tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40499106463315290632024-02-22T10:34:15.601-08:00From Mary, With LoveMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-23672571460114474092009-04-22T10:58:00.001-07:002009-04-22T10:58:03.137-07:00Sintra City and Pena Castle<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYgNF4VNC2BQPwBuPazlR_pqXNe0kNBM7_eBjiBRv2u33rIpWlS7QnTeVumh_4FVCk8R47YwBr7nBIEHQ8NlTKy8SbDilmrDOA3Gy6zDvoD-jn6OghKIR4sh0vuUbcC-D4iiOpRZqqwHm/s1600-h/Golden%20Dome%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="454" alt="Golden Dome" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP9MqPRk6vemDoIb3IQ8hmyaapWRrUcPh5fywmmNrQEIZPoyvSHVjSOkUnpH4q9m7o-bf5WZF3Z8yUWwDG1oasF8WrBKW_qNglHDI_CYFDV99V1IYXNx7JC0IT3-8nPLvNg6wKVm9AAsf/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>There is this wonderful castle about an hour outside of Lisbon up in the hills.  It is very Moorish in design and we were able to go through it, although no pictures were allowed inside.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI2OECb6Srm7hbUfDYU_MOb4ZJO4LdK7U665j5_HvycJI5CCsJ0KHiwup30zyNf60tDt1vY1AJNXhbSN4oB28k-6pVg7zMOmlEZXDEoleqkYxg7jyVvtAskJejbcZNGZjubM2GT2NuHMj/s1600-h/Castle%20Defense%203%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="454" alt="Castle Defense 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI6QCOGy5hPii-oVFTroHPafh_gDFL2Qcjjw2crd0KDcPRRiiFUwLnk_o25aM2HhlEXTeDDYyLNE-EKOvj-uQimJsicnyktCT-j72d7MuEgB38_RkjLZzRDG47gUfhUB-W4t6lqwWxfGF/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I was fascinated by the walls that look like they are covered in spikes.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xydW2ENl37CHFUpa-nxEf8hLRsQKw2o0QqGUYuubM82VlF86DTATNYkV-l9ylYrVO_WjR8e5n9k6mUjxH8o-QKLk0WJN7aDu7V7ObD4wMh_s_Df8xDM240-6pUrmhH3iY_TdjAbrhm74/s1600-h/Main%20Castle%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="454" alt="Main Castle" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t1bNKLjmq38yVO-nLuD9C3pFLYYNP2aVVZbnZWXLk2pXTVdqhj0UX3IL3gKaMAi0GRM3mA69-eXYXseRdWasjSn3bs5Clw_NocZM6zu8wH_ZjAxTorls2pJ1sXMt4SupakOaesvofPQM/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p> When I think of a castle this is what I have in mind.  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4_ZillFr7DS9Kjtb8oDA2iS_X9smCfPJml3rhVWTabwXHEOLqJpt5jRK_LE86ONJKAslWGwPg5pYnTmk1vogymPUbkbCI6TjsFGnYQ1uG5SwpFtg7TKifVXqf5eJzMeGQGw7LuQlGw94/s1600-h/Pena%20Castle%20-%20First%20Impression%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="270" alt="Pena Castle - First Impression 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfvli5PTsJzwou2Ry_Dvh1SkwpefebixQx7vIhlySZ2xPG1VZ43JJ3ct3PxIuPE6hW7BwXSC63kDPmkSkTSP5mt0XKE-aVzG8IrxFL_us8yp61RCOsMsNpAnREyM9pBdznrNrL-68HDkW/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p> This is the first impression as you arrive.  It was a Monastery first and added onto when it became the quarters of the Royal Family.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy8UPxerIzjCQz6QnWVr7f56n5rVC300NjE6WkpH1bq_8qXWKZlO21pmjQ7q6_fl73GPj-sbrOtkVmTseZZkHILb7DOvmcfMmEgbkJZ7hoKC3ap5YGYekbHTyhDCe3eDTjUzjq3gtXgrP/s1600-h/View%20to%20the%20Sea%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="270" alt="View to the Sea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvNDizzWN-ogjR9AdmC8f_rsBX8eZLkpr_FXFhL40rzxxxzMcyUBwHXxi2D9e6uH1xSjZZDPRvaEnH-j2Fc_BisWDCeJJ-9alHWViP0GU_fm3VvCMViWLzfVp5ozHnURDeAMilQJojw6W/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p> As you can see, there is a view all the way to the ocean from Pena Castle.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUi8OeUGtwz3tZVx__gEKC0rm5A203W8d5Nt1xOu5kpuFCu8CawzEs84F0UIBgeInHt5G2XUV1ybgxqUAvjE5CzQ1RdkT8aAXhlRhfwMP4pZTpqDO8MqHjSNmiG5SWQws0xXgqvJsNRxP/s1600-h/Sintra%20Town%20Offices%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="270" alt="Sintra Town Offices" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDXR1nohLljG15wNplp47JMA7Ib6aQkQ_2vJWvreeXsD3AEBTX1sl86hj0XKGKvOYMyGEv4GlLFUaitbrzH9G4gNFZ5JiqD2n-T53sAw01S3razjiKeSIl3aMU_iN8cI6zmyHAhzoIla8/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p> This is a view of the city hall in the town of Sintra.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-41447855756441099092009-04-13T12:22:00.001-07:002009-04-13T12:22:30.140-07:00First Time in Portugal<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITKI_fMt3VTCcDT4RLxPRZfTjRnWDHrMF3_taweQSX631SCaUyR771t4AlpUTk3P4hEhsm7klySj1OF-ySji6AJKCXmGiTXu72-LDUUpm9z8BNuiJfs6YFgBjIFJRaSNotQPiD7saKY1p/s1600-h/Belem%20Tower%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="270" alt="Belem Tower" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlekBs-FaJRa9JOxLsQDb80C4myzpGlBpYrF0NW0b-9oBk_7eCO837H9PV4Y49B7VjmDTtnkSXDxWtZjQMnGrj_8DzBu5SDGL45U_rAnBPmQ0w7877rO0sjIBF__x5hXe6WSvtisUGahvr/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p>We took a short Spring Break and flew to Lisbon for three days.  We really had no idea what to expect--first time for both of us.  One of the first things we discovered was that there are no "really old" buildings in Lisbon because a devastating earthquake leveled the city in 1755.  Next, I think I had forgotten from my history classes, that the history of Portugal is all about Navigation and Discovery.  This beautiful Belem Tower sits on a river which flows out to the Atlantic Ocean.  It used to be on an island in the river.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcsza7vmRV3OYMr1R95HskTJelIMuJqI0iF5DLR7pdqnrw8iVHlGi_Ovr7avrOVNXsetqG5k_934tp21p0RRNV6V7xZHN-dq6EOHNZsyjqz2lzG1V4qsxUm7Or9tlHSNNY7KxQ12Sws4n/s1600-h/Henry%20the%20Navigator%20-%2032%20Explorers%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="205" alt="Henry the Navigator - 32 Explorers" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsm86AceZiBhfkkKU1nwNUAmzbcjyjrvVtgLJwDlRKkgH9vyzGmdjXvziMXpq5ASqNGT22EbNK5z3opy8mWJkggbC69n4iNsaT0tsTwh3J-fNWG_IdA8sCTw5tdXSfCBicMphfv3qgYfo/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>At the front of this monument to Portugal's navigators is Henry, the Navigator.  Then they had to choose only 32 of the other significant Discoverers to depict with him--not the least of these, Vasco de Gama. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQm-jkjg1BCDnU8DzyqgfFaAflXdRJl2KPHGLrTdkoUs9HP7YNJOxiebRWzzWtujLRWCl9lAUnhbAC_h_WXdQ8fUd7UydtOey1DDNCYg_mwz43xtv5o8fdNYY7RJIWT8y3jl3toknEgyF/s1600-h/Gate%20to%20Lisbon%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="Gate to Lisbon" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyZfiBhZX51n6RPLDJDlM-dJSmTG4vZDJu-I47HLGfvdURWGh9K42uaYo8WEH6ve8HHkzP8Kte7O-W4iTl3rVOVTjflpnBx5rqPJ9jKgqQkgKC2-82V9KxGG-aZl9lEEPMhY4NL0YkdFj/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is the gateway into the city from the water. Every street and sidewalk that we saw was of tile.  Better wear flat shoes.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeETpKxurpieao3EodWMnvONIq-sqt81GDQpw0R7yyed1ldvFPjAnKCLy7QMc7RXutNGCKHEaygoN03EwiYu_N7f2Flz6D4Q1aJlipoGr6HG15HFNwX564ON_ubKn-KZu0kRKCvMo6LN1L/s1600-h/Up%20the%20Lisbon%20Hills%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Up the Lisbon Hills" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4T07ZiQbpwjz2H675KgPBGVjKeqDdBaLsPvAe2Ikr281MWarG_99DnoDjMhO02k8O1Ao_fm2oJ7CJ9nJi8NWX1tDRurB7RyY42fAwihXnWIiUalk1EqVLOl7K0ca15zaONoFHlo-88y0d/?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a> We were happy to take one of these cable cars up the many steep hills whenever we could.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcGm09XLWhEfrFYgi07pe2ejxniSspQQLO4xbdVKKkbs9BckR5ZZrJAT-6seE0Jv2uYZJr1RhHW3mlFDbqQATOnI1tI67HzB1enbi-CV6vQ_xFHYqEv0hCPT3Tv6f_7YshWxM0AUTIsKs/s1600-h/Sao%20Jorge%20Castle%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="Sao Jorge Castle" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVbmChkLyLaQRJFwR8AqZ-JvjhuzvBwamTdU4HYextIWo_7uIqTY3G3WX18bsOZuV5rdBlP2QAXmF3IX3RiQm57Vok_5kd4e0PzPXwwTTAYQfRt_nCHZgdPv5qGwwGX3IOijxCIjEDI6B/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Panoramic view across the city to Sao Jorge Castle.</p> <p>I'll finish our trip to Portugal next post---</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-46670523618409245012009-03-29T11:22:00.001-07:002009-03-29T11:41:37.046-07:00CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE<p><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkzBymMxKflgxYN819k2pJhYDELm1XCz49rpzoEHDPaQTTFFBDaNcap10MnoMbKTi_NsyMxgrEKpaVcKjzwUNl5_XQfZeCSGO7LbdjIHabg12jhwJ3S4tFGTo_96Q8453wPB9pEajo3HA/s1600-h/Steve%20and%20Mary%5B7%5D.jpg"> <img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="340" alt="Steve and Mary" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgHJesBM-7AIEIiI3cdH3tJxTAgl5B9PJSg9wj2mtvhn3gOrcxBfOk0XjQYWb56HjOmAf-I-oK-HfMzEZAfRNud4lrM7BFYBtGTh9wZ2MieSn5UnUs1nxBnT19Ge2Dq0USH9SFcu8LSPW/?imgmax=800" width="254" align="left" border="0" /></a> </strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>Since we attended this event last year we have been looking forward to it's return.  We braved rain, winds and unbelievable crowds to enjoy the work of local Chocolatiers.  </strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>   </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DJ0XKkcN6MOkHB8boxbpUGumBmnOgd98R9sWj4ayLc0XhdWw_UWHjXlUcpSaCpdLq5ncTDxjR5UtN_LsUm6nd_lx5AKRiCy68eU9y8GAWmDsac0YBNdkSrz9zAiTM53HlbGQy5VfPhjo/s1600-h/South%20American%20Cocoa%20Bean%20God%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="313" alt="South American Cocoa Bean God" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5XL9dmS6lMQ1vHhKLDavlmyYcopOf8Cs0jO51INPjSAacLT-650ouKTPe-a5L-u7flUwxAqFzkCIl5QrxzAOZpQxjr3vnDqFsW0ydRTaH_2ow1uVXNmhY73iQJhcSvojf6wNTqJ1ta_I/?imgmax=800" width="234" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We think this must be the South American God of the Cocoa Bean.  There were unprocessed Cocoa beans there which I have tried before and tried again.  Processing definitely makes the flavor better. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  </p> <p><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyta6QhF2emZYGlfNjg4KXzaCM6NJxApKOw4DB9ZvOPlXFoLCpI_5NeshCQcAh2itDVyI2ltWGsNuzTPK321n6jpDZjqY4tgmvgZDqAlw6KXAKVC55mbdD1iq_iuMv3hydVCzATR9Ntkv/s1600-h/Artisan%20at%20Work%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="324" alt="Artisan at Work" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFztFSQCE3tgsKq2BAIa3hyFAxM2vDQ_hOtGh48M59Ws0VNAmS82QAXywbk0KwzH3a63-nNBlrA2kMFR-2my7R6q0DOW0-0hSqvayaD9Rk1Jnd-Qd8VRlcgPFv_rYnuy0zRFjZjFiSCkQ/?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>This artist spent a long time getting the various parts of the rabbits exactly where he wanted them.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBpZeXZ2WmkKV4rPpa-pcltY62__dHZosEaWNRfPDOYEaOrbFywpyYkIW-Gd22HhEAkKvIEp9thBaS1x2eyzkIh3zrksvrx_7x5lvrlQFNq1artPT4pO3lKWb-SH_wl3abifxly8keJUD/s1600-h/Mary%20is%20Sampling%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="Mary is Sampling" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1q4pUZ0550vma3SI1QYpwUhWRLQf9mLA2qLrmwbytARzDpR9hv2a_3Ysz4ZII5ephYheeDhjzqEZCKiNrQc_q4palg0DwFpOXueK9ev7Mxc5nb6KKuihaVqT1J2DVAJU2QIjKBCB_OPD1/?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I am trying a sample of one of my favorites--Pave.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWzYkeD9rSw1bhOFVKq5p85ChBQxRKr_1efgciyAyOZO_s-wc4kx7r9qdPo9xbQQtoEABpIED9DjtK6NBZRKhdBaQ5ADDPtms43petU6ewRrv5i4XS1fLbCWOgb2taHXS1qu_4umnTBE_/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Treats%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="Chocolate Treats" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6zS_ZdYu2Il73qrw70Qu_EBrz5d0uDFor1heTHW4HRIVhSF6YHZmwSD3SM46DNRW6r6p9bTeHODNnZw3WAbJE-OYfraMODaQJwNBkxQrDFti9fHvoio2r8vjyVfSlPy6j1S80-bk6z1W/?imgmax=800" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>These look tasty but we didn't buy any.  We did pick up a lot of business cards and know where to find all these wonderful shops.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHvgITnfEcUyP6_s4XjeMkiRrUcdnbAUwhLuz3YH8vnlsaM7t8khbDJhKeBxj186rxo3sE4yNwqupH4GirEABvi5HMZ1Sm5j8alUth_Q3CMWecrHZOJKR43vy7JhEYqmLwJi5Eq3N5B7z/s1600-h/Chocolate%20Egg%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Chocolate Egg" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG3iVQD53lAO2WWmXKR6-MQRjAq58067h7NFSmTSS554CPbs8x6flAwkE_EQzlaNAwzdDOsu2ryCXz97eYQchwTgDoA3ML1S0br7APPxb4Dtp4GbcZ9g0sO670qpMkGLfhduV9EDGVtHy/?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Not your ordinary chocolate egg.  