Friday, December 2, 2022

Bones, Bells, Basil, and a Baby


I'm sorry that I've been missing from action in the last few weeks.
I broke a rib in a freak accident on a new piece of equipment in my gym,
and my rib was too painful to allow me to work on my computer.

But I'm back, and I'm going to participate in Rain's Thursday Art Date theme Bells;
and share faces for Nicole's Friday Face Off
plus a little something for Rain's dogs Jack and Raven.

I've been longing to travel, and if I could teleport myself anywhere this instant 
it would straight to Venice followed shortly by Florence.
When I read Rain's theme of Bells, I immediately thought 
of all the beautiful Italian bells I've been lucky enough to see and hear.  

If you ever have visited St. Mark's Square (Piazza di San Marco) in Venice,
you likely saw the magnificent Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio). 
Two huge bronze figures on the terrace at the top of the tower strike the hours on a bell.
They are known as the "Moors" because of their dark patina.
The bell is signed by Simeone Campanato who cast it at the Arsenal in 1497.
The Clock Tower was built in 1499, and today the street under the Clock Tower 
leads to the famous Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal (Canal Grande).   

Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio)
St. Mark's Square (Piazza di San Marco)
Venice, Italy
September 13, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


No matter where you wander in Venice, you will stumble across picturesque places,
like the lovely Rio San Barnaba canal in the Dorsoduro district.
I couldn't track down the name of the bell tower, but the canal is named for 
the San Barnaba church and square overlooking it (just beyond the red building).

Other interesting features on this canal are the floating market on the right side
and the Bridge of Fists or the Ponte dei Pugni in the middle left.
For many generations, rival clans would meet in the middle 
of this famous bridge and fight with their fists, 
the winners throwing their opponents into the canal.
The fist fights were outlawed in 1705 because of their extreme violence. 

Bell Tower on the Picturesque canal of Rio San Barnaba
with the floating market and Bridge of Fists
Dorsoduro, Venice, Veneto, Italy
September 13, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved





Fresh Basil for Rain
by the front boat in the canal photo
September 13, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


If I had to pick a favorite city in the world, I would likely pick Firenze or Florence.
Florence is full of amazing bells, most in wonderful bell towers.
My favorite bell tower is Giotto's between the Duomo and the Baptistry of St. John.

Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)
between the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
and St. John's Baptastry
Florence, Italy
September 13, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved



Giotto's bell tower has seven bells, the largest is called Santa Reparata in honor
of an early virgin martyr who is the co-patron saint of Florence.  
The others are called:  the Misericordia, the Apostolica, the Assunta,  the Mater Dei, the Annunziata, and the Immacolata, all tied to the Blessed Mother.


The  Apostolica Bell and Me 
Florence, Italy
September 18, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved




Terry and the Protective Cage at the Top of Giotto's Bell Tower
with Brunelleschi's Dome at the top of the Duomo in the Background
Florence, Italy
September 18, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


From the Bell Tower you can see bells everywhere.  
Here are two towers and their bells:

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved





© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


Another favorite bell and tower of mine is the Montanina Bell
in the Volognana Tower at the Bargello National Museum.

The Montanina bell in the VolognanaTower 
at the Bargello National Museum
Florence, Italy
September 17, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


The Volognana Tower dates back to the mid-thirteenth century. 
It was sold to the city of Florence in 1254, 
becoming the tower for the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
or Captain of the People Palace, constructed in 1255. 
Later, in 1261, the palace housed the PodestΓ  
or highest magistrate in the Florence City Council. 
 
In 1574 the Medici did away with the PodestΓ , 
and the palace became the home for the police chief or Bargello of Florence.
The Bargello was used as a prison and as a place for executions until 1857 
when it was transformed into a national museum which opened in 1865.
The Volognana Tower was named for the first prisoner imprisoned there.
Under the tower was one of the worst cells in the Bargello.

The Montanina Bell at the top of the Volognana Tower is associated with death

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved


The bell was taken as a battle trophy by the city of Florence 
in 1302 from Montale Castle in the province of Pistoia.
It always rang for fatal occasions such bringing young people into the army, 
announcing executions, or proclaiming curfews after deadly scuffles.
The bell rang in August 1944 to call the population to rise up against the Germans 
and in 1966 to announce the flood of the Arno River which devastated Florence.

