Shakin' Off the Blues

My City Daily Photo posting for the Opening of Artist Iris Scott this last Saturday.

Her paintings in this solo exhibition "Shakin' Off the Blues" showcase Scott's well-known creative style of finger painting through her depiction of expressive and playful shaking dogs.

Some days are simply made for playing.

and splashing as much as you can.

Shakin' Off the Blues

The shaking dog is the symbol of play. 

The symbol of summer and the symbol of pleasure.

Getting wet is only half the fun.

A little nonsense now and then 

is cherished by the wisest souls.

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. Richard Lingard

A grand opening of her show it was on a day with record temperatures reaching 102! 

Great day to (get wet) and come inside and observe! 

Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are special gifts.

Take good care of you and stay cool.

When I Can Travel Again

When I can travel again there will most definitely be water!

Our theme this month for City Daily Photo is,  When I can travel again!

and comfortable seating near water as well.

Blessed are the curious for

 they shall have adventures.

Lovelle Drachman

Honestly, I've already begun traveling and just recently returned home. Now being fully vaccinated it's easier to feel safer about it, yet I'm still wearing my mask more than not!

When I can travel again, I will find my way back to Mackinac Island and Frankenmuth, Michigan both places located in my birthplace of Michigan, hopefully this fall. Autumn in Michigan is as astounding as it is here in Minnesota.

and I shall travel to places that friends have shared photos with me of their own travels.

We travel not to escape life

 but for life not to escape us.

Williamsburg. 

"I haven't been everywhere but it's on my list."

Susan Sontag

and 

"My library is an archive of longings."

Longings to travel more. By day, and week or longer!

and maybe I should try some various transportation to shake things up!

Thanks for stopping by

Be Safe and

Take good care of you!

Kindest Souls and a Critter Rescue

Rusty keeping watch over his grounds.

Today, and actually every single day, let's honor our pets and other critters that not only brighten our day, they enrich our hearts and souls.

Welcome to SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Today might be a great day to share your favorite toys!

 Pets understand humans better than humans do. Ruchi Prabhu

Is there anyone out there that doesn't like yard critters?

Here are a few from my recent trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan. If I'd only had a huge truck with me to bring them all home! 

I especially enjoy hand-carvings. 

These eyes are watching you.

Some things just fill your heart naturally without even trying.

Baby Raccoons rescued!

So what a treat knowing that grown men were involved in this raccoon rescue. I wish I'd been there. The story and photos made my day.

Look closely as you'll see one of the cub or kit as they're referred to  peeking out from where his or her fellow litter mates already jumped to safety. There were four baby raccoons trapped inside this building and luckily they managed to escape safely and were offered water before being carefully taken to a safer location in hopes their mother can relocate them. Or possibly their mother had sent out on their own? 

Photo enlarged.

We all know better to not mess with a grown raccoon, babies are the exception, just don't bring any of them home!

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the life long attempt to acquire it."

Albert Einstein

To acquire wisdom one must observe.

I took this photo of Karina on the vehicle free street of Mackinac Island.

Today's the day to capture a critter or two!

"You gave a promise to love me and I accept!" signed, Your dog.

These Eyes, 

not only light your way, 

they guide you.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there.

Lewis Carroll

It's not what happens to you, 

but how you react to it that matters.

Epictetus

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks they already know.

Epictetus

Does anyone recall that famous line from the American sitcom Hogan's Heroes?

I know nothing! 

Yep, that's me on the end.

Chillin' with My Gnomies I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping in.

Enjoy your weekend and take good care of you.

Day After Memorial Day

Fort Snelling National Cemetery 2021

Memorial Day Celebration was yesterday.

Posting for City Daily Photo.

"To us, the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground.

While you wander away from the tombs of your fathers seemingly without regret." 

Every year I visit my father's grave and other friends that are buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery as well.

My father was in the United States Navy.

The Vietnam War from 1964 - 1975

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them.

As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation's wars.

John M. McHugh

 

Regard your soldiers as your children,

and they will follow you into the deepest valleys:

look upon them as your own beloved sons/daughters,

and they will stand by you even unto death.

Sun Tzu

During my visit they began to bring down the American flags and fold them ever so carefully and placed each one into individual bags.

When I let go of what I am,

then I become what I might be.

Sun Tzu

and 

From caring comes courage.

I always feel a deep connection to my loved one or friend while visiting their grave.

Thanks for stopping in.

Take good care of you.

Catching Up with My Old Roots

 Back home again, yet it's another one of those trips you wish could go on even longer. Just a few photos for now.

Michigan, where I was born and raised. 

"I want to live in a land of lakes 

where the great waves break

and the night runs into the day."

There truly is something that happens to you when you return to your old home towns.

Below is a distant shot of Round Island Lighthouse.

It never takes longer than a few minutes together and going down memory lane to bring all those gaps flowing together and you can feel that fire you've carried all along inside your heart which keeps burning.

My oldest son, and my two nieces born and raised in Michigan, now living in other states too!

I'm betting you can imagine where these chairs were made?

What they call the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is shaped like a mitten.

One must board a boat to arrive at the car-free island of Mackinac.

Bring your own bike or rent one, but if you want to go horseback riding book it in advance. 

"In youth we learn; in age we understand."

My grand-daughter, Karina!

Outside the Mackinac Island library.

"The isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and harm not."

Shakespeare's the Tempest

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

So happy we were told about the Secret Garden located on the grounds of the Grand Hotel.

Tulip garden at the Grand Hotel.

Just a couple shots from with the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Somewhere in time down a long hallway you'll arrive for dinner, private cozy rooms or grand scale seating, either way it's an elegance you'll never forget.

Driving on car free Mackinac Island is the best, but watch where you step!

Horses galore. 

"The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are going"

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Other things, may change us, but we start and end with the family.

Anthony Brandt

Thanks for stopping your visits are very important to me.

Take good care of you.