We were told once in a local shop that "Chocolate is very important to the Swiss".  I'd have to agree.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-63807112765328632202009-03-23T01:58:00.001-07:002009-03-23T01:58:34.537-07:00A Beautiful Saturday in Bern<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6pk3iTyz310FOsBnmaXoxXx3xNcFQbWrInLve0AocwU5sHTnhFGEMda0g_nZWrqpwn_L0hbetyK8QleMIu8hSGpVhzrjSoe6D7cKfQs_ofHkMM3zCSepZT6bMvdcnne7HU4-KxbptiWP/s1600-h/Fountain%20and%20Clock%20Tower%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaBVtOb2u-0MohdsQqyzVT1V9T63C_6_P3zcrXowfRQXma1L9INtp7hOALwzWvH2uFuDb_jcpMjf25a8M9fUPj9qdv8qba1F0K8OKzy_Kqky7NQ9nsNv7zV3PLXs6zRGUYrqP5b5OKfbn/?imgmax=800" width="164" align="left" border="0" /></a> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Bern is an interesting city architecturally.  In the Old City, the shops are under colonnades down both sides of the street. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J9CXxnSnGQRp6pMTWWU3aras21fd37ItBSLwb3bGT8SljPbh3HwOmmcgB2ysWPLF58_j-VE41jbgTIK_egiwcTwYrZpzIlileQSA7apiV7mlQdxhWvSYQxKco7TZjU3vPJPlMr-uHO-a/s1600-h/Clock%20Tower%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBh87iDFYV9B466Mg6h-dU1bDvkVMFhtu4fk7WeW9HQqOl0Xj_JtvQJQ6LFUskfVPsl8kN75iCk1QDVHAmE-urkFqAE6yDYzHaaqQWodd4Bo5_C0VRXzvXdzs00uH-PrZwjhbYNdHzcaV/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a></p> <p>This clock tower has a great "show" of moving parts, but the best time to view it is at 12:00 when all the characters do their thing.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7ubIAX9KcIAJTNGvYASw-_j-hQgWRkQYrBB0CFoFp8NONG-nPJ1GcfaQrrZ5r9BDizPG2GEBMcs8eCfL6YHSpm5phGeKRU1lYfTJbhwbyQGVfdWj8IOsVy96VQKuSz0q2X7-AKEBy8ER/s1600-h/Statues%20and%20Fountains%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-fjWQRQS9PsuJ9gpaRrYY1efYEKH5jRzvM77kM4Bi2ZYNGWpTJBH7NhbMc9fPfnEdBdbx7Hm5yqEqQtbJVdav9ESu2dI8mgLOTxGSjEeiVmdvS5YVPxo3jaYUrnknkopF8MJtMgGKsw7/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a>   There are fountains down the center of the street--each has a different statue on top.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTCh8Maz4et4xgDRL0UGUajmlaS-YkemjoMbFgSS6nMaTZDCcXE_7VSB4yOIzodHJ8tWixby8mPU1ocrZdkGO9ZaQbD9563EV5yz68dUDS6ZqkXTwCKtrLe8pXbNI2fGoxwBs8fSHbaTV/s1600-h/Street%20Figures%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCYIYn8-H88tHxv_xpEE-vDxHpz5RhDcjnyqqmWGbR_WZ2zk55zp5897N7d6GhV0R3mG3BtyVCLUcw1rCPVYLTnC3ryJ1GJwAX5YA3kaSsqEDxNL1SxDhlDy8p82KEvab7GXZoOMh9CGP/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a> Check out the Bern Bear between the legs of the soldier.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT0KWjBX-767O_VQz1kOBrM4o_lT5bMtkeL0xfQDAg3zW62nCODVLkF2Pm9VNlBVU2F4DiN7Ge40KXs4isUlEAYpfbs_w10VPlyrD_y6D3wEtCC0c9xrsq4wx5LEsPVSgSl2_nMVWPmvc/s1600-h/Temple%20-%20Shadeside%20V%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEyEZ2MOITBAsrsTzvSSpYOMYzUT5U0KFZk21rlf6AwtPa-kzVH4tEMIYdRerM0H4T8292E349_YOKpvqo_yHr3ROo9GKPy3JHKkUdAfXJYf2QMVLKOtk1JTlnhfXUx4W7jyV-SQZVAY_/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a> The reason for our trip to Bern was to attend the Temple, located in Zollikofen just outside Bern.  The day was truly beautiful, but also very cold due to the strong winds that blew Friday and Saturday.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-27173647229825479472009-03-09T13:00:00.001-07:002009-03-09T14:46:03.628-07:00Spring Will Come<p>As if magically, life begins to return to the city streets with the coming of March. Temperatures may be only slightly warmer and the sun and clouds are definitely mixed, yet the changes have begun. Cafe tables are back on the sidewalks, as are the walkers, joggers, and bicycle riders on the promenade along the lake. The Gelato shop across the street, which remains closed for six months of the year, is now open. Nature has produced no signs of Spring yet, but people are anxious to be outside after a long dreary winter--no matter that they must remain bundled up to sit outside and have something to eat or drink. It doesn't matter. These are all hopeful signs of warmer days to come. </p> <p> As I look out the window today I have seen rain, rain mixed with snow, clearing skies, more rain, puffy clouds with blue sky--it must be time to hurry out and get a walk in before the next feature on the Geneva weather channel presents itself.</p> <p>Saturday Steve and I attended the Geneva Auto Show where I was excited to see how far the electric automobile has come in the past year. Great things have transpired--now if we can just get the cost down so we all can afford to drive one.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillCbrQA-D71_8WnRujxKtymM-CeY9CXeF3Hh6cCEVdRNt8rhb9JBL8_AL1IvfBuhpNutgOUVfbXFZ5fR6vi9QSTtQX1qqzXQYJSNb36qxu6-ThqljCX3xG68lvIiQqz9XRMHtcj_xqmKg/s1600-h/Opel+Electric.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillCbrQA-D71_8WnRujxKtymM-CeY9CXeF3Hh6cCEVdRNt8rhb9JBL8_AL1IvfBuhpNutgOUVfbXFZ5fR6vi9QSTtQX1qqzXQYJSNb36qxu6-ThqljCX3xG68lvIiQqz9XRMHtcj_xqmKg/s320/Opel+Electric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311305091629308530" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p> <p>This Opel has a great design with a generator that recharges the batteries. The speed is good and the range is getting better all the time--about 300 miles.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm7MXhkSrZGph0nXgDBN1z3DFqahhL7oNzVKA1iokpmuniAodvQqbEzTi41NN4bq2_k6UvNMUrYzPDyrVgmwNG8KUL8qsGIyLibmVgr2FSr1M4BjH0pbC_AhV2gcQUDuc9oETI4xA9lGR/s1600-h/Fisker+Hybrid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVm7MXhkSrZGph0nXgDBN1z3DFqahhL7oNzVKA1iokpmuniAodvQqbEzTi41NN4bq2_k6UvNMUrYzPDyrVgmwNG8KUL8qsGIyLibmVgr2FSr1M4BjH0pbC_AhV2gcQUDuc9oETI4xA9lGR/s320/Fisker+Hybrid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311306257641458066" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>But this is the new electric car which I choose for my dream car. Impressive! It might cost as much as a house, so I may only be dreaming, but it's fun to dream.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-5363192845817317732009-03-02T01:39:00.001-08:002009-03-02T13:13:53.488-08:00Look What We Walked Into<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3GuI5ZP0IOEmKEKWkSzkhfggjXs3ViHEoz9TSSIsj3fqNHCl54nOZT_RhDODZMH3qjBc_hw8YoOWzd41JgbYu45p48h65rfg4nnjVMGKRIR6gtaIASxVo32PpBU8BH0KyCcZ0MFpDYP9/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Band%203%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0HKJz42kTuwN6k5fR3iT9qP79QtwrvGM-FOEzt6PpUjRz5iNUiUr9qRB4uS5Mca2DtdnaInNpxse3n3G0_T12AgtZ4iJ1xy8BIR57fregs4U6tfKYY4PutmTC71tGB-XTF2Ajy_UJyS0/?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" height="146" /></a> We planned a trip for when our friends, Henry and Lari would be visiting us. We traveled by train to Luzern on Saturday, February 21. As we exited the train and walked through the station we noticed that many of the people we passed were wearing costumes. Some were very elaborate. Left-over confetti was everywhere and we wondered what celebration we had just missed. Having just left Geneva, where nothing out of the ordinary was going on, we were not expecting anything exciting. But we had walked into the middle of "Fasnacht" From what we were able to learn it is a version of "Carnival". There were lots of different bands from the area--all gathered in the "Old-Town" section of the city. These bands were all percussion and brass and all very loud. We had booked a small hotel in the center of Old Town (not knowing about Fasnacht). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsIVTRi2kesgPlkbOhfAHW4mzEuicsE11x40Sxk5EO7XLGjKXZC6u9Akt8Uo1cYFgSgusa8c4S-ph3g6fE57fLrUSt3jrGqROfDtO0H5752vOig2J0gtpUwrFUS-N3bDFS-CugdiudLpu/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Band%204%20-%20Little%20Drummers%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST_Q5EhPRJrA_8hGg12NKfDoGNaayFauYp_NBQr4KTSsfjARqjTPkTuuHXx34CHGm2ATH3f4tYCymyWFCBf3UmndysjcklaRXJQ2FQuQ8_Su-MTKoWf4kG5EAx0PQffrrM5qcfnlpN8uJ/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a> Each band seemed to have a costume theme that went with their band name. All ages participated.</p> <p>These elaborate masks were in a store window and many more of this type were seen being worn by those on the street.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5e-_iSp34vJA6_VD5WlyAZM3Oe1CgsfpJj_DB5cYgRshOC2IKuODr9mTNMeS_0GDKYJSQYYXsggPiFUdMTN-aZijWe6L0tR3z-AUUiBbhC_QGznhpTx7Cyj36f7A_9tg46Bu8G-RFFn9/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Masks%201%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirsThlE3ate_K7xQhJocSmEVP4dj20FDlV-LDl8kNTn03f7yrUnNgMb-t_0UVLe1_gs-iPPIsQ5EFNScLm8Ll-P8cC9ExWosmsE7OXhAch2OYDfHNIvaN4x_b8j0LGTYpfdNbx-roen-T/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrna1a1Ou2dbmJIvSH8v8deo6-THcO7_iPQ62p08GM-SHXFMd6XGAFACLVGjUbaxyMtdde7MaccVUsCQvEgwwq-uI8h4a5sELymLHFVXob4FQ1CX0TMgDLg68LMv1MY1FelBE9BwKVug5V/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Masks%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP558wMkWEiIQIp7QghNl8GOlYMkC1BqE75FxUbn_l3MTcqZCU9-CLo19YBKQUs8iWwJdlpUQWtXVnyKlhm9rzB0VmsU6iSJ_8Hj1QcN7H93l8MDjOM7lFLu54A3JRRAi4y7hFKDHKWKud/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a>More great costumes--this was much better than Halloween.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34IrIMOkZexP9Z9JmLT-HO7mpx4OubQZfnDNlH49wfVm1I-pU-9RuwSGW1qR0ESiNkIG4aqGeMvV1Gbc2R7FkW-vgTIC4KDsjqtA086z3TVHc4e1MUem2YbVhzrcaLfX8I_bJxJi-ohTW/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Costume%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh12ifvW0UWq5o0KXfzLqMqgVEgr19JdTXgOSnHryr6cnIBtV4TaGR3M3AdzKfWHHbxsfem2tBwNylyZciehRu9WAPcsqVhlW3t1Cc1TLBglox7LmYpVSIt4EhZs1PUYRepK0oj4fGr-xY/?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" height="244" /></a> Each participant certainly seemed to enjoy really getting into the celebration. Whole families dressed in matching costumes. We loved the chicken brood.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1y7TILs6oZYqxmPbqJAsiVvZKrl4vKGjuWuk64dHgvdeOO8MmPzOnQC-yO8ZqMnS95sOrpdxTg4WC8DrfYd81lktVvAwHWsJzVmjo1po9CWhrwjJV606YGmu24MmmQ827V_ME2Qvd9E8/s1600-h/Family%20Teams%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWLrQgEc7z6JsHCu263xU_rL6MusDc-sotUgZLptuGDHs36N3n4KAltL4jUQZe1WMTUGZtZGx_OCjGS2MAl7UPQXb76dClOis-c52kZ4mIcioV3ZI1pRtCBDlegXMpbunhSPSr7ESUMwk/?imgmax=800" width="175" border="0" height="244" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7IjuLcoojErh3PNdyqzdi0NyV7zrjOBCy-KmPhfGqumr-d_3TbSV_muJCNvldGRUyYJT-Vr5LkYBqllfnJw1cmldxEKidwK8IhL9pLrzyrhyphenhyphenMba-Hs0hHR8fk5pLRu2b4l5rjALEkd_J/s1600-h/Little%20Chickens%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbwagPRcFqZeTewRvYIF8ou8Kt_9asMjya4pYf9pL1v7Hj1Wwcjz1B9W2MZ_m5EUUZrI36OpmeUmiWEnCMIT88ssJNIDC1nOLmkDnsc5t8s0MXDiKo7odUdXmxm6Ln074laWPdyrvjvT8/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a><br /></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm916Schqcwjid6hTbOLEke5T36a-fHDWW2ed4feGlTVJ_Q5HA0gAe3r7OZFTAuuy9T12dfTIRCcTWnuh9AyREbu9U01eahqs3X_DxBm8eP4j_Pu9buSHkO4XNzrW9IYMVtabDqKlbtQJ/s1600-h/Fasnachts%20Band%205%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53uDfo8FekOf6nCSH_K-gAW6CmTMA053ElZb1pysGJ77d-FFu-gUkBgX6TItt5rBxZEpzwOfOI9Rxzv6TLoA5rmsfI9BZv8EUOByz6GszQ9KrK-o6eKBsZ1F9kFoxy3VGNfDyVOL3j0H_/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a> The partying did not stop in the evening. It did not stop at midnight. We had heard that it would stop at 3:00 a.m. It did not stop at 3:00 a.m. but went on. There was a quieter time around 4:00, but the "clean-up" crews began their noisy tasks by 6:00 a.m. No sleep--but lots of excitement and fun. It also was very cold and when we looked out the window Sunday morning it was snowing. We boarded the train Sunday morning for Lugano, but that's the next blog.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatvXrH6yp7bLm7tnNM7o6zQNboxe8EPSyK2Kd4Zx_qzJU-fIS90kbCaHdruPBA90y3KyvI4JpxLwhHxnX7VwNYt-9x9XrikiY31-5usa6g5ClQXB0f3TYk-RLj4ymzQAN2MI8Uz-ZsxcN/s1600-h/Steve%20and%20Mary%20-%20Lucerne%20Bridge%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmujH_XfNnQItCJgtcj8w3znqwLwKVikZXArdEw_FHyfGfVIMFb_xoyg2_rK2GWxSjB7O9vft9V0G2HrdIqokOLtIcMevXwuH5sbCzLuVFt8lel-eLCBEQDH3WqpQYDYx82dsLnhPHIUG2/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" height="164" /></a></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-49124579739169721692009-01-26T01:16:00.001-08:002009-01-26T01:16:16.941-08:00Not So Common<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYZAY0qV35suSyklM04tAa9z9-IBIBT91H6FkqdRietm21H889GPELr_SgpTm8LeUlVqHTqKQFCa5fynddN7pLcajI4MMWI3iBViVFrQ6yASlaWsM-Vo1suQQ6P1Je4BQ1JlUMDRLzRHS/s1600-h/Boats%20in%20Snow%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUhmuaHvzE58E5SRA_ua3FygbvlOnleSUHfrlhl89jz9sDrR7ZT-psUid1l6ihDq9AbCAanXGtm3Q4MkT1tXhfs9yn0ERHNRxxjC3FFxbDLN9GbvIWp86-HT240GUbH9N__b161UpqbTV/?imgmax=800" width="164" align="left" border="0" /></a> When most people think of Switzerland images of Snowy Alps come to mind.  