Shoot Three - "Monet's Inspiration"

Mexico - Donald Trump's Wall Builders! Signing in last week were Milt, Michelle, Joani, Peyton, Jim, and brother Michael. I agree the clues were somewhat flimsy - I'll try to tighten them up in the future.

"Monet's Studio"

Any trip to the Paris area has to include a side excursion to Claude Monet's studio. Just a few hours outside of the city, is the town of Giverny. I think EVERYONE who was in town that day was there for Monet! Fortunately, we had planned a tour and did not have to wait in the long lines!

On the tour it was pointed out that almost all of the plants in the garden area would not have been the kinds that Monet would have painted. 

I chose this angle of the back of the studio as I pictured Monet peering out the window before he ventured out for the afternoon. I liked the variety of colors in the gardens just under that window!

Getting Older?

"Surely the consolation of old age is finding out
how few things are worth worrying over."
  ~ Dorothy Dix

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

It is the most sparsely populated country within the European Union.

It shares a land border with three other countries.

It has thousands of lakes (about 188,000) and islands (about 179,500) leading to the nickname for the country "Land of the Thousand Lakes".

It has some interesting and unique wildlife including the gray wolf, wolverine, elk, its national animal the brown bear and national bird the whooper swan.

It's the largest producer of wood, in all of Europe.

The national sport is called Pesapallo, which is a bit like baseball.

By gold medals won per capita, is the most successful country in Olympic history.

Interesting Fact. . .

The Ovum egg is the largest cell and . . .

 the sperm is the smallest cell !!

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

   Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground, 

and I'll show you a man

who can't get his pants off.

Shoot Three - "Paris - Montmatre II"

Iceland! And, we had Michelle, Elaine, Jim, Milt, and Mike checking in. Michelle was oh so close!

"Montmatre Transportation"

While walking through the backstreets of Montmatre, I came across

this popular mode of transportation. There were several aspects of this image that screamed, "Take my picture!" The encroaching ivy reached just far enough to be framing the bike while underlining the street sign. The color combination of those leaves against that wall was perfect! Whoever parked this bicycle must have known about allowing ample space in front of a subject. Simple subject but such a beautiful composition!

Getting Older?

"I have everything now that I had 20 years ago, 
except now it's all lower."

   ~ Gypsy Rose Lee

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be? Tough one this week!

It's the 11th most populated country in the world with around 117 million people (as of July 2012).

Also, the 14th largest country by land area.

Home to over 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a popular tourist destination.

Stone tools have been found here that suggest the existence of humans there around 23000 years ago.

The national symbol is the golden eagle which features prominently on the coat of arms.

Interesting Fact. . .

There are so many kinds of apples, 
that if you ate a new one everyday, 
it would take over 20 years to try them all!  

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

   Is there another word for. . .

 synonym?

Shoot Three - "Paris - Montmatre"

Columbia - had to think a little on that land on two oceans! But before we announce last week's followers, an apology to Mad Mike. He correctly identified Russia but I inadvertently left off his name - I trust he is not MAD at me any more.

And, for Columbia  we did hear from Joani, Michelle, Milt, Elaine, Peyton and Mike (although he ended up next door in Ecuador).

"Montmatre Street Poster"

The Montmatre section of Paris is so named because it was where St. Denis was martyred, hence, "the Mountain of the Martyr."

Sitting high atop this area is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. 

Montmatre was also the home of many of our famous artists - Picasso, Lautrec, Dali, Monet, Pissarro, and Van Gogh! I know I saw many originals by these men during my museum visits in Paris.

For me, this poster shouted, "Paris!" 

Getting Older?

"I don't feel old.  I don't feel anything until noon. . .
 that's when it's time for my nap." 

       ~ Bob Hope

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

has some unique natural features such as ice cap mountains, volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and ancient cooled lava flows.

around 11% of it is covered in glacial ice.

is home to around 200 volcanoes and it has a third of all lava flows found on Earth. 

home to the most northern capital city in the world. 

the currency is the króna.

the Arctic fox is the only mammal that is indigenous to it..

Handball is the main traditional sport 

Interesting Fact. . .

There are at least 6 people in the world who 
look exactly like you.


There's a 9% chance 
that you'll meet one of them in your lifetime!

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, 

he'll never be able to edge his car onto the expressway!

 

Shoot Three - "Paris. . ."

Russia! With all of those time zones, it had to be a very large country! And, Jim, Joani, Elaine, Doris, Peyton, and Michelle were on the mark with the correct answer. 

"Le Metro"

The Paris Metro is world-renown! Despite our inability to speak the native tongue, we had no problems using the transit system to get around. People were friendly enough to offer directions when we looked lost. Even the Metro fare collectors managed sufficient English to help us find our way. The stations were filled with maps of the various lines and the walls had signage to point you in the right direction!

One day we watched three heavily armed soldiers enter the station and walk its length. They boarded a train and got off at the next stop. 

This was one of the signs outside of the subway station. Here is the other one found in the upscale neighborhoods.

Getting Older?

"You know you're getting old when. . .

 the candles cost more than the cake!"

   ~ Bob Hope     

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

shares a land border with 5 countries.

is the only country in South America that has a coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

its capital city is the second largest capital city in South America and at 2640 m (8661 ft) it is one of the highest capital cities in the world.

classed as a "megadiverse" country, ranking as the 2nd most biodiverse country in the world. It has the highest amount of species by area in the world, including the most endemic species of butterflies, the most orchid species, the most amphibian species and more species of bird than all of Europe and North America combined.

is the world's leading source of emeralds.

The traditional national sport is called Tejo. It is a team sport that involves launching projectiles at a target.

Other popular and successful sports of include roller-skating, weightlifting, baseball, boxing, motorsport and cycling.

Interesting Fact. . .

Warner Communications paid TWENTY-EIGHT million dollars  for the copyright to the song, Happy Birthday!  

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

Is it my imagination,

or do buffalo wings taste like chicken?