Elaborately

Minneapolis City Hall feels more like a museum than a government building.  The intricate details are amazing.  As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis.

Aery

The mayor has some nice views while he's pacing in his office.  As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis.

Confidently

Because you have to be confident to relax naked in the rotunda of Minneapolis City Hall. 

The 7 ton "Father of Waters" statue was carved out of a single 44 ton block of Italian marble.  New Orleans commissioned it, but when they came up short on funds, 12 Minneapolis citizens and a local newspaper came up with the dough (estimated at the bargain basement price of $40k) and donated the statue to the city in 1904.

For more information, you can check out their brochure.

As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis. 

Ginormously

The perfect size for a shopping cart if you have a large family.  As seen during the new Cub store grand opening at the beginning of the May.

Memorially

Remembering the fallen this Memorial Day.

Conversationally

While we were in the mayor's office, I noticed this old chair sitting at his conference table.  I asked what the story was behind the chair.   His assistant said there really wasn't a story.  The mayor found the chair, in the building I believe, and liked it.  And it isn't for show.  Supposedly he really does sit in it during meetings.

It's such a contrast to the modern office chairs around the rest of the table.  Quite the conversation piece.

As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis.

Practicality

The mayor's desk.  He wasn't in, but his assistant was there to answer questions.  He said the mayor uses a standing desk because he likes to pace while he's on the phone.

As seen at Doors Open Minneapolis.

Potty

The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything: 42.
The ultimate question of life, the universe and everything: How many port-a-potties does one need?

It all makes sense now.

Richly

Lots of beautiful stained glass at Minneapolis City Hall.  The inset picture in the left window is the same image that is on the Minnesota state flag. 

As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis.

Regenerately

Putting on its spring finery.

Geometrically

The rotunda ceiling at Minneapolis City Hall.  As seen during Doors Open Minneapolis.

Flourishingly

Brought to you by, spring.

Grotesquely

As part of Doors Open Minneapolis, we spent a fair amount of time at Minneapolis City Hall today. 

This is one of 41 unique grotesques carved in the marble columns of the rotunda.  They mentioned in the audio self-tour that one was sticking its tongue out, so we had to find it. 

This face could be a commentary on issues that are hashed over at city hall.  But on this very cold, rainy Sunday, I think it sums up the weather we are having.

Blossomy

Spring!

Artistry

Friday night.  Got out of work a little early.  Been fighting a persistent head/chest cold lately and felt weary enough to just want to go home.  But I knew if I went straight home, I would regret it.  It's supposed to rain all weekend and most flowering trees have just hit their spring peak.  If I wait until next week, I fear it will be too late.

So on the way home, I swung back around to my morning commute scenery along Minnehaha Parkway and noticed this woman painting.  I stopped about a block away and took some tree images and then walked back to her temporary outdoor studio.  Once she finished talking to another admirer, I asked her permission to take photographs and she agreed. 

The  image doesn't do her painting justice.  It was absolutely beautiful and very three-dimensional as she was layering on the paint with an artist trowel. 

I really enjoyed my brief time wandering around in the park.  It took the edge off the work week.

Newly

Spring leaves unfurling.

Commentary

I find it a sad commentary on life that some stores now feel the need to lock up Tide pods.

Ingenuity

Saw this today.  My working theory is that they were pretending to trim trees, but in reality they were really trying to butt in line at Caribou.  I can only image what the person at the order window would have thought if a cherry picker dropped down from above to order coffee.

Impertinently

Mom being sassy.  Outtake from 2006.

Adventurously

Happy Mother's Day!  To my mom, who was always game for adventure, even when she wasn't sure about it.

Caringly

Today's post is a tribute to mothers and caregiving. 

This image was during the 4 1/2 years that I took care of my mom in my own home.  Before that, I took care of her in her apartment.  And before that, I took care of her in her own home.

The majority of the time it wasn't easy.  There was a roller coaster of highs and lows.  Sometimes more lows than highs.

But through it all, she was my mom and I loved her and she was worth it.

And I still love her and miss her.  But she is "home" and safe and no longer needs caregiving anymore. 

Fleecy

More from our Iowa trip.

Futility

More from our Iowa trip in April.  There was no beer or brats being served that day.

Grungy

Another from our Iowa trip. 

Transportability

Digging into the archives today.  I'm guessing it was moving day for someone.  At least they had big truck to haul everything.

Scanned with Epson V600.

Incredibly

Can it possibly be?  Is spring finally here?

Exquisitely

Stability

More from our Iowa trip.  Love bridges!

Lofty

I don't normally think of Pelicans when I think of birds soaring through the air.  But they do a pretty good job of it.

Complexity

All those steel beams woven together to carry us to the other side.  More from our Iowa trip.

Negativity

Sometimes the negative spaces are just as interesting as the positive ones.