he's a halberdier

In addition to all of his other finery
(how about those red ostrich
feathers?), this young Swiss Guard
is sporting the civil merit 
medal—though I have no idea what 
he had to do to earn it.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

a head of her time

In the Capitoline Museum, in Rome:
I don't know who sculpted this
bust of a Roman lady from many, many
years ago—but I'm blown away
by the folds and patterns in that marble!

She's joined by a few dozen
of her compatriots.

[Linking back to Macro Monday.]

inSPIREd Sunday

This is the 16th-century church of
San Luigi dei Francesi, in
Rome.  I'm hoping to visit while I'm
here, to see once again the three
Caravaggios that feature
moments in the life (and death)
of St. Matthew.

[To see more churches from
around the world, go here.]

The Weekend in Black and White

The view from one of the windows
at the Vatican Museum.

[To see more b/w images, visit
Dragonstar's meme.]

blue sky in Rome

This column was built more than 1,800 years
ago, between 180 and 193 AD, a gift
from the people and the Senate of Rome 
to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
(I'm off to Rome tonight for a few days 
with my daughter Kate—we'll pass by here on our
way to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain
to ensure a return visit.)

[To see more Skywatch pics, go here.]

Thursday Challenge—"open space"

No trees, no people—nothing but
350-million-year-old
mountains off in the distance.
This open space is Faksevagen, at
80°N latitude, up in the Arctic.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

ABC Wednesday—G is for "garbage?"

At my office, we occasionally
find some very festive
items in the trash.

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]