Microblog

Spotted these at the Andersen Library, University of Minnesota. Also on display was a thoughtful letter from a 19-year-old to the author (both female). The author’s response was condescending, rude, and oblivious to the changing world of the 1970’s.

Posted Imagining Art.

An advertisement for Newcastle Brown Ale peered out between brush below Annie’s Parlour in Dinkytown, Minneapolis. Managed to walk past Annie’s without popping in for one of the huge hot fudge sundaes they’ve been serving for fifty years.

Jogged slowly under Hennepin Avenue Bridge.

The nonstick was wearing thin on my favorite pan, a flat-bottomed wok, so I replaced it today. We could live well with just this one pan and a bamboo steamer.

On my walk, stopped at a small gallery I’d never visited, Midway Contemporary Art, to introduce myself to some of the work of Yutaka Matsuzawa. He seeks to express the invisible invisibly making the viewer part of the creative process. Some of his work is in MoMA’s collection.

Walked under Stone Arch Bridge on my way to meet friends for a walk. Paused to look at the remains of mill tail races (water channels). Three rusty upright girders once supported a railroad trestle. The blue Endless Bridge cantilevers out of the Guthrie Theater.

Spent the morning at the Minneapolis Institute of Art seeing the Vietnam War through the eyes of artists opposed to the war at the time. There’s too many lessons still to be learned.

Extended my walk when I realized I no longer had my hat. Backtracked and found it on the steps of Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. It’s that time of year: finding a dropped hat or glove is a bonus.

Spent much of the afternoon planning to be snowbirds for two months this winter. Unlike many Minnesota snowbirds (who head south in the winter) we don’t own a vacation condo or recreational vehicle. We prefer to rent.

Picked up (and purchased) celeriac at the local farmers market at Mill City Museum (a former flour mill). I used to be wary of this craggy root, but now happily add it to a braise or gratin.

Walked past the historical (1941) Grain Belt Beer sign on the banks of the Mississippi across from downtown Minneapolis. Los Angeles has the Hollywood sign; we have this.

Enjoyed a fine brunch in this newly refurbished space. In 1885 this was St. Paul’s first fire house. Last summer, when a friend and I cycled to former St. Paul fire houses, the interior was dilapidated and abandoned.

Used grow lights for the first time today. We’re still experimenting, but the plan is to produce a continuous supply of microgreens and herbs. The white rectangle in a small zippered bag wirelessly logs light levels and surface temperatures in a spreadsheet.

It was 6°F (-14°C) outside when I woke up. Looked out at ice accumulating on the Mississippi and decided I’m not going anywhere this morning. The “rock” sticking out of the ice is a slowly crumbling pier for the old 10th Avenue Bridge. The bridge was torn down for scrap in 1943.

Walked past the blue Guthrie Theater set against a blue sky on my way to join friends for a Mississippi walk. Architect Jean Nouvel’s influences included nearby flour mills (industrial shapes), Logitech computer mice (blue siding), and ski goggles (yellow