Swan Song

The Swan, by Mary Oliver

Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?

Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -

An armful of white blossoms,

A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned

into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,

Biting the air with its black beak?

Did you hear it, fluting and whistling

A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall

Knifing down the black ledges?

And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -

A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet

Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?

And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?

And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?

And have you changed your life?

Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday Critters

Amy Rice paintings #2

I enjoyed Amy Rice's  light-hearted images so much I wanted you to see more than just the ones I posted yesterday.

Amy Rice's Paintings

 Last Sunday while waiting for the ballet, Coppelia, to begin we strolled through several art galleries at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.  Twin City Amy Rice's painting exhibit in the Atrium Gallery demonstrated a distinctive style, all pleasant and enjoyable to see. If you are interested in seeing more of Amy's multi-media work, contact her on her Facebook page or through the link I provided above.

Inequality on College Campuses

These signs were posted on a path that cuts through the main commons area along Grand Avenue in St. Paul at Macalester College.  

It doesn't take a mental giant to figure out the goal of the person(s) who posted these signs. We all need to call attention to disparity among student cultures on our nation's college campuses.

Linking to signs, signs

What a Week-end!

Both of us independently chose these two vases as our favourites.

Sometimes you can crowd too many things into one week-end.  By Sunday night I was exhausted.: Saturday morning I attended a political town hall meeting held by 4th District Council Woman, Betty McCollum, Sunday morning church service at Unitarian Church followed by scones and creme creche at Latte on Grand Avenue. Then DH and I drove to the Bloomington Center for the Arts to see a performance of Coppelia.  Before the ballet began, we browsed the 2017 Invitational Ceramic Exhibition in the Inez Greenberg Gallery, where there were many fine art pieces.  We particularly enjoyed the "White Circle" and the "Black Square." I'll show you some paintings later this week that were hanging in the Atrium Gallery.  After the ballet, we drove home, grabbed some food and went to hear a poetry and music performance by Naomi Shihab Nye and Sara Thomsen.

McCollum TownHall Meeting

 Minnesota Congresswoman McCollum held a TownHall meeting Saturday morning at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and spoke to a large crowd, followed by an hour of Q and A.

One of the most cogent, well-prepared and concise question was posed by Alexi, a high school student from Roseville. If this student is an example of the future generation we have a positive outlook ahead of us. Unlike some of the more verbose adults, Alexi's comments and question indicated a well-informed and thoughtful student who "loves school!" The entire meeting between McCollum and the audience was spirited and lively. In addition to all the information she presented, our 4th district congresswoman exhorted activity and involvement from citizens and businesses. I'm ready!!

Favorite Necklace

I have a lovely friend who has been making spectacular jewellery as a hobby for many years. I, fortunately,  have been the recipient of several gifts from her. Even when I did not deserve them!

I particularly like this one and always get great compliments when I wear the necklace.

Penny for Your Thoughts?

On March 11th, I posted what I thought would be the last photo of Joy Liberman's artwork, but I couldn't resist showing you this one!  Have a good week-end everyone. Don't spend all you money in one place.  A penny saved is a penny earned!

Important Sign-Important Message

Linking to Signs, Signs

A Kindle Reader: Men Reading #2

Another of my patient and stalwart Starbuck friends, who agreed that I could add his image here to represent a man reading, despite the fact that I didn't initially ask his permission.  But, that's what friends are for!! Does a Kindle qualify for a photo in my series?  

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Æbleskive Breakfast

When a cultural activity includes food, it increases the enjoyment of the experience! After passing the Danish American Cultural Institute many, many times, I decided to visit it.  DH and I went to their monthly Sunday breakfast and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  I was unfamilar with their special and delectable Æbleskive and fell in love with it immediately. The chefs showed me the steps in their preparation, which made me want to come back for more.  Since I just recently learned from my DNA that my background includes a huge percentage of Scandinavia (who knew!!--I guess those marauding Vikings were everywhere!!) I decided to get in touch with it.  Of course, I'll return in April for another delectable meal served by cheerful volunteers and social patrons with whom I enjoyed talking.
Linking to Our World Tuesday

 

Guthrie Theatre Mississippi River scenes

Yesterday I showed you some unusual photos of the Guthrie Theatre.  If you are a regular patron, you probably have walked out on the elevated view platform and have seen these familiar Mississippi River bank and railroad scenes.

