Kalmia Latifolia A common plant found in the Great Smoky Mountains is the Mountain Laurel. Its bright white flowers contrasting with glossy green leaves create a festive atmosphere in the spring. In ancient Greece; a "laureate" was crowned with a laurel wreath as a sign of victory and status. Today's Nobel Laureates are also honored … Continue reading Resting on Your Laurels
Tag: Sophocles
Grandkids - 2019 When the four older grandkids stopped growing, the "stair step" theme for their annual picture went out the window, but I still record them oldest to youngest (l to r). This year's photo shoot encountered additional complications. Two of the participants had schedule conflicts and couldn't make the "reunion". Rather than scrap … Continue reading Stair Steps?
On the banks of the Thames River sits the London Eye, a mere 200 meters downstream from the House of Parliament. The giant wheel measures 400 feet in diameter. A complete rotation of the wheel takes 30 minutes, such a slow rate that each of the 32 capsules can load and unload 28 passengers while … Continue reading London
John Harding (thoroughbred horse breeder) started Belle Meade in 1807 with 250 acres of land six miles west of Nashville, TN. He had the original house built in 1820, and then modernized in 1853 as his farm continued to grow. So modern for its time, the mansion had hot and cold running water and gas … Continue reading Belle Meade Plantation
Three years ago the grand kids painted bird house gourds on July 4th, while waiting for the fireworks. All took them home but one; the 15 year old at the time, thought he was too old to hang a hand painted gourd in his back yard. This year mother wren selected the lone gourd for … Continue reading July 4th
The bottom of this massive mural in the Detroit Institute of Art is a scene of laborers toiling in various factory settings. As you progress vertically up the mural, I see big machinery, then brightness, then abstractness. I interpret this as progress, the result of hard work and dedication, but that's about as far as my … Continue reading Labor Day
Just outside the walls of Old Jerusalem is the site believed to be where Peter denied Jesus three times. The Latin word, "Gallicantu" means "cock's crow". The site is also believed to be the palace of the high priest, Calaphas. The church ceiling on this site is remarkable. Below the church are crypts and grottos … Continue reading Saint Peter in Gallicantu
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