The reality, however, is that it rarely snows in Geneva--especially by the lake.  Saturday, though, we woke to snow falling after it had rained all night.  As you can imagine this made for a slushy mess.  I insisted that we get out immediately and record what may be the only snow that I will see on the ground by Lake Leman, where we live.  I had been feeling so sad about missing the beautiful snowfall in Pinehurst last Tuesday, that being able to enjoy some snowy moments Saturday morning was some consolation.  Enjoy the scenes from our neighborhood as we recorded a fairly uncommon event.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrqU41ugH8IO8QFjo1IYL57cabDAKczBcd0DYAs0e_ZHVfqNwmny065dgvxMx9OO5bndrw7GGMijcoUoo4ausivCPOgz40jmNC13xwqRr85feiO0UbgHlMQ5F5u0C_XmcMRIAndaKsETo/s1600-h/Bench%20at%20Lakeside%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3uF73dsMXdEIeSCSbM8EnnijiKIwe0FAQpyaA5jIBi5LqI-Lg76r7u4b5uOg45It19HiE0iOjCqNLgg-O8CKgNcHeNbismtzRicOfD6e3pXiiwZc_vpkx8otSOit78pphyphenhyphenT7ATVwE1Cj/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOmPf2XbMsWsBXjUSwImXovNkLDOZo4ZwjXPlt6FEm8P932TqOG5UuBaMhg2y-P_IQKdAqy9dENeky4vqRh7cm9LtYH0MlaztDEPLGNCmHzmYgDC8aWSNuFMMQdUHeKQKJjC3EFRkskEJ/s1600-h/Swans%20Feeding%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="115" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_1t9gC75OxBTqoj642EHltmMvTQpaqyx9aBpQXnr-L9HgEo88s1f5o7VAHY_FKVTMzQxz-BVz3H06s0nMFqd3oYE6y6L792yPsp2o5QnnB_7Q1gF4JoGpS_PuMULkfF_YvjQK0yPYIjI/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6o8kTS172UA7LkX_oOlZUlTTZoAplrE9DYILWayXJOWpD6k2GLnFcGG4KkXulV5y7-MCH5aQ3BJhDJlEoniJ2Ei9k5Oy9PjPFlathVRBDEv-791k2S7dI25_qSB0pnG45uHezKXtNIaHX/s1600-h/Street%20Scene%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="144" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tX0_mwgltDkbYF36M4uVDr6QM2PVST93bd0Ye8E4o6vRwq_BOtWI24KnN7w4z2JTuTo9U1O_Wbh84LEZzqaOK1rS7JtM7BYCmnpwK9MLXyW-hjvfo2NOr6JE2REenFkDWd2gkoem0j2P/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIypPR4IwUoikinSrnfFxxAdaEopufkT74naWphHMC9WlkzIa8JX4e9o1KZe7plKlTDZ_z1x3965nVqF7FO4dviglmT4jfrysPdlvJbhs2_e83il7A-jZuK1OXtp_q8gPkeLP-RcprPUe/s1600-h/Place%20de%20la%20Navigation%201%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="234" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil51GKquWp7SJsiKOWvReuI5iDlww8kSpZA3s9awVu0bC0mBMAkKN9y4BbaR1FgPJeAWR5chZp-pKczSejuo1NtXe4COuUDmwRblYOkHfzHOX0PR3hkcWvcndoOVu6uPXtU9yM1r4OM0Ha/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb2aiMp7DQXmH_e-RvwVSvpvAaY5gKTpZ_YubJorIMC3AcQ44z97LVOfDsLAFnzQJB8iKwtk29mho157gto2HdlLHN9XfegeALEZCS6ikJJDO7u5TzCZ0YMLRnrBnq5-_MJ-B1WQyL2qI/s1600-h/Place%20Marteau%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="155" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4JtO_R-AUW5DwhpR1y5HspHSJoNrVBqgLwQE2gZBuveIE3tdmw_jG3pA5s_CdgmVf-unD9DpNCmcLV02e2dUKqNXLktbe9RgImSB_vnYDEVvzUuBO79gaPlURpBFenFCE65ghqLg3RRU/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Despite our soaking feet, I was glad that we had made the effort to take these pictures on our morning walk.  The snow was completely gone by mid-afternoon.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-12158018093818484682009-01-19T11:17:00.001-08:002009-01-19T11:17:29.469-08:00Christmas was Great<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2ZWm8sCQJnLs1uYov-Ke7_JbX2CbqObtnn8TVdArNrvPqphe_TX2p_OVj59gBIFTLtaWLD5B3mRYhz3FC0mNmpQPc0j10mNT7cEY9adJ8kA68Szm6jkUls8TCIH7dMVKCCVaXRvjCenn/s1600-h/Christmas%20Tree%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEm63N51Wtd27G8ViaJIElviyG5maJp73vRB_6IFzYltr_D54hnAoIwPr8RSr9hkfRcC1k0a_VF4zSq1aGymLTfTVIwfmcz4JHt-Qi8tkvb4zxMXSWVisAQKfpiUpbo9e0YdiTAYBCiML/?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> January is such a cold, dreary month that I feel it's a good time to look back at the color and fun of Christmas.  We celebrated birthdays as well as Christmas and had lots of fun, family time.  Apologies to those who have already seen the pics.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCOPbJFSkRVHLgCDVs3BgEEpfBC8s34FyenloIuXPrn8_9WIjCbY0Xmf13H3-m-AXSXabX8aBeHBDcWGIpT7cxGrygT_E3B3TyjEeyTxa2noAFYiGYMOK38ZDf2PWBpQkqin_U9-oBhLW/s1600-h/Ryan%20-%20Outdoors%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgJ4dSTaR4HbQccFqVdah7sg73-6RTyYop7l3OvOEYYr-unYfCModk4Y5Nlr9heiOCfJ8glbktli6_szCc2cWoFIpY7H9Cn7_F9YTVHZm-_B5RlyMEX_BUOTbhDnaewuqWvvITPOKVdIO/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>It was<img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e8FMy2bq-q53sPoqXIVOw3x69_3yqyOMjiA41k_4TB-ibyzJ_bVYpw4JLX7q_Y8YTSlojkvRwHbvXmudE8E367QAuzNbAaIcaNpohDLkuiAEkX-juFhfZjmD2eXGLZiQt8W7CHRLbh4C/?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /> warm enough Christmas Day to be outside without coats.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpErn0AKjXqA8Kl0x3SSNHRHKC6ofMN38fnXcAcPWmwZndY3I8HNT2ChYm0bvMWbAGm8dZcONDNuufUcKRoALqf7QuCsyRk05w-0X7Jyxr_E9wKWrbUE9RMYmc9JyLLbrg99JX0UkY95Dz/s1600-h/Ryan%20and%20Evin%20Playing%20with%20Castle%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm4-4Ib2wVk-Eo1di55h02zwecceHbIfiYt7h63gAn4TEUQxLjb43ut6O4ztuNZzSUSyYG1gx0Vy2mrdFPix8HZunNTM1tvIBbb02MsoDF-V8xCb9Q2A5BM8svlX0LErvOp7f7OwEJHlP/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Castles, Dragons and Princesses.  What fun!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4c8Z_gfgKBEx3fbJBtzqeo80zZKAHhQCE9wMMqZ48h9XEGY3YivmktokOdwuD7loc4edIk769_HUxBQaS-UpM3bw13GOj8Z1bC9jrR6ctkHRqn97Zq2iHGukQTSE9qGtC_rqwtul_dmle/s1600-h/Alex%20and%20Dragon%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-OYrGkADyA1KhYIwf96uhoxINJicIGl0WSETGf43X-RyEmRLwvhUkq0Zugbz9P8AmFyzOT254DnbGFe0mF_r9TYECz2uCs7P-e_iBL55jUGw78ALCws9Jqr4H7XBTIkAfOwSlOHqRKtt/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUIjz7EfwI0bJq1n8kjW2dTFFqcyuC2r7hnJqe9MFpXrKir_hj-ert1t2r7jcKm7i54-k1ajO2r8G_fbW5LjYFn7EBtUK9KlhdLdsGzL-CjDAiKe0reUsSg08WdTzZw_ak9bfIhQ3dNAb/s1600-h/Mady%20and%20Doll%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbj9jOHRhBu_8wA0IXAw7D6KqM1Um4a96JcJmx96LTY84LQFVH4NCcyKL85qiUDK6khjRbwV7LxZTvrGZnqTSPKuqoWsGi9lltLJ3A8I2TQSEDsl6y0FnP1kuKAEE8nwvlfrn-HPuguvZ/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVA_-RjA8S1BdNLoLfxg16S9xfVEFSO_Arjm2LPOPh9v4mgUqNHcrDN-NbdAV7yhzeGNmomXY6f4BBrDDOFyZUQVRJRMVaJhrnHKHSiNEg_e0aPi-xrpcBfQERqmsDySARFWEzGaCPTS9/s1600-h/Masen%20with%20Bow%20and%20Arrow%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QgW4wECXb41j_CrHjBJZN_6mw_gdUUuoqkY5b7l25nN43nb68G_TYOzzlTcl9h5fgAycYu6Er2kmKd-pBPgjCkvYTsgUEgdGJlOUnzzjY2r26KdAZOZLA7SdFj0giK-y9AaSAY3cCKvq/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>A new bow and arrow rounds out the make-believe fun.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs_VAnGeAYhFeKf9gepCOcXhPdpWpS5laqiMai77ZVl6S2t1GUR4iLZ8rxqDimR9B_2yiU-Y1x9sMfB85E3BDds9GGRdiWE3Uz77T8siLeW0kpsCYhlKXF5FkfHISvcRcCdU2WvdnsqmJ/s1600-h/Gingerbread%20House%202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBvY7-kEMGaUVG8G90g0CVYMxdioNW6XH1rhUUdhyphenhyphenPFmO00leEyHD5OE2DpClSOOxk7YtTAN0s8-fRfsQy70hZDcXWoQUCNwbG7h2h6N7sR8HNs1TOl2aFhpYihSOIDZaJz0ESlHA5PU0/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> The warmth and pleasure of Christmastime all year long would be fine with me.</p> <p>Now we will just wait through the cold, wet, fog, rain and snow until blessed Spring.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-77914217633532601182009-01-11T22:41:00.001-08:002009-01-11T22:41:48.507-08:00Hard to Believe<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy-RCxyZawn9Acm4IvoWTs2DESAMa5N20MJxhH49Lht1txpOOdqpn1z_IW0vZTuekLvTnhfeNUq29IUZTEvnpn9Ta7NKgHfRqHpqQdclCMnE64_JLaovL9TlZ2ZEQEsKVXYfv72dobOWb/s1600-h/Pont%20Mont%20Blanc%20with%20Flags%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Pont Mont Blanc with Flags" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5jICi_YEikWmdew5aRstH4UfhFIqJPLnAZOW6tM-_BOMoZawGGlR4tpdENHDQ6iEkk5LKoiI7LGBCZUeA55UYYRcgxVotMuaMWF2Q-5jyh-xU2WN5iJgEyPO-E1_luVfspfVD4VnpeHi/?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> This is NOT what Geneva looks like right now.  Since our return to Geneva after spending the Holidays in the United States we have not seen the sun.  Each day (despite what the local weather forecast says) the temperatures have not varied more than three degrees and remain between 25 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit for each 24-hour period. The snow that fell on New Year's Eve is still around in clumps and patches here in the city, but a little ways out it covers the fields etc.  Each day the forecast tells us it will be mostly sunny, partly cloudy, sunny, etc. but we have seen nothing but gray skies.  It's amazing--and I don't mean in a good way.  </p> <p>On a happier note, the holidays were fabulous for us as we were able to see and spend time with children and grandchildren.  We very much missed our California and Utah kids and families, but will be able to visit with them in the summer.  </p> <p>As soon as Steve is able to take a minute to edit photos, I will post some of our favorites from Christmas.  I hope some of you, at least, are having a bright January.  </p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-83734517198544593332008-11-30T13:04:00.001-08:002008-11-30T13:04:12.353-08:00Thanksgiving<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV52DBcTEqKFEkN8CoTcbzGVTDM_apmbl-rt7_bdR5CFy4ZtqfieMyK8E1SNaXzcNgmgHW4aj08-2Ljm4SGNTV9yfAiJaHQLXeY4uNuw97BDmTnILXHyQ8Qi0AIGUD7xGoy6GPi4Zd3Qp/s1600-h/IMG_0743%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="IMG_0743" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMIpn-FK4RQRHB2G5Uo6wvRXRSdtTXMVK-S2IpgU-oPxuNilwI708mIxnAZfnN2I1YZXeuAJm_l22J64CASkVscfQpCwhM7l8MoP3wco9Z0fTREyowRrafj5bGnEzHT9EpxKz6oo_GpJw/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p> This was our Thanksgiving dinner.  Okay,  there was no turkey, nor stuffing, but we did have chicken with delicious fresh sweet potatoes to which I added sliced apples and pecans before baking.  I also made cranberry bread and a salad with fresh pears, a little cheese and nuts.  The other item on the table is a nice selection of fine chocolate.  Okay, so it's no pumpkin pie, but I happen to prefer chocolate to pumpkin pie.  We didn't even eat this meal on Thanksgiving Day, but then Steve was working in Germany on our Thanksgiving Day and we shared our meal together on Friday evening.</p> <p>At this time we recognize that we have in abundance all things which really matter in life; family and friends to love and appreciate, faith in God and good health to enjoy life. </p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-42384653570610918702008-11-23T09:16:00.001-08:002008-11-23T09:16:09.530-08:00Who Knew?<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YWt9Y7hu4qeJD-dVh6Y1bgEZM5dt42hmNe4NE3YW_YeINfdJEvfjFTDCJrSQDhTCzP8-9Ft_brIgKY9Oh_kE3iMeOZCpHpHAjjXUsvqDOe3X1jGGYLz42PAvpu-aPbTbunG3j35lqG8P/s1600-h/Flowers%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="193" alt="Flowers" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEXYxc-QYwIRlH5ey9A3z_70mZUa20wXg5upcFX-q8TU5TxM_sXdmit_epp3oKJKTN255Sztmmf5CblWSCNft5OKlKy8exmZ6-Qq7ZdAMn3Ml9CnbFrRdJbgT7EqRWSKgyTIQF-5ftgLy/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>For over two months I have enjoyed looking out my front window at the hearty ever-blooming Chrysanthemums in pots which I had placed in my window sill.  When the huge purple one began to look like it belonged to Morticia Adams, with brown flowers instead of purple, I couldn't stand to just throw it away and gave it to a friend to plant in her yard.  Since that time, the two smaller yellow pots have braved the cooler temperatures and oft-times brutal winds to continue to display cheering yellow flowers.  I must admit today, however, that they may not be up to the dusting of snow which we received yesterday and the night-time temperatures that are below freezing.  Still, I watch as they rock, buffeted by the chill wind, and yet look fairly healthy.  </p> <p>I have not seen too many, if any, Chrysanthemums on window ledges.  