Lucky

Lucky is lucky to be tooling around town in this cool convertible. Temperatures are soaring in the '90's this week. Lucky dog!

Former Colleagues

The school in which I used to teach has an annual luncheon for retired faculty and staff. Here are just a few of my former colleagues, some of whom I see regularly, others I see only at this annual get-together. It's a good way to keep friendships alive.

Get Ready!!

What a photo op this is going to be!! I wonder if I'll be able to get photos of the protesters without being jailed with them? I wonder if I'll be able to get close enough to the party regulars, both national and local, to snap them? We'll soon see; stay tuned!! PS. The convention is really being held in SAINT PAUL...not the "other" city!!

Farmers' Market

Usually when I visit the downtown Farmers' Market on Saturday or Sunday, I overbuy and come home with more vegetable than we can possible use and eat. On Friday I decided to go to a satellite market held on a church parking lot. There was less variety and fewer vendors, but I came home with...guess what? Too many vegetables...more than we can eat! People watching was also abundant!

Back in St. Paul

Salut is a restaurant that opened on Grand Avenue about two years ago. I had a delicious lunch there on Thursday, and although claiming to be French, it's a far cry from a truly French bistro. I was amused by the quote painted on one of the walls.

#26-Bandelier-Final New Mexico Vacation Posts

Bandelier National Monument probably was my favorite spot during our too-brief vacation. It has an antiquity with corresponding spirituality that appealed to me. The large picture is a reconstruction of a Talus house that were built on the rock debris (talus) slopes on the sunny sides of canyons and mesas. The small photo is an archeological stabilization (see the blue tents?) of Tyhonyi, on the floor of Frijoles Canyon, which was occupied at the same time as the dwellings that were built along the base of the cliff.

#25-La Muerta Cart?

The first time I saw these carts many years ago was on the High Road to Taos, behind a small adobe church, San Jose de Gracia, in Las Trampas. Whether it is an urban legend or fact, I was told that the carts were used by the Penitentes and supposedly held a statue of the death angel, Dona Sebastina, better known as La Muerta. Hmm! I think I need to do a little research on this!

"Columbines in Bloom"#24

I think I'll end the quilt theme with this one made by Donna Barnitz, who was featured already with "My Sister's Truck" on August 10. The small photo is called "Hummingbird Migration" by Jean McLaughlin who lives in Silver City, NM. Hope you enjoyed them; I know that we did!

#23-"Black, White, Red Bargello"

For a little change, I thought that this contemporary, abstract pattern can illustrate the broad range of quilt patterns in the exhibit. The information with this quilt reads: Sarb Khalso/Pattern-Chris Timmons, Espanola, NM

"My Sister's Truck"-#22

I loved this quilt because these trucks are a familiar sight on the New Mexico landscape. Donna Barnitz of Rio Rancho, NM is the crafter of this wonderful quilt.

#21-Another Quilt

Yadi Flannery of Santa Fe crafted this beauty called "Oldzia in Pink at 90."

#20-"Adobe Sundance"

On the first floor, the Capitol Rotunda Gallery had an exhibit called, "New Mexico Fabrications Art Quilts by New Mexico Art Quilters," which was an outstanding collection of approximately 30+ quilters. This one entitled "Adobe Sundance" was crafted by Michelle Jackson of Albuquerque, NM.

"Where the buffalo roam..."-#19

This unusual sculpture can be found on the third floor of the New Mexico state capitol in Santa Fe. Look closely and you'll see some of materials used in this piece that honors the buffalo: newsprint, metals of different kinds, wires, audio tape, and paint brushes. It's an impressive and imposing piece of art.

Senate Chambers of New Mexico-#18

Much to our surprise, probably the best place to see an impressive art collection of New Mexican artists is the state capitol building. The collection is enormous and eclectic, and all of the pieces are of very high quality. I was impressed by the lack of security in the building; in contrast, here in MN many of our government buildings are like fortresses. We walked in and out of both House and Senate Chambers, talked to the friendly staff, and were treated like honored guests! I'll show you some of the art pieces later this week, but today enjoy the Seal of New Mexico and the Senate Chambers.

