T is for

Continuing our visit to the UK, while in London we visited the

Tower of London

 London is a city with a lot of contrasts. You can see above  the Tower of London, with some of the modern architecture of recent years in the background. Within the Tower compound itself, there is also contrast between portions of the castle built in different centuries--the earliest construction begun in 1080. In the apartments in this Tudor portion of the structure that Lady Jane Grey resided until her execution.

Our guide to the history of the Tower was this most delightful and colorful member of the Yeomen Warders who thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing.

 There is always restoration and preservation going on


















at a site as old as this. This is one of the oldest walls.

 If we make a return trip to London in future years, we will give the city more time. Then perhaps we will be able to attend some of the demonstrations that take place in the Tower precincts. Previously in this round of ABCs I showed you part of the Royal Armory for R, and mentioned that the Tower is included as one of the Royal Palaces while we were "searching" for the Queen in Q. The Tower is also home of the Crown Jewels.

 As we cruised the River Thames we passed under the Tower Bridge, which has only it proximity to the Tower of London to thank for its name.

Look for other examples for the letter T at the ABC Wednesday homesite. We are in the seventh rouind (my sixth) and it is amazing what we can find each week to illustrate the theme letter.

Sunday's Psalm--First Sunday of Advent

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,

“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.




Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

May those who love you prosper!

May peace be within your walls,

prosperity in your buildings.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my brothers and friends

I will say, “Peace be within you!”

Because of the house of the LORD, our God,

I will pray for your good.

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

from Psalm 122

Photos:

walking up one of the many hills on the San Diego 3-Day Walk route

If it is not a "Peace"rose, it is similar.

creek walking--peace--we need peace, and it's for the kids.

walkers reflected

at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 3-Day walk in San diego last week. We fought this weather the whole weekend.

Weekend Reflections courtesy of James at Newtown Daily Photo.

Day one skies over 3-Day Walk

Last Friday in San Diego

 helicopters going about their routine

 What's this, though? a message!

Special for a team from Texas! Their husbands hired it for them.

And yes, those gray clouds let loose with downpours throughout the day.

Other skies around the world can be found here at SkyWatch. Thanks Skywatch team for keeping us going.

ABC Wednesday--S is for

For today's letter we will proceed to the finest of literature. As I have drawn this round's alphabet from our visit to the UK, I present to you, words from Shakespeare:

...from a poster at the Globe Theatre. If you didn't think you knew any Shakespeare, just glance at a few of the phrases you may have used yourself. The picture is pieced together from three shots, and I am afraid that I lost the bottom in the piecing.

.

But what is this, shall we travel on the subway or should we go by hansom cab? Because we do have to head on up to 221B Baker Street

so that we can sit in the sitting room of the renowned private detective, Sherlock Holmes.

I was designated as Sherlock, whilst hubby played the part of Dr. Watson.

Literary fun--both--as we continued to wander London.

ABC Wednesday--what next?

A treat while waiting in my world

If you have come early to the airport to get through security, and the airport is not particularly busy so security takes about half a minute, and your flight is one hour delayed, it could be boring.

As we were waiting, a group of puppy raisers for Guide Dogs of America came in to give their trainees some experience of the sights and sounds of an airport. There were eight beautiful young dogs and eight enthusiastic puppy raisers. Puppy raisers very generously raise these dogs to give them up, giving them their initial training in behavior and socialization, familiarizing them with situations in public places, teaching them to remain calm no mater what as facilitators assess them for the needed temperament. This group gather for outings such as this one on a fairly regular basis.

That calm no matter what part seems to be working well.

After spending a half hour or more in the terminal waiting area, this dedicated group went on their way to their next learning adventure.

That's what happenend to liven up My World this afternoon. To see what's happening in other parts of the world, visit the My World site.

Drawing

On Thursday evening before the walk, my grandnephew Connor drew a name from my hat to determine who among my donors would receive my 3-Day quilt this year. The winner was Arlo, a friend from home, so we will take the quilt home with us to give him when we return.

Connor then checked through every slip of paper to make sure his grandfather's name was in there. My fundraising record currently reads 98%, but there are some donations that have not been recorded yet. The account remains open for four weeks from the event. The walk in San Diego raised over 10.6 million dollars.

Sunday's Psalm--Solemnity of Christ the King

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."

And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.


Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.


Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.

To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.


Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.


According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.


Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

from Psalm 122
photos: St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Ready to Walk

In the morning early--before 6 a.m.--I'll be joining thousands of other walkers to set out for sixty miles--three days--for Breast Cancer research.

I want to thank everyone who has dug into their pockets to sponsor me in this endeavor. The quilt I have made to commemorate those who have fought the disease will be presented to one of you. Last year's quilt went to a blogger.


Tonight I will have one of my grand-nephews pull the name from my names hat. I will let you know as soon as I am able to post again who the quilt will goes to.

Thank you to all my sponsors. Every sponsor is a lifesaver.

Working--will it ever open?

You may remember my posting here and here about out new McDonald's remodel. After being closed for at least two months, it was scheduled to open November 5 and didn't. When I drove by on the morning of Monday, November 15, the prospect of opening looked closer, but still questionable.

But I drove by again in the early afternoon and they were open once again, and judging by the number of cars in the two drive through lanes, two months of closure did not hurt business any.

I know, it's not showing anyone working in these photos, but obviously, the work was getting done.

One Day Closer Skywatch

I'm walking all day Friday-Saturday-Sunday (see 3-Day link in the sidebar), so I will share here a sky shot from last year's 3-Day walk in Arizona. Othere skies can be found at the Skywatch site.

ABC Wednesday--R is for...

 The Royal Armory  is located in the Tower of London.

 

ABC Wednesday

Sunday's Psalm--the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.





Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,


with the harp and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

  
 
 
 

 

The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Let the sea and what fills it resound,

the world and those who dwell in it;

let the rivers clap their hands,

the mountains shout with them for joy.

The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Before the LORD, for he comes,

for he comes to rule the earth,

He will rule the world with justice

and the peoples with equity.

The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.



from Psalm 98

pictures

saxophone

Pacific Ocean at Kalaloch Beach, WA

Silver Falls, Ohanapecosh River, Mt. Rainier NP,WA

Glacier Point, Yosemite NP, CA

Wupatki Pueblo Ruins, AZ



Reflection in Pink

3-Day Walkers at lunch are reflected in the pond at the Arizona 3-Day Walk last year in Phoenix. The Phoenix walk is taking place this weekend. I will walk next week in San Diego. 3 Days--60 miles--because everyone deseerves a liftime.

If you would like to donate for Breast Cancer research, Please consider sponsoring me in this event. There is a link on the sidebar to my donation page.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James at Newtown Daily Photo, who was my first sponsor this year and the recipient of last year's donors' quilt. This year's donors' quilt is almost finished, and will be given to one of my sponsors from names drawn at random.

3-Day Bubbles

Can you see them? This lady in pink watched from her balcony and saluted us with bubbles as Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers passed by during the walk in Seattle two years ago. A Week from today I will be walking again. If you would like to donate to this cause, I would be delighted to have you as a sponsor. There is a link in my sidebar. We had beautiful skies in Seattle that year. The forecasts are for the same in San Diego next week. Note to self: pack the sunscreen.

SkyWatching is here.

ABC Wednesday--Q is for...

Q is for Queen.


So, while we were in the UK we could have gone looking for the queen. Officially, the Great Hall here at the Edinburgh Castle is hers for entertaining.

But she wasn't there.

She wasn't at Holyrood Palace at the other end of the Royal Mile, either.
















When we got to London, we could have seen the queen, too.

We went right up to her gate.

Be she wasn't home.

There are many places where the queen has the privilege of residence. Even here:

But I will save that for T.



ABC Wednesday,
Round Seven,
Found here.