What is Old Can Be Remembered and Critters Too

Welcome to 

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

 and I'm also posting to City Daily Photo

On our search for the "Secret Garden" on Mackinac Island my granddaughter Karina and I discovered this incredible horse purely by accident. 

I'm sharing a few photos from a vacation trip to Michigan and ever since that trip I've been trying to get back to my birthplace again. Maybe this year. 

"Someday is not a day of the week."

"When we procrastinate, we also put a hold on happiness." 

Charles F. Glassman

Okay then this photo is more up to date and from the U of M Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, Minnesota!

I heard artists are already carving snow sculptures in Stillwater making it time to check it out again.

Now about the many celebrations and various traditions this month and I have a special tribute to honor something old that is filled with humanness and so much spirit of goodwill. 

On December 24th, 1914, a Christmas Truce occurred during WWI as soldiers from both sides along the Western Front laid down their arms and sang Christmas carols together and even exchanged gifts. 

Maybe it's another reason why we gather around our Christmas trees rejoicing in singing our own carols together in remembrance and sharing stories with youngsters today. The truce was an unofficial cease fire, spontaneous and not sanctioned by commanders but driven by the human spirit of those caught in the middle of conflict and locked in the horrors of trench warfare. Doesn't it bring to mind what we can do every single day? Read more about the Christmas Truce here.

 Serving our country is important and reaches far back in my family and continues today with my son-in-law and two of my grandsons. 

My oldest son's children.

My grandson Ethan an Airman in the U.S. Air Force, and Jackson a "Red Bull" in The Minnesota Army National Guard. 

On the idea of what is old can be remembered or even new again brings so much to mind.

Jesse A. Currey statue by artist Bill Bane

Portland, Oregon

We can learn a lot from the phrase "A rose is a rose is a rose." 

Who doesn't enjoy a rose garden? 

Wait, how did you get in here? LOL

Hold on now you're not a rose.

"A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms."

Zenkei Shibayama

"The phrase suggests that beauty exists in its own right, independent of context."

"The phrase also implies that the true nature of something remains unchanged despite superficial differences."

Portland, Oregon

"This aligns with the idea that a rose, regardless of its name or price, retains its essence."

"Additionally, it reflects the law of identity, asserting that A is A."

Find us on the remote McKenzie Highway town of Blue River, Oregon

Reenactments are a source of such knowledge of something old remembered.

"Overall, the phrase conveys a simple truth about the nature of things, affirming their identity. 

My airman grandson Ethan on a visit home is a nature boy at heart, and I had to share the experience waiting for all at the Old Cedar Avenue bridge (I posted about this place before)

This is Sparkle (one of my daughter's kitties) and she's enjoying her Christmas present from Me)

"Strength is measured by the trials you survive, not the victories you lost.

and

"When fear knocks answer with preparation." 

Bill Bane

Outside the Largest Christmas Store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, in Frankenmuth, Michigan at The Silent Night Memorial Chapel.

"Every piece of the universe, even the tiniest little snow crystal, matters somehow. I have a place in the pattern, and so do you. Thinking of you this holiday season."

 T. A. Barron

and also

"In chess, as in life, your choice will make all the difference."

 Thank you for spending time here, 

and take good care of you.

Your visits here are gifts to me.

Winter Perks and Critters too

 

Welcome to my Winter Perks post for today and of course I'm posting to

 SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and City Daily Photo

Northfield, Minnesota by wintry day. 

Perk #1 find cutesy things

Wisdom comes with winters. 

Oscar Wilde

Lyra's pup Athena reminds me of Santa's helper as he's checking off his naughty and nice list don't you think?

Winter Perk #2 Gnomes and sledding

Winter perk #3 find all the things that bring the spirit of Christmastime to you.

"It's the most wonderful, hard, beautiful, melancholy, joyful, challenging, busy, sad, full, happy, so-much-to-do, alone, nostalgic, tender, sacred, hopeful, bittersweet, stressful, peaceful and magical time of the year."

Northfield's Winter Walk 2025 was one of my (must do) winter perks of the season and here are a few of my photos from Thursday night.

Carolers, street dances, Cannon Power Sports on the 200 Block and Fire pits, s'mores and hot cocoa, food trucks on Bridge Square, Trains and Handbell Choirs at the Library and unique shopping, arts and history for all to enjoy.

