The Tree

Several bloggers often post pictures of trees that they like, and I am thinking particularly of 

"that old tree," which occasionally appears on Stefan's Tungelstad Daily Photo. This tree that looks its best in summer and winter is very different, but it has its own beauty. Note the depth of the snow cover by the image of the bench just to the left of the tree's trunk.

Ready for Spring?!

The last two heavy snowfalls and lawn decorations produced some ironic images.

Good Morning, St Paul!

Tell me why I am not in Arizona, Florida, or New Mexico??

Happy Faces

What fun it is to see the smiling faces of former colleagues at Saint Paul Academy in St. Paul at an annual luncheon for retired staff and faculty.

A Lovely Legend!

Olive Jean made an appearance at a recent luncheon for former and retired staff and faculty, which is an annual event at the school where I used to teach. This outstanding woman who retired 28 years ago is still honoured, loved and respected by all who knew her and who had the privilege of learning more about music from her. It was fun watching how delighted her former colleagues were to see her, greet her and reminisce about past experiences. Ever curious and enjoying life, Olive Jean still takes harp lessons for personal enjoyment.

The Crows

These crows designed and made by artist friend, Amy Grassfield, reside in the backyard garden of friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico The photo was taken years ago and reminds me of happy times together.

Success

 Downloading the new pole

Success! The pole is up and they're getting ready to hook up all the electrical wires.

These guys really work hard, even during inclement weather!

Auger Solves the Problem

The auger drills into the frozen ground without a problem in order to prepare the ground for a new utility pole in a different position than the pole being replaced. Just look at the size of that auger!! It was an amazing procedure to watch.

Xcel Energy's Pole

How can a rotting utility pole be replaced during Minnesota's winter weather and frozen ground? In addition, the houses along Bayard and Fairview Avenues offer no access to the pole because of the configuration of the lots and the placement of garages, houses, and backyard fences.  Paul, a Minnesota native who has been with the utility  company for 30 years, assured me that it could be done. Well, we'll see in coming days if Paul is true to his word!

Holman Field Terminal

 If you hadn't been to Holman Field downtown for awhile, you will probably be as surprised as I at the remodelling and addition of a restaurant and comfortable waiting area. Its Art Deco facade and historical significance is impressive.

HISTORY (Credit: Wikipedia): 

History

Holman Field was named for Charles W. "Speed" Holman (born in 1898), who was a stunt pilot, barnstormer, wing walker, parachutist, airmail pilot, aviation record holder and airline pilot. Born in Bloomington, he was the first pilot hired by Northwest Airways in 1926. In 1928, Holman set a world's record of 1,433 consecutive loops in an airplane in five hours over the St. Paul Airport. He died in an accident during an air show in Omaha in 1931 at the age of 32.

During World War II, Northwest Airlines employed up to 5,000 people at the site, modifying new B-24 Liberator bombers, some of which received the highly classified H2X radar, which proved to be an invaluable tool in the European theater.

The terminal was used as a backdrop for scenes in the 1972 film Slaughterhouse-Five.

Spectators at Holman Field

The photo below shows the moisture from de-icing the jets hitting the glass on the door.

De-icing

My photo of plumes of de-icing had too many blotches on it, but you get the picture by looking at these photos.  It's been cold here, and de-icing was done on all aircraft before they lined up for their take-off.

The Super Bowl game is History!

Holman Field in downtown St. Paul accommodated and parked several dozen jets, used by spectators who arrived for the Super Bowl game.  Deciding to have breakfast at the restaurant, Holman's Table, I had a good view of the jets getting ready to take off. Despite the fact that the airport stayed open 'til 4 am this morning, there were still quite a number waiting to take off at 8:30 when I arrived to view some of the departures. Stay tuned for more on tomorrow's post.

Game Day, 2018

 NO WHERE TO GO!!

It's Super Bowl Sunday, 2018.! If you are a football fan, you know it's between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. If the Vikings had defeated the Eagles a few weeks ago, instead they would be in the game today playing the Patriots. But, it was not meant to be. Since I am a diehard Packer fan, I am not devastated, but it would have been great to have theVikings playing today since the Twin Cities are hosting the game. The festivities have been "over the top,  this entire week with everyone celebrating. Because of the ice and snow, I stayed in my snug little house yet everyone I know made at least one trip to downtown Minneapolis to join in the fun. During the Vikings-Eagle game, Minnesotans were subjected to some pretty ugly behaviour by the Eagle's notoriously rude fans. We have been asked to display "Minnesota Nice" rather than retaliate, and so far there have been no incidents.Our family is gathering in our house today to watch the Patriots beat the pants off the Eagles!!

New Neighbors

Our neighbourhood has been playing host to this bird and its many relatives that move up and down the street and through back yards without invitation, acting as though they own the place. Yesterday the one above casually walked up our neighbour's driveway, made its way up the few steps in order to peer through the glass front door.  I imagine it was interested in its own reflection. I think that the main draw is roomy and free St. Kate's campus, as they move from one neighbourhood to another, coming up from the Mississippi River.

These fowl uninvited visitors drive our dogs wild, perhaps because their primitive hunting instincts kick in when they see the birds. Despite the fact that our back yard has a protective fence, DH is afraid that one of them with capture and take off with Wild Wendy.

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters.

Minnesota State Fish

The Ice Palace in downtown St. Paul, a central focus of Winter Carnival attractions, is a remarkable structure built with 4, 000 blocks of ice (see my header for a professional photo of the unveiling of the structure last week). After 3 visits during the construction and afterwards, I could not get a decent usable photo of the finished castle,  but I found one of the items that have been encased in the ice--a walleye. Not easy to find, either in the lakes' waters or encased in a block of ice. Ah, the intrepid explorer. . .moi! I added a few more photos showing a partial view of the finished castle, despite being annoyed at the presence of some of the corporate sponsors' names spoiling the facade.  Don't know about you, but that all-too-common practice of adding the names to stadiums, public works of art, and community projects, I find a bit frustrating. A simple plaque would do.  Despite that, the walleye is most appropriate for one of the "puzzle images."

February Theme Day, 2018-"Tired"

TIRED

A typical winter evening in snowbound. icy Saint Paul, Minnesota

Waiting for the broadcast of the Super Bowl!

On the first day of each month, bloggers who post on City Daily Photos use a photo that corresponds to a prescribed theme, which this month is "Tired"— to see other posts, click here.