Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Gimme an L, gimme an I...

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

Monday, May 30, 2011

Soldiering c. 1828

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

Sunday, May 29, 2011

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).

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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.

Friday, May 27, 2011

I spy

with my little eye ...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Deviled lawn

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

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

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).

Monday, May 23, 2011

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?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Suburban icon

 Name that suburb and its mascot.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Look what's growing in the garden!

More garage sales and used household goods sprout like daffodils.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Dakota land

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

Thursday, May 19, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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?

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mellow yellow

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

Monday, May 16, 2011

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.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

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!).

Friday, May 13, 2011

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.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Garage sale season

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

Monday, May 9, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Standing guard

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

Friday, May 6, 2011

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.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

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!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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?

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Upside down Ernie

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

Monday, May 2, 2011

L3

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

Sunday, May 1, 2011

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.

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