Urban Landscape

I run almost every morning before I go to work and I walk many nights after work. I'm not a fitness fanatic - I have a dog so the walks are for her. Anyway, while out on the street I have noticed quite a few interesting and unusual things that keep me from getting bored. This is really easy to do along much of Main Street as it is pedestrian only in the downtown core. I have posted a few photos of some of what I see on my routes. Enjoy.


Baker's shoes was great while it lasted. This entryway is still here as you can see but the space is vacant.


It's so cute it almost makes you not mind putting money in it.



Tree grate (I guess that's what you call this thing) with the coolest name ever for such a humble item.

Happy chair!

I love this. I don't know what it is or what it means but I get a kick out of it.

Graffiti on the wall of the soon to be U of M Law School.

My tough friend Gemini on guard in her lot. I greet her everytime I run by. She's warmed up to me over time. At first she did the whole vicious guard dog routine; teeth bared, snarling, running up and down the fence line, just generally making a spectacle of herself. Now she rolls over so I can scratch her belly - but I can only reach through the chain link fence enough to pet her muzzle. Big baby.

New women's clothing store on South Main called Divine Rags. Great stuff.

One icon of a whole series of icons in an art installation on the retaining wall of the train station.

Old Man River

It's been a pretty low key (boring) Sunday. About the only thing I've accomplished is watching The Godfather marathon: The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. That, and making some unbelievably delicious creamy shitake mushroom and chicken soup. Molto bene. The best thing about the Godfather is watching Robert Duvall's hands and subtle expressions especially when he's trying to talk sense into Sonny. Just brilliant.
The view outside is bleak. It's been raining all day. A perfect day for movies and soup. The river is as high as I can ever remember seeing it. Of course living downtown means I see it everyday and can't help but notice. As a means of comparison I've also posted a photo from the fall when the river was a bit low.