Less than a half mile from our home, across the Mississippi, there’s a small park I had never visited until last week. Steps make it inadvisable to cycle through the park, so I promised myself I would wait until a rainy day to walk through this park, Father Hennepin Bluff Park. Last Friday was that… Continue reading Deluge at Father Hennepin Bluff Park
Year: 2018
Frame Protruding from Back of Truck
I spotted this today when cycling across the Mississippi on the 3rd Avenue bridge, heading towards downtown Minneapolis. A horizontal frame was protruding from the back of a road construction truck. A rather agile cherry picker on another truck was conveying workers to the underside of the bridge. I cycled to connect with a path… Continue reading Frame Protruding from Back of Truck
Mound with Spiral Path
Gold Medal Park fits a lot of personality into its compact 7.5 acres in the Minneapolis Mill District. We get to see it every day from our temporary home while our condo is being completed next door. The park, with a mound, with a spiral path, is now a permanent fixture in our lives.
Hearing Native Voices
Scaffold In May 2017, I stood behind a chain link fence that was covered with protest notices. “Shame on you”“Take it down”“There is no art in genocide”“Not art, not a game, not experience, not your story, not your family” Behind the fence, in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, workers were putting the finishing touches to a… Continue reading Hearing Native Voices
Transit Apps for a Short Trip
We’re just back from a few days in Chicago. Smartphone apps made travel by train, plane, and bike a breeze. I was able to purchase all transit using my phone. App Example Transit Use Cases Metro Transit –Buy tickets for light rail from home to MSP (Minneapolis airport). Fly Delta –Check in for flight.–Display boarding… Continue reading Transit Apps for a Short Trip
Feathering the Nest
A couple days ago, we flew into Chicago’s Midway Airport then took the “L” to an industrial area on Chicago’s South Side. At 57 St. Design. We walked through a dusty woodworking shop where workers were building furniture from American hardwoods using traditional methods. We discussed a few pieces we will order, including our first decent… Continue reading Feathering the Nest
Russia in Minneapolis
A strange thing happened as I was jogging around a lake a few days before the 2016 US presidential election. In my November 1, 2016 post I wrote: A diminutive older woman was trying to catch my attention. She announced proudly in a Russian accent that she was voting for the Republican candidate for President. “Very… Continue reading Russia in Minneapolis
The Time I Was Summoned to “The Kremlin”
It’s 1960. My maternal grandfather, my Aunt Madge, my brother, and I had been summoned to “the Kremlin.” Madge consistently referred to her brother’s Glasgow home as “the Kremlin.” This reflected her disconnect with her brother, Malcolm. He was clearly keeping his distance from the rest of the family, possibly for good reasons. The backstory… Continue reading The Time I Was Summoned to “The Kremlin”
MSP Terminal 1 by Bicycle
Today I did my annual bike ride to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MSP. On previous rides to the airport, I’ve visited Terminal 2. This time I wanted to take my bicycle to Terminal 1. However, it’s not possible to cycle to Terminal 1 without running afoul of the law. MSP has two terminals: Terminal 1-Lindbergh, with 117… Continue reading MSP Terminal 1 by Bicycle
Taking It to the Streets
It took an invitation from a friend for us to do it. Last week, Dwight and I found ourselves picking up trash from a main drag that runs through our neighborhood. All the way back to childhood, I’m grateful for friends appealing to my better instincts. Sometimes appeals to people’s worst instincts are strong motivators.… Continue reading Taking It to the Streets