PUMPKIN

"My favorite animal is the mule. He has more horse sense than a horse. He knows when to stop eating ---and he knows when to stop working."

~Harry S. Truman quotes

(With apologies to all my horse friends.)

Meet pummpkin Pie, a New Orleans mule who spends her days pulling carriages filled with tourists through the streets of the French Quarter. She nudged me twice as I stood taking a picture of Jackson Square, so I assumed she wanted her picture taken too. Rather photogenic, don't you think?

I love the mules, though I would much prefer that they were on a farm frolicking (do mules frolick?) rather than standing in the hot sun waiting for drivers to persuade tourists to take an over priced carriage ride. They always look so sad just standing there patiently.

MARGARITAVILLE

"If life gives you  limes make margaritas."

~Jimmy Buffett

Margaritaville Hotal, Pensacola Beach, Fl

FOGGY DAY

Great achievements are accomplished in a blessed, warm fog.

~Joseph Conrad.

We've had a lot of foggy, cloudy days lately. I took these pictures on a day that started out sunny and by the time I arrived at Ft. Pickens, a thick fog had rolled in. Since I was there and had my camera all ready to go, I took some shots in the fog. I'll have to come back if we ever get sun again.

 Osprey-keeping a close eye on the nest from its perch.

Ready for take off.

Osprey pair in nest.

Sunny Day at the Beach

Finally, the sun came out. We've had visitors from RI for two weeks now and the weather has been dismal. Mostly clouds, rain and thick fog. Not very pleasant for those who come to the "sunshine" state for some warmth and rays. But we consolded ourselves with good conversation, good food, and lots of wine.

Looking towards the Pensacola Beach fishing pier from Jimmy Buffet's

Margaritaville Hotel, Pensacola Beach.

A brisk easterly wind kept the surf rolling and

the sun added color and sparkle to the water.



CONFUSION

I know it's January 23rd, because it's right there on the calendar. But the temperature is 73 degrees and the humidity is high. The azaleas are into their second flowering, even the roses are still sending out lovely buds. And they're not the only ones who are confused around here. There are still lemons on my tree and new flowers are beginning to bloom! New fruit will set soon unless we have a cold snap that kills off the blooms. (None predicted this week.) Um, I thought there was no such thing as global warming--oops I mean climate change! No, global warming...It's so confusing.

LEMON TREE, VERY PRETTY,

AND THE LEMON FLOWER IS SWEET, ...



FLORENCE, CITY OF THE LILY

"[Sunset] overwhelms Florence with tides of color that make all the sharp lines dim and faint and turn the solid city to a city of dreams."

~Mark Twain

Florence is a beautiful city with artistic treasures everywhere you look. It is the home of the Renaissance and one must pace oneself, for trying to take in all that is Florence will leave you with an art hangover. Luckily, I know the cure for such a malady--sitting in a cafe, watching the world go by while sipping a fortifying glass of chianti.

THE ARNO AND THE PONTE VECCHIO

The Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345 to replace an earlier bridge that was sept away by flood. In the XIV century, the shops on the bridge belonged to the Woolmakers' Guild, butchers, green grocers and blacksmiths. However, in XVI century, Grand Duke Ferdinando I ordered that the shops be taken over by gold and silversmiths and jewelers. The bridge has been devoted to these trades ever since.

Views along the Arno

Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)

The shops

Ponte Vecchio

View from the Arno

NEXT - FLORENCE PART 2