Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Monday, March 24, 2025

Speaking of Critters


Welcome all to my post for 




Welcome to Lark Toys  in Kellogg, Minnesota
which is about 35 miles from Red Wing, Minnesota. There is so much to see and do along U.S. Hwy 61 and I've included photos from a few other cities along the way.




Mini-Golf fun for ALL ages.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." Richard Lingard and sometimes attributed to Plato.














Want to see this same mini-golf course from the early days?
 Look below.





This was from one of the earlier years when we visited Lark Toys.  
Like I said mini golf is for all ages!


You can step outside the store into a walkway area so you can meet their Llamas, Irving, George, Meg and Calvin. If you're lucky you'll be inside when they occasionally walk the Llamas through the building.






This is Irving








The Carousel is magnificently carved, it's hand carved Minnesota Basswood. Each animal is a rideable work of art. For all ages!


















 





"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. 
Love of books is the best of all."
Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis





"Once you can express yourself, you can tell the world what you want from it. All the changes in the world, for good or evil, were first brought about by words."
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis






The bookstore is incredibly stocked.





Just a few fun carved creatures among many other things.
They have workshops where their artists create, and you can peek through the viewing windows.


Endless fun play areas fun for all ages!
It's fun watching and listening to them as they use their imaginations and play pretend. 







"Play is our brain's favorite way of learning."
 Diane Ackerman quotes




The Famous Train Table





They all really went wild (were never ready to leave) when they were younger playing here, but to see them at this age still find enjoyment that was totally enjoyable for me. No checking phones either, just playful time.





They have a cafe and candy galore,
 and the most delicious of ice cream treats.









"Stepping out of a normal routine, finding novelty, being open to serendipity, enjoying the unexpected, embracing a little risk, and finding pleasure in the heightened vividness of life. These are all qualities of a state of play." 
Stuart M. Brown


Their costumes are endless, not just for Halloween, but for playful fun in so many roles, and you can use them with the puppet show box that is really something to see in action.




Open your imaginations let them run free
and invigorate your soul.




















Just one of their endless supplies of wooden toys.




Isn't this sky just incredible? This is one of the high lookout areas in Red Wing. Just gorgeous views no matter what the weather is like.




Wabasha, Minnesota along the bank of the Mississippi River.
Wapahasha II (The leaf) Wabasha


"Play is the stick that stirs the drink. It is the basis of all art, games, books, sports, movies, fashion, fun and wonder - in short, the basis of what we think of as civilization. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively."
Stuart M. Brown





Red Wing. Minnesota lookout

"The truth is that play seems to be one of the most advanced methods nature has invented to allow a complex brain to create itself."
 Stuart M. Brown










"Engage fully with the world. I don't think it is too much to say that play can save your life."







Connected. 
We all have an impact on each other. We all are connected in so many seen and unseen ways. Which possibly explains why one of the simplest and quickest routes to happiness seems to be to make someone else happy. The reason to be selfish is selfish. Nothing makes us feel better than not thinking of our selves.

Matt Haig 






Remember, "When we stop playing, we start dying."
Stuart M. Brown


Thank you for stopping by and gifting me with your comments.
Take good care of you and go out and play!

Saturday, March 8, 2025

On the Cover and Critters

 Good morning to all and welcome to 





SATURDAY'S CRITTERS 

 and I'm also posting to City Daily Photo





We realize success is often determined by the amount of time we put into our work but,
Why not put our emphasis on the 
quality of time instead?


Featuring Dash on the cover 




"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."
William James






"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela




"Instead of that airy commotion live in the water that gently cools as it flows. 
Be a helpful friend, and you will become a green tree with always new fruit, always deeper journeys into love."
Rumi







Photo above from earlier this week before the storm.
 "Just for the record, the weather today is partly suspicious with chances of betrayal." Chuck Palahniuk



By Wednesday this was our view.





Just when it was beginning to feel like spring.... old man winter strikes again.




Believe in the magic of simple, unexpected gifts. 
An ordinary life can be extraordinary.





"Play to your strengths."


Smile. Snap. Share. All good words to fill your days with.





We grow and change. We get older and wiser. Let each new day bring newness. Learn something new. Share it relive it and embrace who we are a lot more than we do. Thrive. Revive. 





Unfold your own story.




"Be melting snow. Wash yourself of yourself." 
Rumi


Thank you for stopping by and gifting me with your thoughts.
Enjoy each moment and take good care of you.





Sunday, February 23, 2025

Travelers on a Cosmic Journey and Loving Critters

 Everything is energy.





I'm posting to SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

 and City Daily Photo





"I dream. Sometimes I think that's the only right thing to do."

Haruki Murakami




"Dreams come from the past, not from the future. Dreams shouldn't control you - you should control them."

Murakami





"Giving and receiving are different expressions

 of the same flow of energy in the universe."

Deepka Chopra










Below a quote by Haruki Murakami

"Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back. That's part of what it means to be alive.






But inside our heads - at least that's where I imagine it - there's a little room where we store those memories. A room like the stacks in this library.





And to understand the workings of our own heart we have to keep on making new reference cards. We have to dust things off every once in a while, let in the fresh air, change the water in the flower vases. In other words, you'll live forever in your own private library."





"She waited for the train to pass. Then she said, "I sometimes think that people's hearts are like deep wells. Nobody knows what's at the bottom. All you can do is imagine by what comes floating to the surface every once in a while."

Murakami from Blind Willow Sleeping Woman




"We must remember life is fleeting. Our choices determine our outcomes. If you grab only pointless things in life while allowing the really important things in life to slip away, you won't be able to live with yourself while wallowing in thoughts of regret. 

The Really Important Things to You, in Life, 

are The Important Things."

Karen Sather



Thank you for stopping in and leaving your comments.

 Take good care of you.

LIVE. LAUGH. DREAM.

Let's live life as if 

Everything blows us away.