Native American Artifacts

One of my friends has an outstanding collection of Indian baskets and other Native American artifacts. This photo shows some objects that demonstrate the exquisite skills of individual artists. Beautiful, aren't they?

SF, NM Vacation #16-Palace of the Governors

Native American Indians have been selling their jewelery and pottery in front of the Palace of the Governors for hundreds of years. The Palace flanks the Plaza's north side. Built in 1610 it is the oldest government building, aside from prehistoric kivas, in the United States. The Indian vendors are a big draw for tourist, but this photo made me laugh. Instead of the stereotypical "stoic Indian" expected by some tourists, they are doing what we all do, reading and eating.

#15-The Santa Fe Opera

I bet you thought that I was going to show you scenes from one of the operas, or the stage or costumes. Nope! These charming gentlemen were one of the hundreds of people tailgating in the parking lot before the performance. No white tablecloths or candlabras, but the cheese and wine they offered me looked pretty darn good!

Free Spirits-#14

Before an appreciative audience of mostly tourists, these free spirits enjoyed solo dancing to the beat of the musicians on the bandstand. Santa Fe Rocks!

Theme Day, August 2008 - Metal:Nuclear Crucifix

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

As usual we have outdone ourselves with 183 bloggers posting photos for theme day.Visit as many as you can and comment!

Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Leipzig, Germany by weltbeschreiber, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Lynchburg (VA), USA by June, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mesa (AZ), USA by Mesa Daily Photo, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

#12-Shidoni Sculpture Garden

Located in Tesuque, a village 8 miles north of Santa Fe, the Shidoni Sculpture Garden has long been a favorite of mine. It's part of a 3-part complex that includes the Shidoni Contemporary Gallery and the Bronze Gallery. It was established as a foundry in 1971 by sculpture Tommy Hicks. On Saturdays the public can watch as 2,000 degree molten bronze is poured into ceramic shell molds, one of the many steps in the casting process.

#11 The Best Sky in the World! Santa Fe Vacation

I took these four photos in the car while traveling down Highway 84/285 from our day trip to Bandelier National Monument. The photos clearly show why artists come to Santa Fe, the light and sky are spectacular...the Best Sky in the World!

#10-Cliff Dwellings-Bandelier Nat'l Monument

Bandelier is an archeological site preserved in as natural condition as possible. Evidence of human activity dates back more than 10,000 years. The people who settled in Frijoles (free-HOH-lace)Canyon are known as the ancestral Pueblo people. Anyone who visits the Santa Fe area should visit this canyon to get a greater sense of history. These photos were taken in the area of the cliff dwellings. If one is agile (I AM!), ladders can be climbed to view some of the interior rooms.

#9-Homage to the Burro-Santa Fe Vacation

This handsome fellow stands at the entrance to Burro Alley on San Francisco Street. A plaque reads: Wood peddlers, farmers and merchants used Burro Alley. Burros economically served the many cultures of New Mexico for many years. The people of Santa Fe relied on the burro for their welfare.

SF Vacation #8-Spanish Market

The annual Spanish Market has grown much larger since I've been here last. It's a two-day festival that celebrates the culture with traditional and contemporary crafts of extremely high quality: textiles, jewelery, furniture, paintings, tinwork, wood carvings, retablos, bolsos, straw applique, and sculpture to name a few. There also is a category for youth artists, beginning at age 7. In addition the Plaza has music and dancing throughout the day. This collage is a collection of photos of a fashion show, "Exhibicion de Modas" of 18th Century apparel, worn by descendants of early New Mexican settlers; some of the models were grandmothers as well as their granddaughters. The clothing all had exquisite detail, and the audience enthusiastically welcomed their show!

San Francisco de Asis Church #7

Just south of the village of Ranchos de Taos, this mission church gained widespread fame after Georgia O'Keeffe painted the backside of it, which is now a favorite church to photograph by both amateur and professional photographers. Since so many people have not seen the front, I snapped both. The top is the famous image captured by O'Keeffe, but the bottom is the front entrance of St. Francisco.

