fair warning

238/365: aisle closed

The horse shows – specifically the draft horse team competitions – are easily my top entertainment at the Minnesota State Fair. But it’s possible I love the behind-the-scenes part as much as the show itself.

I always wish I was a horse person, moving with familiar ease among the gentle giants. Braiding their manes with ribbons or just standing close enough to feel their awesome power and catch a good whiff of horse scent mingled with leather.

I always wish I was a horse person.

afternoon delight

236/365: passion flower

Plants are sexy.

what’s holding you back?

235/365: sorry pooch

A humorous, yet powerful illustration. Perception is everything.

If you believe the shackles hold you, it doesn’t matter how flimsy they really are.

coming attractions

233/365: korean maple, late summer

In the dog days of summer, there are hints of a new season waiting in the wings. We feel it in the cool of the morning air, the gathering dark of the evening, and the urge to turn on the oven instead of firing up the grill.

ding dong

234/365: bells of ireland

Call it the luck o’ the Irish.

One of my favorite green flowers appeared in our garden quite by surprise. I know I didn’t plant it and I almost pulled it, thinking it was a week. Something made me wait and see.

I love to see my less-than-fastidious gardening practices rewarded! With a little time, space, and sunlight, who knows what might blossom?

sun salutation

230/365: sunrise, lake harriet

One of my favorite parts of summer is my daily sunrise yoga practice at Lake Harriet. Friday morning was particularly glorious: a cool, late summer breeze, pink-tinged clouds, the lonely screech of sea gulls and clank of sailboat moorings. It was all so beautiful I had to pull out my iPhone to take a picture. I’m so glad I did. I want to remember that August morning long after the snow flies.

Thank you Lake Harriet Yoga Project for the wake up calls…

hey, beautiful

226/365: monarch in the prairie garden

I could tell from the tattered wings that it’s been a tough journey. What a relief it must be to come upon a native plant feast like my neighborhood prairie garden!

It is SO good to see each and every monarch this year. Wishing them safe travels and plenty of flowers along the way.

back on land

225/365: self portrait, floatzilla tattoo

We had a fantastic weekend with college friends in the Quad Cities and took part in the River Action Floatzilla down the Mississippi River. There were a lot of great shots I missed because I was too afraid to bring my camera in the canoe. Anyway, I was busy paddling, looking at pelicans, and frolicking around in the waves. And, while I didn’t get any pics, I did get this souvenir and plenty of memories.

sight setting

224/365: zola on the bars

This is an apt portrait of my daughter Zola. She is particularly dogged about doing what she sets out to do (note the tongue sticking out to express true determination). She is also a cheeky little monkey.

The monkey bars never stood a chance.

 

personal history

223/365: lunch @ the veranda, st. james hotel

Last Friday we journeyed down river to visit friends in Davenport, Iowa. Along the river roads, we stopped over in Red Wing for a lovely lunch at the St. James Hotel. It’s where we spent our first Valentine’s Day, where Brad proposed, and where we celebrated one of our early anniversaries. We wanted to share this history with the kids and revisit them ourselves – adding a fresh memory to the many treasured stories that already unfolded in this place.