27TH ANNUAL POLO CLASSIC

On Sunday my friend Art and I attended the 27th Annual Polo Classic, a part of Polo For Philanthropy, held at the Twin City Polo Club.

Waiting for the match to start.

Women's national qualifier.

Taxi!

I ran into my friend Alex at the Classic.

Pony rides for the kids.

With its origins in the early part of the last century, polo has a lengthy history here in Minnesota, and a quick visit to the Twin City Polo Club's webpage tells us that, "Polo itself has been played in Minnesota for over seventy years, first at fort Snelling by the U.S. Army, then continuing at the Meadow Lake Polo Club in Wayzata, MN. This was flowed by a stint at the Eagle Ridge Polo Club near Shakopee, MN, and finally brought to our own home fields of West End Farm in 1964 forming what is still known today as the Twin City Polo Club in Maple Plain, MN."

My friend Art attended the Polo Classic with me.

I REALLY want this car.

The weather was perfect for the event, with lots of sunshine and low humidity, which provided the ideal atmosphere for hats, dresses. seersucker, and other polo finery. Along with the polo match, there was a classic car show and, of course, an auction, raffle, and silent auction, all raising money for the various philanthropic causes.

The competion for best hat, and best dressed man and woman was fun to watch.

Paula, the event planner for our tent, was absolutely fabulous.

Polo itself has a long, illustrious history going back to 500 B.C. in Persia. over time, the game eventually found it's way to India, where it was discovered by the British Military who brought it back to England and refined its rules. Polo came to this country when New York Herald publisher, James Gordon Bennett, imported the game from England and organized the first polo match played in U.S.

Art and his pony were ready for the Classic to begin.

The Minneapolis mounted police . . .

. . . Opened the 27th Annual Polo Classic.

Divot stomping.

This was my first year attending the Polo Classic, and I must say I loved it! Hopefully this will become a new annual tradition for me.

Polo attire for the Polo Classic:    
               Seersucker Shirt:  Brooks Brothers
               Bow Tie:  Brooks Brothers
               White Chinos:  Brooks Brothers
               Belt: KJP For Brooks Brothers
               Shoes:  Vintage
               Bracelet: KJP For Brooks Brothers
               Watch:  Timex

               Watch Strap:  Brooks Brothers

               Phone Case: J. Crew

***Have you been to a polo match, and if so, where at and what was your favorite part?

HYDRANGEAS

One of my all time favorite summer flowers is the hydrangea.  Their beautiful blossoms bloom constantly throughout the summer, adding so much nostalgic charm to the season. I always feel like I could be walking about the lawns of some 1800's home when I see the romantic flowers of the hydrangea bushes. Their white blossoms have an "old world" feel that I love.

I love the shade of pink of these hydrangeas.

The hydrangeas are just starting to turn white.

While white is by far the most popular color, lately I've see quite a number of pink hydrangeas, and even a few shades of blue. These additional colors brighten my day and make me smile. For me, hydrangeas are some of the most delightful summer flowers, and their beauty always makes me happy.


***Do you have hydrangeas growing in your yard?

DISGRACED AT THE GUTHRIE

Last week I had the opportunity to see Ayad Akhtar's play Disgraced at the Guthrie Theater, and loved it. LOVED it! It is quite simply one of the best shows I've seen this year.

Given the temperament of today's culture, and the sentiments of many leaders in our country, Disgraced does an excellent job of showing the impact fear, distrust, and even hatred, can have on targeted minority groups. It speaks to the blanket stereotyping of individuals, based on the behavior of few people.

(Photo by Todd Pernsteiner)

Our headlines today, are filled with stories of shootings of African-American men who have been detained, or stopped for no apparent reason other than the pigmentation in their skin, as well as daily reports of leaders, and potential leaders in this country, promoting the idea of banning, and deporting Muslims, simply because of their religion (even Muslim citizens born here) - a "blanket" response to the actions of a radical few. These "blanket" decisions are based on our inherent fear of the "other" and all of those who are different from us, and does not speak to our "greater selves" as Americans.

Disgraced tells the story of Amir, a successful Muslim man and his Caucasian wife, Emily, who are well on their way climbing the social ladder. When Amir gives input to the trial of a suspected Muslim terrorist as a favor to his wife, their once happy and successful world begins to spiral out of control. Akhtar's ability to capture that fear and tension is brilliantly executed, leaving us hungry to learn more by the play's end.

Disgraced is an amazing production and I highly recommend that you see it. The show is playing at the Guthrie Theater through August 28.


***What great plays have you seen lately?

What I wore to the theater that evening:    
               Yellow/Blue plaid Shirt:  Izod
               Light Blue Sweater Vest:  Brooks Brothers
               Bow Tie:  The Bow Tie Shoppe
               Yellow Chinos:  Brooks Brothers
               Shoes:  Nordstrom 1901's
               Watch:  Timex

               Watch Strap:  Timex

ASLAN'S GARDEN

One of my favorite things about summer is the wonderful flower gardens that pop up everywhere. I really love this beautiful garden located next to a home along Summit Avenue in St. Paul. I especially love the beautiful wrought iron gate, with its lion detailed latch, which mirrors the lion statues inside as it stands guard. This is a garden truly worthy of Narnia,

***Where are some of your favorite gardens?

OVER THE WEEKEND

This is how my weekend started out.


***What did you do this weekend?