Most Happy Fellows

 At first I thought these statues were lions that you often find (guarding?) at walkway or doorway entrances.  But they are jovial Buddha-like figures with instruments.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Antenna On Roof

I was intrigued, as I often am, by a pattern, in this case, the antenna, roof angle and siding.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

A Little Alley Action?

A lovely day for lilacs to bloom and for checking out alley furniture.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

House Patterns

The patterns of these house elements and swing caught my eye as I was driving up Pleasant Ave. one day. I had to go back a few days later to photograph it.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Ghost Mansion

 Fair Oaks, the W. D. Washburn residence, as it looked in 1886 in the location that is now Fair Oaks Park.  The house was donated to the Minneapolis Park Board in 1912, after W.D. died;  It bacame too expensive to maintain and was razed in 1924.  It seems so sad that such a magnificent building wasn't saved.  Fortunately, other residences around the park from that era are still in use and preserve the grandeur of the young city of Minneapolis.

Photo of the W.D. Washburn residence, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Photo compositie: Jo Ann Musumeci

Green wall and flowers

This ivy-coverd wall, on Grand Ave.,  is refreshing in the midst of urban grittyness.  You could be in England.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

House Prep

Blasting an old paint job with a high-pressure hose.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Victorian Decorative Details

One of the many Victorian-style houses near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts--this one on First Avenue.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

James' House

James, enjoying the ambiance of his colorful house, originally built in 1878 in the Eastlake (architect Charles  L.) style, then reframed into the current Craftsman style.  As an artist and (retired) art teacher,  James is applying his whimsical sensibility to adding decor to the interior, a studio, and the yard.  It's an ongoing project.

More information on Eastlake and his influence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Eastlake

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci