Random Object Photographs

My phone's photo app reminded me that two years ago today was the last day of our last vacation, before the pandemic canceled everything that followed.
Those last few hours in Paris we visited the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, whose responsibility of care had recently been transferred to the American Battle Monuments Commission. The American renovations to the memorial were mostly finished, leaving a respectful tribute to the first of our countrymen to ever engage in air-to-air combat.

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From the ABMC:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlSP2DeJXJ0[/ame]
 
I sent the Lausamne night watch story to a friend and he replied:

"Interesting item to have on one's resume, although I'm not entirely certain of the skill set..."

Cassandre said that being Nightwatch was something she wished for since she was a young girl.
Something mostly foreign to us Americans is the passion many in other countries have to take part in their culture's ancient traditions.

Being witness to such events is one of my favorite aspects of travel.
 
Cassandre said that being Nightwatch was something she wished for since she was a young girl.

Something mostly foreign to us Americans is the passion many in other countries have to take part in their culture's ancient traditions.

Being witness to such events is one of my favorite aspects of travel.

Yes, I was reading an article on this this morning (Here's one) And over there, they really have ANCIENT traditions. We're pretty much a bunch of johnny-come-latelys here.

Back in the mid 80's I spent a summer as a "vicar choral" ie choral singer at Wells Cathedral in Somerset, UK. They have a famous set of row houses, Vicars' Close, that was built to house the singers... in 1348 :eek: It was quite the experience to go to bed at night, realizing that someone had been sleeping in this very house for about 650 years.(Modern plumbing long since installed, however.)

I can't remember which one I was in now; possibly the last one on the right. The Cathedral is behind the photographer and to the left.

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It's Been a While Since I've Seen This...

I went to the beach yesterday morning and saw...

Emptiness!!

Have you ever had house guests that stayed too long? I'm talking about people you truly care for, but they've stayed so long it's starting to get on your nerves. Then, they go home. That's what it's like in a tourist town after Labor Day!
 

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In the little town of Gearhart just north of here, there's a herd of elk that just do whatever they feel like doing, whenever they want. I understand the frustration of the residents, but it sure makes for some interesting photos!
 

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Have you ever had house guests that stayed too long? I'm talking about people you truly care for, but they've stayed so long it's starting to get on your nerves. Then, they go home. That's what it's like in a tourist town after Labor Day!

Reminds me of the old SNL Belushi skit "the Thing That Wouldn't Leave".
 
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Not much of a random photo. These are unused punch cards from probably the 1930’s. Sort of a cheap way of gambling.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Sounds like a great experience, and WOW, that street oozes character.
Probably oozed a lot of other things "back in the day", too :eek: Originally there was a latrine in the middle of each house, beneath the stairs, that emptied into a trench that ran the length of each side of the Close.

And since "pics or it didn't happen", I found a pic of me, dated July 11, 1983, teken in front of Nº4, which I think is the last house but one on the RH side, so probably where I figured. I don't remember being that young...

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.... I found a pic of me, dated July 11, 1983 ... I don't remember being that young...

Great experience and photo!! :D:D

I checked out the cathedral and choir online and it sounds fabulous. Wonderful acoustics, and that pipe organ is awesome. I'll try and get there some day when the pandemic is over.
 

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Great experience and photo!! :D:D

I checked out the cathedral and choir online and it sounds fabulous. Wonderful acoustics, and that pipe organ is awesome. I'll try and get there some day when the pandemic is over.
Acoustics, as I recall, were very good- not surprising with all that stone. We sang Evensong 4 days a week, and three services on Sunday- Morning Prayer and the Eucharist from desks in the nave, just in front of the famous scissors arches, but Evensong in the Choir, which is a more intimate space on the other side of the arches. The Dean, Patrick Mitchell, was a bit of a character; he had a small stuffed penguin on his desk in the Choir named Prebendary Penguin! No idea what that was about!

Recalling this brings back a LOT of memories, including 30 years singing at the Anglican (Episcopal) cathedral in Vancouver, BC.

All seems like another lifetime and another world now...
 
I'll see your Stan and raise you Moe.

OK....I'll see your Moe and raise you a Joe

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Unfortunately this was the last pic I got of him. He had renal failure and I had to have him put down not long after :(

He was "just a good old moggy" who had migrated from next door years before and settled in. Smudge (< 2 y.o. at that time) drove him nuts; he just wanted to play and Joe just wanted to chill out. I remember Smudge bouncing off Joe's head once (!) Joe was not amused. But he was a lovely old boy who never strayed far from home. RIP, buddy.
 

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Recalling this brings back a LOT of memories, including 30 years singing at the Anglican (Episcopal) cathedral in Vancouver, BC.

All seems like another lifetime and another world now...

It's funny that the human travelogue Rick Steves has a short video on the things you've mentioned.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQXZmhp9c3U[/ame]
 
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