Signs

So, while in Norwich, I took a few moments to trundle on over to visit the Julian Centre. Genuinely appreciated the city's street signs and maps. As an added bonus, I even found a SIM card tool lying on the street nearby, which I later found quite necessary to remove the card I used while in England and to reinsert my old card once back here in the U.S. :-)

Paddington Bear

Apparently, Paddington Bear is all the rage in England. I spotted this one late one night through the window of a Norwich shop.

Sunny Skies

I did actually get to spend some time outdoors in Norwich, even though most of my time was spent inside the cathedral (above) either rehearsing or performing evensong. The weather was quite pleasant--at least for that region of England and for the short time I was there :-)

 

Once again joining Skywatch Friday.

40% Off

So I was told that I will need a pair of dark slacks for a formal dinner at King's College later this month only to discover that the pair I had -- uhm -- were, shall I say, not quite ready for prime time. What to do? 

Fortunately, there was a 40% off sale going on down at Bryant's. But could I have them in time for my departure next week???

"Yes," I was told.,"No problem." And, in fact, they did have them ready for me to pick up yesterday. Actually, they even had them ready the next day. I just couldn't go by to pick them up until yesterday. Whew!

But, hey! I wasn't quite prepared to discover how much more men's clothes cost these days. Sheesh! Even at 40% off!

Hope

Women's March

Eight years ago today, I participated in and photographed what was then considered one of the largest, if not the largest, demonstrations in U. S. history, the Women's March on Washington.

Back to the Future

 

 A photo I took in Washington, D.C. at an anti-Trump demonstration shortly after his first inauguration.

Petitions

Lots of folks turned out this morning to sign petitions for Democratic candidates running for various local and statewide offices this year, including Abigail Spanberger who is running for governor of Virginia. Gaining enough signatures to get your name on the ballot is step number one. 

According to the Legislative Information System:  The minimum number of signatures of qualified voters required for candidate petitions shall be as follows:

1. For a candidate for the United States Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Attorney General, 10,000 signatures, including the signatures of at least 400 qualified voters from each congressional district in the Commonwealth;

2. For a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, 1,000 signatures;

3. For a candidate for the Senate of Virginia, 250 signatures;

4. For a candidate for the House of Delegates or for a constitutional office, 125 signatures;

5. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any county or city, 125 signatures; or if from an election district not at large containing 1,000 or fewer registered voters, 50 signatures;

6. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has more than 3,500 registered voters, 125 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;

7. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has at least 1,500 but not more than 3,500 registered voters, 50 signatures; or if from a ward or other district not at large, 25 signatures;

8. For a candidate for membership on the governing body or elected school board of any town that has fewer than 1,500 registered voters, no petition shall be required;

9. For a candidate for director of a soil and water conservation district created pursuant to Article 3 (§ 10.1-506 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 10.1, 25 signatures; and

10. For any other candidate, 50 signatures.

Suspension Bridge

Looking back here to my hike last Friday from Richmond to Belle Isle, Virginia. This is the ramp leading to the suspension bridge that takes pedestrians across to Belle Isle.

Sixth Day of Christmas

A scene from the just recently opened Pepper Palace in Williamsburg.

Fifth Day of Christmas

No golden rings here, just mice drinking ale.

Christmas Eve

Hey, have a great Christmas Eve y'all! And, remember, don't let the rats eat a hole through your shoe.

"Good Day!"

Duke Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Paramount

Charlottesville, Virginia

House of Music

Main Street, Charlottesville

Family

Main Street in Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlotte

Spent part of Black Friday on Main Street in Charlottesville, a city named after Queen Charlotte, which I consider rather ironic, considering that she was married to one of our country's nemeses in the 18th century, namely King George III and that one of its most notable citizens was none other than Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence. 

Busy Season

'Tis the busy holiday season in town these days, what with Grand Illumination weekends coming up, special holiday concerts, the D.O.G. (Duke of Gloucester) street ice skating rink, etc. Hard to keep up with it all, frankly. 

Thanksgiving Day

Funny how yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, started--cold, wet and windy. It was the kind of day that drove me to climb the stairs in my house for a mile rather than to do my more normal morning walk. But by the afternoon . . . well, as you can see, it was mostly sunny with temperatures in the low 60s. Very comfortable.

Linking again today with Skywatch Friday.

Benz

Just a curiosity. I happen to know someone who was born and raised in Southampton, New York, a once sleepy little fishing village on the far eastern end of Long Island that has since become a haven for--well, people who have the money to purchase, among other things, late model Mercedes Benz vehicles.