Several years ago I bought this little cycle for my granddaughter who was not at all interested in riding until last week. She got on and rode away. I love bicycles and use mine to go to the library, grocery store, cafe, and short range shopping. Now I have a companion.
As soon as the weather gets warmer, Minnesotans move to the outdoors on bicycles, in canoes, hiking, and walking. A favorite pastime is visiting outdoor cafes, and many bring their pets along. Several years ago I posted dogs I saw at the coffee shops and decided to do it again. It's a wonderful conversation starter and the owners LOVE to have their dogs photographed. This dog was friendly, gentle and difficult to photograph because he is a ham and wanted to cozy up to the camera.
I think that I like the black and white better than the colour. How about you?
For the second year in a row, a mother raccoon has housed her family in a huge maple tree in our neighbor's backyard. I'm not sure how many there are in that tree because they are so reclusive. My 7-year-old grand-daughter is fascinated with them.
I haven't seen too many tulips this year, and those that bloomed did not stay around too long. During my walk yesterday I saw that some gardens stll have a few beauties left that brighten the landscape.
I recently attended a memorial for a former colleague, and this arrangement reflecting her and her family's interest was at the foot of the altar in St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A former high school English teacher and college counselor, she, her children, and grandchildren vacationed for many years at their privately-owned island in Canada. The canoe, paddle, and simple floral arrangement were perfect statements about her interests.
This is the bike that my son is going to fine-tune for his nephew, my grandson. But before he does that, he's going to remove the rack and attach it to my faithful, old-fashioned Schwinn so that I can go shopping without hauling the grandkids' outgrown Burley. I bought it to pull them around when they were small, but now I use it for more practical reasons; with each passing year, it gets heavier!! Anyone in the market for a used Burley?!
When I feel lonesome for Mazatlán,all I need to do is go to the west side of St. Paul, which is a Latino community that has tiendas and mercados that are very similar to Mexican towns. Starting this week, I'll begin tutoring for English language learners, all adults, who need to improve for economic and social reasons. I've done this before, and I know that they are all highly motivated and so grateful for any help!
A wonderful way to shop and transport your flowers!
The Camera Saga drags on! I am digging into my archives now: the repair shop admits that they cannot find the problem with my camera and it must be shipped off to Canon, which I should have done in the first place. Unfortunately they have not seen this particular problem before (nothing wrong with the lens!) and after consulting online with others, the shop is stumped. I might have to buy another, but hope not. I save my $ to travel, and Mr. Canon suits my needs just fine. Keeping my fingers crossed. 
5-year-old Sofie often comes into a neighborhood cafe in the mornings with her father. She's a beauty!
I got this beautiful orchid for Mother's Day. Because the card that comes with flowers was missing, I don't know any of the details, but it's so beautiful that I don't mind.
She makes my heart sing!
>St. Paul is not a teeming metropolis nor is it a village either. After living in our neighborhood since 1976 I frequently see the same people. Sometimes, however, there are some pleasant surprises. Last week several former students introduced themselves to me as we met in the 'hood, and it was a delight to see them again as young adults rather than high school students, altho I enjoyed them quite a bit when they were in my classroom. The young woman on the left, Katherine, graduated in 1991 and I hadn't seen her since then. What a pleasant surprise! Robin, on the right, I see quite often because she is the aquatic director in the community center that I frequent. She has even taught my grandchildren! Imagine; who would have guessed over 20 years ago that our paths would still be crossing!!
On December 11, 2008 I attended a free concert by the JCC Community Symphony orchestra; I closed the season on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, by attending the last performance of the season, dedicated to the very young and popular musician (photo above) who was leaving for other opportunites after faithfully and joyfully fulfilling the role of conductor for the past seven years. After receiving a grant many years ago, the JCC formed an orchestra and has been presenting four concerts each season free-of-charge to members and people in the community. When in town, I always attend and leave with a light heart after hearing the beautiful music. I as well as the musicians in the orchestra will miss the talented young conductor, but a search is already on the way to find a new one who will continue this wonderful tradition of sharing music with the community.
To see more animals of all kinds posted at blogs from throughout the globe, click here.
Here is the camera that I have dragged around for about 4 years now. I love my camera, and I'm sure that Canon doesn't mind that I am posting it here. It has been a loyal friend, but friends sometimes get sick. It's my fault! Dropping a camera, not once but several times, eventually affects the lens. I took it to my favorite camera doctor, but he's sending me to a specialist. I'll let you know the verdict. In the meantime, I'll just have to enjoy all your photos. Please don't forget me because it will just make Canon cry, and I hate to see a friend who is already ill become even sadder.
I do not, unfortunately, have photographs of all my friends who are mothers, but after checking my archives, I found these and want to wish all of them a wonderful Mother's Day. Each of you richly deserve recognition and honour! For those of you for whom I have no photo, I'll try to remedy that next year.
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During the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Neighborhood House, located in a Latino community of St. Paul, veterans enjoyed a luncheon together. I was there touring the facility because I plan to volunteer to help teach ESL (English as a Second Language) classes in that community center. This veteran was leaving with others as I passed him, but he took time to pose for me before he left. Unfortunately, we did not have time to chat so that I could get essential information about the medals from him. He's a fascinating subject, isn't he??
Who uses this net? It looks fairly well-worn. 
The small photo is one of my favorite statues, and I have posted it before on April 4, 2008. Because I love it, I thought that I would feature it from a slightly different angle.
In MN "April is the cruelest month" when it is gray, overcast, rainy, and gloomy as it has been for the past few days. The blossoms by my neighbor's gate, however, give me some hope that spring and warmer, sunny weather is on its way!
Sadie came to us (legally) as a newly-hatched bird, and has now been with us 23 years. She definitely deserves front cover coverage, don't you think?! How long is their lifespan, I wonder?! To see more critters, click here.
For the last two summers, one of my neighbors has been doing landscaping in her backyard, shoring up a stone fence that had been built long ago by her father, removing excess brush, developing a curved gravel path, planting new foilage, and building this "playhouse." I'm not quite sure how she plans to use it or what might be its main purpose, but it's been fun seeing the attention she gives it. Next time I see her in the yard, I intend to go over, visit, and take more photos of her "playhouse."
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For a little bit of Mexico, I brought back this beautiful piece of embroidery which is typical of Huichol art. The figures are symbolic and are part of the tribes folklore and identity.
Returning to Minnesota after months in warm, sunny Mazatlán, México is not always easy after getting used to the much warmer temperatures, but spring in the Midwest is on its way and is always delightful. To make my re-entry and transition easier, I decided to indulge myself with something pleasant and was able to get tickets for Rossini's The Barber of Seville performed by the Minnesota Opera Company in the spectacular Ordway Theatre. The two figures in each snapshot are the Count Almaviva and Rosina. A wonderful performance!! Am I happy to be back? Hmmmmm!!!
