Vegans Beware!

Although I already posted this on Facebook several days ago, I think that these two entrees and the restaurant deserve more exposure! Several times a year, we drive to Ellsworth, Wisconsin to eat at a small roadside restaurant, Shady Grove, that serves scrumptious meals.  The 45 minute drive through a rural landscape in the summer months is a delightful visual greenery because of the magical transformation of vegetation after a long, cold winter.

On our recent visit I could not resist the rack of lamb while Jim enjoyed his huge order of prime rib. Over the years I have slow turned from meat and instead enjoy more fish, chicken, veggies and fruit, but we find the meat choices here totally irresistible. I did not plan to post this, or I would have taken a more creative photo that included the calamari appetiser and salads. I also enjoy the restaurant because they use some of my photos on their website!! Come to Minnesota during the summer months, and we'll join you for a meal at Shady Grove!

Public and Private Memorial Day

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

 Family Plot

A Different view of the Cathedral

The outstanding night photo of the St. Paul Cathedral shown below was taken by a friend, Sherril Toft, who gave her permission to me for its use on this blog. The one I posted above is one I took while at a traffic stop, and it pleased me because it gave a slightly different angle but, of course, it is not quite as splendid as Sharon's.  Both give you an idea of the magnificent structure that we are all so pleased to have, sitting on a hill overlooking our city.

Cafe Latte

I have often in the past posted photos from Cafe Latte where we often go for a quick bite to eat.  Latte bills itself as a modern day cafeteria experience, serving gourmet-quality food. One of the rooms includes pizza on the menu in a slightly more cozy atmosphere. Nice pizza "joint."

Retirement Reception

 Mickey Scott-Math and Lucy Polk-English

 Marty Nash-Fine Arts and Bill Boulger-Math

Yesterday four of my former colleagues were feted at an after-school reception, and we who had worked with them in the past were invited to attend. The place was packed with faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and current students. It was SO good to see all of them!  A former student of mine is now one of the faculty in the English department.  A little startling, but so good to "catch up" with many people.

The waiting game

Last Friday DH and I attended our last St Paul Chamber Orchestra concert at the Ordway Performance Center for our subscription series.  Jim drops me off while he parks the car, and rather than sit inside on a pleasant day as I wait for him, I normally relax in Rice Park and watch the world go by.  My eye caught the sight of two lone patrons across the way, waiting for more patrons to arrive for the concert.  From a distance the woman in red certainly stood out! On a sunny warm day, I think my choice to sit in the park was a better one!

Super Summer Sign

Normally I abhor billboards that clutter up a landscape. This sign speaks the truth and needs our attention!

Liking to signs, signs

Landmark Center

Landmark Center's clock gives the correct time!

This building is one of the few that weren't torn down during the frenzy in the past to build new contemporary structures. In the 1970s, a citizens' group saved the building from demolition and restored it to its previous grandeur. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and reopened to the public as Landmark Center in 1978.

 St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center, completed in 1902, originally served as the United States Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House for the state of Minnesota. The exterior is pink granite ashlar with a hipped red tile roof, steeply pitched to shed snow and adorned by numerous turrets, gables and dormers with steeply peaked roofs; cylindrical corner towers with conical turrets occupy almost every change of projection. There are two massive towers, one of which houses a clock. The exterior is almost devoid of carved detail. The interior features a five-story courtyard with skylight and rooms with 20-foot ceilings, appointed with marble and carved mahogany and oak finishes.

Protecting or Serving?

During these splendid summer days, I often sit in Rice Park before I cross the street to the Ordway Center to watch the St Paul Chamber Orchestra perform on Friday mornings. There are always other people sitting and  enjoying the pleasant weather.  Often there are homeless or vagrant people sleeping on the benches. An inaudible exchange occurred between these two people, and trying to remain unobtrusive, I captured this moment.  After a few moments, the officer left and the woman remained upright rather than reclining as she previously had done. The newly remodelled Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center is just a few blocks away so I wondered why she was not taking advantage of that facility. Our society seems to be trying to take care of homeless people yet I wonder if this social problem will ever be resolved?

Special Superior

I consider myself very lucky to have had two Great Lakes as a part of my life.  I was born in a small town on the shores of Lake Michigan.  I recall the lullaby of the waves as I fell asleep and have a special feeling for the lonely sound of a fog horn.  As an adult, I settled in Saint Paul, an easy driving distance to the North Shore where my children, grandchildren, DH and I have spent many happy summer hours in Duluth and northern cities along Lake Superior, up to Canada. The autumn colours are spectacular, making any road trip breathtaking. Skiing at Duluth's Spirit Mountain in the winter is a challenge, especially when the wind made every effort to freeze one's eyelashes and eyebrows. Although I have an affinity for sea, sand and surf, I would not trade these experiences for permanent residence in a different, warmer place. Yet, on the other hand. . . . .

At long last!!

At long last our crabapple tree is blooming. I wonder if I will be able to recall this photo next January?

My recent long absence can be blamed on a nagging illness.  Recovering now, I hope! Good to be back!!

Neighbors "Garden House"

Whenever I look across the street and see this "garden house" at this time of year, I get a little excited because I know that spring has finally arrived and I can plant my pots of herbs.  The building has always appealed to me and definitely is a harbinger of spring.  It makes me a bit sad, also, because the owner is getting on in years with corresponding health issues so I wonder how much use she will make of it.  This building obviously gives me a whole range of feelings.

Theme Day, May 1, 2018 "Laugh"

Smiles, snicker, grins, or just a flicker of a smile are all fair game for this month's theme photo.  Whenever I am in Mazatlán I head for the market to see what kinds of macabre images I can find among the butchers' handiwork. I don't think this porky has much to smile about; perhaps he knows something we don't know!

To see what other images the CDP photographers around the world have found to smile about, click the link HERE .