Rome (cont'd)

The Pantheon

Marcus Agrippa commissioned this building as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome.  It was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD.

The theme seems to be "bigger is better."

The Forum

This was the central focus of political, social, legal and commercial life in ancient Rome.

The columns in the center of the photo are on the platform where Caesar addressed the crowds.

Can't you just picture it?

Okies at the Forum

(not sure where the hot mama on the far left is from)

 Victor Emmanuel Monument

Vespa Gang?

The Colosseum

This gives me goose bumps.

Portrait of a Christian SMILING in the Colosseum

Absolutely A-Mazing

I have about 600 more pictures, but either you're drooling with envy (and I want no part in that) or you're getting dreadfully bored.  So I'll wrap up the Rome portion of our trip with this whimsical statue of the legendary founder of Rome--Romulus with his brother Remus:

European Vacation - Part 1 "Rome"

A synopsis of 6 countries in 9 days.

Monday afternoon - Rome, Italy

The Vatican

Yes.  I look WIPED OUT.  Remember, I had just spent 16 hours getting from Tulsa to Rome. Not complaining, mind you.  Who wouldn't want to trade places with me?

The works of art were amazing.  From floor....

(this is what we were WALKING on)

...to ceiling.

The Swiss Guard

Why Swiss?  And why do they dress like court jesters?  I haven't googled that yet.

St. Peter's Square and Basilica

And last, but not least, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Of course this is a copy and not MY photo of Michelangelo's masterpiece, since photos are not allowed.  Not because of possible flash damage, mind you, but because Fuji Film has copyright protection, since they funded the restoration of the ceiling.  And I am a strict rule-follower.  It's one of my many vices virtues.

I just can't take it!  Too much beauty and history. 

Of course, dinner was pizza.  Every day in Italy was "pizza day."  Pizza restaurants on every corner.  Street pizza.  I was in pizza heaven.

Tuesday - Rome, Italy

The Fountains

Fontana delle Api

It rained most of the day.  But hey, we're from drought-plagued Oklahoma.  We loved it!

Fontana delle Tritone (in Piazza Navona)

Fontana del Moro (Piazza Navona)

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Piazza Navona)

Fontana delle Tartarughe (Turtle Fountain)

Fontana del Moses

(Drive-by shot)

Fontana di Trevi

And the day isn't over yet!  Rome will definitely take more than one blog post.  Stay tuned.

Jet Lag

I don't expect to get much sympathy in the next few days about the intense suffering from jet lag.  I mean, I get it.  How do you feel sorry for someone that just returned from another awesome trip to Europe?  Can't say that I blame you.  But that won't stop me from whining.

When we landed in Dallas yesterday it was about 4:00 p.m. CST.  Which is 11:00 p.m. in Paris.  Bedtime.  By the time we touched down in Tulsa it was 6:50 p.m.  1:50 a.m. Paris time.  Knowing I would have to work the next day, I toughed it out till 9:30 (4:30 a.m.) hoping to get a good night's sleep.  Fully awake this morning at 4:00 a.m. (11:00 a.m.).  See where this is going?  I'll be converting time zones for the next 2...maybe 3...weeks.  I'll milk it for all it's worth.

Fair warning to my co-workers -- this afternoon, between 1:00 and 3:00, I'll be meditating and praying. Do not disturb.

This post has no main point whatsoever.

I had a major time warp moment at work on Thursday.  I typed (do we still call it typing?) the time 11:00.  But I used two "L's" for the ones.  ll:00.  How wierd is that?  (Most of you will have no idea what I'm talking about.  Go back to your iPads.)

My right toric contact lens has a miniscule line to indicate which "side" goes on the bottom.  If I could actually see that line, I wouldn't need contacts.

I seriously think I could not survive without kitchen scissors.  The words "Easy Open Package" are my clue to reach for the scissors.

I know my Pharmacy phone number AND all the option numbers by heart.  Is that bad?

This is funny.  My "Lita & Janet" salt & pepper shakers have been sitting in my window for several months.  "Lita's" hair has turned a slight shade of green.  LITA--STAY OUT OF THE POOL, GIRLFRIEND!  (Obviously a bleach blonde.)

This is not funny.

I'm afraid we may lose this tree to the drought.

Our entire state seems to be on fire.  Neighboring communities are being ordered to evacuate.  Many have already lost their homes.  There are pleas for donations of clothing, so I started purging my closet and drawers.  It's amazing how much you realize you don't need when others have lost everything.

About 30 minutes after I took the picture above, I was scrolling through FB and saw several posts about praying for rain.  Well...of course we've all been praying for rain, but I decided to stop and really, truly, whole-heartedly pray for rain.  Almost immediately, like within 60 seconds, I heard what sounded like thunder.  Walked out onto the deck and felt the wind change, heard large drops hitting the roof and witnessed the most beautiful downpour ever.  It was kindof an Elijah moment....know what I mean? I dropped to my knees and cried like a baby.  

Okay, I've totally switched gears through the course of writing this post.  The smoke has given me a massive headache, and I'm having trouble focusing.  Please don't try to follow my train of thought.  It could be hazardous to your health.

Oppressive Heat

Did some research on one of our destinations in Italy.  It said, "...oppressive heat in summer.  74 degrees farenheit in July."  Oooh.  Don't know if I can handle it. :D

Meanwhile the forecast here today is 109.  That's what I call oppressive heat.  So Jacob, Lauren and I took refuge in the movie theater to watch "Brave."  Ummm....nobody warned me that it was a tear-jerker.

They wanted IHOP for lunch.

And their beverage of choice was hot chocolate. Why not, it's only 103 so far today.

Jacob:  "Jolly good."

Had to cool their tongues off with snow cones after a hot lunch.

Me:  I'll have to go get some money before we get snow cones.

Jacob:  Wouldja get me twenty bucks?

Me:  I don't think so.

Jacob:  Why not?  You're goin' anyway.

The End of a Tradition

Just returned from the traditional 13th birthday trip to Canada for Stormi, the youngest of my Blevins' nieces.

The tradition started in 1989, with my oldest niece, Heather.  (I only had two nieces at that time.)

See how much fun she's having at the Blue Jays game?

Okay, so the ski lift and slide down Blue Mountain might have been a little more exciting.

Five years later, as a matter of "fairness" I took Morgan.

Who talked me into my first ride on The Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls.

It would be 12 years before my next niece turned 13.  In 2006, it was Chelsea's turn.

We got ourselves a little culture and saw a play at the Princess Diana Theater in Toronto.

And 6 years later the tradition ends with Stormi's trip across the border.

Here are just a few of the fun things we did.  (Apologies to my older nieces...she's my last, so we kinda went overboard.)

Niagara Falls

Maid of the Mist

Whirlpool Jet Boat

Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum

Sky Wheel - Niagara Falls

 Wax Museum - Niagara Falls

Fireworks over Niagara Falls

Ferry to Toronto Island

On the Island

Quadricycle on the Island

Pizza and Ice Cream on the Beach - Lake Ontario 

Fishing Trip on Lake Ontario

I also take a lot more pictures than I did 23 years ago!

It's been a great way to get up-close and personal with my nieces.  Sorta sad that this is the end.  But who am I kidding?  I'm getting way too old for this.