VATICAN SPLENDORS

 

This exhibit was advertised as a once in a life time opportunity limited engagement.   Well Bob and I and friends wanted experience this 2000 years of Vatican art and history. 

 

One of the first things we noticed was that all that glitters is not gold.  All items that we remember were gold plated over silver.   They looked good though.

 

In the advertisements it was said to display the architect's compass belonging to Michelangelo.   Under the display at the museum , it stated it might have been his or like his.

 

We felt strongly that "The Mandylion of Edessa", believed to be the earliest representation of the face of Jesus, was a replica, as it was brilliant in color, hard to believe it was original.

 

Another section  was all about the Swiss Guard who protects the have protected the Popes since 1506. On display were uniforms and decorated armor.

 

Section 9 was liturgical vestments and Pope Pius Vll's papal tiara, containing one of the  world's largest emeralds.   No guards in sight!

 

One of the exhibition's most dramatic rooms, this recreated environment takes visitors onto the scaffolding near the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, to explore how Michelangelo painted his famous frescoes.   I once read that he did not want to paint the ceiling as he considered himself a poet more than an artist.

 

Taking pictures was not allowed, but got these from the Internet.

 

All in all , we were disappointed with the exhibit, but we did have a nice day and lunch with friends.

 

More Of This and That

Another busy week.     We had a visit from friends of ours, Shirley and Gary from Arizona this week .  What a nice day we had with them catching up with all the news and finding out what they have been up too.   The day just flew by and before we knew it they were off, as they were leaving the next morning.  We have missed them and enjoyed their visit.

 

Tonight we had friends over and played a card game "Hand and Foot".  Guys against the girls.   We keep a running score.  We tied tonight.  The boys were lucky!!

 

Some of you have asked what kind of a game is "Mexican Train", it is a domino game, played with a double twelve set of 91 dominoes..   Lots of fun.  Here  are the rules for those of you that are interested. 

Click here: >Mexican Train Station Dominoes Game Rules

 

We are still unpacking.   It's a slow process! LOL

 

Tomorrow night 10 of us are going out for Chinese food and crab legs.  Oh, how I love crab legs.  Bob doesn't eat them as he says it is just to much work to get at the meat. Sunday Mary and Carl are having all 10 of us over for lunch and then the guys will watch the "Masters" on their 72 inch TV.

 

Last, but not least.  Ever wonder how to say  thank you when you see a military person in uniform?  
See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing  by.

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

Hope you all have a great weekend.

It's Christmas here!

Well here I sit among rows of boxes on every available wall in the kitchen, dining room, living room and back porch.  They are stacked somewhat neatly.  Bob is losing sleep as he worries where in the hell is he going to put all "your stuff".  I tell him  "deal with it", this doesn't make him smile.   I have to admit that  I question my own sanity when I packed all this "stuff".   We have found some treasures and also found some stuff that did not belong to us.  Two of the boxes were my son's, ( boxes were stored at his house), So I called him and informed  him I that  had a box of his wife's clothes here. He says " How do you know it is our box Mom" and I told him I never had a key chain that said "Sexy  Bitch"on it!

 

Yesterday we went to a neighbor's wedding.  He is 85 and she is somewhere near that.  He has a RV and they are going to hit the rode for the summer.  The wedding was beautiful and they looked pretty spiffy.

 

Last night we played Mexican Train with some friends that dropped.  Fun time.

 

I had better get back to unpacking.  See what new surprises await me.   Happy Sunday everyone.

This and That

 

Wow, April Fools Day and so far no one has fooled me!   I guess I know all the tricks now.    Bob went golfing this morning  and I went to an early meeting with the girls and then out to breakfast.  From there we checked out the local Hospice store.  You never know what treasures they have there any given day.

 

I started to make a list today of all the things we wanted to do or see before we leave Florida.   The list was bigger than I expected.

 

OH,  by the way, on my March 9th entry, I asked if anyone knew where I could find lime green chair cushions, well, friends Mary and Marianne found them for me.   Thanks guys.They spotted them at the Burlington Coat Factory!       The name  of the game was perseverance.   I love the way they look.