Today the Montanina Bell is rarely rung.  
The last time I know it rang for sure was on June 22, 2015,
when it marked the 150th birthday of the Bargello National Museum.

πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ”” πŸ””


As for Nicole's Friday Face Off this week, I'll share a guilty pleasure 
that helped me get through the isolation of the Covid pandemic:
Tembe Elephant Park in Emangusi, South Africa.

I have watched this waterhole in the park for countless hours. 
I often have the Live Cam up on my computer when I'm busy in my kitchen.
I never know what I'll see when I look at my computer screen.


Tembe Elephant Park is located in an area that was once on
the ancient Ivory Route between Mozambique and Zululand.
The remote park lies deep in the sand forests and wetlands in northern Tongaland, 
right on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.
It is known for having the largest elephants in the world,
as well as lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, and buffalo, 
many other kinds of animals, and over 340 species of birds.

The other night I glanced at my computer screen and spotted a cute baby elephant
near the waterhole with other members of its family.
It's never easy to capture a screen shot at night when the animals are moving,
but I can't resist trying.
I love the faces of the animals I see in Tembe Elephant Park.

























Impala are easier to capture.  They like to lie in the grass.


🐘 πŸ˜ πŸ˜ πŸ˜ πŸ˜ πŸ˜ πŸ˜ πŸ˜


And, finally, a little something little something for Rain's dogs Jack and Raven.

Vittore Carpaccio (c. 1465 – c. 1526)
Arrival in Cologne
1490, tempera and oil on canvas
280 x 255 cm
One of Vittore Carpaccio’s Paintings in the Saint Ursula Cycle 
in the Gallerie dell’Accademia
Florence, Italy



A Closeup of Carpaccio's Dog with its watchful face
Florence, Italy
September 13, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

 
Have a great weekend!




Till next time ~
Fundy Blue

  My next post will be on 
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
for IWSG Day.



On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved






A Final Laugh!



48 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear about your broken rib - and hope you are feeling much, much better now.
    Huge thanks for this educational and beautiful post.

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I had a lot of fun creating this post. And this morning I was able to briefly lie on my back in bed for the first time in a month. Oh, yay! Have a great weekend!

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    2. Just dropping in to say thank you for backtracking through all my posts. I really appreciate the effort (and your comments).

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  2. Fabulous post and beautiful photos, Louise, but I'm so sorry you broke a rib. I know how painful that is, and hope it is soon really better. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post, and good to see you up on the top! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Thanks, Valerie! It feels good to be posting again. I was was so frustrated when I couldn't. Have a great weekend!

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    2. Hi, Valerie! I've spent an enjoyable time catching up on your posts. I didn't want to miss one. I am humbled by how you consistently visit and leave uplifting comments! I left a comment on each of your posts that I missed. Please, please don't feel that you must respond to them! It's always a joy to see your art.

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  3. Really sorry you broke a rib!
    That's a lot of bells. The one you are standing by is big and it's not even the biggest of the seven.

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    1. Thanks, Alex! It's awesome to touch a bell like the Apostolica and fun to learn its story. Have a great weekend!

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  4. You broke a rib? Oh no!

    I'm going to check out that live cam right now.

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    1. Yup, I broke a rib. It's been quite a year. I can't wait to ring in 2023! Have a great weekend, Diane!

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  5. I also have been off for a few weeks, I am sorry about your accident and sincerely hope all is well now. What a wonderful post to read and oh! those pics are wonderful.
    Take care and I wish you well.
    Yvonne.

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    1. It's good to see you, Yvonne! Thanks for your wishes! I'm happy that you enjoyed my pictures. Have a great weekend!

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  6. This is an outstanding post. Except for the broken rib. Glad you are feeling better. I love seeing all of the places you visit and the trail cam photos are amazing. How fortunate to capture them. Thank you for sharing with FFO.

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    1. Thanks, Nicole! It was fun to put it all together! I thought the baby elephant was adorable. Hugs to you!

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  7. Now I want to go back to Florence TOO! Oh, if only we could teleport there, as you say. Sorry to hear about your broken rib -- so painful, yes, with every breath as the rib cage moves.

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    1. Isn't Florence wonderful, Debra? So many places still to see and to return to! Sigh! Hugs to you, my friend!

