Minnesota's Very Best Apple Pie. Yumm.

Nancy and I enjoyed the incomparable company of Grandma B on an outing this afternoon.  Off we went to University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum -- for lunch in their 4-star restaurant, then tours of the Japanese Gardens, Hosta Glade, trees, bushes, dahlias, so forth and so on.

We love the TLC the gardeners and grounds people show with their work -- but some of us loved even more the apple pie, warmed up and slathered with organic whipped cream.  We ordered the rhubarb pie (grown on Arboretum grounds) but earlier diners beat us to the punch.

Arty Didact Steals the Lola Show.

Eclectic, creative, whimsical and successful commercially, Sharon Parker is Arty Didact.  And Arty D rules the annual Lola show this year.

I bought one of the hand-stitched note books Sharon holds in this foto, as well as an original pen and ink sketch of urban ruins awaiting rehabbing, and some very clever book plates.

While at the show it was impossible to resist cut glass artist Brian Western's work, and bought a piece from him for Poppina.

Love this local art revue and sale.  The Hoyts have attended -- and bought -- for several of the past years.  Lucky us!

1-2-3: Say, "Sweet Corn!"

"Desmond has a barrel in the marketplace, Molly is a singer with the band ..... "

Not quite that scene here in Long Lake, but worth signing about nonetheless.

Dennis has the cart with fresh, sweet corn on-sale a few precious weeks each summer. Customers swear by Dennis Corn -- none sweeter, none better they say.

Dennis wasn't on duty this afternoon but his associate (didn't get her name) was moving lots of ears as I pedaled by.

I managed to persuade her to pose for the Poppy Blog and here she, the ear, the sign, and the Giant Cypress all are.

Starfighter Lillies.

These beauts grow with considerable success in Poppina's Garden.  When the sun shines just right from the west, there's quite a story to tell.

Baking Breaking Bread at Rustica Bakery.

My buddy Dan and I met for coffee the other day at Rustica Bakery and Java Joint on Lake St. in Mpls.  Coffee is terrific, baked goods as good as they get. Conversation stimulating and caffeinated.

Where does this breaking bread get baked I asked Dan.

Right through that door replied Dan.  And you can see it from the window in front of the store.

Check out the baguettes.   I managed to catch the attention of the baker, persuade her to smile, but she wouldn't stop the progress of prep.

Dan and I recommend this place without reservation.  And you don't need a reservation, either.

Her Honor, The Mayor.

Our neighbor and friend Liz Weir is also our Mayor of our city.  Earlier this summer Her Honor hosted a reception for Medina staffers, members of the City Council, plus citizens active in the affairs of our town.

Her Honor is flanked by two members of Medina's Finest. Smiles abound.  Folks enjoy themselves here while working hard and intelligently.

This is a great place to live!

Really Into Thomas the Train and His Buddies.

My grandson has the plu-perfect Thomas set-up at home.  Miles of track, all the trimmings, even a round house where the magnet-couples go to get un-coupled.  To wit, and from the left:  Percy, Toby and Hero.  I love, love, love these toys, only wish they'd been in my basement when i was a kid !!