Gimme an L, gimme an I...

Can't miss the library on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown.

Soldiering c. 1828

Long before we celebrated Memorial Day, Fort Snelling soldiers were drilling on the grounds of the fort.

Country chicken

If you're on the road this Memorial Day weekend, you may see this somewhere in southeastern Minnesota. Stop for breakfast - pretty good eggs and hash browns (sorry, that's all I remember, can't even recall the name of the town).

Man's (and woman's) best friend

Dog lovers, don't miss this beagle (?) as you walk your pet around Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. For a map of the sculptures on the lake, go here.

I spy

with my little eye ...

Mr. Cool

Northeast Minneapolis has attracted a lot of artists to an old brewery site and other unused commercial space. The Art-a-whirl was held recently (in the rain mostly) but for a few moments Mr. Cool here was dry.

Deviled lawn

Someone down the street from me half-buried the devil. Don't you think the job should've been finished?

Working river

A bike trail in South St. Paul took me along a part of the Mississippi I'd never been to with a new view of downtown. I think if I'd been born 100 years ago I would've wanted to work on a barge or a tug. Life on the river has always seemed so romantic (despite the dangers, the dirt, the hard work).

Eagle eye

The "Star of the North" eagle watches over the official last day of the state legislative session. Official because there will be a special session since the Republican House and Senate don't agree with the Democratic governor and we have no budget deal. So much for compromise. Remember when this whole thing started back in January?

Suburban icon

 Name that suburb and its mascot.

Look what's growing in the garden!

More garage sales and used household goods sprout like daffodils.

Dakota land

The confluence of the rivers - the Mississippi and the Minnesota - at Fort Snelling. And a good day to be out taking pictures.

Gooseberry Falls

One of the best times to visit Gooseberry Falls State Park up on Lake Superior's North Shore is now when the river is running fast and the falls are roaring. Further than a day trip from the Twin Cities but well worth the effort.

Coming of age

Outside the Wild Onion on Grand Avenue in St. Paul I found this rather forlorn remnant of a 21st birthday celebration. What happened to the princess?

Mellow yellow

I love this spring color but why is it that the tulip makes it classy whereas the dandelion makes it tacky?

Lunch al fresco

Don't we just wait all winter for this to finally happen? Downtown St. Paul has some nice cityscapes to indulge the desire.

Summit Avenue fence

The big houses on Summit Avenue in St. Paul would dwarf a picket fence. Most places need something more substantial like this stone column and wrought-iron job behind which the owner is out gardening.

Pomp

Commencement at nearby Macalester College always includes a procession with flags of the United Nations and the bagpipe band (I'll have to post a video sometime for the full audio experience!).

Thunderhead

One of the first of the season - missed the rain while I was in a movie but came out to that eerie post-storm light while the sun was setting. Surely there will be more.

High wire sneakers

I always wonder how this kind of thing happens. Did someone actually try to do this? Anyone recognize the building in the background? Hint: not in the TC but within commuting distance.

Community garden

They're all over town sometimes popping up in unexpected places. This one took over a section of the parking lot at the Gateway bike trailhead.

Garage sale season

It's all happening on the weekends now that the snow is gone and the weather is cooperating.

Buena vista

The aptly named Buena Vista Park in Alma, Wisconsin has a bird's eye view of the Mississippi. One of my favorite parts of the river is an easy day trip from the Twin Cities.

Happy mother's day circa 1953

Standing guard

Went to the pet store to get kitty litter. Kitty would've loved all the sparrows nesting in PetSmart's signage.

Swollen St. Croix

There's not much room under the Stillwater bridge for the swollen St. Croix - and it's been a month since the snow melted.

Never try to foil a squirrel

My neighbors probably thought they would keep the squirrels from eating the bird seed if they suspended the feeder from the porch ceiling. You should see those squirrels fly!

Barge season on the river

I love watching the first barges cruise up the Mississippi. A sure sign of spring. However, something about this photo is not quite right. Anyone want to take a guess?

Upside down Ernie

Remember that suggestion to go for a morning walk along the river bluffs? Well, you never know what you'll find.

L3

My kinda place - breakfast, lunch, dinner - all in one place.

Theme day: Mailbox

I looked all over my neighborhood for something good. My, we have boring mailboxes! And then I came across this plucky (sorry!) fellow watching for the arrival of the mail on a front porch. Oddly enough I had discovered other animal-themed mailboxes in my neighborhood just last weekend and posted them before I knew what theme day was for May.

To view other entries, see the thumbnails here.