First Ride--Cemetery Crusin'

I wanted to do something easy and close to home for this first ride so Opti and I went through Folwell Park, which starts about a block from the house and ends at Dowling Ave.




Once to Dowling, we hooked a left and headed up to the Crystal Lake Cemetery entrance on Penn. The trees are awesome. I just had to take a picture or two of these oaks.




We also took a break to explore the headstones of military men buried here. Optimus pointed out that it was possible that the soldiers with the badge shapes around their names and ranks might have also been police officers. Maybe? I'll have to look into it.





This is one of two cannons I know of in North Minneapolis. Unfortunately this one is not in good repair and would be of no use, should I find myself in need of an elderly piece of military weaponry. From the stamped date on the end here (right side where the paint is chipped off) it appears that this cannon may have been produced in 1888.



This is one of my favorite markers in this place. I thought maybe he invented the weed whacker, but a google search doesn't confirm that. Every time I come here, I try to come up with another reason for it. . .he was a grounds keeper or he used to cut the edges with a scissors, by hand, and this revolutionized his life.



This one too, I try to visit each time I'm here. Not only is it an incredible carving of this woman's likeness, but I really like the sentiment. No religious references here, just inspiration.



Anyone need a tractor? This one is for sale along Dowling Avenue. I imagine it's great for getting groceries.

Signs of Spring

While I sit around waiting for my son to finish breakfast, and my last load of laundry to finish the wash cycle so I can hang it on the line before taking my new bike on it's inaugural ride I decided to document the arrival of Spring in my backyard and rain garden.

This first shot is from our bedroom window looking down into the rain garden. Its creation is documented here.





The blue flag irises are the first plants I saw working their way out of the soil this year. . . besides the grasses of course--those were green in February.



A little pine tree coming up along the path along the edge of the raingarden. Some mountain mint is coming up alongside it. Although the leaves are red now, when the plant reaches maturity, they will be a rich dark green.



My chives coming up for a third year in our perennial herb garden. Don't see any mint or hops making an appearance yet.



These are pretty little blue flowers, that will probably be blooming in a week or two--bluebells maybe?

Macy's/Bachman's Flower Show

After a few hour stint at work, yes, I went to work on a Sunday. . . but the perk was that Optimus and I got to check out the opening day of the flower show on the eighth floor of the downtown store on Nicollet Mall. It was beautiful. . . even the pink flamingos were incredible.

Snow in April

The nice thing about the snow that fell last night and this morning (besides the fact it melted already in the streets and on the sidewalks) is how darn pretty it is.