Tuesday

All across America we remembered
and held tributes to the lives that were lost.

 Our Community Remembers

We Will Never Forget

"America was not built on fear.
America was built on courage, on imagination
 and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."
Harry Truman

Rehearsal- some flags still wrapped.

Every year I always share the memory of this day to someone in the dark.

Especially youngsters. Inform and inspire whenever we can.

We all remember where we were the moment 

we first learned of this tragic event in America.

All the branches of armed forces join for this occasion.
On days where we spend it in remembrance of that fateful day
we open our hearts to meeting and kindness to others.
Me

While the 9/11 team are setting up for the evening we're blessed with about two hours of entertainment. 
This year I only brought my grand-daughter Karina and earlier her third grade class discussed what occurred that day 17 years ago.  

Many of the children attending enjoy conversing with the entertainment along with dancing and waving our American flag.

"You can always catch stars dancing

in the open moonlight.

They twinkle your away 
to the rhythm of your joyful heart.

Sometimes they dance with little movement 

as they may embrace one's heartache
 before melting away 
any frozen sculptures
of ones sadness."

"Oceans separate lands, not souls."
Munia Khan

"Music gives a soul to the universe 

wings to the mind 

and flight to the imagination

and life to everything."

Plato

America The Beautiful here.

"You should not honor men more than you do truth."
Plato

Best life possible

is always lived forward.

Of course there was dinner at the Bread and Pickle

right on Lake Harriet before the concert began.

"A cheerful mind can always see better 

than mindless eyes."

Munia Khan


"If we learn nothing more from this tragedy
we learn that life is short
and there is no time for hate."

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."
George Smith Patton

"The wind plays its own music."
Bert McCoy

It's been incredibly windy this week and it was hard to catch a photo without someone wearing a flag.

I had to share a couple of these windy captures.

"Peace if it ever exists,

will not be based on the fear of war,

but on the love of peace."

Herman Wouk

"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
George Patton

"Better to fight for something
than to live for nothing."
George S. Patton


To all who serve
thanks for walking the walk.
Thank you for your service.

Mostly Wayzata Critters

Top Dog Foundation was just one of many participants this year at  
The James J. Hill Days in Wayzata, Minnesota.

Welcome to SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Best ever for a creative and entertaining fun spectacular were the Dachshund dog races. 

If you're looking for a enthusiastic joy for life role model, get yourself a Dachshund. 

The next few photos are from the inspiration of R.J. Kern. I've added my thoughts on each one. Feel free to add your own thoughts too.


"The power of youth is the commonwealth for the entire world."
Catungan IV Barangay

Assurance 

"I can assure you that the life outside the front door is full of optimism and energy." Sunday Adelaja 

Sweetness

"Make sure you implement your vision."
Sunday Adelaja

Not so bony legs.

Proud

"I would rather lie face down on the ground and use my body as a bridge, than stand proud and tall and use my body as a wall." Kamand Kojouri

There's so much more to camels than their humps.

"Camels are wonderful animals. Witty, intelligent and sensitive."  Robyn Davidson


One must include a few scarecrows as worthy critters.

Scarecrows appear in our lives, not to bring fright or usher storms, but bring sunshine to our hearts and humor to our soul.

Another excellent contributor at James J. Hill Days is the adoption party happening still tody. The last day here. They feature unbelievable sweetheart pups, some from puppy mills, but all truly ready for their new home.

Isn't the Miniature Australian Shepherd just adorable? It took a bit of coaxing for me to get her to leave the corner she felt most protected in. But she finally did it. 

These pups not from any puppy mill. There were lots of therapy pups for sale too, (yep it really is a thing) these folks were very engaged in approaching folks to spread their word. If you all have dogs, cats or other critters that you've shared with the outside world, you know just what they do for others.

"Of course for me, I've always believed that all dogs are therapy dogs."

"Honestly, the best therapist has fur and four legs."

