Chinese New Year

We visited Fair Oaks shopping mall today which was decorated with Chinese lanterns and dragons in anticipation of Chinese New Year next week.

The New Year 2018  is the year of the Earth Dog..

Through the Windows

In our meanderings around Staunton last weekend, we did quite a bit of window ‘shopping’ - enjoying the different displays.

This small store specialized in doll’s houses - accurate, miniature sized replicas of well known styles of old American homes. 

They were beautifully made!

This window looking right into the interior of the shop was rather different - a cigar and tobacco store where customers were invited and encouraged to take a seat and enjoy their cigars, maybe with a cup of coffee and a game of chess (no bar).  I took this photo on Sunday morning before it opened. We passed by on Saturday and it was busy so I didn’t feel able to take pictures!!

This photo of a jeweller’s window amused me - hopeless photo as it shows more of the shops opposite in reflection than of the window itself, but it had a great Valentines Day advertising board outside..

This shop had a wonderful window of clocks..

Flying West

David has a two-day meeting in Phoenix, Arizona and he set off for the airport early this morning.  His initial flight was north to Pittsburgh and from there he flew west.

In Pittsburgh it was somewhat colder than here - well below freezing and snowing so that the plane had to be de-iced for departure.

Arriving in Arizona, different terrain under a blue sky and a balmy temperature of 28C this afternoon!

‘World’s Largest Pipe Organ’

This is the console of the huge pipe organ at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.  Last week I joined a tour of the organ led by this young man who is a member of the Committee working on the restoration of this historic and huge instrument which was originally built between 1929 and 1932.

Once we started to tour the organ and realized the size (up to 64 feet high) and number of pipes (more than 33,000), it became obvious why it might have taken three years to build - and why it is taking years to restore to its original condition.

Because the organ is so large it was possible to walk through the rooms containing the pipes.

The rooms holding the pipes are huge and the sound is released through large metal grilles on either side of the stage.

At the end of our tour we had the opportunity to hear the organ being played.  Although it is currently only 60% restored, the sound filled this huge hall.

Chilly Walk

Today I met a friend for a walk around Lake Anne and lunch at Kalypso’s.

Despite being warmly wrapped up, Jenny and I both felt the chill - especially on the more exposed areas of the walk.

There are large areas of ice on the lake and ice coated plants and stones at the edge.

Just last Saturday a large number of people participated in the annual ‘Polar Dip’ in the lake to raise funds for charity.  Rather them than me!

Shakespeare in Staunton

The American Shakespeare Theatre is based at the purpose-built Blackfriars Playhouse, next door to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in downtown Staunton.

It is a fascinating building with a very authentic Shakespearean auditorium..

No Photography was permitted during the performance but we sat in this upper level gallery.  Bench seats with cushions and beer and wine as well as soft drinks on sale and welcome in the theatre.

The stage is almost surrounded by audience members, including some who sat on stools along each side of the stage.  No backdrops for each scene and few props.  Performers were in period costume and were all accomplished musicians, playing many different instruments to accompany others singing before the performance and during the interval.

We really enjoyed the play - Hamlet - and although we could not take photos I found this one online of Hamlet himself - with audience members who were sitting on the side of the stage, behind him..

Staunton in the Snow

Snow had been forecast but we were surprised that it settled and built up quite quickly to an inch or so.  We went for s little walk around the town..

The Episcopal church had been transformed into a Christmas card setting..

A bonus was that, with a service planned for later in the morning, we were able to pop in to have a little look at the Tiffany windows..

They are very beautiful.. over the altar..

..and along the nave..

Still difficult to photograph against the light but we were glad to have seen them.

Outside, snowy scenes everywhere..

The hotel where we are staying looks very large from this angle!