Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Sunday, July 13, 2025

The Lizard and Colorful Critters


Advice from a lizard. Before he turned to stone.

"Soak up some sun, snap up opportunities.

Be a colorful character, appreciate stillness.

Shed your old ways.

Be dashing."




Central Park Fountain in Central Park, Owatonna, Minnesota
1873-1875
Original centerpiece installed in 1893 Drinking fountains added 1909
Fountain restored in 1977.




Welcome to 

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and my post for City Daily Photo




Owatonna, Minnesota

"I'm not very keen for doves or hawks.
 I think we need more owls."
George Aiken




"In the oddity or maybe the miracle of life, the roots of something new frequently lie in the decaying husks of something old."

Craig D. Lounsbrough






"Let them play! The more they play, the more resilient and socially adept they will become."
Jessica Joelle Alexander 




"Try to discover who I am from my choice of words and colors, as attentive people like yourselves might examine footprints to catch a thief."
Orhan Pamuk



"I don't interrupt because I don't care. I interrupt because I feel everything at once. I don't want to lose it." 



"The beauty and mystery of this world only emerges through affection, attention, interest and compassion. Open your eyes wide and actually see this world by attending to its colors, details and irony,"

Orhan Pamuk



Put some color into your life.

Be perfectly imperfect and love yourself.



"When you avoid something, 

you're meant to do, life loses clarity."



"There's always a hidden owl in knowledge."


Think about this. 

"When I'm at the bottom looking up, the main question may not be 'how do I get out of this hole?' In reality, the main question might be 'how do I get rid of the shovel that I used to dig it?"

Craig D. Lounsbrough

Be rough with yourself.




"Painting is the silence of thought and the music of sight."

Orhan Pamuk




Thank you for your visit and gifting me with your thoughts.

Enjoy your week ahead and take good care of you.




I hope you've all had a rejuvenating weekend!


24 comments:

Sandi said...

That is a festive poodle!

Good saying about the shovel. Yes. Wise.

21 Wits said...

It's not only festive but so very friendly to meet!

Cloudia said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for this Oasis of sanity. It's wonderful. I steal so many quotes from you and I love what you've done here today. I like how you brought the owl back after the quote

eileeninmd said...

Hello Karen,
Your post are always amazing and inspiring. I love all the cute doggies and the owl murals are wonderful. I think we need more owls too. The lizard fountain is cool. Thank you for linking up and gifting us with your critter post. Take care, have a great day and a happy week. PS, thank you for taking time to leave me a comment.

magiceye said...

Wonderful photography!

Shiju Sugunan said...

So many wonderful quotes and beautiful images.

RedPat said...

Love the hidden owl in knowledge, Karen.

Veronica Lee said...

Your posts are always such a treat!
Those doggies are adorable, and I’m totally loving the owl murals.
The lizard fountain is awesome too.

21 Wits said...

Aloha Cloudia there's quite a bit more story to the owls in Owatonna and many created by art and college students. Saturday, I saw and learned so much about this quaint little town that in all my visits before I had missed. You are always welcome to take any quotes or photos I have, and I smile when I see any of them on your FB page or blog! Sharing is great! Enjoy the day. love you Karen

21 Wits said...

Good morning thanks for you comment and yes owls are so witty and wise, and this town of Owatonna really highlights lots of them. Enjoy your day and hikes this week!

21 Wits said...

Thank you so much for this compliment!

21 Wits said...

Thank you for stopping and your compliments! You also take lovely photos too!

21 Wits said...

Me too it's fun finding these little tidbits and sharing them. Enjoy your day.

21 Wits said...

Thank you so much and for commenting, and that fountain is incredible and seems to be a focal point of the city!

Lux G. said...

That's an interesting event. But I think these adorable dogs stole the show (and my heart!).

Hena Tayeb said...

Wonderful words of wisdom.

Anonymous said...

Owatonna looks like a city to check out. Thanks ☺️

21 Wits said...

Thanks for stopping by. It is a quaint city with lots of things to see and do.

21 Wits said...

Thank you and for stopping in enjoy your weekend it'll be here before we know it!

Jeff said...

I really like the next to last photo of a. plaque encouraging us not to be a melting pot but a mosaic!

21 Wits said...

Hello Jeff, I really like that saying too, it's from the late great Jimmy Carter! Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping in!

21 Wits said...

Hello thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, and you are totally right for me dogs and cats always steal the show!

Anonymous said...

Looks like maybe the west end? And the Renaissance for sure.

21 Wits said...

That's what I love about Minnesota, and all the festivals in various cities. This post mostly Owatonna, dog with fire truck at the Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster and yes, snuck in a photo from my most favorite festival. Lucky to have this weekend off many hot spots to do.