My garden

I live in a lovely neighborhood in a small house with a small backyard. I use this lack of space as my reason for avoiding gardening.  I know that I "should" engage in an honest effort to design and create more vegetable and flower gardens.  I am also very aware that there are ways to plan and work creatively around  space imitations, and it is possible to work magic with fruits, veggies, and flowers.  I read about this almost daily in our local newspaper!  Yet when I see hanging plants like these with those gorgeous blossoms I know that I will be very happy with such specimens decorating the patio. They make a wonderful environment for reading and sunning. I am content with my garden center flowers and my 6-8 clay pots of herbs  What more could I want?!

Princess Fiona-Good Fences

Getting ready for her guests to arrive to celebrate her 4th birthday!

Without a doubt, Fiona is one of my favorite neighborhood children. We have many elementary school kids living close to us, and all of them are well-mannered with exuberant spirits.  Their parents are young, smart, involved with their kids, and the children make their grandparents proud!!

Linking to Good Fences

Simplicity

There is a simple elegance about this small garden fountain that I really like and appreciate.  I saw this at Lilydale Garden Center as I was strolling outside the greenhouses.  I also saw a Buddha that I would love to own; couldn't take a photo of it because I couldn't bend without getting dizzy because of vertigo.  I wonder if I will EVER get over it...almost a full month! When I do, I will go back to take a photo of the Buddha.

STYLISH, June, 2015 Theme Day

Stylish Steve

I doubt that you could find a more stylish hat than this one worn by a rock and roll musician.  Steve and his partner play in different venues on gigs all over the Twin Cities.  Normally they play at the Minneapois Farmers Market, but the day I met Steve they were entertaining at the St Paul's Market.  During a break while his partner was entertaining the shoppers with folk and country music, my DH spotted Steve, and said, "Now that is a stylish hat!" and I couldn't let that opportunity pass me by.

Go here to see what stylish might mean in other parts of the world.

Parties with Ponies!

Yesterday our 4-year-old neighbor Fiona celebrated her birthday with her friends.  What fun to have pony rides for entertainment!!

The Source

I have always loved this statue, The Source, and have posted it before, but the previous photos were always a front or side view.  I also like to take photos of people from the back view so I tried it with this statue and like it.

Artist Name: Alonzo Hauser
Media: Bronze, opaque black over blue patina.
Date Created: 6/14/1965
Location: Rice Park
History: Hauser created this statue, donated by the Women’s Institute of Saint Paul, to combine the city's historical past with the contemporary spirit of the day.  
Born in Wisconsin in 1909, Hauser established the art department at Macalester College, where he taught until 1949.  He died in 1969.
(Credit: www.stpaul.gov)

FEATURED NEWS

Be Stylish on the First of June! - That's the Theme for the Day!

Homeless?

Arriving early for a performance of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, we often sit in Rice Park, located across the street from the Ordway Performance Center.  Watching the people who visit this tiny square oasis is always interesting.  I noticed this sleeping man who seemed more well-dressed than most homeless people I have observed downtown. Minutes after I had discretely photographed him, a cyclist approached with a small paper bag, awakened the man, and gave the bag to him. The man on the bike sped off much too fast for a photo--he did not look like a messenger or delivery person and no cash was exchanged.  The man removed a rather tired looking sandwich from the bag, ate it and then reclined and went back to sleep, making me wonder:  was this a scene between a Good Samaritan and a homeless person, between friends or what??

FEATURED NEWS

Be Stylish on the First of June! - That's the Theme for the Day!

Lovely Lilacs

Despite a misty and rainy day my small lilac bushes make my heart sing!

The tall fence was erected by our neighbor who prefers more privacy whereas I like wide, open spaces.

Linking to good fences.

FEATURED NEWS

Be Stylish on the First of June! - That's the Theme for the Day!

New Marketing Technique-Signs

A new real estate sign-new marketing technique.

Linking to Signs, Signs

Meet Maid Marion

On a rainy afternoon I stepped out my front door to go marketing , walking down the street, framed nicely for a photo, I met Maid Marion. On her way to a hardware story to get the screen repaired she gracious consented to having her portrait taken.  While chatting I learned that she originally is from Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, where I once lived while sowing my wild oats, but she is now living in Minnesota. In my neighborhood! She went to Grinnell for college,  and we discovered another coincidence. While in school she knew another student whom I taught when he was in high school where I used to teach.  I love all these little human connections and surprises!