"Melancholy were the sounds on a winter's night."

Virginia Woolf

(Across the years of many memories 

bottled into one thought. Me)

One of my most favorite and biggest perks of this winter walk is finding the Grinch. 

Another Winter Perk (really everyday perk)

 "Renew your passions daily."

Terri Guillemets

"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by Surprise. It is not that we seize them. But that they seize us."

Ashley Montagu

"The next time your mind wanders, Follow it around for a while."

Jessica Masterson

Another perk is my favorite bird that rides with me every day, dressed for winter and posing in Bridge Square, downtown Northfield.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."

Annie Dillard

"Cherish yesterday. Dream tomorrow, Live like crazy today."

 and always take good care of you.

Fuzzy is our December theme for City Daily Photo

 Our December theme for City Daily Photo is Fuzzy!

Meet my Fuzzy Wuzzy Moose.

What is fuzzy defined? It's frizzy, fluffy or frayed in texture or appearance. Or even wooly, blurred and misty to name a few.

 

Our recent northern lights or otherwise known as aurora borealis often appear fuzzy in our photographs. 

Here's a photo using my Hipstamatic mode on my iPhone.

"In a world full of chaos, be an alpaca, soft, curious and untroubled. The fluffiest heart knows the softest love, just like an alpaca."

Fuzzy Blue Hair dude.

(artwork by Northfield art student) 

Fuzzy and hazy photograph.

Delightful fuzzy winter hat and scarf for my fuzzy wool snowman!

Do you remember this 1960's ad about Fuzzy Wuzzy bath soap?

You know that fuzzy feeling you get when you're trying to stay awake but know sleep is coming on quickly. Yep, that's what this Fuzzy Wuzzy critter reminds me of.

Sweet dreams to you all, take care.

Hastings, This-and-that and Critters Post

First few photos are from my visit to Hastings, Minnesota on Tuesday and a winter storm warning issued for later that day.

Meet one of three official kitty-greeters from one of the antique shops in Hastings.

Sweetest kitty cat ever!

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS 

and to City Daily Photo

You must remember one of my roaming Gnomes 

that wanders city streets with me.

When I arrived in Hastings, I saw folks were fixated and snapping photos of two boats on the Mississippi River, one man was using binoculars. 

Some sort of mystery was afoot, or maybe it had to do with the navigation season ending on the upper Mississippi River on this day.

I'll never know.

Strolling along Hastings Riverwalk I snapped Otto, again.

Meet Otto the River Otter on Hastings Riverwalk.

Artist is Dale Lewis

The more 'otter it is, the more 'otter otters like it.'

Healthy otters tell us we have a healthy countryside.

Autumn bliss lingered about Hastings on November 25th no less that's fantastic, but I imagine it's all covered in snow now.

Below photos are from a shop closed on Monday and Tuesday but we can still window shop. Notice the full Santa suit they have for sale? It looks quite authentic. 

Life brings simple pleasures to us every day. 

Even those made of clay and wearing purple sweaters.

"We are made to persist... that's how we find out Who We Are."

Tobias Wolff

This and That

"If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, 

nothing is all you will have gained."

Neil Gaiman

Artemis and Athena in yet another game of tug-of-war! 

"My dog doesn't worry about the meaning of life."

Charlotte Joko Beck

Have you ever been to Sam's Christmas Village and Lights in Somerset, Wisconsin? If you haven't yet, you still can from now through January 1st, 2026.

"Every day of our lives we are on the verge of making those slight changes that would make all the difference."

Mignon Mclaughlin

Bonfires. Campfires. Chit chat about this and that. 

It's therapeutic.

Below from another antique shop in Hastings.

The power of companionship. 

Said one Firefighter Nutcracker 

to the other Firefighter Nutcracker.

Stand tall. Stand Proud. Stand knowing your unbeatable

 triumph is everlasting.

This photo above was taken in Minnesota but not Hastings.

"It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."

Queen Elizabeth II

"There's nothing more I need than, the steady heartbeat of contentment. The comfort of enough. The beauty of an ordinary life."

Thanks for visiting me today and gifting me with your comments.

Take good care of you!