tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88462011252559374562024-03-17T20:01:40.117-07:00Little Bird CreationsSarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.comBlogger2574125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-26609205481490699062024-03-15T15:05:00.001-07:002024-03-15T15:05:51.667-07:00Garden ShowTimeIn Zürich<div><br></div><div>Today we went to the annual garden show. My pictures haven’t up loaded yet, and it’s too late to wait for them, but probably tomorrow I can share some. For now, a couple from a flower shop in the Old Town.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8e3d_a635_e46_cbe9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1LeYzYYvVEf6ejwQK6EwCXa6qESNebXT_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_6f1b_1aa7_342_8b76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1C1L7ZvBtWB5rpre_8XmOzcuePg9p6ixv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Forsythia and daffodils are blooming here all over now.</div><div><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-81994859738769772922024-03-06T00:29:00.001-08:002024-03-06T00:29:22.351-08:00Winter ReturnsSee the Flowers? No.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_8d94_effc_87b9_66ce" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1aUfYM5LYecR3yRXEQqZ3H5TKN5C1FsFr" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_47a2_956f_5714_a08c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15HfdbzIrkaehDWA3yKxi0f4mr_qEF5D7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_534c_15a2_57a3_1362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1vFGYiroyfDmuMBL03Wz9tu50ZBQsELSO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>And still coming down.</div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-75926563908211390032024-03-04T08:35:00.001-08:002024-03-04T08:35:04.816-08:00Spring is SpringingColors Coming<div><br></div><div><img id="id_e23b_807b_36f3_5cbe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1TwFFHaehyHb5eh8sDAaQ_yGwe2QFPcW_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>We are hoping hard that the trees don’t flower yet. We want fruit this year!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3641_48c3_6a76_57f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1j8yYqoQZ2O4rHB46vbP5Hp9GdXkyhoL2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>But snowbells are quite welcome.</div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-25952435087709888062024-03-01T11:17:00.001-08:002024-03-01T11:17:17.980-08:00Happy MarchNew Month, New Opportunities <div><br></div><div><img id="id_da48_a0fe_33d5_a2f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1rIZsPTWqfeuAuW3Es_JlydyLujg8Khww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 576px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Winter flowers </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_64c_7c6e_2b3f_1bfb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1LDnYK9x47qdLKpVJ1xyJ_sruovn0adxV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 568px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Vinca minor, a spring flower, much too early, from an unseasonably warm February.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_912_637f_c14d_158b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1XtIg52xavjGguacWKpMvdsWDK5j_iWff" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Snow drops, a winter flower.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_90a5_69a5_5d07_245b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1D2iWYQ1k15s8iCzcbSF_-ETC6eUsS3CA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A few weeks too early for Forsythia.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c63d_f3b0_c8f9_f8f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-GZYseaTTuWbOt1OkU6kVkrL6exCeZnM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>And the rhubarb is pushing hard. </div><div><br></div><div><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-13507740437925637142024-02-29T12:03:00.001-08:002024-02-29T12:03:03.255-08:00Happy Special DayOnce in Four Years<div><br></div><div>More time to do more? Or more time to get behind on TO DO list? </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1556_3546_482a_9188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1sjDAQq78ewMP-WYfuIc0K5SqfAAQnp9l" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-14676048067234639512024-02-26T11:24:00.001-08:002024-02-26T11:24:50.040-08:00Fire in the SkyOtherwise Known As Sunset<div><br></div><div><img id="id_b83f_47cd_b76f_424a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1K6CAX6vg81ylXm6_7VPFpj4zFZRNI8Wq" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 584px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>A fleeting phenomenon.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1f59_5e01_4572_7823" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1fPF92NmWAJJXLK-3SWxEOybazhfvzDke" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-68878093608698022152024-02-19T11:13:00.001-08:002024-02-19T11:16:14.285-08:00Blessed Lenten SeasonSomber Time<div><br></div><div>On this day- my brother’s birthday- my father died four years ago, a blessed end, with much of his family around, just before lockdowns hit. It was 12:20, 20-02-2020 (or 02-20-2020 in American numeration of dates). I was there by video. Last week his brother died, 95 years old, also a blessed end with family around and at peace and ready for heaven. May we all pray for such an end, with a Christian family as our legacy. </div><div><br></div><div>As life goes on. </div><div> This past weekend some of us went to look at a property for sale. A very old, furnished restaurant/house, rambling all over the place in Appenzell. Anybody interested in cheap rent and lots of room for your business? </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d5b1_f1d6_9246_f97f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1m2T15Z2TVMiQ_jSSw6iMEtZJ9EW0-mvF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 544px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7c77_c3dd_8964_10b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1glWz99zojyI8clLXfFWo1xUKpZ-W0yUw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>With as many chairs as you could want. </div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_ec1f_f85c_78fb_a2fc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1a7Y6SsT6lhhMyDqToSzf2Y2-wtAF5BsO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Commercial kitchen, freezers, etc.