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  8. Death bell. Now there is a nickname for you. Not a bell I'd want to hear rung haha May as well call it a life when it rings. Sure a lot of bells indeed. The dogs here would go nuts barking with that many bells going off lol Picturesque too. A lot different than the trees and water and giant litterboxes here.

    Hopefully you are on the mend. Just think. Only 29 days and some odd hours(or even hours. Why do they have to be odd?) left and your health challenged year is over.

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    1. LOL! I can't wait, Pat! I am so ready for 2023! Yes, I bet the bells would have your dogs barking for sure! What a fun scene to imagine. I hope you have a great December. The twins are the perfect age to enjoy the season. Hugs to you, my rhyming friend!

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  9. Such an amazing series of city township photos. The elephants look possessed!

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    1. LOL, Roentare! The elephants do look possessed! It's fun to watch the night images of the animals at Tembe because they are different, spectral. Enjoy your weekend!

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  10. So sorry about our rib. Hope you have a great weekend though. The elephants are very, very cool. Happy FriYay!

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    1. Thanks, Ivy! My weekend is shaping up, as it's Friday Date Night, and I finally feel up to going out. You have a happy weekend! And thanks for visiting.

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  11. ...you sure did bells up well. I feel a bit out rung! Thanks for the mini travelogue.

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    1. HaHa! I love your sense of humor, Tom! We live in a fascinating world with so much to learn and to explore. Have a great weekend!

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    2. Hi, Tom! For some reason I'm having a difficult time posting comments on your blog. I have had a fun time going through your pictures and enjoying your political cartoons. I don't know why Google commenting is giving me fits tonight!

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  12. So sorry about your ribs! Lovely take on the themes however.

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    1. Thanks, Christine! I enjoyed putting together the themes. Have a happy and restful weekend! Hugs to you.

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  13. Sorry to hear about the rib, but glad it's on the improve. One day I will get to Venice, but I have been to Firenze. I really enjoyed reading about the bells. And that is a great webcam. I am going to check it out. Happy December to you. hugs-Erika

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    1. Thanks, Erica! I do hope you get to Venice; it is a magical city, and I've barely scratched the surface. Hugs and a Happy December to you!

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  14. Good night all! Thanks for all your welcome comments! I'll be back tomorrow morning to continue visiting your posts!

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  15. Sorry to hear of your injury. Glad you are back at your computer.
    MuchπŸ’œlove

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    1. Thanks, Gillena! I am so happy to be back. It was maddening not to be able to work on my computer. Happy December to you, and hugs too!

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  16. Beautiful, beautiful and more beautiful ... you are so well traveled Louise and how you remember the details of your travels is beyond me. I love the elephant pictures captured in the night and you finale was perfect ... nice to end on a smile (I should say Laugh!). Sorry about your broken rib. I know that is a very painful injury. Glad you are on the mend.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! I've always wanted to know the names of things. I think it started with birds. There were avid birders in my family ~ not so much going out on bird walks and hikes, but watching them in the yard and gardens. My parents and their extended families would call each other up and discuss the kinds of birds in their years and their antics (like the drunk and squabbling grackles eating the fermented cherries at the top of the cherry tree in my Grandmother MacDonald's side yard). They were just as curious and engaged with plants and flowers. One of my earlier words surely was robin.

      Most places when I take a picture, I will also take a picture of any information I can find. So if I take a photo of a Carpaccio painting, I'll take one of its descriptive label. Otherwise I'd have a lot of unidentifiable paintings. Then, when I get home, I can always track down more information online, especially if I'm using the image in a post.

      Learning is a passion of mine, and I spend a lot of time in rabbit holes. My siblings are all the same, especially my brother Roy. We can pass hours on FaceTime yakking about the weirdest things. We're as bad as the grackles, because I'll have a glass of wine and he a bottle of beer, and we'll squabble over who is right or argue opposite positions. It's great fun!

      Thanks for your kind and uplifting comment. Hugs to you!

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  17. Ouch! A broken rib is painful and I'm glad that you are feeling better now. This is a beautiful post - I've never been to Venice, but spent a week in Firenze and loved this city. Aren't the bells amazing? Ringing bells is one sound I truly miss here. I will check out the live camera, thank you for sharing it.

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    1. Thanks, Carola! I hope I never break a rib again. I feel sorry for people who have heart surgery, and I understand why they are often given teddybears to hug.

