Today I have to start preparing to lead bible study in Zac's on Tuesday but before that, in between loading washing machine and tumble dryer numerous times, I plan to watch England play their first game in the rugby world cup. But before that I have a little time - not enough to get started on studying - so thought I'd write a post or maybe two. But where to begin?
Husband wasn't very well on holiday and has continued in that vein since coming home: he spent most of yesterday in bed, some sort of flu-like ailment. Well enough today to sit and watch rugby but I must make sure he doesn't try to do anything else.
Daughter and family stayed here to look after George while we were away and as their builders hadn't finished they stayed on until yesterday. Lovely having the grandchildren here, making me up to look like a vampire, taking out and putting in my earrings, insisting on having a treasure hunt, and generally following me around.
Our planned - probably last of the season - barbecue yesterday turned into an indoors dinner when it started to rain.
But you really want to know about our holiday, don't you?
Florence
Six hours walking around Florence scuppered my knee. Most of that walking was around the Uffizi Gallery. While there were some amazing paintings and sculptures, there are only so many Annunciations you want to see. Especially as many were obviously based on earlier works. Prepare for a photo deluge. Apologies for poor quality in many cases.
These two were my personal favourites. In the nativity scene, apart from the braying donkey, I love the look on Joseph's face. My labour with Daughter started at 11.00 pm and she wasn't born until 2.30 pm. Husband has never forgotten and often relates how I forced him to sit up all night with me - while I could get little naps in bed, you understand. I see the same look on Joseph's face.
And this one is called Socrates although later art historians think it isn't The Socrates. You can't really see very well from my photo but his nose is very big and up-turned and he has a grin. He made me smile a lot.
And this one, a young Medici I believe, caused a debate between me and an American woman. 'I think he looks like he will grow to be a serial killer,' she said.
'Oh no, he looks sweet,' I began, but then I noticed his hand, 'although it does look as though he is squeezing the life out of that bird.'
The most famous painting in the Uffizi is The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.
You can't touch the paintings obviously - nor can you point too closely at them as I discovered after I noticed that each time I pointed at a detail there was a beeping noise. Magic invisible security.
Some of the exhibits, however, were available in 'braille' form designed for those with sight problems. So next to the painting was this raised copy, which you were encouraged to touch.
I was totally in awe of the skill of these artists. Many of the paintings were huge and so detailed and so perfect. As someone who just manages to draw cartoon stick figures I just stand and stare in wonder.
The Gallery itself is stunning - especially the ceilings.
Going through my photos I realise there is so much more I want to share but I don't want you to get bored so I'll save more art for another time.
Probably the most iconic building in Florence is the Duomo - the cathedral. It's possible to go to the top of the dome but with 468 steps not advisable for those with dodgy hearts (it says so). I did plan to go back another day and do it on my own but then my knee went funny plus the temperature was in the 30s so we visited some cowboy country instead.We didn't get to see Michelangelo's David either so another trip to Florence, maybe in springtime when it's not so hot, is called for I think although Husband says he has ticked Florence off his list.
4 comments:
I vote serial killer too.
Here's a question as my contribution to a future bible study class perhaps? Would the Virgin Mary have suffered the pain of childbirth? My answer is -- no. Assuming orthodox teachings are all true -- Mary's birth was an Immaculate Conception. (Most people think Immaculate Conception refers to Jesus's birth but no, it refers to Mary's). Immaculate Conception means Mary was born without Original Sin. That's why she was "pure" enough to be the mother of Jesus/God. It says in Genesis that female pain in childbirth is punishment of women because of Original Sin and Eve's role in introducing it. So if Mary was born without Original Sin, it logically follows that she would not suffer pain in childbirth. She'd pop that baby right out like nobody's business and be right as rain.
I think she suffered the pain of childbirth, Debra. She can't have been without sin because no-one is. The bible tells us that. Therefore she will have suffered. I always believed immaculate conception meant that Joseph wasn't involved in the process of Mary getting pregnant rather than Mary having been born without sin.
We're looking at the ten commandments and I'm doing Stealing. I am getting quite worked up and socialist about it all! Jewish teaching originally was that the stealing referred to was actually kidnapping i.e. stealing a person. Which gets us into dignity and slavery and all sorts of injustices.
Catholics would disagree with you about what the Immaculate Conception means: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception
That's an interesting take on what the writers of the Ten Commandments meant by "stealing" -- and yes, what a very different spin it puts on things!
I had a postcard of Chubby Medici on my fridge door for ages, I was rather fond of him!
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