</div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_1138_ec59_7ab6_db73" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1rBU3FEA9Q9Vl_SrWVPrTlrOWMmgycpxf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Folk art furnishings </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ff25_3fd_a547_6ac5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1wDuuLkGtj7Ppf0lvQMsduvFV6zLfwJ8j" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br>A marvelous ballroom with great acoustics </div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_35fa_be4b_ec71_a7d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1P27h0ZcQLb7M44BfGE_a6Lm5oGoBCTU4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>With a painted ceiling - one of only two left in the canton. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_803_9343_d4d3_668a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1R-j3oBdP1p22PXitCrPRZLMtjFXve52u" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Depicting the cantonal folk and their culture </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a1db_ea96_a1d1_cd32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1rTwchrOC0mLfuMPqNJiwP5cJVFmD715g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>And flora and fauna</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c951_801a_aaad_792f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11JNxHbvYIlQI5XuxOLyHp87yyVVPhSyv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br>And original log structure attics</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_da9c_97d7_8d32_fc9e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Vpl8Nx8rmVac2P1uoE7jUcACZcpNDCDG" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Where the community still meets for its festivities.</div><div><br></div><div>A piece of history. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-30572244784398256892024-02-14T01:10:00.001-08:002024-02-14T01:11:34.828-08:00Happy Valentines DayHugs<div><br></div><div><img id="id_ea53_fb2f_aab9_a630" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1kj-oTznrnX601zWf3SQcRe3MwWuEpk-I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Oma’s Valentine tree with handmade pieces from our “cuddle bug.”🐞 </div><img id="id_9580_761_bfd_f6bc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1C_cOLPa4sL2gt69Q7wVU4rfo9YU4MuoP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><img id="id_1a16_8184_3b46_4b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1iCXQtHXrwd_J4C3FhdNFMdHMYMiQbO-c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div>Another post will follow on the other part of the day. </div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-73715966018677141062024-02-13T12:55:00.001-08:002024-02-13T12:55:33.794-08:00Siena 21The Last - This and That<div><br></div><div>Here is one last post on Siena.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_80d5_4ddb_4492_31b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1yZbcM_M48tyDav1GRsrNS0CzbRg-mKnI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A church porch<br><br><br><img id="id_5ed3_10b0_49c8_1eaf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/14ljALYnyp8fPFTDPFHBM3qpds-gQTCzJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Hotel Atrium. This used to be an open courtyard, when the building was a private Palazzo. <br><br><br><img id="id_e97c_d9a4_9154_d2f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/14WZKvOs_0WLTUg0nUdIvbsmdhZtSUVWP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Now a great glass ceiling makes a gathering room below. The boxy thing on the right is the elevator.<br><br><br><img id="id_e77a_7c5c_4ac2_e501" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1EvpF2F0aZXin6umG3J8XKkirCq0g82-e" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The view from our room<br><br><br><img id="id_8192_79c8_55b8_dd0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1A0hYvIlj5hs0MgsNo95v-vmMd2cgeuJg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Siena is famous for its Palio, the twice yearly summer horse races 🏇 by the various neighborhoods, each in its traditional colors and patterns. The horses are assigned. The race is held in the town square with slopes, wicked corners, and massive crowds <br>The jockeying is brutal. Bareback, mind you. It doesn’t matter if the jockey comes off; the horses can win riderless.<br><br><img id="id_ff7d_311a_b07c_29cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1dNMRNjgibeVBXOpszpTBYD2xx03YVv0Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><img id="id_78bd_e268_7b4c_2fa8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1aOe007mgtOGpz6P5zZ1jah4Atj0VFZK8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>And the shops will sell you a souvenir. <br><br><br><img id="id_d4db_dc42_404_3db8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1EdjacV5VTVGNJIJXQfjJRW98OBYmjGx-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Or food, fresh and colorful </div><div><br><br><img id="id_8236_8db2_d425_d35c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16vibWDghSQcol_B6IlApxCPEMU4_BAqo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Italian pottery is everywhere. All hand painted. Much of it is made in Daruta. <br></span><br><img id="id_a2e9_3b84_90bb_3cdc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1bSlCqzGqZiT1hXDho8Bhu7qDjXlNhTPx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 568px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_256a_189_3b6d_16c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1WREivfcFOHn_ERHEnGA0Cs4l6pm-6Jkn" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This plate shows the neighborhood symbols and colors used in the horse races. The black and white at the top is Siena’s coat of arms.<br><br><br><img id="id_8806_9aa5_dcc4_de5d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1MJ5rrgRv6CIaEky5aN-AsDTTW_dH-Lyx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>I wanted to take home this Green Man, but I only had a carry-on-size bag, quite full, so he stayed. <br><br><br><img id="id_7f20_4103_9825_acc6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1qnhyd7lnDZ-UXvj0ZZXobda1_uVMm1cq" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This marvelous sculpture was on a fountain at the entrance of Tortoise Street (in Italian, of course).