In and around Minneapolis. Bounded on the north by Golden Valley. On the south by Richfield. On the east by University Avenue. On the west by Seattle.Tumblr (3.0; @madge-world)http://madge-world.tumblr.com/<p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly2g8pbSkK1qzxgrj.png"/></p> <p>Who thought that this parking regulation was a good idea? </p> <p><a href="http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@publicworks/documents/images/wcms1p-083551.pdf">bike rules </a></p>.http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/47286376027http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/47286376027Sat, 06 Apr 2013 11:56:02 -0500minneapolisbikingbikelanesstupidideasbureaucratsgonewilddesignbycommittee<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb0mc3gYpw1qzykhio1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I am in love with the work of Robert Frank.</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/32396730011http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/32396730011Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:43:15 -0500Robert Frankphotographyblack and whiteAmerica America!<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma42vdT7tH1ru9rr9o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>There were so many small miracles that made this moment happen. Maybe, some of you would call them random coincidences, but I don’t believe that. The universe conspired to bring them together.</p> <p>When I was ready to give my official M-O-B toast, I suddenly developed a case of staircase wit – that’s when you think of all the things you should have said after the moment has passed.</p> <p>I figured it out later. Let’s start with CO, the art gallery on Stinson Blvd and Broadway in NE Minneapolis. It’s where Nora and Aaron officially met and where months later, on December 3, the wedding took place. </p> <p>Guess who owns the gallery? Joseph Belk. Joe and Nora may have lived on different sides of town and gone to different schools, but in many ways, they grew up together. Joe’s mother, Beth, is Nora’s godmother. They went to the same NE Minneapolis nursery school. {Elim Baptist!} Swam on the same team. Spent summers pretending a galvanized metal bucket was a wading pool. Ran a club, The Busy Workers, with younger siblings as reluctant members. Our families intersected at holidays and occasional summer vacations. Fast forward to now. Joe channeled his natural creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit into the gallery. Nora moved home from NYC. Went to a show. And, boom! Aaron and Nora, sitting in a tree…</p> <p>There was definitely love in the air on December 3, but there was more than that. <em>So many memories float in this space.</em></p> <p>Before CO was an art gallery, it was a photography studio—Nora’s Uncle Mike Jensen’s photo studio—for over 25 years. It was a great place for shooting and it was an even better space for family parties, tribal dinners, gatherings of the extended clan —because it was a huge open room and it had a kitchen with two ovens! With an immediate family in excess of 40, plus a few close friends, we need elbow room.</p> <p>- In the 80s my brothers would host poker parties in the studio. Men + alcohol + gambling often ends badly. Someone dubbed my dad, “Riverboat Bill” and fisticuffs ensued.</p> <p>- In 1993, we grilled turkeys, set up rows of tables and had an unruly, boozy Thanksgiving dinner – my dad had died just 10 days before. Disoriented and disconnected we stumbled through that holiday. Recycling = more wine bottles that we could count.</p> <p>- In 1996, we had a post-funeral lunch after my brother Tom died. A church basement just could not contain us. Besides, you can’t have both a bar and a coffee cart in a church basement.</p> <p>- In 1998, Lillian, Nora’s cousin, celebrated her 16th birthday here. Complete with sweet decorations and a Mike-style photo booth.</p> <p>- In 2000, my 82-year old mother graduated from the U of M, and we packed the joint. Go gophers! So proud of my mama.</p> <p>- Christmas cookie bakes organized by my sister, Rita, with a gaggle of other gals. Smoking, sugar cookies and Chardonnay.</p> <p>- A “Dress like the Future’ party, one of Mike’s famous theme events. The pictures are fashion blackmail worthy.</p> <p>- In 2008, the night before we buried my mother, we had our version of the “last supper.” Nora’s uncle Matt and crew ran the kitchen, Uncle Joe stocked the bar, there were kids everywhere and 65 of us, including Father Joe Gillespie from the old neighborhood, raised a glass to Mary Jane and let her go.</p> <p>On December 3, 2011, in the same space where thousands of our tribal memories live, I took my turn to wish my daughter and her new husband a lifetime of marital bliss. I saw the glow of their happiness – I mean, just look at that photo — then I looked out at all those joyful faces. It was like one of those slow-mo scenes in a movie when your life flashes in front of you and sound becomes a wah-wah effect. Brothers. Sisters. Nieces and nephews. My mother’s sister, Kate. Cousins by the dozens. In-laws. Out-laws. Kids (now adults) I’d driven to school, kids who drove me crazy. Old friends. People who came from east coast, west coast, Richfield, Golden Valley and LaCrescent, Minnesota. New friends. People I’d laughed, cried, partied and even bitterly argued with. All here. All flooded in front of me. And, my mind went blank. Wah-wah.</p> <p>So, now I say, via a blog post because our family communicates best at arms length, Nora and Aaron, enjoy this miracle of love and all the people who conspired to bring you together. After 38 years of marriage, I say it’s a little miracle. Believe it.</p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://myhusbandstumor.tumblr.com/post/31271691193/there-are-literally-thousands-of-things-that-could">myhusbandstumor</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>There are literally thousands of things that could have kept me from this moment. </p> <p>Things that could have kept me in New York, kept me with another man, steered me down unforeseen paths and onto a different altar altogether. A different dress, a different groom, another sunny Sunday afternoon drinking coffee from another mug.</p> <p>Occasionally, bits of what have been or could have been interrupt me in vivid flashbacks. The interview I canceled, the phone call I never returned, the men who got to me first all return to me at unexpected intervals.</p> <p>I’m horrified at their realness. “Oh, GOD” I’ll say out loud, and the sound of my own voice snaps me back to This Moment.</p> <p>“What is it?” he’ll ask, and I’ll brush away the remaining cobwebs of these memories as my eyes and mind refocus on the present.</p> <p>“Nothing.” I’ll say.</p> <p>Because compared to this, that’s all it was and all it could ever have been. </p> </blockquote>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/31684007581http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/31684007581Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:07:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5y5mcCVVz1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://myhusbandstumor.tumblr.com/">Mary Jane and Nora in Verona, Italy. July, 2000. </a>  </p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/26937295551http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/26937295551Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:32:00 -0500<a href="http://myhusbandstumor.tumblr.com/post/24128730788/november-3-2011">My Husband's Tumor: November 3, 2011</a>: <p>Aaron’s surgery goes down on November 3 — what would have been my mother’s (Nora’s grandmother) 94th birthday.</p> <p>I think Mary Jane would have liked Purmort and would have been pleased that Nora finally found a man who loved her for the right reasons. Not only does Aaron have the patience of a saint, he’s skilled at mopping up after a meltdown and he picks up the check. What more could one desire in a {grand} son-in-law?