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Photographed along Lake of the Isles on a beautiful autumn day.

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July Newsletter

Five Short and Informative Articles
on Keeping Cool

It‘s been hot this past week. I‘ve comfortably dined outdoors at lunch this week; I enjoyed the comfort of shade while sitting under a tree. Trees are nature‘s way of providing relief from the heat. Here are articles on trees, keeping cool, saving energy, gardening, and apps.

• Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn in Summer? The Cool Way!

  Make sure your ceiling fans rotate in the correct direction to cool you in summer. Read
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  (New!)

  Window Film Gets the Recognition It Deserves for Saving Energy

  You may not need to do that window retrofit. A new California building code underscores the benefits of using ever-so-humble window film. Read
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  When a Tree Dies, Do You Feel It?

  Have you ever lost a tree that was like a dear friend? Then prepare for heartbreak. We’re going to lose many dear friends to the emerald ash borer. Read
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  5 Great Gardening Apps

  These apps take the guesswork out of gardening. All you have to do is dig. Read
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  Quick Ways to Make Some Shade, But Don’t Forget: Trees Are Best

  If you prefer a drier cool, as opposed to the misters we mentioned yesterday, read on to find some quick ways to make some shade. Plus, get some tips on getting shade with some quick-growing trees. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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Fleeting Moment

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment
May 29, 2012

Minneapolis Public Library in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota

Setting the table at D’Amico Kitchen restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Children playing in a tree next to Lake Minnetonka

Learn more about the Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Together – At Lake of the Isles

This week’s challenge is the theme “Together”.  Here are a few shots I took earlier today while out seeing homes on the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Home Tour.

It was overcast when I walked by these two bikes in East Isles. I applied a couple of Photoshop filters to this one to create an art look.

Trees along the lake were blossoming and in the pink!

A father and daughter were playing in a tree, more or less unseen but heard. They said yes to having their picture taken and gave thumbs up about their experience in the tree.

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Spring Show of Blossoms

Photos of the Day
April 3, 2012

A plum tree puts on a spring show of blossoms in Saint Paul.

It’s a lovely time of year, isn’t it?

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First Photos of the New Year

Photos of the Day
January 1, 2012

Yesterday I wrote a post about LED lamps and trees. Today I offer photos of untrimmed, misshapen, evergreen trees that I captured after dark.

These trees stand clumped together inside a circular drive green space with light from the building shining upon them. They are not particularly attractive in and of themselves. Nor are they attractive in their planted mass. Still, their contrast against the lighter grass and the dark skies make them stand out in the artificially lit night environment. They were begging to be noticed for a change. I saw them, and how beautiful they were as part of the larger picture.

I was hesitant to write about trees (and light) for two consecutive days here. Would anyone care about trees, besides my friend Charlie who loves trees? Would fellow photographers find something beautiful and/or artistic in these pictures?

Then again, it’s the start of a new year, a time when people make resolutions and think about changes (growth) for themselves. Trees are all about growth and spreading themselves via their root systems, their trunks, their branches, their leaves, and whatever fruit, nut and/or flower they may grow. In this regard, another post about trees seems perfectly natural.

Let there be light in 2012. Let there be growth in 2012. May you grow tall and strong with stunning ability to sway and dance with the wind. May you be fruitful in all your endeavors. May you blossom with joy all through the year. May you be ever “green”.

There is beauty all around us. Sometimes, you simply need to take another look in a different light.

Blessings,

Kate

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Related articles

• LED’s and the Ghostly Tree (designhouse9.wordpress.com)

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Capturing the Snowfall

Photos of the Day

January 3, 2011

Powdery snow fell and blanketed the city with fresh winter beauty.

Red Brick and Falling Snow – Minneapolis

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Holiday Lighting

Photos of the Day
Outdoor Lighting

December 2010

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