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Friday, September 20, 2013

Thursday in Minneapolis; or Look How Young She Looks in this Shot!

The city is buzzing with the change of the seasons.

Despite the dread with which we foresee the frost that will coat our windshields, the sidewalks that will break our bones, we nurture a wee spot of glee for the coming of fall.

Sweaters!  Socks!  Caps and scarves and gloves!

For cryin’ out loud, people!  Gravy!

Frankly, we’re sick of summer. 

Out on the street, the tourists bustle and point, the guys with the hand-lettered cardboard signs panhandle, and freshly picked produce, carefully tended by elderly Hmong farm women in striped pants and patterned shirts are sold by their grinning, hardworking grandchildren in the stands that line Nicollet Avenue. 

I love this city.

I board the bus at the stop across from the statue of Mary Tyler Moore.  It’s a common spot to have your picture taken, particularly whilst pretending to throw your cap, jauntily, in the air.

For at least three-quarters of the year, Minneapolis is all about the jaunty cap.

From my seat near the window, I watch as a woman in a burqa stands next Mary Tyler Moore.  While not rare in Minneapolis, she is easily the only woman on the block wearing a veil.  Dressed all in a dark purple, only her eyes are visible.  Her friend, dressed in a modern and modest fashion, head covered, grins at her, motions her closer, back, closer, as she raises her camera for just the right shot.

And like hundreds of women before her, the woman in the burqa raises one arm and pretends to throw a cap in the air.

The woman taking her picture holds her arm up, shouts what is probably “Let me get another one!”.  The woman in the burqa poses again and, laughing, they turn link arms and enter Macy’s.

And on the bus, I chuckle to myself.

Everywhere you go, you need to take that second picture.


Because so often on that first one your eyes are closed.

32 comments:

Indigo Roth said...

I saw what you did there.

Pearl said...

Indigo, :-)

Shelly said...

Love the layers~

And someday, someday I want to go to Nicollet Ave. with you and shop those Hmong stands.

Pearl said...

Shelly, every Thursday from Memorial Day until, hmm, probably over in the next couple weeks. :-)

And I would love that.

joeh said...

Where is the statue of Lou Grant pulling a bottle of scotch out of his desk drawer?


You do have a way with words...nice!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Lucky Minneapolis to have Mary Tyler Moore. I live in an area with lots of George Washington statues. He is not as fun.

Leenie said...

That's why I like onions. Lots of layers, and though I'm tempted to close my eyes, if I do, I miss what's inside.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Pearl I truly love the way you see the world and share it with us. Thank you it is kinda weird being in your head though:) I see weird things make it stop:)So Mary is near you..... Cool:) B

vanilla said...

That second shot, always. At least it doesn't cost any film these days!

jenny_o said...

Good advice :)

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
You just made my heart sing. That's precious Pearl. YAM xx

Connie said...

You miss a lot when your eyes are closed. Lovely post, Pearl. :-)

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

H. M. Stuart said...

Pearl, we'd like to invite you to become one of our Authors in Alexandria. This invitation has been extended to you by email as well.

In addition to posting on anything you wish, as you desire, you may of course mirror posts you've already written from here or elsewhere to gain a different or additional audience or for any other reason that appeals to you.

If you think you might be interested, contact me through Alexandria or by return email via this comment and I'll forward our formal invitations for you to look over and return if you decide to proceed.

Come contribute your perspectives and opinions to the ongoing conversations there or, even better, start some new - and different - ones of your own.

I look forward to hearing from you.

H. M. Stuart
Alexandria

Perpetua said...

I wish I could notice in a day half as much as you seem to do on the way to work in the morning, Pearl.

Anonymous said...

All different...all the same...we all love Mary.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Wonderful. You are so good at bringing a small scene to life, and at providing it a context. I love the texture that women-who-wear-veils are adding to our Twin Cities, and I love the way you bring it to life here.

Linda O'Connell said...

Spontanaiety is what life is all about...toss your hat, just don't toss your cookies.

Vagabonde said...

Great post! I had no idea there was a statue of Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis. I am going to tell my daughter – she has all the complete series on DVD, she is a fan – I bet she’ll want to go to your city. Here it is still summer – 85 degree F today and no fall into November at least.

Merlesworld said...

How right you are, but don't you eat gravy in summer.
Merle.................

Elephant's Child said...

I don't know whether I love your observant thoughtful ways more - or the fact that you share your findings. Ok. Yes I do know - it is your generous nature I love most.

Rose L said...

I would love a shot of me with that statue...but do not want to go to Minneapolis to get it!

River said...

You had me at Gravy.

Tempo said...

With only her eyes showing she and her friend can both claim to be that invisible hat thrower...in fact so can all their friends..

Dawn@Lighten Up! said...

Oh oh oh - I love this! I told you all about my dream of visiting downtown Minneapolis so I can throw my hat in the air like MTM! Will you take my picture, Pearl, will you? Take the second one, too!!

jabblog said...

Multi-cultural Minneapolis . . .

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Minneapolis is so amazing! I remember doing a cross country book tour some years ago and ending up very happily in Minneapolis. I had made a game of asking people, in whichever city I was at the moment, how they felt about where they lived. People in Cleveland were grousing, but everyone I talked with in Minneapolis was so positive about the city -- its beauty, culture, many lakes within the city, seasonal activities and the like. I was so impressed. And I have to admit to being nostalgic as you talked of sweaters and caps with the advent of Fall. I miss the seasons. The only time I really experienced them was when I went to college in Chicago. There's such a wonderful rhythm to life in four season climates. Enjoy!

Launna said...

Haha, how true... for me I have to take that 40th and 50th picture... to get the perfect shot... :)

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your post! I want to go throw my hat. I great up with Mary Tyler Moore.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

I've always been in awe of Minneapolis. I remember visiting during a book tour in the dead of winter some years ago. I had made a game of asking people in the various cities on the tour how they felt about where they lived. Everywhere else, there was grumbling. But in Minneapolis, as cold as it was, people loved living there and kept telling me about all the cultural advantages, the many lakes within the city, the fun of seasonal pursuits. I felt a little envious as you mentioned getting out the sweaters and caps for Fall. While I've only had brief experience living in four seasons climates -- the five years I spent in college and grad school in the Chicago area -- I loved the rhythm of life that such a climate inspires.

Suldog said...

OK, not necessarily to do with your narrative, but somewhat germane. I ran across this today...

http://www.abbeyroad.com/Crossing

It is a live webcam at the road crossing where the shot on the cover of "Abbey Road" by The Beatles was taken. It is fascinating to watch the scene for five or ten minutes. You are guaranteed to see people posing in the crosswalk, trying to replicate the pose of one of the Beatles (or, even better, if four people do it, trying to recreate the entire photo.) Of course, it has to be daytime. But, if you're as drawn by the bizarre as MY WIFE and I are (and I guess you may be) you will laugh out loud at least once or twice.

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm-hmmmm.

Alistair said...

Oh yes. Oh very yes indeed. {A day long smile spreads across his face}