<br><br><br><img id="id_eb_6005_8c21_31f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1G02rq_yTDk_XjIeFxIKMc4uoskTFEFXD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>We wondered what these rings were for. They were too high to be for tying horses. They were for torches, to light the streets. <br><br><br><img id="id_8b3e_5df0_fcd2_a0d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1OJangsYgHKTzejV1eS3T6ARpxHBdWApV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This beautiful wood carving was one of a pair on a door, almost identical, but not quite. The craftsman had either gotten better on the second one, or had gotten tired on the second one, because one was very slightly better made than the other. <br><br><br><img id="id_118_3352_7c62_2737" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/13_eHMKOHKwsavlbqiP8YPPVLnlcT-VVD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The door knocker on the Egyptian museum<br><br><br><img id="id_b384_7bbb_d1a8_7f76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HnbXZsjdOpXfHqPky1mYekSquHFaH4P3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A restaurant, one of innumerable vaulted spaces in the bowels of the brick buildings, probably once storage cellars or pig styies. </div><div><br><img id="id_8856_23c6_3867_7ec2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1oDH01QHkVD5OeV6GBQDZZigihcmq2GP3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Food was not entirely pleasing on this trip. I tried not-standard things and got some surprises. </div><div>This appetizer was bacon fat on dried out bread. It tasted good, but I would have fixed it differently. </div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_fa18_5c0b_6bdd_f200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15MBZW2XaPiLXaOlPv6oc6TXXVAm7pcg-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div>The main course was …. Umm…. this rawness over a bed of greens underneath. </div><div>Notice Somebody stayed with true and trusted selections. </div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_3423_d243_cf19_1736" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1H8SAZQlWpnIpO-fO20d87A5hkab1the5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This was a most appealing little shop for writers.<br><br><img id="id_6986_cb0_e6e5_8897" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1RRm-UogA_sY4K09VKMwP34CH11L32V7G" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This equine was made from heated plastic bottles pressed in a horse form.<br><br><img id="id_252c_b0a7_a2da_63b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1r79N1qcWbaSYuuB1EQy40yXuldXPQidI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>We tried a “cookie.” Like most Italian food, it was heavy. Tasty, but very solid and dense. <br><br><img id="id_13dd_6aaf_ae6b_7eab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Ppp-f3nq9LHTSzep9Zm0USqK5U0Rd7Ro" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 568px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>We did eventually go to a place with very fine food that I liked - after a place whose grilled t-bone veal cutlet was still mooing it was so undercooked.</div><div>But this place had exquisite molecular cuisine, of which this was the appetizer. Each thing had a delicate and delectable flavor. <br><br><img id="id_8b4b_ae27_b86_1b6b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/10Pe_eQFh5tV_lXm9Iv1KFpAnIIvFmaWS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>I wanted a pizza while we there, but it was too pure for my taste: bland, no salt, no herbs, only exactly what was written on the menu. I like my own better. </div><div>But the trip was overall good, the sights worth seeing, and experiences gained. <br><br><img id="id_e6d6_146e_4561_d987" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1L5Yo7uIZaygT01n4HPLlCT0rlF6jErYM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Then homeward bound on the train, back to winter. </div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-31729012081460130212024-02-10T11:43:00.001-08:002024-02-10T11:43:51.738-08:00Siena 20Painting Collection<div><br></div><div>A noble family had a large collection of historic paintings that passed to subsequent generations. Some of the collection is now in a gallery setting in the Old Hospital. (Again, please excuse the glare on the varnish.)</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c947_de42_9ff9_26d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1kjMeXnVXerBIjSJ1zu8oDboFA2uWMswt" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Beautifully rendered drapery and skin</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ae33_2d5f_7cd6_96b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1bv2tKIHGvkll1ZAJMI3nrGbtOl6a9E_I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_c347_6ca9_3564_cfda" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1o-NZPB12nUsyKEe4KzhMcgQ7ePT8FgZE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><img id="id_6093_c88_3531_9c8f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1v5f03-AQ8zabnGXgSLkP_-uR3h5cF0dE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Small but beautifully painted</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1e58_a198_9bc8_cec9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Fq2aW1FmdjWr-EXswJfARq43pj--ya82" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Part of a very large piece.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_91d6_c0a3_b598_b0a2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1DfTuTcjHywJX4pkxwLp5OaDuTbrzMGR7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_aed7_edc1_5f52_b933" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11iic9auahundrSBE_a1B8xOlRYmX62r1" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A very fine piece<br><br><img id="id_6cca_275a_b89b_d161" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1GAEHin8V9GN3u6Rw-EN0eUMP0TdMVk3w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Bible story Italian style</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_325b_6694_e1ea_a226" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1FNqruC8yU5NqYUNpCL4TCQImflPBrk6D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The Visit of Mary to Elizabeth. Note the assumption that Joseph escorted his betrothed on her journey there. And note the gentlemanly handshake. This is not a typical scene -quite a unique take, actually. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And many more, of which I didn’t get pictures.</div><div><br></div><div>And that is the end of that particular visit. <br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-42711758563478949702024-02-08T13:10:00.001-08:002024-02-08T13:10:35.146-08:00Siena 19Another Children’s Exhibition, Etc.