Gardens

The Wild Botanical Garden is three acres of bog, meadow and hillside and lies smack in the middle of the city.  It is a wonderful escape plus a reminder that 'wild' is beautiful too.

Encouraged by a group of botany teachers, the land for this garden was acquired by the Minneapolis Park Commission in 1889.

Not even the sound of cars or trucks disturbs this peaceful spot.

Mark and Mary share a grandson (Magnus) with.....

their good friends, Mark and Linda.  Mark and Mary's daughter, Bridget, married Mark and Linda's son, Andy,  and together they all produced a little boy named Magnus.  (are you following that?)  

After an afternoon with the two sets of grandparents, I was eagerly looking forward to meeting Magnus later in the week.

From the conversations I overheard by these good friends Magnus just has to be the cutest, smartest, most intelligent grandson ever born.

I certainly think he must be the luckiest.

I espied an owl in this tree.

Someday I am going use this as an oath...

Followed by,  "Take that you Veiny Purple Vetchling!"

For a few days I parked on the street in front of Jeanie's house and we did some sightseeing...

Skyline of St Paul

 Bridge designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

We hiked along one of the many lakes that seem to pop up everywhere.

I was truly pleased with myself...

Babe, the new heart valve was working like a champ.  No chest pains!  No breathlessness!

Walking with Jeanie was a real pleasure and something I could not have done a year earlier. 

When we weren't sightseeing,  Jeanie and I pulled weeds.

While she worked the hardest, I enjoyed it the most.  The only thing I miss about my house is my garden.

Her Iris's were just starting to bloom.

Our reward for a tough day in the garden--

 ...A smooth glass of wine, a hot game of SkipBo and great conversation.