      I'm glad that you enjoyed my post. I miss bells too. I lived in an isolated village in Newfoundland once, and the church bell often rang summoning people for church, meetings, and even news. It was really interesting to live in the outport before the arrival of the telephone. Once it came, the bells didn't ring nearly as often.

      Sometimes when you go to Tembe's WebCam there's nothing happening. Other times lots of animals are there. You can go backwards through the feed and see things that happened in other parts of the day or night. I've had fun observing how the animals, especially the elephants, transform the local landscape. I really want to go to Tembe!

      Have a great weekend! Hugs to you!

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  18. What an amazing post. I don't seem to make it here except wen you post to FFO. I feel bad, because you are so well educated and seem to educate ME, too.

    First, I am sorry to read you have had a broken rib. I suspect even breathing was difficult in the beginning. I sincerely hope you are on the mend.

    Reading about all those different bells was intriguing. I loved how you shared so many from your various trips. So enjoyable.

    I also enjoyed the faces in the web cam. What a great way to share faces, dear.

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment, Elizabeth! Yes, taking a breath was hard at the beginning, and I had to breathe as deeply as I could to stave off pneumonia. Now I'm doing much, much better. I do love visiting Tembe via the Web Cam. I've learned a lot about African animals. Have a great week!

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  19. I hope you're feeling better. You know, I have never been to Southern Europe, but I love bells. Korea has a culture of bells--hug bronze ones that instead of rolling when they ring are stationary and struck with a log about the size of a telephone pole.

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    1. Thanks, Jeff! I've really been improving in the past few days. Korea sound like an amazing place. I'll be by to catch up. Good to see you, my friend!

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  20. I'm so sorry about your broken rib. I've done that before and know how painful it can be. I've never been to Venice but I love Donna Leon's books and seeing your beautiful photos brings some of the scenes to life. What a grand visit you had!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanie! My rib has improved a lot this week, and I am so happy. I hope you get to see Venice someday. It is magical. I'll have to check out Donna Leon's books. Have a good one!

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  21. Oh, Florence, Louise! Definitely on my radar. Along with Venice and Rome and... Italy is our top destination to visit in the near future, and my hubby and I (fingers crossed) would like to fulfill that dream within the next couple of years. I cannot tell you how eager I am to go there. Our plan is to do some traveling to favourite places while we're still strong and healthy. We've already decided on some places in Europe. And I'm really sorry to hear about your broken rib! OUCH How painful. I hope you are feeling MUCH better. Lots of hugs, dear friend!

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    1. Thanks, Martha! Yes, my rib was very painful, but it has improved a lot in the past few days. I'm thrilled to hear that you and George are going after your dream of traveling to Italy. Italy is a wonderful place; it doesn't matter where you go there, it's fabulous from top to bottom. I am longing to go back. Terry remarked years ago when he had training in Rome for his immigration job that I should have been born an Italian ~ lol! Lots of hugs to you. I'm so glad your my friend!

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  22. Sorry to hear about your rib, I hope you feel better

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    1. Thanks, Adam! I'm really coming along. I hope you and your wife are having so much fun with your kiddos as Christmas approaches. Take care, my friend!

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  23. Oh gosh Louise, that ABC news clip was hilarious! So great! The elephant screen shots are gorgeous! I need to watch that live cam! Thank you for showing me that basil, how I wish I had some fresh plants this time of year!! I still have to think about grow lights for the basement! And a BIG thank you for the Italy photos. I have Italy and Vatican City on my bucket list, simply for the art and architecture. I loved reading the history you included too! Jack and Raven and me appreciate the artwork you showed us too! ♥♥♥ I'm late with this comment so I'm sure you are well on your way to being healed!!!

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    1. Hi, Rain! I just found your comment in my spam right now. I've checked my spam several times, but it just showed up now. Blogger gives me fits quite regularly ~ lol! I'm glad that you, Jack, and Raven enjoyed the art. I thought the dog that Carpaccio painted looked so alive, so real. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by classic painted masterpieces, and I find it easier to connect to the pieces if I see a dog or a cat. I can relate to a sweet little animal so much easier. I loved the baby elephant video and the poor reporter who stoically tried to get through his report and lost it. We all need to laugh more, for sure. Hugs to you, my dear friend!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.