<div><br></div><div><img id="id_48ad_e89e_fe_8928" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1iPig_35C4LjmmXTUUQWAG_kX-OJ-XGxA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>These were nearly life-size terracotta sculptures <br><br><div><img id="id_1204_43ca_40e9_1f1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-PD27YxhQZVxhtICclPjGKxFP_Rki0Kp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Romulus and Remus again. <br><br></div><div><img id="id_4af3_f7d2_59cf_f5cf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1YWV-PLdO0bpOqnIL10uF1h6fm91nNfbd" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Some old pottery finds once used in the kitchens </div><div><br></div><div>Some elevation models of the building </div><div><br><img id="id_f8b3_e324_595_7973" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/17_fQ5eTFuTn4zSX8CQcf_tNMbnEAFK3i" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_cc52_adf1_74f1_32ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1v-lK9nuG1HYVdzAN2Hi7ew7eBdbjF93e" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e072_9cfb_9329_cb8e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1IqjnHrpHIAuM_yCRKEQsqSfvhs6785ds" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>And it goes down and down from there</div></div><div><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-31846905623057394092024-02-06T14:49:00.001-08:002024-02-06T14:50:45.969-08:00Siena 18In the Depths<div><br></div><div>In the vaulted under layers of the Old Hospital were some rooms protecting the two old iterations of the sculptures of the main fountain. The oldest ones were so worn as to be barely recognizable. The later ones, by a different sculptor, were less worn, but also in disrepair. A new version of each was subsequently made. <br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_233b_2536_444c_d686" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/17q7zAo67UHJr9PiHG-C8IkvEl9JAAPRP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_b378_1586_303c_7be7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_QibCZvvYikuCfkTIRunoWPk3vGZIlSk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_58d6_9e6e_4579_cc9c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1kNJaQFyIZ4UzFz6ZHUaZztYFXNo9JWQ_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>To compare older and newer </div></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e927_d107_9855_3337" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1e5GwRYeFByYTAo1u06nh_3NrOJ1-AMMw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Try copying from that!</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5f40_a886_c508_31d7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SVL1R-kuywP3c2EAlOj7v8ZpgPRLyPXC" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Oldest</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_623a_4049_27d5_be5f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-HlOBQ5L2CYmj1H6Cm3NkmmneFQIU511" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Damaged</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8fdb_c136_f3e0_59da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/103C_KdTDLy71-T87S-8Tgk1CZlZoAQrF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Newer</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cdfc_e05a_b62b_3ce0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ia9hgn_NxiZI9VjUtHcXLAdt4xlmi2ti" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The creation of Adam<br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-49702340219835209572024-02-04T10:14:00.001-08:002024-02-04T10:14:42.380-08:00Siena 17Blessed Sunday <div><br></div><div>While it is February, and nearing Lent, it is still Epiphany, so I have no compunctions in posting yet another Crèche. The Divine Son was manifest, after all, to shepherds, to Wise Men, to town folk.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6dfa_7abc_855e_dccf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1bVyyIsGv4pB6XR4ElWdSx4k4oTjdk3-S" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>On a brilliant morning, on our first full day in Siena, we had this view from our balcony. We subsequently went to both churches. The Duomo is on the left. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_61a6_8080_3a8a_48fe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/119KuwZK2dBblTUu3sgBZtOWO4206PxUY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>We just started walking, to see what we would see.<br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ca7_4559_cb38_db88" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Z60c_z4bTPkh4n2BeVGSImCRnNtkFter" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>We came to a church - of course! - and went in to take look. Classical. And on the left, a Creche still up.<br><br><br><img id="id_5b22_6dc9_fe5e_1dc9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1cCvt-flqahhVomyptQ_xvitaNk0w21v_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Presided over by this fellow, bathed in a beautiful light.</div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_5941_ff1a_7216_42a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1FVyHcnoeXUWAnC8FIGrsIi-jUOZzYV80" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Compared to what we saw later, this was a simple Nativity, but still lovingly presented.<br><br><br><img id="id_5b45_c456_3e5f_e077" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1imIQ-NjlZQ3ohBWf3x0gepT8k74eIiuD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>“Let us go now, and see.”<br><br></div><div><img id="id_3a3_8d10_53ec_92e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1y8hCN6BOVtRcWd9vjoIrpKyPt5o_rHLh" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>‘And they found Mary, and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manager, as it had been told unto them.”<br><br></div><div><img id="id_59d9_d1b9_da63_c685" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1sJx0yoSbaJTXab__Vm4FLn1UVqu87-X9" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>On the opposite wall were St. George and St. Christopher, and a Madonna. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c710_7caf_7511_e5c4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1JjaQdsg_WIuTcaJFQAopXpvlB4jjaSdB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Then back out to the streets….</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_f874_6848_c5c5_57e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1cQB5Iy0k9B8PdNb9UiyCcFM7EGbU-ghI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>…and onward to the Duomo.<br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-10674511628557805422024-02-03T14:30:00.001-08:002024-02-03T14:30:29.333-08:00Siena 16Still in the Old Hospital <div><br></div><div>In a large long, high-ceiling-ed room, we found a collection of very large paintings from various periods.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1eeb_7b60_e40e_492e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lSntZ5J41TqqPclbTJygqNH55YD5qSzk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Life sized figures </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ce4_b00a_5bba_3201" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1K5L7t6r1XowEz8bd1L9r4juyAVZEgs-A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>In a sad state of repair, but still colorful </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_95f6_ce3b_9bb7_6f00" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1TgJirsH7rxyXAw8NpU-CtpxC0DEfBkzg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Risqué, seemingly unfinished, and one wonders where that was supposed to go.