A Visit To The History Center

Friday of this past week my daughter and I spent some enjoyable time together, as friends as well as mom and daughter. First, we visited the History center, in St. Paul, where we marvelled at the beautiful building itself and the well organized displays.

We saw a replica of that beautiful ice palace that was on display at the St. Paul winter carnival many years ago. I had seen it when it was on display back then and it was probably one of the best ice palaces ever.

The featured display was on Chocolate and it carried one through the evolution of chocolate, beginning with the cocao tree and it's large pods that were produced, filled with the cocao seeds. The pods were a valuable tool of trade way back among the Incas and Mayans, because the trees did not grow everywhere, only under the canopy of a tropical rain forest. The display forbid any cameras to be used so no pictures were taken.

There was also the tornado tunnel, a favorite for the children and grown ups, because it simulated the heavy tornadoes that passed through the here, mostly around the Shakopee and Fridley area, back in the late 60's or early 70's. We went into a small room, a radio was broadcasting the weather alerts, and through the window shown here, one could see it getting darker and hear the deafening sound of the tornado. It must have been very frightening for those involved, because it also brought fear to us in the room.

There was so much more to see at the History Center, including the Greatest Generation, which included my generation. It showed the clothing styles, houseware, kitchen decor, various wind ornaments, a soda fountain, juke box and so much more.

Our tour being finished, we ventured to Selby Avenue and visited the Paper Patisserie where we browsed through the card collection and many unique gifts. Lunch at the Cheeky Monkey topped off the day. That very busy Grill was an attraction to everybody, judging by the crowds, and the food was not to be equalled. It was so good! It was a fun time shared with Donna, my daughter. Sharing time and making memories together with a favorite person is the golden thread that binds us in love for one another and the memories will linger long after we are no longer able to be together. It is so important for each of us to use and treasure our todays so that the our tomorrows will be filled with happy remembrances.

Franconia Sculpture Park

Finally, today on this beatiful Fall day, I managed to stop and tour the Franconia Sculpture Park. Located at the junction of #8 and 95, it has been there since 2004. My deceased husband, Dave and I, always had intention of stopping there to wander through, but like so many things in life we put it off for another day. Dave would have loved being there with me today.

It is a 20 acre area, partially supported by East Central Arts Council Grants and by donations from private citizens. My handy little Kodak Easy Share did not know when to stop clicking because there was so many wonderful artistic creations to be appreciated. There was a huge pirate ship constructed, piece by piece, by one single young woman artist, whom I interviewed. There was a big frog, an old shack that hung suspended in the air, a large sculpture out of aluminum cans that resembled a fish blowing in the wind and some unique metal and wood works.

I spoke with a couple of the artists who were working there and learned more about the program. Apparently some of the artists come from all over the U.S. as well as some from Europe. They stay until their project is completed and then move on.

When the display has run it's one year course, it is either moved to another sculpture park, sold, or dismantled.

In the summer, the park, which is open from dawn to dusk, has concerts and programs for children to participate in making sculptures. The sculpture park is a fun place where families can walk, play and touch the objects. Many are designed as opportunities for children to climb in and explore. It is so easy to live in an area a long time and not even realize the unbelievable beauty and creativity that is right in our own backyard. I will surely visit the park again and I invite you to do the same.

Thrift Stores.. The Fun Way To Shop

In these days of a tight economy, it seems there are thrift stores popping up everywhere, like stray flowers that have been sown by the wind. They are great money savers for todays young families with children or those on a very tight budget. But, believe me, you can find some fantastic bargains, if you allow time to browse through what somebody else has simply grown tired of. Also, in consideration of the environment and recycling, it is doing us all a favor.


Thrift stores carry everything from clothing for all ages, furniture, books, movies, toys, childrens cribs, strollers and Johnny Jump Ups, to dishes, glassware, foral arrangements, antiques, and more.


I have a dear friend who runs a daycare, and she regularly shops at the thrift store and finds the greatest bargains. Her well managed Cheryl's Day Care is so perfectly organized and has only the best activity toys and games there for the little ones, much of which has been purchased at the local Family Pathways in Forest Lake. Not only does shopping there help the shopper, but it supports the fine work of Family Pathways, which does so much good for the community.


