Caesarea Maritima, City of Herod the Great

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

A beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea

Herod the Great acquired the site of this former Phoenician naval harbor in 30 BC.  He built a palace, hippodrome and coliseum.  As I understand it he was also the first to use concrete for the first time to  build underwater breakwaters.  It's an interesting place to visit and a testament to what can be built when you have the money to do so.  This site was dedicated in honor of his patron Caesar Augustus.

A tour of the Holy Land is a magnificent experience.  It is difficult to tell you all I've seen in the last 4 days.  There is so much history, religious and secular, that I'm not surprised there have been so many books written about it.  There will be ore later!  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, Our World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Memory of a Short Visit to Lisbon

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

I

Jerónimos Monastery

Lisbon, Portugal

We were only in Lisbon for a few hours before we left for Fatima.  But while we were there we were able to see some very memorable sites.  The monument to Henry the Navigator was incredible.  We were able to tour the Church of Santa Maria that is part of Jeronimos Monastery.  The view of the city was inspiring.  I do love history and Portugal's is most interesting.

Relief of Henry the Navigator Monument

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, Our World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Romantic Sea Coast

Amalfi coast, Italy

Beautiful blue bay

Glorious coastal mountains

Romantic vistas

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Rainbow For Renewal

Rainbows add joy to our lives.

It seems I got so busy last year that my home here has taken a back seat to the other thinks in my life.  Life is good and all has been well, but for some reason A Bit of the Blarney had to be quiet.  Perhaps, it needed time to rejuvenate.  We will see.  For the time being I'b back.  

Last year became very busy.  In March we went to France and enjoyed our time there.  There was the Keller Family Reunion in July!  What a treat that was in the beautiful city of Charlotte, NC.  After Labor Day we went to Montana so we could visit the western part of the state and and especially Glacier National Park.  Sharing the time with my youngest brother and his wife was so very enjoyable. 

Beautiful forests in Glacier National Park

Last fall we returned to Italy, this time to visit Venice and revisit Florence, Assisi, and Rome.  It is such a thrill to walk where the ancients have walked.  There is just not enough time to see all that you want to see.

So this month we begin a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes.  To visit those places where miracles have happened.  I want to experience this for myself.  I just cannot put into words what this will mean to me.  

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Begin the journey

Pilgrims in Holy Places

Find solace and love

I guess that's what I hope I will find there.  Just to keep on journeying is such a thrill.

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Thanks be to God!!

Cathy 

The Golden Iris

One golden iris

Yellow as fresh made butter

Beauty to the eye

An Iris's beauty

Offers up her golden crown

And so brings us joy

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I'll be gone for two weeks.  It's another great adventure, as we will be traveling to France.  I'm very excited.  

Before I leave leave I'd like to introduce you to Vagabond (Vaga), Super Pup's cousin.  They will accompany us and will be sharing the sights.  They're all packed and ready to go.  So now I need to get started.  I'll try to post when I can. . .if not I'll see you when I return.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Finally, I am joining A Soulful Life for Soulfood Friday

Companions on the Journey

I'd like to introduce you to Super Pup and Buddy.  I met Buddy last summer when we were looking at photos of "his" trip to Hungary and Austria in November the previous year with his owner, my sister-in-law, Linda.  What a great idea, I thought.  What if Buddy could accompany us to Italy and then he could share his adventure with others.

Well, pretty soon, after we continued our travels to Yellowstone, I realized I'd have to be sending Buddy home and it would be so hard to part with him.  We met Old Faithful and I fell in love with him.  What better companion for Buddy than this delightful grizzly bear.  He had such a wonderful personality and he'd be a great protector for Buddy.  Well much to my chagrin, that just wasn't going to work.  There just wouldn't be enough room for this bulky friend of ours.  

So, to my delight, I was introduced to Super Pup.  Yes, this handsome fellow said he'd be glad to accompany Buddy to Italy and watch out for him.

So it was that Super Pup and Buddy journeyed with us to Italy.  They were together through thick and thin.  Whether they were confined to a purse or backpack.  They never complained.

They would chat about the days adventures or sit quietly just reflecting on the day.

  

They listened intently to the tour guide as we walked the streets of Italy's ancient towns.  The view of Florence was captivating.  On the steps of the Duomo Church in Amalfi they waited for their gelato while we took photos.  They were amazed by the ruins of Rome and awestruck by the Coliseum.  

In November Super Pup and Buddy parted ways when we traveled to New Mexico to attend a memorial for a cousin of the family.  They traveled through an ice storm and into the night, these best of friends.  And so it was that Super Pup returned home alone, resting in the back pack to which he had become so accustomed.

Smile, though!  There is good news.  I learned yesterday that Super Pup's cousin Vagabond (Vaga) will be arriving on Wednesday.  He's agreed that he and Super Pup should be traveling companions and he'd accompany him to France in March.  Super Pup is looking forward to his arrival.

I just couldn't leave today with our sharing another photo from our Italian adventure.  This is a panorama of the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 I'm here to play and invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  Should be fun!

Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!

Sunlit Sunday and Mosaic Monday

Early Morning Shadows

Virginia City, NV

Beauty In the Austere!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Karen has invited us to join her on Sunlit Sunday.  Stop by and offer your bit of sunshine today.
And please visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   And though I hve nothing to offer at  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!