</p> <p>Mom and I once took a detour through NYC when Nora lived in a little hovel somewhere in Brooklyn. Mom had a soft spot for scrappy granddaughters, arty little apartments, hobos and artists. She loved nothing more than setting off on a walking tour of a new neighborhood—“it’s so funky, Nora!” So, off we went — checking out new places to shop like Brooklyn Industries where she purchased a great jacket and bag because she never wanted to look like “one of those old ladies”, or standing in line at Peter Pan Bakery for a classic donut and coffee. And we had a magical afternoon in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Mary Jane loved getting her hands dirty in the garden.  </p> <p>There were many other trips with Nora and Mary Jane — from Italy in 2000 where we almost died on a mountain road—thanks to Steve McInerny, no longer the favorite son-in-law — to the dreaded back-roads drive to Cincinnati. Lovely days. Lovely memories.</p> <p>November 3 holds other significance for our family. My brother, Thomas, Nora’s Uncle and Mary Jane’s 6th born child, died on that day in 1996. </p> <p>And now this day has even more resonance for all of us. It’s thoroughly imbued with the spirit and grace of Mary Jane, the humor and energy of Thomas and now, the sweetness and earnestness of Aaron who has swept into all of our lives forever. Lovely days. Indeed, they will be many. </p> <p>And since Nora has locked her posts to adding links to a reblog, you’ll just have to look at another post for a photo of Nora and Mary Jane in Italia! Ciao, bella. </p> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://myhusbandstumor.tumblr.com/post/24128730788/november-3-2011">myhusbandstumor</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>This is my first night home since Halloween, and my first night alone in our home since ever. I’d only moved in a week before, and the evidence of this is everywhere, most notably with the mattress still wedged into our kitchen nook.</p> <p>The ICU doesn’t allow overnight guests so I am here, without…</p> </blockquote>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/25550081135http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/25550081135Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:57:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4nsjct1cG1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I saw the figure 2 on brick. (with apologies to Charles Demuth and Wm Carlos Williams.) (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/23835063370http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/23835063370Sat, 26 May 2012 21:06:47 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4bvw8ij4t1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A stitch in time today. Must finish a project Before baby Bootsy arrives. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/23417764384http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/23417764384Sun, 20 May 2012 10:48:08 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3z4p17g9Z1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My dad and mom kicked our ass at the bridge table. #cleaningthegarage (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22983884444http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22983884444Sun, 13 May 2012 13:29:24 -0500cleaningthegarage<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3z3bcFRJz1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The way we were. #cleaning the garage (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22981994820http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22981994820Sun, 13 May 2012 12:59:36 -0500cleaning<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3ks2bCCeO1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Little apple tart from the mid-town market. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22482164777http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22482164777Sat, 05 May 2012 19:30:11 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3kpv8vyW21qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Dinner w Grumpy. Makes me want a koi pond. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">Instagram</a> at ChinDian Cafe)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22479442797http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22479442797Sat, 05 May 2012 18:42:44 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3kc44q1BF1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My new hoola hoop In training for Cirque Senior Edition. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22461228865http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22461228865Sat, 05 May 2012 13:45:39 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3di5aOKGK1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Rolling on the river. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22236753479http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/22236753479Tue, 01 May 2012 21:12:46 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m31dqo4lR11qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“Charlotte’s Webb”, by the incomparable E. B. White, is 60 years old this year. Read it; read it again. If you aren’t moved to tears you have no heart. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/21780406226http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/21780406226Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:06:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2wf6ybpoE1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Feed your head. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">Instagram</a> at Cedar Riverside People’s Center)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/21597992191http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/21597992191Sun, 22 Apr 2012 15:49:46 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m265stbIWa1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Egg in a Basket or Toad in a Hole. Whatever you call it, I call it delicious. Easter breakfast with my boyo, Paddy. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">Instagram</a> at Bottineau Town Homes West)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/20719077273http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/20719077273Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:29:16 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1u2jjeZP71qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Palm Sunday. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/20332596282http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/20332596282Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:47:43 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ufh4xZgf1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>White picket fence California cottage style. <sigh> (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">instagram</a>)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19253648675http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19253648675Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:53:27 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ufew5H281qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Orange is chock-a-block with antique stores. I think in got rid of this at my last garage sale. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">Instagram</a> at The Orange Circle)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19253571584http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19253571584Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:52:07 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0qsjosXFK1qzykhio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The horsey set. (Taken with <a href="http://instagr.am">Instagram</a> at Empire Polo Club)</p>http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19145407055http://madge-world.tumblr.com/post/19145407055Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:45:23 -0500