weekend stones in my pocket

the moment I caught sight of the first gloriously blue morning glory to bloom 

and
the lovely black obelisk for this plant to wind itself around, given to me by a neighbor on the move who had no room to grow things anymore, finding a sunny spot on my 'new' deck

today's smooth stone
the memory of our recent trip to Winnipeg, seeing our friends' car a block away from our hotel, their arms waving out of the windows, and honking their horn in greeting

A scene from the St. Paul farmers market where horses are clopping relays from distant parking lots to the market proper. I never know quite how to feel when I see horses in the city on pavement, in the heat. The market was colorful with rhubarb, radishes, annuals and brown eggs. And red abounds the town.

See more red at Mary's meme, Ruby Tuesday.

that was the week that was

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.

Henry Van Dyke

In my short stint here in Minnesota I have come to believe these are words to live by. But, gracias El Niño, our spring is about two weeks early. Some rainy days have come and gone but sunny, cool spring days prevail. Walking yesterday in a nearby neighborhood I found many colors to savor. Actually, I could be seen at any given spot, sighing deeply.



AND a preview of summer for Camera Critters' fans: a bucolic Amish farm scene in Indiana a couple of summers ago featuring my favorite draft horses.

little black beauty

On one of our last evening motorcycle rides we were on our way to Stillwater along the St. Croix River when I saw this little beauty in a pen next to this old weathered building. The rest of the small farm with barns and gardens was across the street. The little horse was shy around the camera but I was able to get this shot when I caught her watching Dave on the bike behind me.

See more four legged delights at Misty Dawn's meme, Camera Critters.

Monday's critters and cartoons

Sweet and savory September is winding down and while we were on a [rather cold] motorcycle trip east toward Wisconsin yesterday I noticed that more and more trees are turning color. The hills are covered with a patterned carpet. We were at an event at a farm called Hope Glen which was an appreciation lunch for those who had attended or supported a bike washing ministry at the annual motorcycle week in Sturgis, South Dakota. This was one of the four dogs (note the blue eyes and sandy paws!) that were part of the farm and below a beautiful pinto pony for childrens' riding.

Visit Misty Dawn at her meme, Camera Critters No. 25 to see more wonderful creatures.
Call me redundant, but it seems the autumn theme appears everywhere.

My first car was a '51 Ford. At night, I parked it on an incline.
To get the pistons firing, I had to put it in second gear, depress the clutch, release the emergency brake, roll down the hill, and pop the clutch.
Bingo.
Maybe if I end each day on a mountaintop, I can roll out of bed in the
morning, release the brake of fear and confusion, and jolt that old engine into
joy.
—Wendy Reid Crisp

Enjoy this Monday!