HHM - Resident Kitty

Hennepin County History Museum Resident Kitties where are you?

Usually the first thing to greet me in the parking lot at the museum are a variety of cats, which I have affectionately named, the resident cats.  However yesterday, there wasn't one kitty to be seen.

So I'm sharing a past kitty, from my collection of cats.

After all today is 
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

The so called resident cats, I'm sure are just neighborhood kitties, prowling about in other backyards.

Or, perhaps they were at a cat show?

In any case follow me inside to view the main attraction of today.  Although my most favorite area is their library and archives, and the unbelievable amount of extensive records, photos and artifacts that they have-

their exhibits are forever changing for our viewing pleasures.

It's all about Figures & Follies
Hennepin County's Figure Skating story.

Back in the day, (way back) this is how a young man would appear on the ice.

This show runs October 11, 2015 through February 14, 2016.
On Valentine's Day a new exciting exhibit opens.

You view the fashion trends of the day, as skaters would cover the ice from lakes and ponds to inside rinks.  You'd catch beginners to Olympians, besides of course the local club skaters.

There were the professionals that traveled the skating circuit from the homegrown Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice and a number of other shows.

Below they're also featuring the story of
Brownbody
and their mission is, to present artistic work that combines sound and movement that extends the translation of bounded realities to tell a story.

What is Brownbody the story here.

Leaving the Figure and Follies show we step into Library and Music room off the Grand hallway.

The mansion offers Fireside Chats in this area of the house.

You really have to come and tour the mansion for yourself.

It's such a treat wandering around every level of the mansion and investigating what they exhibit on the second floor.  This visit at the top of the grand staircase we caught these lovely ladies gathered for some sort of unusual event I'm sure.

I heard someone say, "Oh how fabulous, it's so Downton Abbey like!"

"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it."
Yves Saint Laurent

"Isn't elegance forgetting what one is wearing?"
Yves Saint Laurent

I was enamored by this vivacious hairstyle on this personable mannequin.

Bravo to the creative paper, hair stylist.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
Clare Boothe Luce

Off into another room is another engaging exhibit featuring Peter Winnen, (not the former Dutch racing cyclist) but a famous wood carver and an exhibit featuring a few of his pieces of work.

So, if you're in the area, or can venture out this way, you'd be greatly entertained by stopping in.  The Minnesota Institute of Arts is one block away as well.  You can make an entire day of it.

Thanks for stopping by today, and stayed tuned for my Minneapolis Mystery marvel coming next!

My Outdoor Gym

You have to look very close to view this barbed wire fence on our property.
But it's there, in every shot.  Welcome to my outdoor world.

GOOD FENCES



"I hate going to the gym, so sweating outdoors
 sure beats sitting on a stationary bike
 staring at my naval." Tom Selleck

Barbed wire fencing has a way of going unnoticed.


Late afternoon sunshine, a bit windy yet, but still a gorgeous afternoon.

"Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her
 out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive."
W.C. Fields

I love this old car. I know it needs to get off it's wheels and roll out.  It sits patiently along the barbed wire fence and my greenhouse.

Oh and my greenhouse, a bit worse for wear this year.


Oops!  We haven't had a true Minnesota winter yet.  But we've had some pretty strong winds.  I'm inside my greenhouse looking out, where I shouldn't be seeing the great outdoors!

Come spring we'll/I'll be fixing/replacing/refreshing/and growing once again.

"I go to nature/and my greenhouse to be soothed and healed

 and to have my senses put in tune once more."

Take care everyone and enjoy your day- and the great outdoors!

Thanks for stopping by.

By Way of Lens

We've been challenged by Carmi, at Written Inc blog with
 "lens" as our theme for

 Thematic Photographic 

Written Inc

We all pretty much know what comes quickly to mind when we hear the word

Lens

Carmi posted a charming photo of his daughter wearing sunglasses to express it.

In comparison here's a family photo of mine with both of them wearing sunglasses!

However, for me Carmi's photo theme usually invites a wide range of thoughts, beyond what you might expect.  
Shooting outside the lens.

