Confused Wild Wendy

Now where did that squirrel go? I just saw him swinging on the birdhouse!

Remodeling Efforts

 The Jewish Community Center in St. Paul is in the middle of a huge construction addition and remodeling effort that will have expanded space and new areas to enjoy.  As typical of any effort like this, part of the space seems disorganized. These life size photos and signs help correct some of the confusion.

My own body has endured similar disarray and confusion since my total knee replacement so I decided that I, too, need some remodeling! Yesterday I started training with a delightful young man in the Fitness Center. Because I am still healing, we are working on my "core" (the term makes me giggle) and upper body. When Dane, my new hero, was introducing me to the machines and adjusting the weights, I apprehensively reminded him that I am a grandmother.  His reply? "Yes, but you will be a STRONG grandmother!" How can you not love a young man like that?

Linking to signs, signs

Holy Cow!!

Some people have cash cows, but our neighborhood has a holiday cow.   I have posted photos  of this beautiful bovine many times in the past, and I bet you look forward to seeing her each holiday!

Linking to Saturday's Critters & Camera Critters

Wordless Wednesday & Signs #2

Linking to Signs, Signs

Memorial Bench

During the winter months I often go to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park to feed my soul by viewing the  plants and flowers. A favourite spot is The Sunken Garden which has floral displays that are changed seasonally.  Scattered throughout the conservatory are memorial benches. I was particularly interested in this one because of my familiarity with the person honoured. (To see photos of the beautiful sunken garden, click on the link above)

Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day

Why we wear poppies

The remembrance poppy was inspired by the World War I poem "In FlandersFields". Its opening lines refer to the many poppies that were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers' graves in Flanders, a region of Europe that overlies a part of Belgium.

When I was a child, paper poppies were commonplace on people's lapels on Armistice Day, now referred to in the United States as Veterans Day.  I saw no-one wearing this commerative flower anywhere I went in the city today so I decided to post my photo to honor all servicemen and women who have served in the military, anywhere in the world.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

It's all about the crust!

This is only one of the reasons why we are steady customers of Cossetta's Market and Restaurant. In addition to these crusty loaves of bread, as you know I'll walk a mile for their gelato!

Wordless Wednesday and Signs

Wordless Wednesday

Linking to Signs, signs

Two Viewpoints

When in downtown St. Paul there are two large buildings, the State Capitol and the Cathedral, that can be seen from many vantage points. The Cathedral as shown in these photos can be viewed as an impressive building with a dome in a rather attractive setting but in the other it shows that it's really a part of a busy city.  I rather like the one with the traffic signals because it is clear the the church is part of an urban setting … my city, my world.

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Unusual design

 There are wonderful discoveries to be made along Summit Avenue in St. Paul. One of the homes has this interesting design along the front of their house, which is included on the entrance gate and along the property line of the sidewalk.

A Dusting of Snow

On Friday we got our first light dusting of snow, which did not last long.  It created some classic winter scenes in the first light of morning.  I posted this photo on Facebook and got enough positive comments that I decided to use it here also.  Do you like this quiet scene as much as I?

A Bird's Eye View

A humble abode overlooking a highway high above the Mississppi River. I could live there!

El Dia de los Muertos

I wasn't able to get to El Burrito Mercado on the west side of St. Paul to take photos before I posted yesterday, but here are two I would have shown.  I love Halloween,  but I love the Mexican celebration of the religious Day of the Dead even better. The ritual of honoring deceased friends and relatives is so positive rather than the absence or even dread, which is the way our culture approaches death in our society.

Frozen leaves

As seen on a chilly early morning walk.

November Theme, November, 2017-Rock 'n' Roll

Another month has rolled by! Go here to see what other bloggers have posted for this month's theme.
Linking to signs, signs