Revisionist History

"Give me Liberty or Give Me Death" Patrick Henry once said to the House of Burgesses but definitely not to me, though we did have a somewhat testy verbal exchange in Williamsburg that day. For details click on Mark Twain above to jump to my other blog.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Our morning wonderful tour of the newly restored Minnesota State Capitol was followed  by lunch at one of St. Paul's best Italian restaurants, Cossettas. A favorite eatery and market place of ours located a short walking distance from the XCell Energy Center the home ice of the Minnesota Wild.

 Our afternoon stop would be the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

It had been some years since I had visited there.  I had fond memories of taking senior high English and history students there for field trips. We had created an interdisciplinary  Humanities course for a two period  two credits of English and History. Literature, art, music, science and history are were considered. The English teacher and the History teacher (me) shared the classroom and the  students. A phone call to the Institute would identify our unit focus such as the Renaissance.  A docent would lead a tour of the collection tailored to our subject. Perfect!!! 

A Massive Restoration

For these two lifelong residents of Minnesota a first time tour of The North Star State Capitol was long overdue. We took the daytrip with our friends at Heartland. The trip also included a visit to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. We get off the bus and head up the walkway to the Capitol.

A quick look back  down the park like Mall towards the "Saintly City"..... St. Paul.
This landmark building, designed by Cass Gilbert and built in 1905 was looking somewhat shabby by the 21st century. What followed was a$310 million , 3+ year restoration and renovation. We had gone to see the results. All decorative art, murals, and paintings were restored to original patters and colors. New public spaces including galleries were added along with exposing limestone basement walls etc.

Of course our tour guide filled us in on the architecture, art and history.

 

 

In the peoples house looking at the chamber of the State legislature.  It was a great morning seeing our capitol  restored to its awe-inspiring glory.

 

Next: The Minneapolis Institute of Art

 

 

 

 

A Few Yellow/Orange flowers

Yes we were very busy this spring with these yellow flowers taking over our front lawn.  And inspired by my oldest grandsons bumper sticker, "MAKE AMERICA GREEN AGAIN" MS. T. and  I attacked them with a vengeance the old fashioned way by digging them out one at a time.  No 24D herbicide for use. We've also been slowly getting rid of turf (lawns) by encouraging native woodland wildflower beds.  A few highlights follow .....

Yellow Lady Slipper (a native orchid)

Last but not least, on the edge of the woods,  the somewhat rare but very vibrant yellow/orange Hoary Pucoon.

G7 report

https://memoirsofacardiopulmonaryguy.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-principal-and-child-who-wont-learn.html?showComment=1528578239443#c1360048327589740841

Direct from Montana : another fly fisherman's perspective......

Cold Mountain

 

As noted in my previous review of Varina Charles Frazier is an excellent writer of historical fiction. Looking for more I found his first best seller Cold Mountain. Published twenty years ago I read it recently. For more click on Mark Twain above.  Troutbirder II is my book review blog....