.  Because the lighting that day could not produce good photos to show you some of the art, I photographed this poster located outside the building.  The art piece itself is very interesting because attached to each heart is a porcupine quill.  The exhibit contains art of many different genres, recounting various aspects of Native American history.  If you live near the Twin Cities, I guarantee that you will enjoy the art.  

Go See!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Not Again!

Just when I think perhaps our weather will clear, become warmer, and bring us closer to spring, I awakened this morning to the above scene. Wishful thinking on my part; it's only February and this is, afterall, Minnesota!

Community Ambassador

 Alan who is from a small community near Bemidji, Minnesota, has worked at Pow Wow Grounds on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis for about a year.  The coffee shop has been opened for about five years and is in the heart of the Native American community.  Alan, who is Chippewa and a good Ambassador for the community,  showed us the adjoining gallery that is filled with Indian art.  There is a sign near the cash register suggesting that donations be made so that Elders who cannot afford it can enter the coffee shop for coffee, soup and/or a sandwich.  I like this! It was my first visit there, but it will not be the last!

Contemporary Homes

My favourite street in St. Paul is Stonebridge Boulevard, about only two blocks in length and located between St. Clair and Jefferson Streets.  The east side of the street is hilly and covered with tall trees.  Because of the heavy cover of leaves in summer, it is difficult to see and photograph the homes, but they can easily be seen during the winter months. If we were looking for a new home today, rather than downsizing, one of these would be my first choice.  It is so curious because we have lived in our two story brick colonial for the last 40 years. . .so different from the homes on this block!!

Winter Beauty!

I live within walking distance of my favourite river, the Mighty Mississippi, and love it as a national treasure.  My February doldrums were lifted yesterday with the balmy Minnesota weather of 44 degrees fahrenheit!  I decided that the river is beautiful and picturesque anytime of year.
Such Joy!

Morning Walk

Wild Wendy, our newly adopted toy poodle, gets me up early for chow time and an early morning walk, which is usually quite bracing in a Minnesota winter.  Taking my iPhone with me, I noticed this    snowman with carrot nose, warm hat, and colourful eyes and mouth.  Perhaps the creators used poker chips?  While taking this photo I noticed that we had an observer inside the house, watching us.  I'm not sure whether the child was more interested in Wendy or my attempt at photographing the front lawn creation at her home.  Might have been both.

Fifty-four Years!!

Who would have thought on a cold, windy Chicago morning in 1962?

Fantastic, Fun, Fabulous, occasionally Fiery and Furious.

Family is what it's all about!!

Linking to ABC Wednesday "F"

Black is Beautiful.

I first posted this mural in October, 2006, and I think that it is time to present it again.  The mural on Victoria and Selby Streets is still there and is still in good condition.  It is painted on a brick wall on a building located in a very diverse neighbourhood. To me it symbolises the '60's refrain, Black is Beautiful.

Linked to Monday Murals

Happy Valentine's Day!

Let us celebrate LOVE.  

There is not enough of it on planet Earth.

Mr. Froggy

Despite the mural's deteriorating condition, the frog is very noticeable!

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Fish on Friday

Photographing through a butcher's case is not the best way to show a fish, but this big fella just begged to be showcased as an example of tasty treats for Lent, if that's an important period in your liturgical calendar. I have a deep love for fish of any kind, and I attribute it to our family's Friday night fish meals.  For a special treat, we were sometimes taken to a local restaurant for a fish fry, which is one of my fond growing-up memories.  I still like going out to enjoy a fish meal on Fridays,

Marketing "Naked"

Although the world of business has never been an area that has interested me, the way products are marketed usually catches my eye.  I suppose the one word, sums up the absence of sugars and preservatives, it gives a different meaning to "naked."  I think that other definitions and images of that word are far more interesting. . .unless you are very health conscious! 

Linking to Signs, Signs

Start shopping!!

Holy Cow! It's almost Valentine's Day.  There are only 5 days left to shop for your sweetie. Better get moo-vin!

High School Art

In past posts I have pointed out that the Fine Arts Department  in the school where I used to teach has an outstanding art department.  Art that is produced by middle and high school students is quite sophisticated as well as creative.  Yesterday I went to a concert by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra at the new Performing Art Center built for  the school, which is available for use  by the community.   Art work by the students lined the walls, and I was particularly impressed by this painting done by a graduating senior.

Wild Wendy!

After an extended vacation in México (which I LOVED), I have been pretty disorganized so my posts are sparse and as well as rather late.  Because of the heavy snowfall, I haven't been getting out to take photos but I intend to remedy that very soon.  In addition, we formally adopted the toy poodle we had fostered before we left.  She is resting above with our son't dog, Lexi, who is unbelieveably patient with this small bundle of fur who is bedeviling her constantly!  I am enrolling Wendy in an obedience class this month.  Charming as she is, Wild Wendy is keeping us busy!!

Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters.

Welcome Home!

The world I live in.  Welcome home from a month spent in sunny Mazatlán, México!!