"Shutterbug" repair shop and old format graveyard at National Camera in Golden Valley.

Steve Meyer runs the "Shutterbug" shop at National Camera.  I stopped in to see him this week -- had been told they might buy some old, at-one-time very spendy SLR gear that had been gathering dust in our basement. We had a collection of Pentax bodies, Takumar lenses, Tamron lenses, 35mm Olympus point-and-shoots, even a Nikon APC which Nancy and I took with us on a vacation in Spain more than a decade ago.  Damn right: we knew our equipment was precious and priceless, and likely worth a fortune -- even in this digital era. Wrong.  Very few folks want a K 1000 or Spotmatic body these days.  And the one possibly-valuable zoom lens had grown some mildew inside, and wouldn't bring in resale what it would cost to clean and repair.  I was crushed when Steve offered me ****** for the whole deal. How could I tell my wife how little the kit was worth when much of the gear had been hers?  I moaned and groaned, hemmed and hawed, and said, OK. I'll take it. That was two days ago and I doubt we'll ever miss what we sold at pennies on the dollar. 

How can you NOT love this bulletin board at "Shutterbug"?  The history represented by the brands.  The B + W enlargements,  The tribute to Norma Jean.  And if that didn't bring enough joy, then shelves-full of Voitlanders, Rolliflexes, Retinas, Zeiss lenses, large format Mamiyas, and lens caps from a bunch of European and Asian cameras you've never heard of, would certainly elicit oohs and aahs from the aficionado. This is a must-see little corner of history, whether you plan to sell any old gear, or simply want to be awed and inspired. Do it.

Bright blue skies, stunning afternnon sunshine, yet cold enough for Wayzata to be inside, taking a warm-up break.

For all the times we've walked along Lake Minnetonka we'd never seen this piece of tribute public art.  Simple yet elegant there's a story here that I must learn more about. And if/when I do, I'll post on the blog for others to enjoy. Meanwhile, go check the work yourself: it's right across E. Lake Street from Ben + Jerry's

Your iPhone can deliver a stunning, award-winning shot if the snow, sun, sky and trees conspire to make it happen.  It's hard to resist taking fotos when sun bounces off lake water and sneaks between limbs and branches of naked trees.

Construction on the new municipal parking lot has stopped for the day. I like that the stop sign is taking a break as well.

Big project, huh?  Wonder where Gate 2 leads?

And this one is my favorite cold weather Wayzata shot.  A dad and his son deeply engrossed in reading some important book together.  The library table looks perfect for this memorable experience, the wood warm and inviting.  Dad didn't see me peeking through the triple-pane windows, though if he had I wouldn't likely have taken a pic if I could have seen his face and eyes.  Wonder if the book is Robinson Crusoe, maybe some more contemporary classic?

Hanging out this afternoon at the Hennepin County Libary in Ridgedale.

Of course you go the Dunn Brothers before setting foot inside the main reading room.  It's OK to bring in your lattes -- just don't spill anything!

You've got to check out this paper back book art if you've not seen it before.  Looks a little bit like origami, don't you agree? Wish I'd asked about the artists who created it.

Clam shell? Whole bunch of scarves hanging together? Pages from a Mickey Spillane novel?

I'm thinking how painstaking it likely was to create this piece -- or/and any of the others I just posted.What do you think?

In the lobby of the library, just beyond the automatic door, there are maybe four pieces of ceramic art. Two of them are benches - would you call them benches?  They don't look comfortable and that's maybe why no one was chilling on them when I arrived there.  Along comes a very nice couple, however, and I asked if they'd mind posing for a foto. How agreeable they were - lovely people.  

Big Fun at Fjall Raven in Uptown.

New BFF Eric - store manager at Fjall Raven Uptown - was a big help when I shopped

the Hennepin Avenue store earlier this week. It was my first trip to "the Fox," and I was stunned by the quality of the apparel, footwear, and camping gear.  Much of it was marked down 30%. Good deal.  Check it out.

Eric Hartnett

Store Manager - Fjallraven Uptown

2912 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55408

(612) 252-4704

I believe Eric told me that these Swedish made gloves had a lifetime guarantee.  Buy them now, save some $$, put aside the gloves 'til next winter. 

These classic backpacks are worn and loved, worldwide.  I remember buying them for each of my grandsons, and damned near got one for myself.  Can you believe the colors?  The little packs, for kids up to 7-8, cost about $65.00 as I remember.  Eric pointed out a special pack made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles.

My Sis reports in on latest Peruvian "retablo" she scored today at a flea market in suburban Seattle.

 Found my most elaborate Peruvian retablo yet at a flea market yesterday.  Need to reattach door and do a few other repairs but not bad for $2 ;). 
That's the door below w design on outside. 

Little Red Riding Hood left her Little Red Boots over here in Hamel, MN.

Gently used apparel and accessories store in Uptown Hamel features Little Red Riding Hood Red Boots for sale.  Couldn't find the price, and store was closed for the afternoon.  I'm a little surprised that the Little Boots hadn't walked off by themselves already.

It's like someone turned on a massive "sun" light and aimed it at our Co-op.

It's all about the light, as any photographer will tell you. So when a setting sun shines this stunningly on a building made with just the right kind of materials, a fella has to stop his car in the parking lot, take out the iPhone, and fire away.  The shopper is unidentified, and I hope she wasn't angry that I included her in my composition. 

Checking out Books at Maple Plain Library since 1922. No Library Card required.

Maple Plain Library

Library service to Maple Plain and the surrounding communities began in 1922, when the library was housed out of a former U.S. Post Office. For the next five decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent location opening in a commercial building on Main Street in 1973. The library was renovated in 1996.

Glitter Gold Laces big hit at School Today.

A young friend of the Poppy Blog decided to lace up a pair of sneaks today with these striking gold laces.  My pal checked with his mom to see if she thought first grade schoolmates would approve, and she said: go for it." And he did. And the kids in his class thought he (and laces) were awesome.  

Helms Olympic Bread - My Fave Store in Los Angeles.

Sonoma Vintner Carolyn T. happy to meet a 2016 Wiener-mo-Beel.

Our pal Carolyn and hubby James take a gas station break from work on their vines in Sonoma.  Spotted at the center island pumping high test:  a 2016 model Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.  As if by magic old TV jingle danced through her head:  I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener ..... 

At Common Roots - orderly attention to detail at the side bar assures that what comes out of the espresso machine is of highest quality. And it is (does).

When the condiment side bar is as orderly as this, you simply know the coffee products rock. And that they do at Common Roots. Just saying ... 

Pillsbury 'A' Mill Stuns in Late Afternoon Sunlight.

For seventy years "Bohemian Flats" was home to wave after wave of immigrants pursuing the American Dream. Quite a story, and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come upon it.

Roasted Fresh Daily.

I'm getting quite the stare from this passerby, don't you think? All I'm doing is sipping an iced skim latte, reading the Strib, and snapping an occasional foto through the front window at Dunn Brothers. Maybe I should have offered this pedestrian a coffee drink in return for letting me frame the picture?