#6-Santa Fe Opera, 2008

 

John Crosby, 30, found the Santa Fe Opera in 1957 and its first production was Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Crosby retired in 2000, having built the Santa Fe Opera into one of the most famous companies in North America. The 2,126-seat theatre is 7 miles north of Santa Fe. After 4 decades the famous open-air amphitheatre was finally roofed in 1998 although the sides are still open to the nocturnal desert air. Because of its spectacular building and setting and the high quality operas, tickets are often snatched up months in advance of the opera season.

#5-The High Road to Taos

Last Tuesday we drove to Taos on the old highway, The High Road to Taos. It's one of my favorite things to do when I'm in this area. The vistas are breathtaking with a good deal of variety. Not to be missed!!

SF, NM Vacation #4 St. Francis Cathedral

Saint Francis Cathedral closes off the east end of San Francisco Street. It was designed in Auvergne, France by Antoine Mouly and his son Projectus, who journeyed to SF to oversee the construction. Before it was finished three different architects worked on it, revised the plans and completed the building which was consecrated in 1886.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Vacation #3

Several statues are in the courtyard in front of The Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral, but this one is the most interesting. It immortalizes Kateri Tekawitha, 1656-1680, who is said to be the first Native American to be promoted to sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church.

SF, NM Vacation #2

I've discovered that the marvelous light in Santa Fe is VERY tricky. I think that I need to shoot either early in the morning or late afternoon. I continue to experiment!

Santa Fe, New Mexico Vacation #1

Yesterday afternoon we landed in Albuquerque and drove to Santa Fe in our rental car. The house we rented exceeds our expectations, and the owner is a PERFECT host! I still don't feel 100% but sunshine, ambience, and countryside will be wonderful tonics! I know that when I'm not out-and-about, I'll be spending lots of time on this patio.

"Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore!"

A neighborhood private school is buying several blocks of houses in order to expand their campus. Many, many decades ago (a hundred years?) they originally owned the land but sold the property, which then turned into blocks of small bungalow-type homes. Because of limited space and increasing enrollment with a corresponding need to expand in the current educational climate, almost all of these houses have now been purchased by the school. The photo shows the tail end of the demolition of one house. The steps lead to blank space on the vacated land.

By the time you read this, my DH and I will have vacated our home (temporarily) to take a much-needed vacation in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's convenient to have a son who will live in our house and take care of our dog and birds while we're gone. I'll post from SF during our two weeks respite! It is SO GREAT to feel healthier again!! And, I hope it stays that way!!

Cafe Cronies

For the past several years these four men (as well as a few others) have been regulars in the morning at a neighborhood cafe. Getting to know them and joining in their conversations on occasion always is fun. I've learned some valuable life's lessons from some of our conversations.

Window and Flower Box

Walking through my neighborhood at this time of year is a real treat. Because our winters are legendary (record snow or low temperatures) people LOVE the summers. Almost every house has an abundance of flowers, which makes the neighborhood colourful and very attractive. I'd love to live in a climate where these were year round images. Would you?

My Neighborhood

What an odd looking tree! Anyone know what kind it is? I suppose I could knock on the homeowner's door and inquire. If I see them outside, I'll ask. In the meantime, any suggestions?

The Catwalk

This well-maintained block long cement path sandwiched between several houses stretches from one street to the next, and is affectionately known as The Catwalk. When my children were young they used it for biking, skateboarding, and roaming the neighborhood. Now it's a convenient shortcut during my morning neighborhood walk...helps me recover my health as well as lifts my spirit.

My Morning Walk

I haven't posted for a long while because I have been sick with a short hospital stay. I'm on the mend (I hope!), and I take a leisurely early morning walk now since I am feeling better. This leaf from a Ginkgo tree with the early morning dew still on it appealed to me. These walks lift my spirit and help my recuperation so I'll try to post more photos in the future from my neighborhood.