Sometime in the past couple of weeks I read that one should never take Chrysanthemums to someone as a gift because they are associated with funerals and death.  Hmmm--I wonder how many people here have either chuckled at our cultural ignorance or thought that we had suffered a loss.  </p> <p>Interesting--Chrysanthemums being associated with funerals and death when in reality they are the essence of longevity, hardiness and can be depended upon to rise back up out of the ground to flower again next year.  Maybe they should be thought of in terms of resurrection rather death.  I still will remember not to take them to someone as a hostess gift.</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-68421260626853732622008-11-17T03:41:00.001-08:002008-11-17T03:41:20.075-08:00Heading in a Different Direction<p> The hills that we look out on from our front window are called the Jura.  We had never gone into the Jura nor seen what lay beyond--that is until last Saturday.  The deciduous trees had all lost their leaves, but there are plenty of pines.  Also, we left a semi-clouded over Geneva, with hazy skies and drove into bright sunshine and brilliant blue skies. Nice change.  Steve took this photo outside of the little village of Morez.  We only have to drive 15 minutes in the North-West direction from our home to cross into France.  We spent the day in France.  We thought we might head to Dijon, where I have never been, but as we traveled in that direction we became ensconced in heavy fog.  We changed plans and dr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkNlPPvUQ-JdH9fsi2E4YP4Q1p1rd60tRuu_AX3MByB_ETunOK3KJaoGKYph_0KoAtALVFWwFWOm4gkxiqfbUU9GmegEvL9lJ8oHnSUxRE7lYIe3PwPrGYvtZUE8pTIVT9PgvbRd_BWnw/s1600-h/Morez%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="364" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24vpSVX0LotWi82KMpof0r7sIDAQQuOwsoqbrodpv6yzFp70EV5QZBt-DyYQ-nOrfivSm9I4HlXsD8-mNxSjAw7vgfIaTkAlV6rFM0HEjR8fb00AcgCEnYAWsgp1lVP-_AEa2Loqw6tHc/?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>ove back in an Easterly direction, having picked out the town of Besancon on the map as a town to explore.  It turned out to be an excellent choice--the weather stayed clear and the areas we drove through as well as Besancon itself were very interesting.  I love little French villages!</a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkNlPPvUQ-JdH9fsi2E4YP4Q1p1rd60tRuu_AX3MByB_ETunOK3KJaoGKYph_0KoAtALVFWwFWOm4gkxiqfbUU9GmegEvL9lJ8oHnSUxRE7lYIe3PwPrGYvtZUE8pTIVT9PgvbRd_BWnw/s1600-h/Morez%5B4%5D.jpg"></a></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>As we approached Besacon the view is of the ancient Citadel and wall on the hill and of part of the river which flows all the way around the city.  (By the way, the "c" in Besancon is pronounced as an "s" which would show up on a French keyboard and a little comma under the c.)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="378" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprQhQ9tag1FvSeJr23ZVQwPoaObdJxdOzRtu4osXlLiMo3zs24vt0IehsFjRcbFO4A1Cb9LHOAJI2PqnVRc8EvLVM7Hh2RAkqSTUlfoDCOKDu0KNv9_QBTvXFVxUdzuXf0i0-6j_UKPP4/?imgmax=800" width="264" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU29du5-sc4sNWtEgkIQ3smNY97C9qKJurC2xyisBVPnBEtDv0DlVIlHamAkz8djbx7pnzQMGI8aEvinmG45utvs-fhkrHgFsDvcXoWENmB0jcoQvUlXqSwa1DVL0awGt21rfBauD9iHw/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20local%20architecture%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo1y-Y7zKSZKmGIf-A_4ii-1A4tcxVP9HdP669jLBlbrTxLO2gvyWoV8Ux9RNPkx0bR7R-Xk_qHp2Q-PMLEu2306E7Xv8nk1dTo6OQ5_RiIr0G8kRbnHPRB2zGFEA2oHn-9UiaHketFg7/?imgmax=800" width="329" border="0" /> </a>This shows the mosaic tiled roofs that are common to this area.  The old buildings even in the little villages often have this type of roof.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBC1IpjbayW3VVR162_-CdDHm7VwmfUR81qimihdGPfxwuLFEzoZFoj-l1A7loy0L4eORK7xp9CCQ5Kth3y2-hWtX18OGowLupR_zxKwQ-vK6dh2HGXHdSuGG7rFz6-aXpSKafoMmlJTov/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20local%20architecture%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="297" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKuVHgyZR-3MzZu-S0fn-FK0ScSQWMHH6_9OKjN20lZVpPHSVB2S_K65Z0Ctiw9NsQ7t4OH5195WiEP884IyWq6clE_7ruy72bsEL3iBuRVJ3QtVUjy4JwAE0Z3I5UI9bq_OUplji6uFp/?imgmax=800" width="204" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> We saw this type of turret on the corner of buildings often throughout the city. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7ARnEEXYfOh3iRGD03XpEjglVl0NuU3Mx7jRJqsksEZSVk_zBv1dmfg239io-8IWqROf7j_gtU39eQXzCe14NRzN_x9O9JVZv7gL_sMoTv2VzMy4o_anEuP6nvOFVruR90z6CXnnOurV/s1600-h/Citadel%20at%20Besancon%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Row houses along the river <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjb_ihwgsZieP4QKYW6L5cKjF41twUd6lBnXv3RpF3G_2pncRGl1oCZj9roF_1t1YsebeKWJv6CoRSsVlutFbCHkNI6VWUBt74nXyy_7H6DKCrAkE_zktxoxsYtAIu82id4waFxxH0kCc/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20river%20view%202%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaNDZ-3jiczd5of909QebrU99fUZcQ7LaebYwYV0aIvdxkVCj9t62HjKoHkePMRW5-6h9kEPmBp6f1oA2bidzUk3VSCm94PKxaG-bNnjR_hTXp2wevQO-c5kiZhvvgibovHCTVqF_tZS4/?imgmax=800" width="329" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Church on the square </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkhbDKEiVzE_eixu3tjkbE5SeMLU-EguIucGD2QY0fi_wlD_fZnbw7vMyfuXm9RZFLoyMbvVC7c8eqERGCNhNnNqYXXzdnuKnB3iMyw_W3VpAYU6Zr_dSX3fojx2lFCjVsyeyBAYTG-5h/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20Church%20Plaza%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="454" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkjgdb51r2ehEEWsYKI-rL3_XLCitv4x2IYYKzUjgEy60DjzewUT8kjbu2cQuaqeZW-zHi9Kxb7W-kSQoNIrAuq8R6DMYEVgBS-VSszrVxYTHJAg2ajvi1hB95yh8y_c_ctsJriTRe894/?imgmax=800" width="304" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Great Carousel.  It's quite old.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCFATpUsRSUL8qwDBRgE9NqMV7_7YLcVHN4ThpQyClcyfRNiV8WXjinxAv-nDeYW6QNJJLnAwH46yXd5woQNLnMzxcWzIxuk-O0RTPMq5N6kO_R4kffOwL62cgBVzwPHWn7rFHZdvA_vF/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20Carrousel%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="221" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzAvWPGlIYCwejn_8MCaw_BR4QQShRgCcGBB1MM38k93B67kGi58H1-QhubsP9ptmJteWBjCH04aieKoGBEiFoUfwDO0R-X3K3L2LQPji777pYoh2tqZXJ9mgfuPzWyaxaSzjImo6AH8t/?imgmax=800" width="329" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I've aged a bit since you last saw me.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RC87uWma77scPcGspsBQA_ksDtTVSjbKh3tmwPIPqJq7vJAh-8je400_Np6tvW06hlKnUs16PSO7juuQu_irt8pLq7eVYaYdf2Ghf-5JbfC0HYZLW6aZicfNC0xtIPKdA9jrIyAwU1ni/s1600-h/Besancon%20-%20Old%20Lady%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="237" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXup_5YYE4FDx8N_xK67B65brV5qe6PyUMcor92yCso9IYCgEiMpfFvD15NTvsF0phimQVUlMaY_Y-RyjpMsbQ74h9q8ngY1Vj7m_YrU6sISpo7mk3Y0h2AxvSxaJ7r1mt0P4jgu_GQHaJ/?imgmax=800" width="354" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Love to you all--</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-89488778189482182182008-11-09T11:24:00.001-08:002008-11-09T11:24:10.865-08:00Moving Through Autumn<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO_FYt4j8T5zP-h-daQkp9DI55vQHKd0D4GzRcJfwfTWoQ4snU52lyTEOKwgVHNh4MKhlLTFI92k0gjzk9o7TeLW4zsQXjq0qFTUIR7FQifgjvPThXW1l3ghlXlyEb1hDjcCL7QSxz2Ck/s1600-h/Till%20the%20Cows%20Come%20Home%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WgplG2vPxIm8ejtcsah8SZvS0m3jkOCG26fAB665jXUUIlRBLwder3kVXS8an-xT7oriVdq7_iUZ9eFpYqVFrfRtweeOGNMYQfth5fbmLWcqPRxLs7t4gLm7RYZhgZu_Nal0GrQjEnPW/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a>I have often heard the saying, "Till the cows come home" in reference to doing something for a long time--until the cows come home.  Here is the picture to go with the saying.  We were traveling along a road near Gruyere when a farmer got off his tractor which he had been driving down the road and placed two "cones" -- one on each side of the road to indicate a cow crossing.  He then proceeded into the field and urged the cows into a line to begin their walk "home".  Such a simple sight to view and yet for some reason it filled me with contentment to being able to take the time to enjoy watching cows return to their barn in the evening. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmxp8bxkEzH5zaB1SJL0wtaI0u3skDMyt0i1ro2vMTKRSyCvf4VpPjZ_U-NQxMobCjRNr4VDTe7udv2W9YFkIc7qeox1s_4_pNlSoYRcnaXId33PkNbcm0gnAGwuwgWzvuQxb2SmXPSus/s1600-h/Gruyere%20Castle%20B%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCqtglwPfAvcpP-7Owns_L4mViizPVa7lecvptobta7V1SeEH45nPS8_gvU6hlAKDEsbu-p2xbKymtoj9FM3m3XUAG5CZctflXwahzd7aZ36wcc27c-XlqAN9FZEwg9Vdfpydezfv5_yz/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a></p> <p>On the hill is the Gruyere Castle.  Just some beautiful scenery on our way back to Geneva.</p> <p>As Autumn pushes onward, I am getting more anxious each day to get home to North Carolina.  I have discovered that I'm good for about two and a half months before I start counting the days until I come home.  I find that I'm less tolerant of the crowds of people,  the cigarette smoke being blown in my face, the dirty bus seats and the even dirtier streets.  Yep--it's definitely time for a break from here for a little while.  City life is fine in small doses.  We plan to get out of town next Saturday--we haven't decided where, but it'll probably end up in my next blog.</p> <p>Love to you all--</p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-77797070938119282442008-10-26T11:01:00.001-07:002008-10-26T11:01:26.290-07:00Family Fun Time<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwOBTkzXI/AAAAAAAAAeM/R1WgiU_4w9w/s1600-h/Abbaye%20-%20Fall%20Colors%5B6%5D.jpg"> <img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwO50ft0I/AAAAAAAAAd4/5OiMye7Of3M/Mont%20Blanc%20View_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Last Sunday we took a beautiful autumn ride up towards Mount Blanc, turned down toward Albertville, drove over to the bottom of Lake Annecy, around the Lake to St. Bernard de Menthod, and finished at the town of Annecy.  It was a brilliant day with spectacular fall colors everywhere.  We love it when visitors give us all the reason we need to go exploring.  Every time we reached a "pull-out" on the side of the road we would stop to take more pictures.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwPgK_xPI/AAAAAAAAAd8/V_3PczmFM28/s1600-h/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Alps%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwQZ4iN3I/AAAAAAAAAeA/bYZvmrCZ7IE/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Alps_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a>  We hope Chad and Danielle had as much fun as we did.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwRWaMhlI/AAAAAAAAAeE/i0BrAw5wPKE/s1600-h/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Mont%20Blanc%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwR7-qstI/AAAAAAAAAeI/mPBCzhr2xEA/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Mont%20Blanc_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwOBTkzXI/AAAAAAAAAeM/R1WgiU_4w9w/s1600-h/Abbaye%20-%20Fall%20Colors%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwUwTcCWI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/20awZupZ3Yw/Abbaye%20-%20Fall%20Colors_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwRWaMhlI/AAAAAAAAAeE/i0BrAw5wPKE/s1600-h/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Mont%20Blanc%5B2%5D.jpg"></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwV2ksWjI/AAAAAAAAAec/Nf4K09Hf40g/s1600-h/St%20Bernard%20de%20Mentod%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwWVLjR3I/AAAAAAAAAeg/PWHx6XB-8H8/St%20Bernard%20de%20Mentod_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p>One of Danielle's requests was to see a castle.  This is the Castle St. Bernard de Menthod across the lake from the town of Annecy.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwXeq_bZI/AAAAAAAAAes/mkAqpF2sBT4/s1600-h/St%20Bernard%20de%20Mentod%20-%20Close%20Up%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="404" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwYAT3wTI/AAAAAAAAAew/F7IQtSwWkKE/St%20Bernard%20de%20Mentod%20-%20Close%20Up%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwZsywZFI/AAAAAAAAAe0/CmvBLCcGRoo/s1600-h/Annecy%20Canals%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwa0_SsKI/AAAAAAAAAe4/DiopNx1fXNA/Annecy%20Canals%202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We ended the day in the town of Annecy.  