Hello, my friends! (And Romans and Countrymen, too, I even steal from Shakespeare!) How are you all doing? Richard and I went to a a Spring Fling here in Conyers, Georgia a few weeks ago. I love the new mural that was painted in the Botanical Garden there. Hmmm....according to a sign there, they have plans to take out most of the trees and plants and put in a wooden deck. Sigh, I hope they save some of the nature here.
There was a car show, and you know Richard managed to get a few photos for you. Lots of folks there but somehow, he can get pictures as soon as people move away!
These cars were spic and span! The owners were so proud of them and would happily speak to whoever came up to them.
Hey! We also went to the Zoo! Yes indeed, we have good friends to treated us both to a trip there as a birthday present. I love pink flamingoes. Chatty Crone had these on her blog recently!
The silverback gorillas have a very nice enclosure. They have always amazed me. They look so human. I like the shot that Richard got of one from behind.
As you see, I haven't traveled too far recently but I watched every minute of the memorial service when Pope Francis died. I felt as if I had been in Vatican City and Rome! The architecture! I kept pausing the TV for my eyes to linger on the buildings. It was all incredibly moving, was it not? I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated the beauty of it all. I even took a photo of the Tiber River on my phone from the TV. The service was translated into English, and I even loved the station that I watched, the soft voice translating the wonderful words but at the same time hearing the beautiful Italian language. It was all in honor of the dear pope who had just passed away, but I hope that I can be forgiven for appreciating the majesty of the surroundings.
Pope Francis! I will miss him. Here are just a few quotes from him that are especially meaningful for me...
"We were not meant to be inundated by cement, asphalt, glass and metal, and deprived of physical contact with nature".
"I appeal to communicators around the world to tell stories of hope. Seek out the hidden crumbs of good even when all seems lost and allow people to hope against all hope".
What fun things you've been doing. I love that so many places are doing murals lately. That's a pretty one. Those are some beautiful old cars. I like that photo of the silverback too.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you love to travel to Rome? All that beauty and history.
Yes! I would most certainly like to see Rome! I suppose you can guess that about me. LOL!
DeleteI agree with you about those Flamingo's and the big ape. I think the zoo is pretty good - not great, but pretty good. Funny how close we are. I LOVE those murals. I love the colors in it. Love the cars too.
ReplyDeleteWe watched the young woman as she was painting the mural. I have shown other artwork of hers on my blog, she did the Peanuts characters on the windows in town! We are both in the Metro Atlanta area, I guess. Of course, you might be hours from me with traffic!
DeleteThe mural is beautiful, but nothing is as beautiful as the real thing, is it! A botanical garden without plants would not make much sense, and so like you I hope it won‘t be all covered in decking.
ReplyDeleteThe classic cars are nice and shiny!
As for gorillas and other primates, I always feel uneasy in their presence, knowing they are such close relatives to us and yet we put them in a zoo to look at them… Yes, the zoos we have nowadays offer much better conditions for the animals, and do important work in preserving endangered species and everything, but still…
My friend Gary is a Rome fan! He loves everything Roman, and has infected his daughter, who turned 9 last month. He and Claire have been to Rome on a holiday a year or so ago, just the two of them, and loved it so much they are going again in June, while Mum and little sister stay home. When pub quiz questions are about Roman history, you can always count on Gary to get that point for us 😊
I have written about Zoo Atlanta before and you might remember the special memories I have of Willie B, the gorilla that was at the Zoo for many years. He was actually born wild and was captured in Africa and brought to the US. He was in a small cage for many years. When they built this nice outdoor area for the gorillas, Willie B. entered into it and reached up and touched a leaf! Made me cry that did. Zoos aren't the best things but if it makes people respect animals and nature more, then I think they are necessary. And I love would love to hang around your friend, Gary! You know I would! Will let you know what happens with the botanical garden, it truly saddens me to think what they might do with it.
DeleteA beautiful time of the year to be out and about, enjoying nature, cars and animals!
ReplyDeleteMay is such a pretty month, with all the new leaves and fresh flowers!
DeleteNature is beautiful, no doubt about it ! Sound like you are enjoying the merry month of May!
ReplyDeleteThe merry month of May! Yes indeed, it is a lovely month. x
DeleteLike the mural. Very colourful. Flamingos are extraordinary birds, adapted to live in breeding lagoons and toxic lakes that can kill most other forms of life, except brine shrimps etc...i'e, the stuff only flamingos are adapted to eat.... hence the pink colour.
ReplyDeleteYes! I've read that the flamingos must have those shrimp in order to be pink, isn't that something? You know I thought of you when I saw this new mural!
DeleteThe Botanical Garden is taking out trees and plants for a boardwalk? It doesn't sound quite right to me.
ReplyDeleteThe mural is lovely and so are the flamingos and gorillas.
Those cars! They are also works of art.
I'm not Roman Catholic, but I can appreciate how sad it is to lose a man who is influential and wants to change the world for the better. We need more people like that.
I will keep you informed on the "progress" of this park. I very much admire those who promote peace, no matter what their religion. Thanks for your comment, Mimi!
DeleteYou chose excellent quotes from the late pope. I hope Leo XIV will be as good.
ReplyDeleteI believe he will be. Pope Francis is a tough act to follow. I am sure the new Pope feels the pressure.
Deletewe are on the same page today. and with that said, i LOVE murals that are so well done, not graffiti, "art"! may is the best time to enjoy fun outings before it gets too hot!!
ReplyDeleteWe are very much alike! I really dislike graffiti and I am even picky about murals. May is a great month to be outside, as long as isn't raining, LOL.
DeleteLoved your post. The cars are memorable and the gorilla is very humanlike.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Diane! I have written about Willie B, the gorilla who lived at Zoo Atlanta for years. His is a special story.
DeleteGood that you are getting out and about. Great picture of Richard with his back to the camera! Love the cars!
ReplyDeleteHa! That is funny, my Richard is so elegantly slim he could never be mistaken for that gorilla! Now, there are many guys that could apply to. We had other photos of cars but there were some people around those.
DeleteLove the painted fence, very pretty. Old cars were sure more classy than todays models. Spotted you on a mutual friends blog and thought I'd pop in for a visit. It's always fun meeting new bloggers.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Hello to you and welcome! Well spotted, that is indeed a painted fence. The city put in a gigantic A/C unit and at first, just had a fence around it. Then, they painted it green. THEN, they put the mural all on that one side! I prefer real plants in that area but they didn't ask me, LOL!!
DeleteYou had a lovely day and thank you for sharing it with us. What a great mural and fun to see the cars and the flamingoes and silverbacks. It was a very moving memorial service for Pope Francis. I am not Catholic but always greatly admired him.
ReplyDeleteHello ! I don't get out much but the little Spring Fling in my own town was a pleasant day and my birthday at the zoo was fun too. I really liked Pope Francis, as did millions, I know, but I think I didn't realize my admiration for him until he was no longer with us. Hope you are loving life in the great state of Virginia!
DeleteWhat wonderful quotes from His Holiness. And I agree, what a shame to replace that beautiful nature by a wooden deck. I feel if people would only LOOK at the natural world properly they would understand how truly amazing it is. Being with plants certainly makes me feel better if I am stressed.
ReplyDeleteYou know I agree with you! Now, if only the City of Conyers would listen to us! Judge Clarence Vaughn left that property to the city for a botanical garden, not a wooden deck for folks to hang out.
Delete