Plastic Bags Artwork

When I go to the Minnesota State Fair, I immediately go to the Fine Arts Building, which is filled with hundreds of juried pieces of art made by Minnesota artists: sculptures, textiles, photography, and paintings in all genres. We have an amazing number of talented artists in our fair state!

This piece is made entirely of recycled plastic bags!!

Happy Neighbors

It is fun to get together at an annual neighbourhood party!
All ages enjoyed themselves!!

Helga (as well as I) is one of our sage elders and Katherine is a young mother of two boys.

J-J was born shortly after they moved next door to us, Meghan is a happy new mother, and Joe is a proud young father.

Morgan is the "mayor" of our neighbourhood and Jean has the prettiest garden in town!

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY-"H"

Wordless Wednesday-NEON

Linking to Sign, Signs

Great Little Car!

I was surprised but delighted to see this little buggy in Starbuck's parking lot.  Wish I could go for a ride in it!

Coyote Fence

A friend who saw my photo blogs for the first time mentioned that I use "a lot of colourful images," which made me review my recent posts, and he was right.  Don't know whether it was a compliment, merely an observation, or a critique. I looked through my archives and decided to experiment and edit. I took and posted in colour this coyote fence in Santa Fe, NM several years ago.  Which do you prefer, the B&W or the colour?

Mosaic Religious Art

These lovely mosaics can be found in the courtyard of St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis

Lawn Ornament

Love these pink flamingos! Would you put one or more in your yard or flower garden?

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Summer Grilling

This is one of the delightful treats from the grill that I will miss after winter arrives.

Ghost Bike

I have seen two ghost bikes this summer not far from my house. This one is on E. River Blvd, close to the Lake Street Bridge.  Automobile drivers and cyclists need to be more attentive to one another.

Bold and Beautiful Garments

Gudron Sjodén and her colorful universe!

For more than 40 years, one of Scandinavia's most unique designers and entrepreneurs has been creating whimsical fashion and spreading cheerful splashes of colour all over the fashion world. The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis currently has an exhibit of part of her collection. This unique exhibition highlights some of her original creations, watercolors and archival materials. Can you guess which is my favourite ensemble?

Gudrun Sjödén (born 5 June 1941) is a Swedish fashion designer. 

Sjödén grew up in the village of Julita in Södermanland, and studied textile and fashion at Konstfack 1958-63. She is since 1961 married to photographer Björn Sjödén. Along with him she in 1976 opened her first eponymous fashion store in Stockholm at Regeringsgatan.^[ The company has about one hundred employees and earns a quarter of a billion (SEK) a year.

In 2007 she received a medal from King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. (Credit: Wiki)

Linking to ABC WEDNESDAY

Grass Roots Protest-#Stand On Every Corner

While driving home late Sunday afternoon, I noticed a group of people holding protest signs at the corner of Marshall and Fairview Avenues in St Paul. Not one to pass up an opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot I stopped to talk to them. They are friends and neighbours who have been inspired by #Stand on Every Corner, a movement that appears to be spreading. Read about it here. Bet they wouldn't mind if you joined them!

Kofi Anan, 1938-2018

Kofi Annan, a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, was U.N's secretary-general for two terms, from 1997 to 2006 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. He attended Macalester from1959-1961, earning a degree in economics and setting a school track record in the 60-yard dash. Annan returned to the college several times to give commencement speeches.  In May he was honoured by the college when it renamed its Institute for Global Citizenship for him.

A floral path

These gorgous plants and flowers graced the path I followed Saturday night to a friend's dinner party. Certainly makes a guest feel welcomed!

International Homeless Animals' Day

Here are some of the rescue dogs we have adopted who have lived with us for years and who have enriched our lives and given us immeasurable amounts of pleasure on a daily basis. Won't you consider adopting a homeless animal?

Sweet Maggi-14 years

Still With Us: Lexi-9 years & Wild Wendy-3 years

Link to Saturday's Critters & Camera Critters

Flower Box

The French Bakery Restaurant on Grand Avenue in St. Paul has a flower box with a variety of flowers and plants along the front of their establishment.  Such a lovely looking welcome!

Perhaps one of these might look familiar to you? Check Wednesday's post!

Welcome!

Because of our short growing season, in my neighbourhood flowers take on an importance all their own! Many homes use flowers at their entrance to put out the Welcome mat!

Wordless Wednesday

GET OUT THE VOTE!!

The Highland Branch Library has had these signs displayed over a week now, which also encouraged early voting.  BE SURE TO VOTE!!

Be sure to vote today! Some people in the world are willing to die to have this privilege. Years ago I was an election observer in El Salvador during a critical voting period. Watching the lines of people, observing the military helicopters overhead and the armed soldiers on the ground was a sobering, humbling (and scary) experience. PLEASE VOTE AND REMIND OTHERS OF OUR PRIVILEGE AND RIGHT TO VOTE!

Boulevard Gardens

Boulevard Gardens are very popular in my neighbourhood. A good use of space!!

Come and sit awhile!

A neighbour with a sense of humour--the best kind!

New Kids on the Block

As we took our morning walk Wild Wendy, my little toy Poodle, was curious about the new kids on the block, but she wasn't interested in meeting and greeting them so we kept our distance.  This was the closest we got to them.
Linking to Saturday's Critters & Camera Critters