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9910_63a3_c02a_d273" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1P6XLfgTgl5lczP31zRfpHj59cgvUgUtO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Dramatic. Likely from the Romantic period, late 1800’s. <br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-50978640442771872672024-02-02T01:34:00.001-08:002024-02-03T02:36:41.721-08:00Siena 15Random Bits<div><br></div><div>Still in the labyrinthine old hospital/museum, we found rooms with almost nothing in them….<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_29a3_8011_772b_115d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1RJPEClPoUhwC49_TTvv8u1p_PNRMC1X8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>….rooms with odd collections that didn’t seem to relate to each other….<br><img id="id_c4b7_d37b_c55f_d383" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1uHvJyStmzQYUSN3bEvS2fVNcnjh8uR3d" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This<br><br><br><img id="id_eeb2_6d65_8eb9_1a0b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1JsZsV8FQG-ea6F-0slxLsk8URCKDr_8B" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>And this</div><div><br><img id="id_a72f_5471_3357_2303" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Rc63bqxbHY1DmSbjEOEqQzlUWlaKljdH" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>And this</div><div><br><img id="id_1308_985b_3ca7_587" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1JaMy4Jmbi3XhLe1c1nnpzff7OZb2C7cY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br>And this, with some large random felted pieces. But maybe it was all a fairy tale.</div><div><br></div><div>Other rooms were empty, with evidence of some peering behind layers on the walls.</div><div><br><img id="id_5d94_be9e_9793_6c0d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/19EKJ3yARvwF65dBByO61m7EnVRbk9d7T" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Thus</div><div><br></div><div>And long corridors that connected the rooms.<br><img id="id_e41b_3d72_f208_52e1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tC1ERn5GUeTih-6ALU_YYPc1bvH1DRsr" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br><br></div></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-47949960410684543422024-02-02T01:15:00.001-08:002024-02-02T01:15:57.668-08:00Happy February Blooms<div><br></div><div><img id="id_f8d7_987d_122a_6e45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1kHo85dAdFGqIxoJ1mbalykv4CUzoxFu7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>My amaryllis put out two more blooms. So cheery in the winter.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_42da_4d92_292c_1d26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Artb5oSnECRlZF7shbU33vod54Po9jRQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-48464183614471656382024-01-31T13:54:00.001-08:002024-01-31T13:54:30.155-08:00Siena 14An Underground Chapel <div><br></div><div>They say this area is where Saint Catherine came to pray in the night after ministering to people. So a chapel was built to commemorate her devotion.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_992f_3c0b_fd50_4f73" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1gYays40K-qkzzFs7Z-FXzhr_fayWm2Xc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_53_c389_6860_b062" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1H_LHKyT56kxkBnCFfK-QsuYBWKOceRFr" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_22d6_7df1_adfd_aeed" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1wJbRsJo5-MW-u7q7BXBuc_Ji80mDN-_k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8c24_d798_c7b6_2ede" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1A9cM04QTf_X9RoEdXy-y7SUNgEs0R8tQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></div><div>And next to it a tiny hall chapel in memory of her mother.<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b819_fa2a_c51c_1ed" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1yClrLYGfGCDe8tEj_Rq556VmEAdJvGvd" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-39149099996943203112024-01-29T15:19:00.001-08:002024-01-29T15:19:10.798-08:00Siena13Children’s Exhibit <div><br></div><div>One part of the Hospital Museum had an area with exhibits of art for or about children. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e70c_34c4_3007_294" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1CmCbVUNBWVqnY9eNa9rzbGgPXa_Y6Fd1" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f376_46e7_ccc0_5102" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11ENWEB_l_jMruF7LjQdFCikVdLW59ohj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8675_147f_8591_d77b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/105Q1vZ6fpszYo0L3Jhny2NGYjEJn52tU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d648_f29b_d818_d45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1JdDUfPiv5bC6QfMAhVIPgsxsk9X_WIUJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>An expanse of wall was filled with these. We had no idea what its connection was to children.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cba_ec7b_3e0f_4b5e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/135wTmLGsrfYrE1kbG7e8uBFTAoiqCm_C" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_643_e829_6317_3bc6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1IKUFhRUaDzm98otoLHj2UV8xvvZL5LEB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Part of row<br><br></div><div><img id="id_9f2e_c84_4bf7_23c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_Y0Zm_of4s1jocykrspc6EfLGGYeIuEz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_dabd_ce19_a2d1_d254" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1IK684e5WAd4T2pwrx4DUrtTmJ1QBvbf_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_31cd_b5b3_a67d_e54a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Ooa24Bq1dk2GPvO6KSEMHxOIjFmgA-t8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d6f4_a766_cf7c_8f96" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/13ocT3uOXRgqr39JGiZLR8drY26asU8mv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>An extensive collection by this artist filled an alcove</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9276_d725_7f18_d2e6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1s6lNvYv4foG1laFWaWm6t3naCQ_dX9sT" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>And they all wore shoes.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4baa_1a8f_5a00_b0c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1B7S3e4gPXDwRMW4luSXhNFTa-mGKn0Sa" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>All in all a laudable attempt to mix old and new. </div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-1465102182316125782024-01-28T13:49:00.001-08:002024-01-28T13:52:19.500-08:00Siena 12Creche <div><br></div><div>Within the Old Hospital museum, was a chapel ( actually several, but this was the biggest). Within, two nuns were singing a liturgy in beautiful harmonies. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f11b_a087_1e0e_4403" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Lq9J9eYK_WXZ7zkjlUrLNjpt18EEBcH2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>And at the back of the chapel was the most wonderful creche ever. St. Francis of Assisi invented the concept of Nativity scenes. His were live. So the Italians take theirs very seriously, and have made an art form of it. This one was the work of one man and a few helpers in a tiny town in some rural place. It was loaned to this chapel from November to February on a traveling tour. It was entirely hand-sculpted. The figures are of terracotta, painted, and dressed. And the light slowly changed from daylight to night. At “night,” tiny street lights came on. And a shooting star traveled across the sky. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b362_8ce1_a1bb_b0b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1nghMZwShcLS0j2J-BPUaQrifOwBKpNET" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A traditional procession in the village </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c12c_6868_5e3f_5b8a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1yu4kGMgt35-PL_8ql2bqIRbyNGxS7MIp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d9c4_80f4_1b9_c8fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1A6j7i0uV99fhTNwz1ZmInCeOiBTcsxsB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d462_3f40_e397_e1d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1GI-FnON2FwTUAbHRWuWZIOSXDealkeOS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e7e7_738a_c32c_1be7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1GYDpWjoamTV6kqBrGoU0vAsXZDldey2y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_d329_6c17_ba84_9669" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1FYIgPpwdDe61fV2Muz3p8HkfNOGjDCuT" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3417_9989_c2fe_b2aa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SFwdlgTButDGY3BYG69UQQm6mDDWKRnt" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><img id="id_4b8a_bc51_952c_4650" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/12-yp1OJZPFqJdAOsqxNgA8SFRtOm88LL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f825_769e_3632_505f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1u1OnmQtqpYwOBkdjPSi5x1nZsdqSOMLM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>See the star in the background. Here the Wisemen have replaced the shepherds visiting the Christ Child. <br><br></div><div><img id="id_f1_e11_25bf_41ac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1MkprmlvLLpay9DOLZnz1RKKTMtQESt2U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e94b_b5ef_14dc_f4d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15u7rw9-ygCqUAydoYN5c_pTDnLZbd67U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>A vast amount of culture is depicted and implied in this whole work. </div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-18689368875919347042024-01-27T05:11:00.001-08:002024-01-27T05:36:09.864-08:00Intermezzo Sunshine!<div><br></div><div>The snow is gone, the morning fog has flown (well after eight a.m., but we don’t claim the name of Camelot) and the sun came out. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2957_a4a6_8f63_209f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/19OX1jUqnRWnlkk4XrHTkfs4nJteJC6-j" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div>Most of the greenhouse contents survived. The bulbs got their winter freeze. And the Rhubarb not only survived, but it looks good. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7a5b_31d_b194_179c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ltMJ9Z2gYb29JqY91j6uV2xqsjQk0Xab" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>And we have our Christmas gift birdbath placed.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_121d_ce68_113f_ac83" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HDTXX4Y-53OB2okVdwZlMcF5PIEZaBTo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>P.S. There were some odd typographical errors and autocorrections in the previous post. They are corrected now, if you want to know what I actually was trying to say.<br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-30799585984854746152024-01-26T07:10:00.001-08:002024-01-27T05:34:21.169-08:00Siena 11Next Museum<div><br></div><div>Siena, like most ancient cities, is layer upon historic layer. Not only are newer buildings built over older buildings, but underground rooms, and aqueducts and even roads are built into the hillsides. In the next museum complex we visited, across from the Duomo, we found these many layers. For the past thirty-some years, this former charity building has been under renovation for a museum. In medieval days it was a refuge for pilgrims on their way to Rome or Santiago or other holy sites. The rich of the city funded it (maybe to expiate some sins - like the “Userers” giving parts of their ill-gotten gains to fund beautiful chapels in various churches in the city, for prayers for their souls, which changed no deeds whatsoever). Later the building complex became a very notable hospital, not in the sense of today with drugs and surgery, but by binding up the cut and broken, and giving the needy healthful food and care, provided from the farms that the owners had. That sounds like a wonderful hospital to me. Here also, orphans and abandoned babies were brought and raised. In the 1800’s, it became a modern hospital, for awhile. <br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1908_4a02_60c4_6d95" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1XzScafF2l_gN5PtlR5FV6dSNDPK2gABM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>First, a grand room in our hotel, a former Palazzo. <br><img id="id_fcf7_bb08_ef35_8ea3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1gD6Da4SFDMHyPcMyoQvT0eq1lRD3nML1" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Then on to the day’s adventure….<br><img id="id_473_1bd6_c2b2_64ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Z8jGswzOTsu3mu4c4xSEMEW-CykMH9NP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Layers of building, old and new.</div><div><br><img id="id_31f2_9055_a3a1_8d1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/10YYZTVQ-SoghLJQKlLXn-uPYKoxkRCuI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Old pottery from the site. An Italian Jackalope and Unicorn.</div><div><br><img id="id_ab02_4469_706f_afba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1mgCmdhvLZC6um8am8WJplCgpx0V6hPcj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A “gnome bird “?