Danielle said that Annecy was her "favorite" of their whole vacation here.  It certainly is picturesque and was the perfect ending to a beautiful day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwccQ0qmI/AAAAAAAAAe8/CqgiXMrVFn8/s1600-h/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Annecy%20Prison%20A%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwdJVT_DI/AAAAAAAAAfA/fnhkEQoisMk/Chad%20and%20Danielle%20-%20Annecy%20Prison%20A_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/Maryqotu/SQSwV2ksWjI/AAAAAAAAAec/Nf4K09Hf40g/s1600-h/St%20Bernard%20de%20Mentod%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-55768967874613943612008-10-12T12:35:00.000-07:002008-10-12T13:10:04.732-07:00An Autumn Afternoon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKHS5NlfeLoQQC8416eQ_Mif1_AU2jR2F_kUtFw38fQcUtjl9fs6du13dSBDqfznJN8uhmQ2MmC7vtEEFqYUtGneoCkehJctwNNzocE9RFF8ps_UyvJxy2k9TzSnwcTjiV9KOIr65mN4/s1600-h/Quiet+Sunday+Afternoon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBKHS5NlfeLoQQC8416eQ_Mif1_AU2jR2F_kUtFw38fQcUtjl9fs6du13dSBDqfznJN8uhmQ2MmC7vtEEFqYUtGneoCkehJctwNNzocE9RFF8ps_UyvJxy2k9TzSnwcTjiV9KOIr65mN4/s320/Quiet+Sunday+Afternoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256356561377791826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The weather will always make a liar out of you. After last week's post when I talked about how cold it had gotten here all of a sudden, we have had a very moderate week, temperature wise. The snow on the Jura is melted, but I'm sure it will be back soon. I felt like taking a walk this afternoon and taking some pictures of Autumn in Geneva. What won't show up on pictures is the fairly dense fog which shrouds everything each morning. I told Steve today, that I feel like I live in San Francisco or something. I'm content as long as I get at least some sunshine every few days. Enjoy the scenes from our walk.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg25qyUoQAhrcfVLcYxL9VlhiaB4lyEHokbbNeakjF78Dw_09wNzDbLRRL8TUo_QbScVEUiWvPQe393sA4jRUWO6YAgEGMb0v5jYBWYiSfZ6gAwao3f-Y-gN9tIBUNFIWttmvSmK7gtAc/s1600-h/Autumn+Vines+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg25qyUoQAhrcfVLcYxL9VlhiaB4lyEHokbbNeakjF78Dw_09wNzDbLRRL8TUo_QbScVEUiWvPQe393sA4jRUWO6YAgEGMb0v5jYBWYiSfZ6gAwao3f-Y-gN9tIBUNFIWttmvSmK7gtAc/s320/Autumn+Vines+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256356429515709698" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This vine grows on walls all over around here, but it becomes spectacular during the Fall.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7o-jJWrWqo7mkmGVfgWPVpQ_S0iSPqudWPdTopuhJDljz1j-_6ep9hWeadHPTWkXYMreAtnsJkoOkmJnj47yWR0c-1LSJgQGzvuJChHJ33dXALmC9_DEhI4HaYTp-Q8MuCdvzJI4RIyA/s1600-h/Autumn+Arch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7o-jJWrWqo7mkmGVfgWPVpQ_S0iSPqudWPdTopuhJDljz1j-_6ep9hWeadHPTWkXYMreAtnsJkoOkmJnj47yWR0c-1LSJgQGzvuJChHJ33dXALmC9_DEhI4HaYTp-Q8MuCdvzJI4RIyA/s320/Autumn+Arch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256356118507184706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYZYoQx3vLTOTh7KnlHX2D_DhEk9iTHi4uvECtL5p4sCOQS_rDjGiD2mpAVNV_9qHMeHTpG6xtm1a5qbu0DssYQZtiYU8kWyHcXgr-jmnwis60cbGwuHtSomUx5EUmonafj3zqDjJK3N9/s1600-h/Autumn+on+the+Lake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYZYoQx3vLTOTh7KnlHX2D_DhEk9iTHi4uvECtL5p4sCOQS_rDjGiD2mpAVNV_9qHMeHTpG6xtm1a5qbu0DssYQZtiYU8kWyHcXgr-jmnwis60cbGwuHtSomUx5EUmonafj3zqDjJK3N9/s320/Autumn+on+the+Lake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256353632527838194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoInU0cn5xWa8_LfrPMyhVcRCHU2qp7WSsEhLE1E19HQ18TxKJTpEQr7TvQrIWg1qrVGIWYDpZWrHZdhAJIJmTT3sXu0IiQRsAQcKbavjXfgYGURJIeUfQYztnFjsuC4mw1qpwUGc9Pbjl/s1600-h/United+Nations.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoInU0cn5xWa8_LfrPMyhVcRCHU2qp7WSsEhLE1E19HQ18TxKJTpEQr7TvQrIWg1qrVGIWYDpZWrHZdhAJIJmTT3sXu0IiQRsAQcKbavjXfgYGURJIeUfQYztnFjsuC4mw1qpwUGc9Pbjl/s320/United+Nations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256358221205157538" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">On a different theme--This huge three-legged chair stands across the street from the United Nations building. It represents all the children of the world who have lost limbs or been killed by land mines and cluster bombs. It is quite a statement. This square is also the site of many demonstrations by various groups with different agendas. I have just finished reading the book, Three Cups of Tea --A true account by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I would encourage everyone I know to read this inspiring account.</span>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-37647777058259815472008-10-05T12:05:00.000-07:002008-10-05T12:54:16.397-07:00FALL CAME FAST<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w2pKSzfQ6ipAGlQbuhAWZqOtS_Ad2ET9MD3D6IjTA4MKVFnVh-MtSzkr16AtfdDC_qL4SJQh28u8_8xF2LWgGbDZXz44bNhopwfei6LYPMDFtXZWxKWJRu3J3XsmaWRkXQWUHCCQkG6T/s1600-h/Steve+and+Mary+-+Panorama+on+Mont+Blanc+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w2pKSzfQ6ipAGlQbuhAWZqOtS_Ad2ET9MD3D6IjTA4MKVFnVh-MtSzkr16AtfdDC_qL4SJQh28u8_8xF2LWgGbDZXz44bNhopwfei6LYPMDFtXZWxKWJRu3J3XsmaWRkXQWUHCCQkG6T/s320/Steve+and+Mary+-+Panorama+on+Mont+Blanc+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253756641519297458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">It seems like only two weeks ago that all the trees were still green with no color and then, as if overnight, the colors appeared and some trees have dropped all their leaves. It snowed already on the Jura (the low mountain range that I see from our front window). Wow! Everything changed quickly. I'm more used to the rich colors that develop slowly in North Carolina and stay till almost Thanksgiving. It's not that way here. This morning when we got up the temperature was in the low 30's. (Fahrenheit, not Celsius) It did warm up to the mid 50's, but coat-less days are gone. As we approach our one year mark here in Switzerland I can see some progress in the communication area. Our "only-French-speaking" neighbor feels like she can talk to us in simple phrases now and knows we will understand and respond in rudimentary French, but she seems to understand. A lady on the bus next to me told me something in French and I knew exactly what she said. It would be so easy here in Geneva to just depend on our English to get by, but then I would not feel like I had taken advantage of a real opportunity to learn something new. We have met many wonderful people at our church and are enjoying more social activities with some of them. Our experience here, so far, has validated my view that you can learn to adjust and be happy anywhere. There are still holes that only children, grandchildren, dear friends and perhaps a dog can fill. Aside from that we consider ourselves very fortunate for the experience we are having.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xAh2t-zXrv8/SOkQnXNN0WI/AAAAAAAAAcU/vTLHpqIgRD8/s1600-h/Trail+to+the+Summit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xAh2t-zXrv8/SOkQnXNN0WI/AAAAAAAAAcU/vTLHpqIgRD8/s320/Trail+to+the+Summit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253748708734783842" border="0" /></a>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-59704717085976034872008-10-03T06:48:00.000-07:002008-10-03T07:09:47.301-07:00I've Been TaggedApparently, I've been "Tagged".<br /><br />A. Attached or single?--attached<br />B. Best Friend(s)?--Steve<br />C. Cake or Pie?-- Cake (chocolate of course)<br />D. Day of Choice? -- Thursday has always been my favorite<br />E. Essential? -- A project to work on, preferably hand quilting<br />F. Favorite Color?--Green<br />G. Gummy Bears or Worms? -- Bears (only red ones)<br />H. Hometown? -- Berkeley Ca.<br />I. Indulgence? -- Chocolate<br />J. January or July? -- July. Who likes January?<br />K. Kids? -- Five (Troy, Chad, Lara, Ben & Emily) There's no need to include ages here.<br />L. Life is not complete without? -- Family<br />M. Marriage Date? -- June 11<br />N. Number of Brothers and Sisters? -- One brother, three sisters<br />O. Oranges or Apples? -- Apples. I eat an apple everyday.<br />P. Phobias? --(just one?) Snakes, dirty things run a close second.<br />Q. Quotes? -- Happiness is a choice.<br />R. Reason to Smile? -- too many to name, but let's start with the natural beauty of the world<br />S. Season of Choice? -- Fall<br />T. Tag Someone -- Lara, this is for you.<br />U. Unknown Fact? -- Where I'll be a year from now.<br />V. Vegetable? -- Red Cabbage<br />W. Worst Habit? -- (only one?) Procrastination, I guess<br />X. X-Ray or Ultrasound? -- Neither, it might mean I'd be sick<br />Y. Your favorite food? -- Fresh-baked bread<br />Z. Zodiac sign? -- CancerMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-88709404190163575992008-09-28T12:06:00.000-07:002008-09-28T12:46:06.772-07:00Having Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdnLtaNZ81PEvCXq9GR3mzazU5RZhvzXiqZf2KiI4VPpi7OG28Q9YyTzcYxdj3E34A2g4F-OQYJQqfkvRPrrFvkrxXwmEMqZvkG7cOlnuvsLN192E7Pkfzl5qXI1lhxdYPumX1ySonEjO/s1600-h/Across+the+Clouds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdnLtaNZ81PEvCXq9GR3mzazU5RZhvzXiqZf2KiI4VPpi7OG28Q9YyTzcYxdj3E34A2g4F-OQYJQqfkvRPrrFvkrxXwmEMqZvkG7cOlnuvsLN192E7Pkfzl5qXI1lhxdYPumX1ySonEjO/s320/Across+the+Clouds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251159062542648162" border="0" /></a>Emily and Damion have been visiting us here in Switzerland. We have spent the last ten days traveling to interesting sights and recuperating from our travels by just hanging out in Geneva. We went up to Mont Blanc, took the train to Lyon for the day, and spent two days in Grindelwald and the Lauterbrunen Valley. There is so much beauty to be seen here and we relish the opportunity to share it with others. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8eyHEvq_JERw2ul5gY8dYSn3Hu1hyphenhyphenTpolEeA9_ArZmPP16HVljbdFc2XtJUruquQmFt9-IDQVTDEILa0ctYC0sou7zaCO-3jzFvF4gzM5DGEcml4sL4a71kJT4EIX4mAdo-EQBAfoej0/s1600-h/Damion+Emily+Mom+at+Bachalpsee+Cabin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8eyHEvq_JERw2ul5gY8dYSn3Hu1hyphenhyphenTpolEeA9_ArZmPP16HVljbdFc2XtJUruquQmFt9-IDQVTDEILa0ctYC0sou7zaCO-3jzFvF4gzM5DGEcml4sL4a71kJT4EIX4mAdo-EQBAfoej0/s320/Damion+Emily+Mom+at+Bachalpsee+Cabin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251158429867703842" border="0" /></a>We were bundled up as we set out, but after a little bit of hiking, the jackets were shed and we enjoyed the warmth of the sun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVie30umLARi89fIqCQRrUCGSxN1GvF8J8oZLAY0Bf7eXp6_S5TSq_WbbaI3KTtCiiqTlnKAVc9wYyJYInbqF0sNcaxZlMYZVpVL9z8ra3k-5vKXHGsnv2ViGKztye6NswmTfhq0BO_Vzh/s1600-h/Bachalpsee+-+Hikers+Lunch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVie30umLARi89fIqCQRrUCGSxN1GvF8J8oZLAY0Bf7eXp6_S5TSq_WbbaI3KTtCiiqTlnKAVc9wYyJYInbqF0sNcaxZlMYZVpVL9z8ra3k-5vKXHGsnv2ViGKztye6NswmTfhq0BO_Vzh/s320/Bachalpsee+-+Hikers+Lunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251157538682682898" border="0" /></a>We hiked up to this lake from First. It was cloudy in Grindelwald when we got up so we decided to take the gondola up to First and get above the clouds. We were rewarded with such clear air and sunny skies at 7400 ft elevation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlwYAetLR4h6hbMdb8baa4d3eVad5Vevt6ma1-mkhFAZvuNdv57pUZwFElh1uM8rtOUPt0e4Fr4doIbbfvsuFFP4ufCio0ayJ5c6cO1we2ukE_2WgoumI_8yCCPLzEmIt-CafZp9jZp5p/s1600-h/Murren+View.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlwYAetLR4h6hbMdb8baa4d3eVad5Vevt6ma1-mkhFAZvuNdv57pUZwFElh1uM8rtOUPt0e4Fr4doIbbfvsuFFP4ufCio0ayJ5c6cO1we2ukE_2WgoumI_8yCCPLzEmIt-CafZp9jZp5p/s320/Murren+View.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251156389312006994" border="0" /></a>Aview of the Alps from the beautiful little town of Murren in the Interlaken Region<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrd_rMFJL9Mqr32G4Y11WR8mLoUcsnmNACgXlAk5p8KecO2-cVs7NpSMMYbmmz2BKRPA9sJw-YBKqM6nDXh4RY41-x_TKxolgev-kqZUkm4Pz8ifNBd0Sc2OYx7K8Kc3gFimOhi327i96/s1600-h/Hiking+the+Cliff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrd_rMFJL9Mqr32G4Y11WR8mLoUcsnmNACgXlAk5p8KecO2-cVs7NpSMMYbmmz2BKRPA9sJw-YBKqM6nDXh4RY41-x_TKxolgev-kqZUkm4Pz8ifNBd0Sc2OYx7K8Kc3gFimOhi327i96/s320/Hiking+the+Cliff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251155319373015970" border="0" /></a>We watched as this hiker walked on the narrowest of trails.