This quote by Stephen R. Covey, says it all-

"We see the world, not as it is, but as we are-

or, as we are conditioned to see it." -

In this photo, I'm shooting into a mirror next to our table while both boys are reacting in their own way while looking into it.   What are they thinking? - comes to mind for me.

"A sensitive soul sees the world through the lens of love."

All you can do is be someone who can be loved.

and just before I thought to close this post 
another thought came to life.


It just so happens this week's Magpie tale fits rather smoothly within the scope of any worthy lens, wouldn't you agree?

From the hinges of her lofty press
 I offer this photo by way of 
Francesca Woodman- photographer
and Tess with Magpie Tales
from The Mag.

Francesca's lens, captured the very essence of a most dramatic swirl within this dancer's movements in a sight full way.

photo by Francesca Woodman


The lens always shows what it captures.

It's our

theme photo from 
THE MAG


BILLOWY
(is she)

All aboard
the soul train
dispersing rays

She took the 303
from Magpie Lane
on a ride to sight-see
and brunch on brie
and be
like a wave of willowy ways
through a lens
 within the soul. 
It's plain
to see
of she
on the 303
 who sees
by way of her lens
 and love on the 303.


"Let my soul smile through my heart 
and my heart smile through my eyes,
that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts."
Paramahansa Yogananda

Saturday Critters and Simple Thrills

Dogs that teach.

Play outside, get plenty of fresh air and let the snow melt off your nose!

The lessons they teach us are far more important than any tricks we could ever teach them.

Things that matter most.
Actually, are free.

Excuse me. Where is my piggy?

Welcome to

SATURDAY CRITTERS


"I'm not sure which is worse
intense feeling
or the absence of it."
Margaret Atwood

SIMPLE THRILLS

Intense playing is the best ever.

Got it! Now let's take this piggy outside!

PLAY TOGETHER

Throw another snowball, please, please, bark, bark!

Can you believe my little cuddle muffin Dash is really in need of grooming?

He's like another pup in his woolly, fluffy periods. Yep, once the frozen temperatures roll out of here, it's clipping time for Dashie!

Master Dash
the protector!

The many styles of Dashiell!

Where's my Harley?

JUST BE THERE
VISIT OFTEN
PLAY HARD
BE HAPPY

Yesterday I had lunch with my oldest son and of course their fluffy Emmie is always ready to play.

Rub my belly again, please?

Still licking the snow off her face after a quick potty break outside!

Did I mention Emmie rarely sits still. She's always on the move.

Be Active

Last, my kitty, affectionately named "Kitty" after Miss Kitty of course!

Maintain Good Eating Habits

So the pups don't get into her food she eats on the counter!

Sorry dogs, my food is off limits for you!

Gotta Do Something, Good Fences

Hello Friday, I've been waiting all week for you!

Why you might wonder? Because the weatherman predicted warmer temperatures and sunshine for Friday!

and he was spot on-
just his timing was off.

Pretty much our entire day was grey outside-

One good fence being replaced and a bunch of-
hmm.... read on to find out more.

GOOD FENCES

Eventually sunshine arrived just as predicted.

Look real close at the picture.

What all do you see?

Can you guess who, or what is swinging?

Not one living person or child is in that photo.  Really.

Could it be invisible people?

No-see-ums maybe?

Thanks to an epidemic spreading across our fair city during our recent frozen tundra period just to remain sane, a few Minnesotans felt 
"We gotta do something, right?"

Oops, a real live pup, Misty just wandered into this photo! 

Frigid fun?
It seems creating frozen sculptures out of soaked laundry is one answer, for something different to do.

This freeze your pants epidemic began yesterday for me.

Okay pretty much it's just pants popping up around town 
but why not throw a shirt or hoodie into the mix as well?

It's all about color too.

Ice pants have you lost your way?

Nothing creepy about frozen laundry!

For not being worn by human life forms they sure do get around don't they?

Note: I've already warned my sculptures they aren't allowed to leave our property.  Do you think they'll listen?

Here's Misty again playing in the snow now, but this morning she wasn't so sure about these frozen sculptures.

Check out more frozen denim sculptures around town here.

So what do you do when the weather gets a bit out of control, 

or you just need something different in your world?