</div><div><br><img id="id_bde4_bbb3_154_a719" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1DjetsgtYs6GiSIeia6504ULioZiY4Br9" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br>Lovely scribbles <br><br><img id="id_9d_5db_cb98_9331" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tCOl6ZQ2JoBXI-mnZz50prHFaAXktzVj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>These used to be room beams looking down on you.</div><div><br><img id="id_34e0_9316_ce13_72c6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1hZFzU8NXjouWiT0PgTDNRMR73VOjtJrw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The whole city was polychrome with holy images. This is what unrestored parts look like.</div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_9058_b75e_87_725b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15CbsLBzxxzBlUVjzhkWHaXm6RWMPSqMk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Reliquaries <br><br><img id="id_5a99_c473_ca18_ff3a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/13rnvXi6IRTPkrKSIBMZ3dNkSU7_hP5qK" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9465_9886_a92a_a371" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16taiVDpvLF5V0n4LJSNjjHnxD60ER2wq" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This had a holy something in it.<br><br><img id="id_41b_aeac_530e_c570" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1K4sLbZ4rj3Abuyy4j-WPuaf4p9OtMiHb" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 552px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A detail of the above reliquary <br><br><img id="id_26b8_8f1a_20d0_7ea4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lmt5UmaZOxHpEsuAsXtNVEmveP--uJky" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This was labeled as containing a piece of the true Cross (one of a whole forest of such across Europe)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Next will be of a marvelous chapel deep in the bowels of the complex, with a couple of lovely surprises. <br><br></div></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-29176695061528669882024-01-26T06:36:00.001-08:002024-01-26T06:36:04.557-08:00IntermezzoBlooms<div><br></div><div>A Christmas gift blooms today, for my dear daughter’s birthday</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7fef_b534_e862_57ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HZd3IAwtQ0klyHImVoz9I5HSfvNiYllJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_6896_c3c5_2410_1c96" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_Wp69hs3qnomPIlHFB1pIU12tJyfsr9a" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7d31_56aa_8216_4399" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1rDiH7nbvJaktxxXs-1dpNUBOhg0hjNwp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Happy Birthday, Maria.</div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-18519245066563997122024-01-23T01:41:00.001-08:002024-01-23T01:41:31.469-08:00Siena 10City Museum, Continued<div><br></div><div><img id="id_13ab_2df3_f8dd_9ad8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HeFR5Fy68ZD2XWFzoVklWnEJIvwwGUZV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9ba5_a6b8_6013_320b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1CRVXsiemv-RaRwoTICJX3Q9rbLlVzllY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>It was behind glass, being solid gold and itchy fingers being discouraged, so the photo is not sharp, but it’s worth seeing, nonetheless. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f14f_1976_af1f_dd21" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1b0QSlMNwf0D_2VxQuyLZx2aBH7vsbwVP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>A very fine equestrian sculpture, plaster, probably as a model for a bronze. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fc62_3199_69c7_687" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VorBBWtgx4BII4ZjLV-YNWpGoh12f2VN" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_59ce_7406_2904_f12d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1o74hduvE03XCAwwP4pmARd2GYljCzCsh" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Architect and painter from Siena, known especially for illusionist architectural painting that visually blended into the actual physical architecture. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_ecde_5e0e_34_505e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ZxiusDRcv00plJIfkTSNbIRRSWMKzKXu" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This fellow really should be happy, in that he got a very skilled sculptor to bring him to life from that rock. Phenomenal work. <br><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-29516956272699089702024-01-22T06:45:00.001-08:002024-01-23T01:11:34.740-08:00Siena 9More City Museum<div><br></div><div><img id="id_1eb8_282c_48f9_ccac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1FfqiBTv7M7Zt2KnjXd69EDZ4qXVE0ODE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>All over Siena are images of the She-wolf and Romulus and Remus</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7e1b_f0bc_9db0_88c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1jRLyOkOxymEa98dtjQhuB6hFPPQpOGgE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>… in various iterations</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a260_a24a_e15_8a85" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ak5tY1RzIEDQmPMuouDo3ZZC_7nVIuHW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>After various antechambers, this was the next big room. The Sala del Mappamondo: the room of the map of the world, though the map is long gone. The map was actually of Siena and environs, so the name was a slight exaggeration. This room is the pride of Siena (one of them), with very valuable paintings of battles won, a Madonna with the patron saints of the city and other saints and angels (above, called a Maesta), and scenes of late medieval life. And hidden doors. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ccf3_95bc_fae3_b299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1WNJrWAlXu3jxEZCDfLgsn6Y4myCV1oP2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>This goes under the staircase on the other side of the wall. </div><div><br><img id="id_26af_8c2d_f486_423b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1S-LzdFo0J66_m6tOvN175uBA9B4EGHes" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>This goes into the thickness of the dividing wall to the neighboring chapel room, seen in the top of the picture.</div><div>Notice another wolf and twins on the side wall.