FEATURED NEWS

Be Stylish on the First of June! - That's the Theme for the Day!

Fort Snelling Military Cemetery-Memorial Day, 2015

The Crosses
I stood there before the crosses 
glowing white in row on row
Everyone a young life cut short
as the names upon them show.

***********************************

“Voices of boys were by the river-side.

Sleep mothered them; and left the twilight sad.” 

― Wilfred Owen, The War Poems

An Irish Airman foresees His Death

I KNOW that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate
Those that I guard I do not love;         —Wm Butler Yeats High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . . Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. — John Gillespie Magee,

Sunday Spires/Steeples

A few weeks ago I decided to photograph church steeples of various denominations to see if there is a correlation between religion and the architecture of the spires. After a few snapshots and posts,  I have lost interest and find the theme a bit boring so this is the last photo of its kind until I am able to revive interest in my steeple chase.

Australian Shepherds-Camera Critters

A few weeks ago I posted photos of a charming neighborhood I found quite by accident.  While sitting in its small park, one of the residents greeted me when she walked by with her two Australian Shepherd dogs, both rescue animals. The beautiful animals are friendly and well-trained.  Alas, I lost misplaced all my notes, but I found the dogs and their owner so extraordinary that I'm posting without the most basic information about them.  Just enjoy!!

Linking to Camera Critters & Saturday's Critters

Custom Bike Racks

These customized bike racks certainly are attractive and so different than the usual commercial racks but I wonder about how to use them, especially if a number of bikes are involved.  So far I have never seen multiple bikes attached to one of these modern racks,

Green Grass and Shadows

This is a somewhat nondescript but sweet little fence along the walkway of a busy sidewalk.

Linking to Good Fences

Workers Unite! Signs, Signs!!

Can't disagree with this sign!  Wish our politicians would see, read  and pay attention to this!!

Linking to Signs, Signs and ABC Wednesday "S"

Ganymede and the Eagle

I have been pretty much housebound because of vertigo, which is still hanging around and keeping me from taking new photos. I am going to show you another wonderful Art in Bloom pairing of sculpture and floral arrangement that I saw in April during the exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This particular statue, Ganymede and the Eagle by Bertel Thorvaldsen, was interpreted by  Mary Mulvehill who was "fascinated with eagles and inspired by Ganymede's boyhood charm."

Don't know about Ganymede? "Ambrosia and nectar were believed to be “the food of the gods” in ancient Greece, and Ambrosia is often characterized as a fluid. The Neoclassical sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen shows Ganymede – the gods’ cupbearer – serving Ambrosia in a two-handled drinking vessel or kylix to Zeus, the Father of the Gods. Zeus is portrayed as an eagle, which is the guise Zeus took on when he carried Ganymede away from earth and to Mount Olympos, where he made the beautiful young man an immortal servant to the gods." (Credit: ArtsConnected.org)

A BIG Hit!

Dutton, one of my former English teacher colleagues,  recently participated in a parish talent show, and was a big hit.  My iphone camera did a creditable job, but I think I could have gotten some clearer shots if I had had my Canon. Dutton is a man of many talents and was a favorite among the students when we were still teaching.  Since retirement he has not slowed down at all, keeping busy with many interests in a variety of areas: painting, writing, bird watching, travel and volunteering.

Sunday Steeples

In previous posts, I have been photographing church steeples to try to determine which denomination might have spires that are  more ornate than other religions.  Obviously it is a theme that will probably determine very little, but it has been interesting to see the variety among the various religions.  I lost the notes on this one: it is located on Highway 110 in Mendota and is either a Baptist or Congregational church.  I am attracted to its simplicity. Go here to see an entirely different spire in an urban Twin City area.

Meet Edie and Summer: Camera Critters

Edie was lying  peacefully on a table in a bookstore when I walked in several weeks ago.  Captivated by this pooch, I was drawn to her and spent a brief time with her and her owner before browsing for books. Friendly and small, eight-year-old Edie weighs almost 5 lbs. Her owner, Summer, told me that she has had the small Chihuahua since this charming canine was a wee puppy. Summer grew up in Minnetonka, MN and just moved to NE Minneapolis, a happening place.  I don't think it really matters where Summer lives as long as she has Edie with her.

Linking to Camera Critters