Guthrie Theatre-Unusual Views

These are not the publicity photos usually associated with the facade of the world-renowned Guthrie Theatre. DH and I saw a matinee performance of King Lear last Saturday when I took these photos. Two of those photos show parts of the theatre as seen from the streets, where the city wisely has installed 8-hour parking meters. The other is a long projection that extends from the fourth floor of the rear of the building where patrons can see the Mississippi River, either inside or outside. Tomorrow I will show you some of those views.

Parade 2016

Unless the sun comes out in full force and the temperature improves within the next hour, I think that I will forego the St. Paul St. Patrick's Day parade today. These photos were two of many that I snapped last year, 2016,

Irish?

Bev, who is from St. Paul, dressed a day early for St Patrick's Day, an important day in this city for the Irish and "the wanna-be's!! Although she works only part-time, she loves working at Lund's and Byerly's and has been doing this for about 15 years. I forgot to ask her if she's Irish!

Man Reading

Yesterday I posted photos of two women reading.  Today I'd like to introduce you to Bernie, my Starbuck friend, who arrives every morning like clockwork to get his daily copy of the New York Times to enjoy with his coffee.  I've had some interesting political discussions with him over the years, and I consider him one of my many friends whom I have met in this cafe. Bernie enjoyed the photos and thought he looked just a wee bit older than he feels. Don't we all!!

Women Reading!

After complaining about my lack of motivation to photo shoot, I accepted the advice of some sage CDP photographers (you know who you are!) and went out with my camera to a cafe on Hamline Avenue in St. Paul this morning.  If you are on Facebook, you may have noticed that I am posting a theme of paintings of women reading, all of which I have researched on the internet.  Since the wonderful images are not mine to share, I didn't feel that I could use them here. Instead, I took these two stealth photos in Groundswell. I think they qualify as examples of "women reading." PS. I invite you to "friend" me on Facebook to see the 11 paintings I have posted in the last few weeks, my way to honor March as International Women's month.

Church Door

Instead of going to early morning church on the first Sunday after Central Daylight time begins (losing one hour), I decided to mine my archives and show you this beautiful church entrance. For those of you who live in this geographical area or one similar. motivation to take one's camera for a photo shoot is rather low because it is still very cold, gray, dark and dank. A prayer to the Gods: please encourage spring to arrive early!!

Another Liberman painting

This is the 10th and final painting of Joy Liberman's that I have posted the last few weeks. I hope that you enjoyed them; it has given me great pleasure to share her art work with you! Go to the link I provided above to give you more information about her.

Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday Critters

A Sheer Pleasure!

 If you live in the Twin Cities and have enjoyed the remarkable paintings by artist Joy Liberman that I have been posting lately on this photo blog, hustle over to St. Paul Academy-Summit school because today is the last day to view her paintings in the Drake Gallery. The exhibit comes down after today.  The photo of these 3 shears is another example of her talent and the amazing variety of her images.

Play ball!!

Baseball season is a very good reason to show you another photo of a painting by Joy Liberman.  If you have been following my posts the past few days, it is obvious that her paintings are varied and that she is an extraordinary artist.

Wordless Wednesday

Textile Art

Each month an artist, sometimes two or more, hang original art of their own in the Center Room at Unity Church.  I am always impressed with the talent; it may be photographs, paintings, multi-media or textile arts. During the month of March two textile artists displayed their work.  Since I admire this kind of art, I am posting here a small wall hanging that caught my eye.

A Painter's Path #3 Gotta Hand it to Her!

My artist friend Joy about whom I posted last week (here and here) is multi-talented.  I am so impressed with the variety of her images and art work