Free Air

© Bruce Louis Dodson

Free Air

 

I remember back
when air was free
at any 1950’s filling station
as a boy with tube tire bike
and later, cars.
No problem
didn’t have to spend a dime.

 

How is it air’s no longer free?

Blind Spots

You can’t point out people’s blind spots to them. If they weren’t blind spots you could, but since they are blind spots they won’t see them. So it’s better to just be loving. When they are ready to see through the blind spot they will.
                                                                                                           Yan T’ou

Amber Reviews the Catican

 

Humans are not allowed inside the Catican, but I have decided to share these with you.
The first is by Michelangelo Feline. The entire painting was done with his tail and a toothbrush. He was never the same after that and went to live with a very rich old lady in Napoli.

The second one is by Grimalkin Tabby a few years before he was taken to the Catacombs. It depicts various entities wishing they had more legs.

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Observing Rome - Last Looks

  

The Vatican

The crowds are here again, of course. Must be at least a thousand waiting to get in. Takes ninety minutes, then we pass through airport like security, conveyor belts and plastic tubs for metal objects.

 

We’re given recorder gadgets when we pay admission, and a pair of ear buds. Don’t like wearing these, but when in Rome . . . .

 

We spend three hours wandering, amazed . . . hard to absorb so much, and we have seen so little. It’s beyond imagination. Statues everywhere with penises chopped off, and men dressed up like chess pieces.

 

People lining up for holy water in a courtyard near a huge brass thing. A present to the Pope from some famous sculptor. I’m sure it has some deep meaning, but my audio device went staticy.

1.  

I missed the explanation of it. See scaffolding (in green at left) part of the endless maintenance required.

 

Inside again we pass by tapestries as big as England, hanging flat against the walls below long hallway ceilings painted with more detail than a person can take in.

 

It starts to feel too much, a cake too sweet that gives a queasy feeling in the stomach, massive decoration, wealth and power – scary. We’re inside anther world, another country, once surrounded by great walls. Now sixteen Euros gets you in – to the museum.

Street Details

Rare Antique Pay Phones Everywhere.

 

 Not sure if the bars are to keep people from falling out, or prevent them from climbing in.

 

Last Look

Kaleidoscope

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Observeing Rome - Street Scenes - 2

Click on photos to enlarge.

I wonder what it’s like inside this place?

 

Another street performer.

There are a lot of dogs here on the avenues. I wondered why they caught my eye so often. We’ve got dogs at home, I’ve never paid that much attention, but the dogs here, these Italian dogs, are something else – class acts. These dogs are Gucci and Armani, promenading with their prideful owners who pose happily for photo ops.

 

I only saw one cat, lazily snoozing in a shadow, grateful to be left alone, unleashed, well fed. Kept by the owners of a restaurant next door. As good as it gets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Observing Rome – Street Scenes & Recollections

 

Been here a few days and have a cognitive map of this small area, hard to get lost. It’s very nice here, scenic. They’ve maintained old things. I’ve seen only one glass and steel high-rise, and not that high, less than ten floors. Wonderful old buildings with windows that open on tree lined streets, sidewalk cafes everywhere. Insanely decorated churches, statues . . . This is not the most expensive city. Doesn’t rank in the top ten, but I suspect it’s an expensive place to live.

It’s nice to simply walk around, explore the streets.

 

So many things.

 

There are fantastic churches almost every other block. No tourist mobs, maybe one or two people, no admission and mind numbingly ornate.

 

This one is worth a click to enlarge – I promise.

More Next Week