 

I had a nice surprise today.   The local florist delivered me a lovely flower  birthday cake.  Yes, I was almost a fool, tomorrow is my birthday.

 

Sometime this week we are expecting a moving van to deliver things that we put in storage eight years ago when we started this adventure.   It will be like Christmas, not remembering what was saved and boxed.  My cedar chest was the biggest item as we did not store any other furniture.  Bob can't imagine where we will put anything, but it's my "stuff" and I want it!  

 

Gotta get out of here.  Take care.   Catch you later.

 

 

OH, What a week it was!

Hi All,    We have been so busy lately.  The winter season is coming to an end and the things to do are all being scheduled before everyone leaves for the north and a summer at home.    Let's see, first we had our last dance of the season, went off very well.  Then we had "Fun Day" which was a hoot.  I was the sheriff and had five  deputies.   We had a jail and if you were caught without a "Get Out of Jail Free Card", it cost you to be bailed out.   My deputies were aggressive and we made a lot of money for the activities next year.  Beside the jail there were game of chance, water balloons, a cake walk and a huge amount of door prizes, all from local merchants.  We also had a lunch cafe there with all home made soups, chili, hot dogs and pastries.

 

Next we had a bocce tournament.  Bob's team came in first place and my team came in second.    What luck, not skill.  LOL       I won at Bingo this week, that's a first for the year..

 

Thursday, the park had a pork loin dinner cooked by the guys.  The horseshoe players and the shuffle team put it on..   Had company Thursday and Friday night for cards.  Saturday went to Easter service 8pm until 10:30 pm.  What a long service.  All so Bob could play golf on Sunday morning with the guys.

 

Today we were invited to our friends Marla and Don for Easter dinner.  There were 18 of us.    Marla is the perfect hostess and one of the best cooks that I have run across.  I'm so glad to have met her.

 

Tomorrow my friend Marianne is coming to visit for a few days.  She is hoping for warm and sunny weather, as it is still cold in New England.   The forecast is for the 70's all week and sunny.  Not bad.

 

I guess that's it for now.   Have a good week.   Catch you all later.      Dawn

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here is a special card for all my J-Land friends:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1464117706244&source=jl999        Dawn

 

 

 

Busy Times

 Elephant Ears, so good.

 

These signs were great.

 

Charlie Pride concert

 

Western entertainment.

 

Just opening, no crowds yet!

 

    

 

Strawberries, strawberries everywhere.

 

  Cake decorating.

 

 

    Still  have a busy schedule here in Florida.   Bob was recently in the hospital for observation and they found nothing conclusive.  He is fine and back to a full schedule of golf,cooking at the park breakfasts, cribbage, and a lot of cards with friends.   Last night we went to church with Mary and Carl and Marianne and Jim.  After we went to Chili's for dinner.  It seems that it was happy hour when we got there.  Being in a party mood we all ordered a drink, and when they were delivered, there was two for each of us.  Yum  What a deal!

 

Last week we went to the Strawberry Festival.  Weather was beautiful and we did a lot of walking around.

This is a community fair, being smaller than the county fair or state fair.   What could be more community than Plant City, where all local farmers have worked long and hard to bring the strawberries to market. Over 5,000 acres are planted annually.  That's a lot of strawberries.

 

Along with wicked good strawberry shot cake, the fair is a feast for all.  We went with friends of 40 years or so,  Art and Ginny from Georgia.   Young and old enjoy the  competitions and contests combined with exhibits of agriculture, commerce, livestock, arts, homemade goods, crafts and entertainment  that's hard to match.   On the day we were there we saw The Southern Star Bluegrass Band and also Charlie Pride. Does anyone remember Charlie singing  "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" ?

 

I guess I had better finish off here and download a few photos.  Hope you all had a good weekend..

 

PS    I'm have a heck of a time trying to find solid lime green or yellow dinning room chair pads.  Anyone know where they have them?          Dawn