There are so many beautiful dishes, some brand new sets, glassware and lots of the cutest Knick Knacks and shelves to put them on. My daughter often gets her little gifts there to give to secret pals. If somebody collects donkeys, for instance, she finds them or whatever else somebody enjoys and collects. It helps the pocketbook of the shopper and thrills the friend who gets a thoughtful gift.


It is actually fun to browse through another persons give aways and imagine the lives of the people who owned and loved them, for a short while. Very often, I give away many nice things, which I do not use and I hope they find a new home. Sometimes, I wish I had them back, like the pretty sweater, I once had and gave away, thinking I would not wear it anymore. But alas! When winters winds came blowing, I wanted to wear it again, because it had been hand made in Argentina.

These days, I see more and more friends and families visiting and shopping at their local thrift stores where they find bargains and see their neighbors doing the same thing. After all, life is all about sharing and caring and brightening our corners of the world to the best of our ability. When we share the good times and the bad together, that unites us all in brotherly love. And love makes the world go around, they say.

Where the Rivers Meet

Today was such a nice day, so I decided to revisit a favorite place of mine from when I first moved to this area in 1964. It is where the Sunrise and St. Croix Rivers meet at the part of the state park located in the town of Sunrise.

Sunrise is a small township located northwest of Lindstrom along #9, which leads to Harris. The community , which is very small, rests in a valley along the Sunrise River and near the State Park. If you turn on the dirt road past Janelle Jacobsens' Pottery studio, and follow the road, you will come to the park and fork of the two rivers. Summertime finds many of the younger crowd tubing the shallow and winding river as it heads to the St.Croix. It is very scenic and has a nice picnic area and several long and beautiful wooded trails to follow.

Enroute to the rivers, one passes the very old Sunrise cemetery which lies sheltered beneath large pine trees. It is the resting place for many of the early settlers and has a quiet beauty as one listens to the whisper of the breeze in the pines.

There is a town park on another part of the winding river that has a well maintained picnic area and has a large shelter for get togethers. One warm March day, years ago, my husband, Dave, and I had a little picnic there and we marvelled at how the warm spring sunshine made even a day in late winter, a day to be enjoyed. One has to seize the opportunity to enjoy life's little pleasures whenever they present themselves.

It seems that when a person lives in an area for a long time they always have nostalgic places that have special memories of many happy hours spent enjoying life's simple pleasures and nature's beauty. Perhaps, it is our way of connecting with our youth. I have always believed that if we seek out the places and people who touch our lives and awaken in us a feeling of belonging, we will find them. Perhaps it will be in our own backyard.

Old Barns and Apple Orchards

Why is it that so many people are fascinated by old

barns? Is it because they are reminders of days spent on grandma's farm in the country, and they feel a sense turning back time to those golden "olden days" of yore? Or is it because of the wonderful solid structure of those old buildings that endure the storms of the ages and still look strong and beautiful, with fading paint and weathered wood?

I think it is because each old barn has a story to tell, if we but listen. I took this picture today, of an old barn up in Centuria, Wisconsin. I went up there with a friend to visit an apple orchard and this barn was situated in the background amidst some tall evergreen trees. In the distance, the hills were alive with fall colors which are still a little shy of their peak. There

was a scent of smoke in the atmosphere from the bonfire that the caretaker had burning and that paired well with the cool autumn air. It reminded me of camping out on a cool evening and how comfortable and safe one feels when they sit in a circle around a campfire.

There was little shed with an awning overhang where a lady was selling bags of apples. A little white poodle was dancing in circles on it's leash, as it tried to play with some children nearby. The poodle reminded me of my little grey poodle, Charlie, who I usually put into my paintings. I still miss that dear little curly haired friend. It is amazing how we are reminded of other things in our past when our mind is triggered by something we see or hear. Whether it be an old barn, a little dog, or a song we hear, we are transported to something in our lives.


Besides the apple stand and barn, there was an old house, which had been turned into an art gallery with paintings by the local artists. I am always interested in other people's art works because of my own artistic endeavors. I found the works delightful, from watercolors, to yarn works from home spun yarns and some grand wood carvings. There was a little brick path leading to the house which meandered through a loosely scattered flower garden. Very artistic and enjoyable to be amidst on this very perfect fall day. May we enjoy many more days like today as we head toward those blissful Indian summer days that color our world so brilliantly, before winter whites arrive.