Yep I caught this one showing her teeth, but in truth she was the sweetest most gentle pup ever.

Okay my next capture not as wonderful as Eileen's who puts on Saturday's Critters and wows us time and time again, but I'm working on my own captures. One butterfly or bird at a time! 

"We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis." LeeAnn Taylor

"An awake heart is like a sky that pours light." Hafiz

Note for all, A few hours of reading Hafiz adds warmth to your heart.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing time with me and take good care of you.

On The Street

Streets lead us to places we may never have met without them.

Sometimes you never know what you'll see 
on the street.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC 

our theme is
On The Street

Along a street at the Minnesota State Fair this year.

"The magic of the street is the mingling of the errand

and the epiphany."

Rebecca Solnit

Crossing the street to the US Bank Stadium
and the Viking Game with
the Seattle Seahawks


On the street in Northfield, Minnesota 
beginning at town square and filling the streets
a place were folks appreciate their town 
and so many food choices sponsored by

This weekend brings the Jesse James Days to Northfield.

"To find extraordinary things,
go to the ordinary streets."
Mehmet Murat ildan
and

"There are some masters from whom you can learn good things.
Streets are one of those masters."

"So, kiss the girl. Buy the dress. Take a vacation. Join the circus.
Order the fried frog legs."
Valerie Thomas


A night out.
Not just people
but their dogs too.

Walk your dogs, for youself as well.

"Whatever it is, do something that makes you feel."
Stacy Kramer

Look who just crossed the street.

"It's a shallow life that doesn't give a person a few scars."
Garrison Keillor

You may believe the Minnesota Renaissance is just another fictional 16th century remake
yet it's more than that.

It's the strangers you meet along the way
that just might change your thoughts
and leave you smiling.

You feel every twig and stone pebble beneath your feet
on the street 
where dust covers your entire body more than you know
until you return home.

Meet the mud artist!


"The most memorable days usually end with the dirtiest clothes."

Hidden treasures waiting, parked 

on the street.

Imagine the stories if seats could speak!

Across the street from where I'm shooting
stands The Archer House
a grand old inn and host to history
 since 1877.

I hope this weekend you find yourself on streets
 you've never traveled before.
new paths are a journey we all must feel.



"Understanding is a two way street."
Eleanor Roosevelt

Saturday Critters on Sunday

Scarecrows appear in our lives, not to bring fright or usher storms,
but to bring sunshine to our hearts
and humor to our soul.
Me

"What do snobby Scarecrows say when they see people?"
This job isn't for everyone but hay, it's in my jeans.

"Just living is not enough,

try giving of yourself

one must have sunshine

and a little rain for rainbows

freedom, and a little flower."

which keeps us blooming where we are.

Hans Christian Andersen

and me

Free kisses. If you feed me. Wet, and happy kisses.

Welcome to another

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Be open minded, you never know who may cross your path.

So tip your hat and

"If you're walking down the right path

and you're willing to keep walking

eventually you'll make progress."

Barack Obama

Open-Minded to Possibility
funny what you can throw together with a few nuts and bolts.

"Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be.

But what will happen in all the other days

that ever come can depend on what you do today."

Ernest Hemingway

"Your assumptions are your windows on the world."
Isaac Asimov

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of
time like dew on a tip of a leaf."
Rabindranath Tagore

"Genius has less to do with the size of your mind 
than how open it is."
Shane Snow

Can you believe I went to the Minnesota State Fair and met
my a long lost ancestor
of my mower? 


"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"

"The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough."
Rabindranath Tagore

What is the natural habitat
of a bald eagle?

To be in front of The American Flag, of course.

A last thought on Scarecrows.

(because I just adore them)

To be a tooth fairy

or not to be a tooth fairy?

It's a toothy question. 

GONE! With the swipe of the wand!

What did the mama pumpkin scarecrow say

 to the baby pumpkin scarecrow?

Give'em pumpkin

to talk about.

Enjoy your long Labor Day weekend!
and take good care of you.