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON_b8v8cgSPmm6HnNIrR0gQIOZyPWCqXc0Q3go4OPST17yzm2P-23dd7ikZwDlGJr8yp3HddcobTz2hNklWOfLWB3ROaLDAgqw-IGowbI4Foa0EedAO0EX84ekzH2NFr7j1UKXSsrLNeH/s1600-h/Mary+and+Emily+-+Top+of+the+World.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhON_b8v8cgSPmm6HnNIrR0gQIOZyPWCqXc0Q3go4OPST17yzm2P-23dd7ikZwDlGJr8yp3HddcobTz2hNklWOfLWB3ROaLDAgqw-IGowbI4Foa0EedAO0EX84ekzH2NFr7j1UKXSsrLNeH/s320/Mary+and+Emily+-+Top+of+the+World.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251154846383011314" border="0" /></a>It's so much more enjoyable to share the beauty with those we love.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T84PN59aAABPHZK1WLAV9NmTHTRQ94WSHDmCHz2uKZ7nY8LbXiz5-RwY1dnBczkAH148jpCRMRdBRKUgDnpn9uQ2O63_gf-WK0-FC4_Pryi9-7i8cwyEtNEGDXcIW6rmZRjFAO1EJmmu/s1600-h/Damion+on+top+of+the+world.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T84PN59aAABPHZK1WLAV9NmTHTRQ94WSHDmCHz2uKZ7nY8LbXiz5-RwY1dnBczkAH148jpCRMRdBRKUgDnpn9uQ2O63_gf-WK0-FC4_Pryi9-7i8cwyEtNEGDXcIW6rmZRjFAO1EJmmu/s320/Damion+on+top+of+the+world.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251154467612338370" border="0" /></a>Damion definitely enjoyed the whole experience.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFllz01aYilARXuZhaj1r8iiFC1eCrNOLuAdqsB52imxh1pH1m2g-slaAAAZ8MSqc3r-OtCZyQNxSrI2EhLCRI2wAtXt79KAhcmFdQMVIlIVy7dgm9NPt0jbftbtWMIRmC6m-6ZrwBqiD/s1600-h/Ice+Tunnel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFllz01aYilARXuZhaj1r8iiFC1eCrNOLuAdqsB52imxh1pH1m2g-slaAAAZ8MSqc3r-OtCZyQNxSrI2EhLCRI2wAtXt79KAhcmFdQMVIlIVy7dgm9NPt0jbftbtWMIRmC6m-6ZrwBqiD/s320/Ice+Tunnel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251154056430771538" border="0" /></a>What a view through this "ice tunnel".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGrue7tSP0wYLYkelrUfDBUeF_y2SD1ZGp4xwUVtENr1HOu_O36tT29yCxcweUD_gUWnNKkkZHN6ICAP-vSUlN6Cs5UoXjDE3f9frXqVOTuaSHt_ehQNiJXMmczxboJHxCCoTkIVSe0gS/s1600-h/All+on+Mont+Blanc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGrue7tSP0wYLYkelrUfDBUeF_y2SD1ZGp4xwUVtENr1HOu_O36tT29yCxcweUD_gUWnNKkkZHN6ICAP-vSUlN6Cs5UoXjDE3f9frXqVOTuaSHt_ehQNiJXMmczxboJHxCCoTkIVSe0gS/s320/All+on+Mont+Blanc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251151400312158370" border="0" /></a>Back to Mont Blanc. We enjoyed another beautiful day on top of the world, so to speak. It was less than a month since we made this trip for the first time and yet the temperature was significantly cooler. This time, however, there was no wind to speak of. I also had a companion in my dislike for the tram ride to the top. Emily also is a little nervous on the tram rides. This time, however, the tram actually stopped about half-way down and it seemed to me like we dangled there thousands of feet in the air forever. In reality we were moving extremely slowly, inching our way into the terminal. White-knuckle time once again for me.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-64845991579269620662008-09-14T12:12:00.001-07:002008-09-14T12:42:34.844-07:00Same Game--New Setting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChopD-0DZOu-2MgoKopWRyh2nrACS7pR72V893MPpi0RJEyWdUNvh5Q1haGIdtaTlV9oM-pmNepOfXKzQNyeGETcReVujTuk2YBHrsrYO7sqjuILvJ1RgAyB72XgxqgaGgJ_5M-bgfjpU/s1600-h/Steve+and+Mary+-+Bougy+on+the+Jura.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChopD-0DZOu-2MgoKopWRyh2nrACS7pR72V893MPpi0RJEyWdUNvh5Q1haGIdtaTlV9oM-pmNepOfXKzQNyeGETcReVujTuk2YBHrsrYO7sqjuILvJ1RgAyB72XgxqgaGgJ_5M-bgfjpU/s320/Steve+and+Mary+-+Bougy+on+the+Jura.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245960069948339106" border="0" /></a>When Steve and I moved to Switzerland I did not bring any of my golf equipment. I really did not think that I would play while I was here. It would be far too difficult to get to any courses without having a car. Then one Sunday I was introduced to a lady who works at the United Nations with the High Commission for Refugees. We were introduced by an acquaintance who knew that we shared a common interest--we both like to golf. Moira, my new friend, first took me to a charming little driving range/nine-hole executive course that was part of someone's farm. The guy had extensive acreage and had built this golf facility on part of the farm which included corn fields, orchards, along with grazing bison and elk. This past Thursday was a Swiss holiday and Steve and I joined her at a beautiful 18 hole course called Signal De Bougy. Walking the course is expected in Europe, but Steve and I also ended up carrying our clubs that we rented. It's been ten years since I carried my clubs (that was in Scotland), but we survived and are anxious to find new courses to play. Moira has been kind enough to take us in her car--maybe we'll have to rent a car for our next outing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSRkZxBSHb8Nfm-i55tMQD16so4trnJrd5ox8jTAjMKsfRe0RuSaCAavchpzy5DMRwzrpCiZl9EFYWcJfH_fJSNpoCAdUtjukIMfOR-2a30PBYnzul3AlJpvfzNYrJKp9BpyXYiQnDH1B/s1600-h/Mary+-+Hole+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSRkZxBSHb8Nfm-i55tMQD16so4trnJrd5ox8jTAjMKsfRe0RuSaCAavchpzy5DMRwzrpCiZl9EFYWcJfH_fJSNpoCAdUtjukIMfOR-2a30PBYnzul3AlJpvfzNYrJKp9BpyXYiQnDH1B/s320/Mary+-+Hole+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245959243829696162" border="0" /></a>I felt like I was back playing in Tilden Park in Berkeley, CA. One needs to be part billy goat to deal with the extreme ups and downs of this hilly course. Also, there was a constant misty fog that settled in for most of the round--only to be interspersed with actual rain showers. These weather factors would explain the way I look. I still had fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfgAf_7Rb8Ww3c8mZtJZF2-R1gZg7q8N2SmUhME6JQpYCCIFyjMmKwTWqWoF2YJBsLfo-cd2J6hOavSfrO31_QL6S4sFeh7jGAQ75hi-hPXza9fvCEG910SJDoP8C65g_gdwK8dJhOGs_/s1600-h/Mary+and+Moira+-+Golfing+in+the+Cow+Pasture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfgAf_7Rb8Ww3c8mZtJZF2-R1gZg7q8N2SmUhME6JQpYCCIFyjMmKwTWqWoF2YJBsLfo-cd2J6hOavSfrO31_QL6S4sFeh7jGAQ75hi-hPXza9fvCEG910SJDoP8C65g_gdwK8dJhOGs_/s320/Mary+and+Moira+-+Golfing+in+the+Cow+Pasture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245958202220660114" border="0" /></a>We really did not stray off the course to take this picture. The tee is directly in front of us. It wouldn't be golf in Switzerland without the cows.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcyNMN7DftRZ1ifz_kVk8EgA3R60MMmGUc8_5JmDhc0Yf0N7-yJpo4nvtF41ZJ5EfwstSZsr05BDqzECtt6ZfG5EP6qmDqmRw94iS1QFaWoKtRV_y8DaGwBNBzzHE_ru54TLnL-TwMq6i/s1600-h/Mary+and+Moira+-+at+End+of+Play.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcyNMN7DftRZ1ifz_kVk8EgA3R60MMmGUc8_5JmDhc0Yf0N7-yJpo4nvtF41ZJ5EfwstSZsr05BDqzECtt6ZfG5EP6qmDqmRw94iS1QFaWoKtRV_y8DaGwBNBzzHE_ru54TLnL-TwMq6i/s320/Mary+and+Moira+-+at+End+of+Play.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245957394717211410" border="0" /></a>The sun finally came out after we finished our 18 holes. We have come up with an admirable quest--to play one new golf course every month.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-71013355107627478552008-09-07T12:35:00.000-07:002008-09-07T13:12:12.507-07:00A Saturday Drive<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfUPTf3Yl60OzhbwHKsP0GrArsXcr0OfLR03ColDk92IF7UhuuoEedY0ZBiRTSBiQjwN518nAwCTR7RmEKRRC1n1VsNUvjiEGAuIi9NAfSXqPPVJPiVy93TgntOCXhirb4-XWLjcDBz75/s1600-h/Climb+to+Grimsel+Pass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfUPTf3Yl60OzhbwHKsP0GrArsXcr0OfLR03ColDk92IF7UhuuoEedY0ZBiRTSBiQjwN518nAwCTR7RmEKRRC1n1VsNUvjiEGAuIi9NAfSXqPPVJPiVy93TgntOCXhirb4-XWLjcDBz75/s320/Climb+to+Grimsel+Pass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243368474326672066" border="0" /></a>We woke up on this particular Saturday and it was raining in Geneva, but we had a car rented for the day. My suggestion was "let's head for the Valais, and Sion, if there's any sun, it will be there." It turned out to be true and we had mostly sunny skies until we reached the top of the Grimsel Pass and it was clouded over and began to rain which continued all the way back to Geneva. The river you can see in the above photo is coming off the glacier which is also visible.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqYF5RXo-LoSxiRNMmogzzOpHo-sP1V3N0PzAr6hBsfUK7pa1vmQ1pW7EQZ1u5nCWz-fPkH8_keQV8ZxEz-nqhpROTNkDTKMySMKfKkvQ-KsJRtIdPk2S2CQPDmIwuhWmukQr0l-rspTi/s1600-h/Gletsch+Meadow+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqYF5RXo-LoSxiRNMmogzzOpHo-sP1V3N0PzAr6hBsfUK7pa1vmQ1pW7EQZ1u5nCWz-fPkH8_keQV8ZxEz-nqhpROTNkDTKMySMKfKkvQ-KsJRtIdPk2S2CQPDmIwuhWmukQr0l-rspTi/s320/Gletsch+Meadow+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243369911943312994" border="0" /></a>As we drove toward the Grimsel Pass over the mountains we came to the village of Gletch. It is interesting to me to imagine what it would be like to live in such a place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g6f170CYiszmUEkuFTfF3Sn0DL-nT7k2nM7N5ZTYlx22UlsZqdYqIJqGW9e65XchcD58Y8gN5YMVFH5YLuOx0TxJE4qa0-RslO0_QttVsEAi_gAVEP6lTRMQu7o3wyhwP_vP5E3C80nD/s1600-h/Village+in+the+Swiss+Alps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g6f170CYiszmUEkuFTfF3Sn0DL-nT7k2nM7N5ZTYlx22UlsZqdYqIJqGW9e65XchcD58Y8gN5YMVFH5YLuOx0TxJE4qa0-RslO0_QttVsEAi_gAVEP6lTRMQu7o3wyhwP_vP5E3C80nD/s320/Village+in+the+Swiss+Alps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243366942436194546" border="0" /></a>We were dealing with lots of clouds and some sun on this particular day. However, the sun came out and lit the church in this village at the right moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY72d7NJvCvVlQTP6apwwgr5hPQEXY6lToaB2jXgLApeYy62Ibt9bQHj36uAQ6d4epQ0X9kgSNQnPIK0W7QBRdlySHZw_bElLj7D1LAYC7YlkaKDZ9E0mFnFNCEF4Tp4zK1An_IAjkjm8i/s1600-h/Swiss+Hillside+Village.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY72d7NJvCvVlQTP6apwwgr5hPQEXY6lToaB2jXgLApeYy62Ibt9bQHj36uAQ6d4epQ0X9kgSNQnPIK0W7QBRdlySHZw_bElLj7D1LAYC7YlkaKDZ9E0mFnFNCEF4Tp4zK1An_IAjkjm8i/s320/Swiss+Hillside+Village.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243365722153074466" border="0" /></a>I find it amazing that the Swiss like to "perch" their villages on hillsides up in the mountains. It takes quite a while to wind up the steep little single lane roads that will take you to the village. The views, however, once you get there are always worth it.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-25913530961940675192008-08-30T02:26:00.000-07:002008-08-30T03:02:45.932-07:00We Finally Made It!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKobSsqO28ooCIPHsVcxjJIBN8bSqJ6NBP267iylaYJWrDbjKIS1iacMA4CAFqYgrti-bNbVjVLDhLGuH_S2iY3U5SXkp0F9Z9QbAd4d2UTdXdSxTplgPMQBKt7I6ZVfXG7_yHxS7WQm4G/s1600-h/Ridgeline+Climb+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKobSsqO28ooCIPHsVcxjJIBN8bSqJ6NBP267iylaYJWrDbjKIS1iacMA4CAFqYgrti-bNbVjVLDhLGuH_S2iY3U5SXkp0F9Z9QbAd4d2UTdXdSxTplgPMQBKt7I6ZVfXG7_yHxS7WQm4G/s320/Ridgeline+Climb+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240246055470219522" border="0" /></a>We've been in Switzerland since mid October 2007, and this past weekend we finally made our trip up the highest peak in Western Europe. We needed the perfect day weather wise and the motivation of entertaining a guest to bring it all together. It takes two tram rides to reach the the Aguille du Midi, the lookout to Mont Blanc. The tram rides were "white knuckle" time for me as we rose almost 10,000 vertical feet from Chamonix where we started. Even if the cliffs are steep, I would rather have my feet on the ground than hanging from a cable in the air. But I would and will do it again to see such breath-taking natural beauty.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8BwWyZ3iHoSvCDGnu5p6yqzPgSQU2CJoADAHyfDV3grC2bdvLo0Wa-k6rhogXSUmuXw2SIFwTG1bfCBI9Eu-B3nT35D5KaV03x0gOSVOc3kUVI4_CCGu8YsgV6HhOyZqGXq2ylHIE7P8/s1600-h/Steve+and+Mary+Overlooking+Valley.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8BwWyZ3iHoSvCDGnu5p6yqzPgSQU2CJoADAHyfDV3grC2bdvLo0Wa-k6rhogXSUmuXw2SIFwTG1bfCBI9Eu-B3nT35D5KaV03x0gOSVOc3kUVI4_CCGu8YsgV6HhOyZqGXq2ylHIE7P8/s320/Steve+and+Mary+Overlooking+Valley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240245477108600866" border="0" /></a>Time to soak it all in together--this is as good as it gets.