Monthly Archives: November 2019

A Dartmoor Path Lost

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The path in Dartmoor that some want to be reopened.

Walking the Old Ways

Once upon a time there used to be a public right of way running to the east of Dartmoor Prison, passing not far from the French and American War Cemeteries. Sometime ago, I can’t remember whether it was in the 1970s or the 1980s, it was officially closed at the request of the prison authorities.

I was one of the few who argued resistance to its closure. I was at the time a member of the Devon Area Council of the Ramblers Association. I tried to get the RA to oppose the closure, but I was outvoted.

Interestingly, it was the one occasion when I found myself on the opposite side to that great Dartmoor Preservationist (Lady) Sylvia Sayer. Sylvia argued that walkers might be alarmed if they saw prisoners. I thought she was wrong at the time. I still do. Walkers are tougher than that – they certainly were…

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Jolly Monday Before Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Filosofa's Word

Welcome to the Monday before Christmas Thanksgiving, my friends!  Today is partly a redux of a post I did in 2017 just ahead of Thanksgiving, with a few humorous additions!  Thanksgiving is 3 days away, and I have not prepared a menu, a shopping list … nothing.  I’m lacking motivation and inspiration this year, for reasons that are no doubt obvious to most of you.  Still, however, I tried to rally to the cause this morning, and with Jolly’s help have prepared you a mini-Thanksgiving snack array, so help yourself and then lets find a reason to smile, shall we?

turkeyNext week brings Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Most of us both in the U.S. and abroad know about the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, that “officially” kicks off the Christmas season, and the turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes and all the rest, topped off by traditional pumpkin pie, followed by football and…

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Cabin by the Lake~

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Pictures of lovely Lake Isabella in California by Cindy Knoke.

Cindy Knoke

Lake Isabella is at the southern terminus of The Sierra Nevada Mountain range in California.

The drive to the lake from Southern California takes you through the Mojave Desert where the distinctive Joshua Trees grow enmass at higher elevations.

This was our wonderful rental cabin near the lake.

Lake Isabella is in the high desert at the confluence of the north and south forks of the beautiful Kern River.

The lake sits at the southern entrance to Sequoia National Forest allowing access to both the eastern and western Sierra.

Lake Isabella is especially peaceful and empty in late fall. Cheers to you from scenic Lake Isabella~

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Tears of Shame … Again

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What is happening to the Republican Party and our country?

Filosofa's Word

Periodically, I write a post that begs for the title “Tears of Shame”, or some variation of that.  Since 2016, there have been eight such posts … tonight makes nine.

Healthy debate, civil discourse … I’m all for both of those.  If I make a statement, you have an opposing point of view, then fine … let’s each present our views and see if we can find a middle ground.  Even if we cannot find that middle ground, we will have each gained a better understanding of why we think the way we do.  This is good for a friendship, it is good for opposing factions within a nation, and it is good for international relations – much better than lobbing bombs.  This is how civilized society remains civilized.

However, when two people disagree and one of those people has neither facts nor sound basis for his views, then his…

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Mission Inn~

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I somehow missed this beautiful first post by Cindy Knoke about the historic Mission Inn in Riverside California.

Cindy Knoke

The historic Mission Inn which occupies several blocks in downtown Riverside California is the largest Mission Revival building in the United States.

The Inn was built in 1902 by an engineer named Christopher Columbus Miller. His son Frank expanded his father’s original efforts, and added wings, rotundas, chapels, museums and galleries.

The building contains a mixture of Spanish Gothic, Moorish and Mediterranean revival architectural styles. There is a Spanish Wing, an Alhambra Wing, and flights of fancy everywhere you look.

Frank Miller traveled the world collecting museum quality treasures to fill the inn, including what some say is the oldest bell in in the new world dating from 1247.

There are two chapels on the property including the one pictured dedicated to St Francis of Assisi.

Louis Tiffany designed two of the mosaics in the chapel.

The Rotunda Wing features a five story open air staircase.

The rotunda tops a…

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Inner Inn (Pt. II)

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Beautiful pictures from Cindy Knoke of the Mission Inn in Riverside, California.

Cindy Knoke

The Mission Inn in Riverside California, built over a sixty year period beginning in 1876, is a living museum full of priceless art and antiquities. It has two onsite chapels, one is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi and has glass works designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1906 for a chapel in New York.

Many Della Robbia style ceramics from Italy,

are on stunning display throughout the property.

The Inn is a National Historic Landmark which you can tour on your own or with a docent. The art and artifacts overflow the spacious Inn and there is a museum with more art across the street that can also be toured.

Ten US presidents have visited The Inn,

and there is a presidential lounge dedicated to them.

The mission style interiors are comfortable and spacious, but the most amazing spaces for me are all the inner courtyards which are like…

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