Art in Bloom, 2016-#2

One of  the more whimsical contributions to the Art in Bloom display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  See yesterday's post for further explanation.

The artwork is entitled, Soundsuit by Nick Cave, 2010.  Metal, wood, plastic, pigments, and acrylic fabric.

Art in Bloom, 2016

Art in Bloom, an annual event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is back in town.  The 3-day event featuring more than 150 lavish displays of fresh flowers interpreting works of art in the museum's collection started yesterday. Of the many lovely and unique displays I think this one is among my favourites: Untitled, 1929, oil on canvas by Yayol Kusama.

I have been having a difficult time lately posting and commenting.  If I can't get my mojo back soon I plan to take an hiatus.  I may have to take a leave for the summer.  Time will tell: stay tuned.

Schmidt Brewery History

I took a photo of this sign last August and wondered why it was allowed to remain in place for so many years in its deteriorating condition.  Originally it was the former Schmidt Brewery sign with two large side panels, but Schmidt closed several decades ago and the sign stood at Jefferson Avenue and West 7th Street for more than 60 years as part of the historic brewery complex.  It had been used to advertise August Schell Brewing Company's Grain Belt beers to which an anti-billboard group recently objected.  To my surprise the entire story of its past and its future was recently covered in our local neighborhood newspaper, The Highland Villager. Apparently after meeting several legal considerations, the giant sign will be restored and will now advertise businesses that occupy properties in the Schmidt historic district.
Linking to Signs, signs

Unnamed sculpture

I founds this wonderful unnamed sculpture outside the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, a museum we visited  on our last Friday Field Trip.  I could find no plaque identifying the artist or information about the piece of art. I loved the way it rose above the walking path, seemingly ready for flight.

Wabasha, Minnesota

Our Friday Field Trip last week took us to Wabasha, Minnesota about 85 miles south of the Twin Cities.  The National Eagle Center has a lovely museum in this small town on the banks of the Mississippi River.  The bridge above connects Wabasha with towns  across the river in Wisconsin.

Saluting Women #7-Kerri Miller

In two  previous "Saluting Women" posts I have featured writers, Barbara Kingsolver and Margaret Atwood,  who have appeared on the Talking Volumes program at the Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul. The hostess, Kerri Miller, has done a spectacular job of interviewing all of her guests, both male and female, over the years.  When we attend, which is often, both DH and I always love the evening's performance because Miller is a skillful interviewer using humor and probing questions to draw out the writers who appear on the program. She is knowledgeable about the writers and keeps a light-hearted touch while using interesting background information to keep both the audience and her subject engaged. Watch for the scheduled programs on MPR and be sure to attend if you are in the area. I guarantee that you will enjoy an interesting and entertaining evening.

Kerri Miller is host of MPR News with Kerri Miller and Talking Volumes. She was the political reporter for KARE 11 television in Minneapolis-St. Paul before coming to MPR in 2004.

A wecome visitor!

When the flower blossoms, the bee will come. Srikumar Rao

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Prince

The Twin Cities in Mourning

 A Rainbow Appeared Above Paisley Park on April 21, 2016

The city blocked off the street in front of First Avenue last night where hundreds of Prince Fans met and celebrated his life of music after the announcement of his death yesterday.

NEIGHBORHOOD BLOOMING-GOOD FENCES

Our neighbourhood is beginning to bloom!

Linking to Good Fences

Church Signs

Unity Church in St. Paul is a parish that has many activities and projects operating at the same time. Social justice is important to the congregation so there are many groups that approach diverse problems.  One is an active approach to the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Last Sunday, the teen-agers held their annual book sale to help fund a trip to Boston.  Both signs were posted at the front of the church building, which illustrated the diversity within the community.
Linking to Signs, signs

Quiltwork #2

I want to include "Bunnies in a Basket" with the quilts I have featured recently on this blog because it is hand sewed, which is less common these days.  Most of the quilts I have seen lately are machine sown. I examined these blocks carefully and the appliqué and the hand stitches are beautiful.

Mural-St Paul Days of Yore #2

Biking in the Park

Linking to Monday Murals

Margaret Atwood-Saluting Women #6

I just realized that three of the women I chose to salute are well-known published writers; perhaps there is a bias in my selections! Margaret Atwood also appeared at St. Paul's Fitzgerald Theatre in the popular literary Talking Volume's series in October of 2013 when I took this photo of her on stage.  Atwood is a widely published and popular Canadian writer.  During her interview with Kerri Miller, Atwood literally "took over" the interview with her sharp, witty and very humorous questions, answers, and musings.  This smart, talented woman amused me and captivated me with her lively personality.To learn more about Margaret Atwood, go here.

St Paul's Finest

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Beautiful Quilts!

Once a year, a group of women quilters at Unity-Unitarian Church in St Paul put their handiwork on display in the community room at church.  Parishoners are invited to buy them with proceeds awarded to deserving projects or organisations. Bids close on April 24. In addition a large quilt is on display with raffle tickets selling at just $2.  I hope that one has my name on it.  I particularly like the colours and patterns in these two and would gladly take either one of them home with me.

Isn't the raffle quilt below just stunning?

Fence or Barrier?

