uncommonly feeble and random thoughts

Next stop, Córdoba... the Mosque-Cathedral, and the Roman Bridge of Córdoba:  We just might have a shot or two from that edifice. As is becoming customary on this blog, a view of the pipe organ:    And as might be "not the first time", a capture of the choir stall: Allow me to quote '"the Google" from the 'ask' function on my phone for this picture (ah technology):   This striking choir stall is located in the heart of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a truly unique place where Moorish architecture seamlessly blends with Christian elements.  The choir stall itself is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque art. It was primarily created in the 17th and 18th centuries, replacing an earlier Gothic choir stall. The intricate wood carvings you see depict various religious scenes and figures, showcasing the incredible skill of artists like Pedro Duque Cornejo, who was a major contributor to its detailed design. Its grandeur is meant to reflect the importance ...

   On Oct. 10 we visited Toledo. We stopped at an overlook and shots like this were taken by all:   The Puerta de Bisagra greeted us as we drove nearer town... a Mudéjar-style gate to the city:        Once inside Toledo, the architectural blend of Moorish and Spanish styles gives character at every turn:    Let us now turn to the cathedral:   Gothic, Mudéjar, and Baroque elements  reflect centuries of history   Of course, the edifice is stunning, but so are the treasures within... behold, El Greco's The Disrobing of Christ:     Let's stay with the artist for a moment... El Greco's The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, also on display in Toledo Cathedral:     And to add some more of the architectural/functional elements of the Cathedral, the pipe organ, for example:     Sticking with the gold theme, the Cathedral also holds the Custodia de Arfe, a monstrance that highlights the annual Corpus Christi pro...

As with all entries in this blog, click on a pic for full-screen viewing. Porch sitting is  a major skill set:  We have honed our practice over many years. Sometimes the dog walks, and sometimes he's just exhausted:     But at the end of the day, we are lucky to have the original non-digital high-resolution scanner on duty, who,I should note, adds olfactory to the visual and auditory sensor mix. Pinkerton's and Ring, step aside, rookies:        And many folks attach a specific meaning to the phrase "on the rocks"... this is my take, from the dock:   Just to set the context, as I was out searching (unsuccessfully) for loons a day earlier, I chanced upon early morning light, which was fab (there's the rocks from the pic above):     I would be remiss if I failed to mention our host, Roger. Here's a guy who has a huge heart...he's rented to us for what, eight years now? Linda discovered the property while searchi...

 We moved into this house in 1998 when it was brand new. Now, some 28 years later, we're facing (eventually) selling and moving. So, our master bathroom shower needed a facelift.  Linda found a couple of craftsmen, and they spent a full day re-grouting the entire enclosure, and sealing the floor with a special paint.  Here's a picture of the space all taped off for the (newly completed) floor painting:   That's a no-edit  "after" picture taken with my Google Pixel phone... they taped off a foot+ up from the floor, plus the towel bar (to the right) and shower head and control (left, out of sight).  I then did a slow pan video, which is below:  

I struggled to find a title for this entry, but I think I got it right. Brevity. Gravitas. Maybe a bit of mystery?? Whatever. We  recently came to a decision about our next stop as a family. We formed the search party on the heels of our realization that, in our current quarters, we have no first floor shower. Which, to both the young and to overly optimistic elders, seems like a mere inconvenience. Until some life event dramatically changes the calculus,  and one is forced to adopt a new lifespan trajectory. Turn the page, stare into the abyss, and accept the fact that age is actually more than just a number. So, yeah. The "home" search needed action.  We looked around at six different places.  And we're now committed. It was not easy to come to the decision, but we think this place will be nice to go to. It's a little more than half the size of our house (no basement though). It's part of a facility that starts with independent living, which is our entry point, ...