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5B_hcjs68cPsQiDa6UB8pi1RV08zP29OZn0lXH4ajmvHWIElZpi9B6CxjWJKbIQtk6bIJklqPIpldn8j9hzsvIDz75FjDdRJ6lsAdiRITH-9oosr8Rz_u2lyvfEDQ51t1rCnxyjzCSqb/s1600-h/Mary+and+Aiguille+du+Midi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5B_hcjs68cPsQiDa6UB8pi1RV08zP29OZn0lXH4ajmvHWIElZpi9B6CxjWJKbIQtk6bIJklqPIpldn8j9hzsvIDz75FjDdRJ6lsAdiRITH-9oosr8Rz_u2lyvfEDQ51t1rCnxyjzCSqb/s320/Mary+and+Aiguille+du+Midi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240244388947900210" border="0" /></a>Words really can't describe the majesty of this place. I think I could have take in the scenery all day and never gotten my fill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36U3XzvX0fTOII-8016JGo_Dno8XCOwY3Sq-vZh7EJKZbvWZ-G3pBqTy7UsMYpekoEia9-T0Y6Ik1w8tF-KcYdqPjNypooW4JpKjytc_NLmrTiogMzTk4I3ZNc8US_NKma593KXv0-nVk/s1600-h/Ridgeline+Climb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36U3XzvX0fTOII-8016JGo_Dno8XCOwY3Sq-vZh7EJKZbvWZ-G3pBqTy7UsMYpekoEia9-T0Y6Ik1w8tF-KcYdqPjNypooW4JpKjytc_NLmrTiogMzTk4I3ZNc8US_NKma593KXv0-nVk/s320/Ridgeline+Climb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240242719566870754" border="0" /></a>Got Mountains? One of our sons-in-law said that having mountains was a criteria for a place to live. Would these mountains qualify?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsh-1xIHfXMfnA067BtJzRGcHC4iNAXuYW73bo2T_2Ho7_lleqRN-H660IBH4sQPcrmvtHwfTu2ku30A_rrTmztoO_NX-S8BSUNS2Qdixn6PY-5dbYI1gVXUW7W1d0KOzXD0kwSll5IA9/s1600-h/Ridgeline+Hike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsh-1xIHfXMfnA067BtJzRGcHC4iNAXuYW73bo2T_2Ho7_lleqRN-H660IBH4sQPcrmvtHwfTu2ku30A_rrTmztoO_NX-S8BSUNS2Qdixn6PY-5dbYI1gVXUW7W1d0KOzXD0kwSll5IA9/s320/Ridgeline+Hike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240241920361000898" border="0" /></a>Great photo of hikers on the ridge-line. This photo would definitely make it onto the wall of our Swiss Chalet, but alas, we don't have one.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqwG39kaXw729SXeWivcbCwEYawE9DgU5eG3iU788cxsnpAw8jGRarPrrNuP-S1dCXTPcXCakH-U6M1Xye6bDxtXSaEk_TcTwRMkabq2x65Ijq6Y0NTUuoMg4-xUVMEJuaXGx3RMQ9wgl/s1600-h/Mont+Blanc+-+Climbers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqwG39kaXw729SXeWivcbCwEYawE9DgU5eG3iU788cxsnpAw8jGRarPrrNuP-S1dCXTPcXCakH-U6M1Xye6bDxtXSaEk_TcTwRMkabq2x65Ijq6Y0NTUuoMg4-xUVMEJuaXGx3RMQ9wgl/s320/Mont+Blanc+-+Climbers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240241063395297234" border="0" /></a>Rock climbers with Mount Blanc as a backdrop<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGsuTg2FZFYtNgRYYWlh1FmhOPshtZcpUUbO93dumrwwI6d8kGaiX0f0I-n7gtdCOZksY1BM3eWWiR8o6rk1vXv1QY4hLIJNnXZyIB25d-Jw1ZbVmLMIzQ0luQ0gG4w2q7SFBYo-WBXMB/s1600-h/Henry+-+Aiguille+du+Midi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGsuTg2FZFYtNgRYYWlh1FmhOPshtZcpUUbO93dumrwwI6d8kGaiX0f0I-n7gtdCOZksY1BM3eWWiR8o6rk1vXv1QY4hLIJNnXZyIB25d-Jw1ZbVmLMIzQ0luQ0gG4w2q7SFBYo-WBXMB/s320/Henry+-+Aiguille+du+Midi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240240217238027282" border="0" /></a>Henry Dirkmaat on the look-out at the Aguille du Midi Mont Blanc. Having people visit brings us to the best places. There are not many days this spectacular on the Mountain.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-39365976382422247132008-07-06T08:21:00.000-07:002008-07-06T09:13:09.310-07:00Beautiful Lake Luzern<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WDY12D3JuaBRGUvB0pUzyvDuDLMBIiedwGm8w0cL8hHkoN2cbug3rjbr4etXoiLZJkjGJxUgslEMFqsIY9B1fqPgQKG0aYmhM8m95ITDlpvHE4f9vsA3W45oGfJ-gYY9YoHzAWOPBOlC/s1600-h/Sailing+on+Lac+Lucerne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WDY12D3JuaBRGUvB0pUzyvDuDLMBIiedwGm8w0cL8hHkoN2cbug3rjbr4etXoiLZJkjGJxUgslEMFqsIY9B1fqPgQKG0aYmhM8m95ITDlpvHE4f9vsA3W45oGfJ-gYY9YoHzAWOPBOlC/s320/Sailing+on+Lac+Lucerne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219931423824277330" border="0" /></a>Luzern continues to be one of my favorite places in all of Europe. A few Saturdays ago, Steve and I took the train from Geneva to Luzern--a three hour ride. Steve arranged ahead of time to meet a long-time friend and his wife in Luzern and spend the day with them. Due to the need for Arianne to fulfill some grand mothering duties for their newest grandchild, she was unable to join with us on our wonderful trip to the top of Mt. Pilatus and back down to Luzern. It was a beautiful day as you can see from the photos, and on my next post I will include pictures from the unique "old town" of Luzern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-BzY9tXGIE94Hk-JZorbsfRltuQ9ZlYnhIIzhf6i7yDMLDuxSmYrxkZBTio49Cq3BpXiBe6SR2SHk-Ewo6fBJCbanadn-zsWg5oXMkxqcULvuHBf3Bd_fesxV0B61GYhV0TGcQdmKE2/s1600-h/Steve+and+Ruedi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx-BzY9tXGIE94Hk-JZorbsfRltuQ9ZlYnhIIzhf6i7yDMLDuxSmYrxkZBTio49Cq3BpXiBe6SR2SHk-Ewo6fBJCbanadn-zsWg5oXMkxqcULvuHBf3Bd_fesxV0B61GYhV0TGcQdmKE2/s320/Steve+and+Ruedi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219930739731203122" border="0" /></a>We met our dear friend, Reudi Blattmann, in Luzern and he took us on an adventure.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxbfxNy3cDKS2E0KKZlhA3uxWwk3WBEVnK7ICoxC29UqG6z7xgH9yfLLA04trXI-F8wsFHt4H-suFsfCaPv_L9VLD1QEJoma__SK89u2VLWIrmy0fu8H5bY_mphIfbYnCUaDtC-ShntOy/s1600-h/Country+Chateau.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxbfxNy3cDKS2E0KKZlhA3uxWwk3WBEVnK7ICoxC29UqG6z7xgH9yfLLA04trXI-F8wsFHt4H-suFsfCaPv_L9VLD1QEJoma__SK89u2VLWIrmy0fu8H5bY_mphIfbYnCUaDtC-ShntOy/s320/Country+Chateau.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219930307172208706" border="0" /></a>There were great views from the boat as we crossed the lake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDSBk8NDNd5e2u_TL8J5sVt9cEfeCSIldI8I8QzAEawRlnRoh8EKHrm5ssAIecftMr0cEt4dpiXffolt91U4Ws0J2zalhcpXZD5E02EyZYJTa-hGS9r_8QX-B1FBbsHmt6_mPI7MkzoU3/s1600-h/Mary+on+Board.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDSBk8NDNd5e2u_TL8J5sVt9cEfeCSIldI8I8QzAEawRlnRoh8EKHrm5ssAIecftMr0cEt4dpiXffolt91U4Ws0J2zalhcpXZD5E02EyZYJTa-hGS9r_8QX-B1FBbsHmt6_mPI7MkzoU3/s320/Mary+on+Board.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219929582568842354" border="0" /></a>We sailed across Lake Luzern to a port where we disembarked the boat and boarded a cog-rail train which took us to the top of Mt. Pilatus<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwi9QfGi7tSWtdeugD5Vo3sFJ2d73p3E73pKs2ORecJygOFe3QapVZnR_-vY4-e3Rpa-KK8grj6VR6aq6jAEfXGouQD7FpJS62kONL7Il0Dbae-wlYwukIE5Fi5Qk3TwezKhhXgimchEE/s1600-h/Boathouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwi9QfGi7tSWtdeugD5Vo3sFJ2d73p3E73pKs2ORecJygOFe3QapVZnR_-vY4-e3Rpa-KK8grj6VR6aq6jAEfXGouQD7FpJS62kONL7Il0Dbae-wlYwukIE5Fi5Qk3TwezKhhXgimchEE/s320/Boathouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219929245249899810" border="0" /></a>A boathouse we passed on our sail across the lake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf1hFLWb9HJQbCoYuWZonNu-a80DjA8CruyAfA-o6BENwjoB6o4YU_dS47ZczMARcIYrsCaiFV3AsrgfaKy0GEcImQIkfb_ButQKWXsOQjDS9jv4D80QeVzfhdnk7R3ivBdYGFRp2qk2U/s1600-h/Cog+Rail+up+the+Mountain.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmf1hFLWb9HJQbCoYuWZonNu-a80DjA8CruyAfA-o6BENwjoB6o4YU_dS47ZczMARcIYrsCaiFV3AsrgfaKy0GEcImQIkfb_ButQKWXsOQjDS9jv4D80QeVzfhdnk7R3ivBdYGFRp2qk2U/s320/Cog+Rail+up+the+Mountain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219928712949607378" border="0" /></a>If you look carefully (or just click on the picture) you can see the cog train about to enter the tunnel. You can also hike to the top of Pilatus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS8xYgBSOE5CVTt5SubLJVXsxmzNd0W13NSqlDpAsMs2ifVD7rrj_gaRMP1iE27kpaInmsxyn36jGpWLvEQxJn_05WQu3VzxjijvU3DhlmMIs45NtSzw784r_1Zh4JUl1wJejHyvx3_a8/s1600-h/Cog+Rail+Train+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS8xYgBSOE5CVTt5SubLJVXsxmzNd0W13NSqlDpAsMs2ifVD7rrj_gaRMP1iE27kpaInmsxyn36jGpWLvEQxJn_05WQu3VzxjijvU3DhlmMIs45NtSzw784r_1Zh4JUl1wJejHyvx3_a8/s320/Cog+Rail+Train+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219925600653872306" border="0" /></a>We took this cog rail up to the top of the mountain. It is the steepest cog rail in Europe. What views!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AItJP6LLrwY6P7VG6JRXL6V0QvhHSeL45nkBrcJ0jvAq9onmJgAdqsG6vS3ZzULtsRj9PK3BLmWD0P3umIFT1wi_FJ1uR_EI4Lk7AtgwaUHQVXZXSQZ6KgDJb21DEOcx0d_zJXqPgqWN/s1600-h/Pilatus+Summit+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AItJP6LLrwY6P7VG6JRXL6V0QvhHSeL45nkBrcJ0jvAq9onmJgAdqsG6vS3ZzULtsRj9PK3BLmWD0P3umIFT1wi_FJ1uR_EI4Lk7AtgwaUHQVXZXSQZ6KgDJb21DEOcx0d_zJXqPgqWN/s320/Pilatus+Summit+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219924958841482194" border="0" /></a>A view down to Lake Luzern from the top<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTw2cYWlw89RNDyaGLGbjGWj6lVGsHLVUO-0w2smw63WmcGwTcEp5D-Eeaq8xVDjZyxubIbWOQywSNO_ETpgkxh_cqKADIR8dyAqZ9SCeeS4ru7Xe9-lAZr63jzHDe2QmbNUjm7fLgrVH/s1600-h/Pilatus+Summit+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTw2cYWlw89RNDyaGLGbjGWj6lVGsHLVUO-0w2smw63WmcGwTcEp5D-Eeaq8xVDjZyxubIbWOQywSNO_ETpgkxh_cqKADIR8dyAqZ9SCeeS4ru7Xe9-lAZr63jzHDe2QmbNUjm7fLgrVH/s320/Pilatus+Summit+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219923315942702546" border="0" /></a>The peak of Pilatus as we began the descent in the tram.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-12283232321418658212008-06-23T12:01:00.001-07:002008-06-23T12:31:30.012-07:00Living Without<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4QAblA_CY2FRcQo7oiOXPzcQLBTM4Rt6b7gN8FxC56dLFGB6oIhWqtjejSRHFtVKhKIRDyOizWz6YcJUcpbGNOx5CDSCcjF7e1Y4b5BpeuECrIE5E9TXAVW_bZCizM0CBYZin7lEn4M9/s1600-h/Pont+Mont+Blanc+with+Flags.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4QAblA_CY2FRcQo7oiOXPzcQLBTM4Rt6b7gN8FxC56dLFGB6oIhWqtjejSRHFtVKhKIRDyOizWz6YcJUcpbGNOx5CDSCcjF7e1Y4b5BpeuECrIE5E9TXAVW_bZCizM0CBYZin7lEn4M9/s320/Pont+Mont+Blanc+with+Flags.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215161707533934130" border="0" /></a><br />The June Gloom is definitely gone and it has been 90 degrees for the past three days. I'm sure that there is some reason, yet to be revealed, why I need to discover all the ways to stay somewhat cool on the 5th floor of an apartment building with no air conditioning. No air conditioning is really the normal way of things in Europe so I am not surprised, but I am challenged to deal with the feeling that at any moment I might become a melted puddle on the floor. I should have known we'd be in trouble with excess heat in the summer, when we hardly had to turn any heat on in the winter. The hottest part of the day (between 4-7 p.m.) is when the sun is directly on our front window. This makes it necessary to roll down the outside shade but when I do that, no air is able to come in. We do have fans--thankfully, and have found that if we don't turn on any lights at night then the bugs don't come in our screen-less windows. At least there is usually a pretty good breeze coming through either the front or the back windows. We've found that the newer buses have air conditioning, but the older ones do not. I told Steve on Sunday on our way home from church that I would rather walk all the way than get on a crowded, non-air conditioned bus again.<br /><br />Lest I sound ungrateful for all of our wonderful experiences, let me clarify that I am merely challenged to learn new ways to handle living without some things which we sometimes take for granted. What is interesting to me is that so far I have been successful in adapting. An "Old Dog" can learn new tricks.<br /><br />Our pictures from this weekend in Luzern are on Steve's lap top which is with him in Boston. It has crashed, so we hope that all the pictures were not lost.<br /><br />Love to you all,<br />MaryMaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-1185744025969053362008-06-15T05:38:00.000-07:002008-06-15T05:49:55.881-07:00TIME FLIES!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIszb9bPUwFu5P7d9Z-seDMMSUv94oE77uE-eQoZ20Zmx1Mq3_8DwiC-atu7EPYPU14WTz6TMmj4S0_iwVLYrtB5IMq-jGuRuW2oGkNFHd9yX1v0iSgIh3xmbB0-vC8QXEqT63MnLM7AZI/s1600-h/Sunset+from+Eaux-Vives.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIszb9bPUwFu5P7d9Z-seDMMSUv94oE77uE-eQoZ20Zmx1Mq3_8DwiC-atu7EPYPU14WTz6TMmj4S0_iwVLYrtB5IMq-jGuRuW2oGkNFHd9yX1v0iSgIh3xmbB0-vC8QXEqT63MnLM7AZI/s320/Sunset+from+Eaux-Vives.