I was surprised to find this lovely little fence and gate locked. Unless my memory fails me, I seem to recall that this small space between two buildings on Selby Avenue close to the corner on Snelling leads to an outdoor retail space that I photographed before.  Perhaps it will be opened again after the weather warms up permanently for the spring/summer season.  I'll have to remember to go back to see if that is the case.

Linking to Good Fences

Condos?

I was very surprised to see the sign that recently appeared at this church on Summit Avenue in
St. Paul.  There have been several small churches in various areas of the city that have been successfully converted into private residences but I wonder what will happen to this rather large church complex with its adjoining buildings. I must have missed the vital information because the sale of this church came as a shock.  I don't think it will be an easy sale but one never knows!  Perhaps it will make a rather stately condo/apartment building.
Linking to Signs, signs

New Addition=Our world Tuesday

Huss Center for the Performing Arts

This spectacular building is the new addition to the school in which I used to teach that was an integral part of my world for 30 years before retirement.  Occasionally I visit to have lunch with former colleagues and to attend art exhibits in the school's gallery.  The new auditorium shown above is a beautifully designed feature that already has become a part of the community.  The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has performed several Sunday afternoons in this space, events which have been very well-received by the community.  If you look closely you can see students artwork gracing the walls of the hall leading to the auditorium. Because I did not take a photo of the auditorium, I decided to show you one of the pieces of art, among the many that I enjoyed seeing when I went to the concert last Sunday. This particular piece was the work of a 9th grader. 

 Linking to Our World Tuesday

Mural: St Paul of Yore

Mural depicting city scenes of St. Paul of Yore with the Cathedral high on a hill near Summit Avenue.  A child and his dog and a couple taking a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll in a park alongside the Mississippi River with a tugboat and barge, plying their trade.

No signature; found on the side of a building on W. 7th Street

Linking to Monday Murals

Saluting Women #5-Barbara Kingsolver

Some of you undoubtedly have read one or more of Barbara Kingsolver's books.   A popular author, Kingsolver appeared on stage at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul in November of 2009 when I snapped this photo of her while she was being interviewed by Kerri Miller for the popular Talking Volumes program. She effortlessly captured the attention of the audience with her comments about the craft of writing. Go here to learn more about Barbara Kingsolver.

Turkey Vulture

Last Saturday I posted a photo of a red-tailed hawk and explained that the birds at the University of Minnesota's Raptor Centre cannot be released in the wild after they have healed for a variety of reasons.  This Turkey Vulture was imprinted on  humans and would not survive in the wild because of that. Photographing through the sturdily built cages was not easy but I caught him in mid-stretch.  Quite a remarkable bird.

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Hi Lo Diner

On Monday, March 28th a much anticipated diner opened on Lake Street in Minneapolis.  It originally resided in Pennsylvania but was transported to Minnesota, remodelled and refurbished, which took several months for its grand opening.  

"1950s by the Fodero Dining Car Co., at a time when diners were pre-fabricated and carried by truck to their roadside locales. It opened in Gibsonia, Pa., as the Venus Diner in 1958, where it served hungry travelers off the Pennsylvania Turnpike for more than half a century. When the original owners could no longer keep up with the pancake flipping and the coffee pouring, it closed in 2009." For more history, go here.

5 days after it opened DH and I went to it to sample the dishes.  The diner (check here for its interesting history) recalls an earlier era.  Spotless inside it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with liquor available.

Indian Burial Mounds-Good Fences

Six important prehistoric monuments that are important to Minnesota history.

Linking to Good Fences and Signs, signs

Wordless Wednesday

My Pal, John Lennon

Last Tuesday I posted a photo of John on this bench and promised a few of his admirers that I would find this one with me having a chat with John as he looked adoringly at me.  Well, here it is. 

Cuba in 2012 is a trip I'd like to repeat!

Linking to Tuesday Travels

Wall Mural

This is an appropriate mural for the entrance area of the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota
Linking to Monday Murals

Saluting Women #4-VJ

Anyone who subscribes to City Daily Photo and who loves Paris, will recognise Virginia Jones. After retirement, a former elementary school teacher from Birmingham, Alabama, VJ has concentrated on learning more about photography and developing her technical skills. VJ has deservedly been recognised as an ace photographer in both France and the United States.  She gives workshops and has published a book with spectacular photos of her favourite city, Paris, which she often visits. Visit Virginia's City Daily Photo blogs here and here for examples of her photography.

For a full explanation of my Saluting Women Sunday series, go here.

Casper, the Hawk

Yesterday our Friday Field Trip took us to the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center on the Saint Paul campus.  We arrived on time for a tour, which included a significant number of pre-elementary aged children, and all of them were remarkably well-behaved and curious, asking surprisingly good questions for their age. We saw eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, a vulture and kestrels.  Each of the animals had been brought to the centre because of injuries and for some reason or another could not be returned to the wild.  The turkey vulture curiously had been imprinted on humans and would never survive outside the centre! The cages were large, well-designed, and incredibly clean. Of all the beauties we saw, I loved Casper the Red-tailed hawk the very best.  What a beauty. 

Linked to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

April, 2016 CDP Theme: The Beauty of Simplicity

Japanese Flowering Quince

In Training since 2010

What could be more beautiful than a Bonsai tree?

According to Japanese tradition, the bonsai represents the three virtues or shin-zen-bi, which translates into truth, goodness and beauty. To see how other CDP bloggers interpret "the beauty of simplicity" click here.