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9ef3_f164_12b9_4dbf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1KqFvLRISzKjRSsLVwIvVsFkDyPyesPKq" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Siena was always fighting with Florence for area supremacy. Sometimes they won, and made paintings about those, but eventually they lost entirely and came under the rule of the Medici for the next several centuries, with all of Tuscany. </div><div>Siena’s Golden Age was in the 1200’s. They lost half their population to the Black Death in the 1300’s, and never fully recovered, though they did continue to expand for a while. By the 1900’s, the city was a poverty-stricken backwater, that didn’t recover until quite recently with tourism, industry, and banking. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_dcd2_c2a9_92f7_27e2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ttwg0wfWzx1F0rkifdhDAJakNpFVi8ST" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_903a_2bc1_595c_7bf8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1795Pp-HzoLL70w6ETYIK5Z1cwG7ftZ2s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 788px; height: auto;"><br><br>A very poor photo, but this fellow is the hero of the room, and must be noted. This is Guidoriccio da Fogliano during the Siege of the Castle of Montemassi of 1328. Of the left is the besieged castle. He led the victory.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f0ad_109f_f511_2f56" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ywGPogAgiVJ-c7FaRXjYg9zB4ppG_r8M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Then through another antechamber or hall, with a metal screen and more wolf and twins….</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_438_2757_7d6f_a6e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1q1I6ZQIJhD3h62uBm96044I8ZrynEXur" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>…..and a monumental St. Christopher fresco….</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ae0a_d3c6_72e_928c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1WNwaRm6uJEuoP10k1XBDlz6_Nq8Bf9-t" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>….. is a beautiful small chapel</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ca78_1e4f_b534_417" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HTI4qXz3aJDGGpIeCeTAbTVFXCbQVIfP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>……with exquisitely decorated seats inlaid and carved.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_77d0_36dc_c71d_f2d5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lqi6eqTssa7SzSmav29x3-NmRmSibG-j" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_2c3b_dcb1_f47f_f379" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1XlOOKzE4vd6dUZPVgH9jABO3Gc_i577L" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Chapel ceiling </div><div><br></div><div>To be continued….</div><div><br><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8846201125255937456.post-86252085966932000272024-01-22T06:02:00.001-08:002024-01-22T06:02:00.489-08:00Siena 8More<div><br></div><div>On another day we went to the city museum. It houses the rooms used for state gatherings, very sumptuous. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4313_73f3_5ba4_dfdb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VH48zZwqVINLpS2IE_0wnmGoRVZ45pFO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The courtyard </div><div><br><img id="id_b67c_2279_3e1b_c7c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1w66R8ZH72fOs19BZhIav228SJUwgg8Tz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 552px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_efa2_6280_48af_8ac3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1sYZegO41OlaN6TVQwFuSwgFd1ktg2WTR" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The first grand room is the Unification of Italy room. It has frescoes of historic scenes, some sculptures, and ornamental paintings on the architectural elements.</div><div><br><img id="id_8119_b451_b3c7_77fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1BusJyJSWZlGj3X4AKu6vMDzQX63qozJo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_5836_a314_d52_49ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1pQx8wRwPGtfkzDjUqeMzfJfWAFbfhfUv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_4bea_eb2b_3abb_5119" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ZtAmTrWhO81jqu_nhmFXe9UY3AI61mij" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>I wanted to climb up there and fix the paintings: horse heads too small, legs too long, and riders proportionately too small. But, it is beautifully painted and I don’t really like to climb, so I guess it’s fine the way it is. <br><br><br><img id="id_e57d_7170_a058_1d14" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1hf6WpVig_ZlpfTDcU2GyVNeRT02lUmYg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The ceiling</div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_c719_4bd4_3d79_65fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tXZRX2iLatFBrDjjnFUOuI7xbJcAuMBV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>In the next room from an earlier period, about the life and times of a pope<br><br></div><img id="id_143d_4165_8190_5922" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1KElZN3ZhMmdIObGKVMlpquXjAnfB0cav" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>The vaulting work<br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fa_653d_e6f5_cee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1FfFMVT1Kn5dm4iWxWQX4GkUfcp0xdihy" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>Very fine draperies and figures </div><div><br><img id="id_fb0c_ac14_19d4_b0cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1WZkQjKE_VVI6TArQq8OXKydUQQI3lt-5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3a62_f5a4_1d7b_955d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1V4Eo8guPe0_Z6KvfTNDWwTM-Sqzpqww5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A close up of the old glass in the windows. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e57e_cd2_16db_49b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1nOIjxhMPp4JcgZJoExvLaw0O5UzHHJP4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>A door into a room now used for conferences. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d265_915e_cd89_ba58" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1hAUh0Tz9YF0sC2tovm2crGgKYoGKnb0D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A large beautiful remnant above a door</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d0cc_6595_e727_f47d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1M_N0CPFb5Db7uelNbYFnfjV0cRqNqxDh" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br>A ceiling detail</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7460_14a9_195c_e496" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11tlA26j5NaqRcJ0unkAu8j-m9_43TCSi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 560px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>To be continued…<br><br><br><br><br></div>Sarah Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11166369508132015509noreply@blogger.com0