Photo Hunter — "military"

This one was a challenge. Finally decided
to post this shot of Italian soldiers at the
Vatican. The Pope was about to leave for
a ceremony elsewhere in Rome (it was the
feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint
of all Italy). The road was lined with Romans,
tourists, and these young soldiers—who
remained just as they were when the skies
opened up a few minutes later. Wouldn't
it be nice if getting drenched while protecting
a man from people who (as far as I could tell
from looking around me) revere him was
the most dangerous duty any young soldier
anywhere in the world ever had to perform?
[See more Photo Hunter pics here.]

Skywatch Friday

I'm happy to report that this photo
was taken from a safe, dry place.
I do love a great stormy sky, though,
don't you? You're looking northeast
from 6th Ave., over some Greenwich
Village rooftops.
[See more Skywatch photos here.]

Where Am I?

To me, this looks more like some watering
hole in Texas or Arkansas than smack in
the middle of Manhattan. In fact, it's the
Hog Pit, where the ribs are juicy and the
collard greens are sweet. If you didn't
know it, New Yorkers love their BBQ!

abc wednesday - P is for "polar ice cap"

And this is my daughter Katie, who had just
been sitting on it! (And, no, I wasn't there in
Greenland with her, so thanks to whoever took
this photo.) I may have thought about it once
or twice, and if I did I'm sure I pictured the polar
ice cap as being very smooth. Go figure! Just
hope it lasts for my (and Katie's) lifetime!
[Check out more abc Wednesday here.]

Did he or didn't he?

Well, of course he didn't get on the bus!
But I would have liked to see him try—
and I have seen people on the subway
with huge bunches of balloons like this.
Not during rush hour, of course—
can you imagine? They'd all be popped
by irate commuters.
[See more of That's My World Tuesday here.]

Mellow Yellow Monday

This beautiful stained glass was originally
installed in the Sainte Chapelle in Paris.
Now it can be seen (up close and personal)
in the wonderful Cluny Museum,
my favorite museum in Paris (if it's possible
to choose a favorite!). Not 100% sure but I'll
go out on a limb and guess that it depicts
St. Luke (whose symbol is an ox).
[Find more mellow yellow here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

Little bit of a challenge here. Had to have
a shadow or two, and my friend Lily wanted
a shot of our famous Halloween parade (for
which I have front row seats—though 10 flights
up, in the nosebleed section, which makes it a
bit harder to get a clear picture in the dark).
Think this qualifies on both counts—and every
year there are a few folks who go this route.
Why not? All you need is a body suit, a hot-glue
gun and a bunch of glo-stix. Easy and effective.
[You can find more shadow shots here.]