FOTO FRIDAY: PEACHES 'n CREAM

FOTO  FRIDAY: A considerate neighbor decided to share her bounty of freshly picked peaches from her Uncle's farm. It was a no-brainer how I would enjoy this delicious gift ... a yummy breakfast of peaches 'n cream, 

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY of I am

MIDWEEK MUSINGS & VIS

 DAY 5 in Croatia was spent on the island of Vis, a stunning spot on the Adriatic, Croatia's farthest inhabited island from the mainland. It's considered better preserved than Hvar since it stayed closed as a military base until the late '80s. 

Since we wanted to use our time wisely and the bus would take longer, we took an Uber mini bus to the other side of the island to visit the charming town of Mariža where Mama Mia, Here We Go Again was filmed. 

tight pin curve into town

You see it was so expensive filming in Greece for Mama Mia, Croatia was chosen for its sequel.Vis was used to be the Greek island Kalokari.

  

                                                   

It was fun exploring the back streets of Mariža where film crews probably disturbed the town's residents during their 3 weeks of filming... 

We had the town basically to ourselves -another advantage of being here at the beginning of their tourist season. Perfect.

Wisconsinites raid the small beach heading to the other side.

Iron wrought balcony for 2

Back waterside we did our usual, which was to find a cafe and enjoy the local brew/ wine/ lemon drinks/coffee. 

The table's umbrella provided shade for those who wanted it ...

 It was such a pleasant afternoon.

Private fishing boats and small motorboats lined the harbor's edge where our Uber would meet us to take us back to Vis.

Our driver was on time and before reaching Vis she pointed out her daughter and grandchild walking home roadside. What a coincidence!

We were dropped off near St Jerome's church and its 16th C Franciscan monastery built on top of an ancient Roman theater.

What a humble but beautiful little church, 

behind which was a lovely... 

a well-kept cemetery with a seaside view for the town's deceased residents...

An old-style hay broom and a pail of soapy water were used to scrub the stones...

On our walk back to the harbor, we passed an overgrown historic site. Unfortunately, it was under renovation, so we couldn't go explore. 

Nonetheless, it was another wonderful day on our Croatian adventure...

tUESDAY tUNES::SINGING IN THE RAIN & MONDAY MUSINGS...

Combo musings and an 'ole musical favorite... Wildwood Park for the Arts had its Seniors musical production of Dancing in the Rain and no, I was not a cast member, but I enjoyed being in the audience.

There were 3 cast members I do know through LifeQuest (the program I refer to as my 'Continuing Ed '), and it was fun seeing them in a different light, literally. There was actual tap dancing, although  I did spot a couple of those who really haven't reached the golden years.  The main male lead was not Gene Kelly, but let those with more tap classes shine. I loved the twirling clear umbrellas donned with white mini lights. Very clever.

The cast had a good time, and it made seeing the senior version of the story even more fun. It shows one is never too old to DANCE in the rain!

Here's the original... What a performer Gene Kelly was!

DANCING IN THE RAIN

fOTO fRIDAY: I aM...

fOTO fRIDAY: part of an iconic building in one of my past home cities by the famous architect IM Pei.

Name that city. Enjoyed watching 2 of my grands experiencing the Big City...

TBT: KORÇULA, the LITTLE DUBROVNIK

Our next stop was the beautiful medieval island of Korçula less populated than Dubrovnik and Hvar,

 with its famous  Cathedral  ...

        

      as well as its stone alleys...

See the fishbone layout of its streets?

                                                          

AND  its fishbone street layout to block the wind from the sea on both sides. 

 Locals also claim it is Marco Polo's birthplace and  that's  why we met the very popular Lady Francesca, his mistress, who told us stories of his travels, her heartbreak (with a great deal of sarcasm)

No wonder we play that water game 'Marko Polo' as he really got around.

-and he returned to spend his later years in Korçula. Lady Francesca brought the 13th century to life.

We were told to always respond, "Yes Mistress!" and our group did as asked with vigor.

She shared so much, including making each of us a sachet of herbs.. Here's one of my journal pages showing these sachets. (left corner) You know, baths were not plentiful in those days nor were ways to ward off diseases.

She pointed out architectural pieces indicating the rule of the Romans-

Lions were symbols of power  and we saw them everywhere except one of our island stops. 

Maybe one of my Wisconsinites remembers for sure which one...

Mistress Francesca explained her modest long dress and bell-shaped sleeves and covered feet. And how trampy those were who had flesh showing. She shamed those of us in the group donning shorts ... 

Dang, those slutty Americans. LOL.

Fingers crossed they won't sink our yacht! 

 

     Many stone carvings,              whether for games /    historical art were along our  walk.

A charming city indeed... 

Do visit Korçula and ask for a Mistress Francesca walking tour. 

MONDAY MUSINGS: MLJET

MONDAY MUSINGS has me thinking about the importance of parks and their preservation for future generations to enjoy Nature.

My Croatian adventure included visiting a couple of their National parks off the Dalmatian coast. The first park was MLET  (Muhl-yet)  the largest of the southernmost and easternmost islands with two saltwater lakes - Veliko Jezero and Malo Jezero, surrounded by limestone, a true global phenomenon connecting them to the sea by artificial shallow canals when the Ice Age submerged the once valley. 

A dense pine forest surrounded our hiking path to be ferried to the middle of the big lake to tiny St. Mary Islet, replete with a 12th century Benedictine stone monastery and a lovely chapel ( see below)

Boat ferry to the island...  The monastery  btw is now a café.

the floor

inside the  chapel

Lovely arches, right?

 

Amidst all the islet's stone work, 

plantings abounded some added by humans, and Mother Nature also  did her part...

Obviously, they love that sea air and climate.

Half of our group returned with the next boat back to get their steps in on different trails for different overviews. The rest of us enjoyed a coffee/ cold drink and a snack, rejoining our group later. 

Aw, fresh air and stretching our sea legs... 

Another excellent adventure with nature, history and exercise.

Another gorgeous day in Croatia...   

 

tUESDAY tUNES: I'M BEGGIN'...

 tUESDAY tUNES this week is Army Sargent Isaac Adkins with a voice one can't forget so I don't have to beg you to take a listen... He won a goldenbuzzer on the 21st season of AGT.

I'M BEGGIN' ... and he's easy on the eyes too.