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212087368212142066" border="0" /></a>We had a great view of the Lake and sunset as we enjoyed our Anniversary dinner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp02OWxxfECN2_vzYYDUxFRhNkFauAbnLY1i-x8EdqN0tfkhQ3FVDerdVhP2BNEMKwo7nuB-7vRH_UA84qyTyTEMOdVdbDaf4KbBBal5PNSVKToUxFAiEDx1VNy06QybqvTRusbVONI7Ro/s1600-h/Anniversary+Dinner+-+40th+A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp02OWxxfECN2_vzYYDUxFRhNkFauAbnLY1i-x8EdqN0tfkhQ3FVDerdVhP2BNEMKwo7nuB-7vRH_UA84qyTyTEMOdVdbDaf4KbBBal5PNSVKToUxFAiEDx1VNy06QybqvTRusbVONI7Ro/s320/Anniversary+Dinner+-+40th+A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212087231300357730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_iLHyc1Fw4UUQpK2UD-NDoqERbUcaGIUwmznsNLz56ijp5QbLl61qIQ-12_p4O4-p3SJesDe3gBM6x9CMjRrzDPhhg8pjKjx7391lWevzUzClf_wZ1om4piin9WXXj1xgl2u_h9W6YzQ/s1600-h/Anniversary+Portrait+-+40th+A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_iLHyc1Fw4UUQpK2UD-NDoqERbUcaGIUwmznsNLz56ijp5QbLl61qIQ-12_p4O4-p3SJesDe3gBM6x9CMjRrzDPhhg8pjKjx7391lWevzUzClf_wZ1om4piin9WXXj1xgl2u_h9W6YzQ/s320/Anniversary+Portrait+-+40th+A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212087011894928466" border="0" /></a><br />This past Wednesday Steve and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I remember clearly the day we were married and I don't think I could have looked forward and imagined the kind of life that we would have together. I don't think that I could have imagined actually turning 40 years old, let alone being married for 40 years! Though some days with five children seemed to last forever, forty years have sped by. As I look back I am amazed at what we have learned from our relationship with each other, from our children and their unique personalities, and now from our precious grandchildren. I won't lie and say that I've enjoyed every minute of our life together but all our experiences have worked together for our good, and now I will say that it was definitely worth it.<br /><br />Chad complained last week that we never put any pictures of ourselves on the blog. At our age we really don't like to look at pictures of ourselves--"Who are those old people?" I don't think we should have to look any older than we feel. We still feel young. So we have given in to Chad's request and included some pictures we took at our Anniversary dinner.<br /><br />Love to you all wherever you may be---Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4049910646331529063.post-18767108928194503582008-06-09T01:34:00.000-07:002008-06-09T03:08:31.130-07:00WE ARE STUCK ON GRAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxEs6DtgQGWsaZBcWnXPhxz-P94z7KShfrLIjF3W5dhRm-ELEKrmrt_Ctwe5PpIBe_ZC_HVWrJRNLkz5q5_Ds7Hy8pr1eZ-_rtICF9K4v9ByojgC3egxd6Fy07F678qmTeDyBUiNKuFCk/s1600-h/Goat+on+Stump.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxEs6DtgQGWsaZBcWnXPhxz-P94z7KShfrLIjF3W5dhRm-ELEKrmrt_Ctwe5PpIBe_ZC_HVWrJRNLkz5q5_Ds7Hy8pr1eZ-_rtICF9K4v9ByojgC3egxd6Fy07F678qmTeDyBUiNKuFCk/s320/Goat+on+Stump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209812123098723618" border="0" /></a>We have been experiencing a real "June Gloom". We haven't seen much in the way of sun, nor had a day or night without some amount of rain. People who have lived here for a while say it's the coldest, cloudiest end of May and first of June they've experienced. That really isn't much consolation for someone whose moods are rather dependent upon a good amount of sunshine. But as Steve always says, "It is what it is." We have experienced our first real introduction to the craziness of Soccer fanaticism. Geneva is one of the host cities of the Euro Cup--the national qualifying teams from Europe play for the championship. The good side of being in a "host" city is that the grayness has been brightened by a profusion of bright flags representative of the competing teams displayed everywhere. There is not an apartment building nor business in town that does not have flags hanging from windows, doorways or sides of the structure. On Saturday everywhere in town we could hear the soccer "singing", horns and chants to accompany the flag and scarf waving. There will be another match here on Wednesday and another on the Wednesday following. At least now we know what to expect. Whenever a goal is scored fans open their windows and yell and cheer and some run out into the street and jump around and blow horns. I must admit, I can't really relate to the avid fan. On the negative side, we have found that having drivers from other countries on the streets of Geneva can be dangerous to pedestrians. In Geneva if a pedestrian is in a crosswalk a driver will stop and wait. Even if the pedestrian waves them on, they will wait and let you cross. Now, however, if you are the pedestrian, you better check the color of the license plate before venturing into the crosswalk. Residents of other nations don't have the same driving habits. I see Switzerland as a country of laws and rules and one does not want to find oneself on the wrong side of the law. Traffic fines can be horrendously expensive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXiDGUYmt1Bgaqwkuko7AdJg58YmlVllu0hGTlonBzchhfMNk4gO4-cGR4iWxkAIV0H1_x9jFCP-oWuljP2VV03WewFElGgc-_FrVNcJhQd7gwNis7baVOdGpymkQwlbpqWe0axPi4c_E/s1600-h/Carousel-Stork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXiDGUYmt1Bgaqwkuko7AdJg58YmlVllu0hGTlonBzchhfMNk4gO4-cGR4iWxkAIV0H1_x9jFCP-oWuljP2VV03WewFElGgc-_FrVNcJhQd7gwNis7baVOdGpymkQwlbpqWe0axPi4c_E/s320/Carousel-Stork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209811058985734914" border="0" /></a>Have you ever seen a Pelican pedaling a unicycle on a carousel? I have to give it to the artist for originality.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3z98wbJC3pxLyytHo9uAj-P2FbqM7yEkMAh7LWQ48CcSNN2TTd8lA3gHmk5HAayH-eGNg9TX833NZuoCRsm2I_xI0XBkazDrGiMrHsdeui5hKACfIXoe3Ng2w4XFRI7lVS7fyCTXaQFcu/s1600-h/Carousel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3z98wbJC3pxLyytHo9uAj-P2FbqM7yEkMAh7LWQ48CcSNN2TTd8lA3gHmk5HAayH-eGNg9TX833NZuoCRsm2I_xI0XBkazDrGiMrHsdeui5hKACfIXoe3Ng2w4XFRI7lVS7fyCTXaQFcu/s320/Carousel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209810322721942130" border="0" /></a>This is one of the most unique carousels I have ever seen. On our Saturday trip to the botanical gardens we were able to see it in action for the first time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb7F4kK3Au5aoDv6RVhYu1FQVaFS1lkx64msbdNf-TsyR0b3WKforDHtcFa3FkKxbijhwlIrLkH8tetKA1vtekiRCE6NNbKtYA1oxVOHGYKsAhJX0m18aZVnhmxweXZyaLqwJTSv6DHmf/s1600-h/Billy+Goat+Gruff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb7F4kK3Au5aoDv6RVhYu1FQVaFS1lkx64msbdNf-TsyR0b3WKforDHtcFa3FkKxbijhwlIrLkH8tetKA1vtekiRCE6NNbKtYA1oxVOHGYKsAhJX0m18aZVnhmxweXZyaLqwJTSv6DHmf/s320/Billy+Goat+Gruff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209807484221987810" border="0" /></a>For my little grandchildren. This is the "middle-sized" Billy Goat Gruff. The great Big Billy Goat Gruff would come close enough for us to take a picture of him. Many of the plants and animals in the garden are species native to Switzerland which the country wants to preserve. We have in the store purple carrots and potatoes. They grow here in Switzerland.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELpKvly_s_fSGz8N1IUmy7PHG9HVUqz8g58LzHmk1zpYND96KefJlJMjGyjf3ZehyphenhyphendTxCaTWaaClw-7VysDVXn9WsderR39mdjIS9_GvH9Adgq3lTgXOck6lbwWsw00hcXum-K6y7bvUK/s1600-h/Duck+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELpKvly_s_fSGz8N1IUmy7PHG9HVUqz8g58LzHmk1zpYND96KefJlJMjGyjf3ZehyphenhyphendTxCaTWaaClw-7VysDVXn9WsderR39mdjIS9_GvH9Adgq3lTgXOck6lbwWsw00hcXum-K6y7bvUK/s320/Duck+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209806376411290786" border="0" /></a>There is a species of duck in this pond that has bright red eyes, although we were unable to get a photo of this strange duck. Most of the fowl were in the resting mode.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3i295y7vQ0SkjSc50eodjtji3VwHVExXaXKzfipjXj33ozdaIViBxWoJXYWky60JL1_ewAhQEPaazrtVnxTXd7gTb7h0TU9EyU8E47PPt1ApjA2hxa8TzJiW9BZ2WD4cIFn8kPV3vRQi/s1600-h/Mandarin+and+Friend.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3i295y7vQ0SkjSc50eodjtji3VwHVExXaXKzfipjXj33ozdaIViBxWoJXYWky60JL1_ewAhQEPaazrtVnxTXd7gTb7h0TU9EyU8E47PPt1ApjA2hxa8TzJiW9BZ2WD4cIFn8kPV3vRQi/s320/Mandarin+and+Friend.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209806166463651202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapR8q4pZ8SfOtS-uTz0CLHWRJYQZaGy2XgD_gehjvMmWhurQW_rN1vEw-IC-NgXwe3GqD2BTDd0nzZf9jE78MY4KR_I-ngTI3_CIDhSsdevxHOxWorFHlrwNmGluGygNowS_BVmtNCOqV/s1600-h/Canard+Mandarin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapR8q4pZ8SfOtS-uTz0CLHWRJYQZaGy2XgD_gehjvMmWhurQW_rN1vEw-IC-NgXwe3GqD2BTDd0nzZf9jE78MY4KR_I-ngTI3_CIDhSsdevxHOxWorFHlrwNmGluGygNowS_BVmtNCOqV/s320/Canard+Mandarin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209804493160174018" border="0" /></a>I had walked to the botanical garden often and told Steve that ducks there had unbelievable color and looked like they had been painted. When he saw them for himself, he said he would be bringing his camera back when the sun was shining.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO70IwJC8VX9otDNVKD04C_0JC2wX92y4J39RlCBVlBFKHNYfgyfDIVhbq7-3fQaYSYVFkqBEonjwH6A6UlImOXPqtWroxUFMCEqWFdVWtPXdUlwD3PWszHCl-hR_38FOiUl8Xx1lEFCr/s1600-h/Peacock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO70IwJC8VX9otDNVKD04C_0JC2wX92y4J39RlCBVlBFKHNYfgyfDIVhbq7-3fQaYSYVFkqBEonjwH6A6UlImOXPqtWroxUFMCEqWFdVWtPXdUlwD3PWszHCl-hR_38FOiUl8Xx1lEFCr/s320/Peacock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209803888609740002" border="0" /></a>Talk about color! This peacock was just asking to be photographed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTld3sTWbFrsvyhP-1Du5h2ZEPWbfPKa59eMqmovZeHplGGjNpKQT9pTYMFX2tsY91OIMpi0zRt_7-wEfmcn6eDdr9rWntTBeyj0_fDER0m4hQqILghrFXk4sRCsEJMGlusgnqv3wNX94u/s1600-h/Stream+and+White.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTld3sTWbFrsvyhP-1Du5h2ZEPWbfPKa59eMqmovZeHplGGjNpKQT9pTYMFX2tsY91OIMpi0zRt_7-wEfmcn6eDdr9rWntTBeyj0_fDER0m4hQqILghrFXk4sRCsEJMGlusgnqv3wNX94u/s320/Stream+and+White.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209803386521101490" border="0" /></a>It is apparent in this photo how they blend flowers with grasses and trees for a great scene.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzwLKyeN0lPFNVCz9dY4NNf_FqADaVmB1y0-p9WUlBBiafCShllk3WVVTALd9dn4yMuIJy9waYoGQ6G8opr-sbEAIcrhUSImNoqco7PJ7AUnMnwFi8muY5k03gd5HUVkDzUCKTlUZR4Ud/s1600-h/Quiet+Stream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzwLKyeN0lPFNVCz9dY4NNf_FqADaVmB1y0-p9WUlBBiafCShllk3WVVTALd9dn4yMuIJy9waYoGQ6G8opr-sbEAIcrhUSImNoqco7PJ7AUnMnwFi8muY5k03gd5HUVkDzUCKTlUZR4Ud/s320/Quiet+Stream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209802878818939282" border="0" /></a>This water spot makes for a peaceful scene.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0aCk9YpOQowRrJtWGTFmU0GczL6alZQMusnzMB12hbVDOPAiL7ByJTRf1JTgP01H5Iij5HM4f9WfMyBvt2DmjSBJDzQY4iCCJ3qpseOEhTWIi3hUToM1Umm6OafGgjKkDpJSm7cLtGU/s1600-h/Berries.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X0aCk9YpOQowRrJtWGTFmU0GczL6alZQMusnzMB12hbVDOPAiL7ByJTRf1JTgP01H5Iij5HM4f9WfMyBvt2DmjSBJDzQY4iCCJ3qpseOEhTWIi3hUToM1Umm6OafGgjKkDpJSm7cLtGU/s320/Berries.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209801870861502754" border="0" /></a>We don't know what this bush is. The "berries" almost look like grape clusters but the leaves are quite different. Any ideas?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEKqtpNmC98gqti32ttjIk4sD0wX-gh1n8RISR0g1nziFCk1rqbNxN1qg9WRLQl3LYyMGYTqhVhCwcxr1Q41t0y6FbNpjBwrdgz26RpXjqBmr8uhGR7ATKQzrG3TManjGqumITb1YxF4N/s1600-h/Pink+and+White.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEKqtpNmC98gqti32ttjIk4sD0wX-gh1n8RISR0g1nziFCk1rqbNxN1qg9WRLQl3LYyMGYTqhVhCwcxr1Q41t0y6FbNpjBwrdgz26RpXjqBmr8uhGR7ATKQzrG3TManjGqumITb1YxF4N/s320/Pink+and+White.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209797983276992930" border="0" /></a>After experiencing gray and rainy skies for over ten days Steve and I decided to go to a place where we could see some color. Geneva has a wonderful Jardin Botanique. Although it wasn't raining, the gray skies made for rather muted pictures, but we did our best. The gardens here are unlike ones I have seen in the U.K. or the United States or Japan. Here, they leave things in the most natural state possible. They don't necessarily pluck up all the weeds and they leave the native grasses uncut where they can. The garden is not overly manicured, but is filled with a large variety of beautiful specimens of trees, flowering shrubs and seasonal flowers. It was exactly what we needed to lift our spirits. The other thing that is lifting my spirits is the thought that I will be coming to visit family and friends in a month. We miss you all---Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05894127343521342422noreply@blogger.com7