Yarber's Floral Shop

I noticed this colorful display outside a florist's shop recently. What could be a better way to advertise flowers than with flowers?

Bon Appetit!

I found these little fellows to be funny and cute. And very appropriate for Mississippi with all of our alligators! Here's wishing you a bon weekend!

Mermaid at the Fountain

I was wandering through one of Jackson's more upscale shopping areas recently when I came across this fountain. To be honest, I haven't seen many fountains here in the city. Maybe they don't want to waste water?

In any case, I found this mermaid in the courtyard style shopping village to be a charming change from the usual strip malls.

Bravo!

My husband and I made a bet when we flew back from Berlin. He thought we would get stuck in NYC and I said we would make it home. In the end, we made it home, although we were delayed 3+ hours.


Since I won, my husband had to take me out to dinner at a restaurant of my choosing. I was between Bravo and Rossini's - both Italian joints. We ended up at Bravo. The victuals were quite tasty and we drank some very potent red wine - luckily it didn't affect his golf game the next day. At the end of the meal, we indulged in some chocolate cake. Mmmm... I hope to be back at Bravo soon!

Plants on a Cart

I spotted these plants in front of an antique store recently. I think they're supposed to look old-timey or something. I thought the effect was pretty nice.

Local Artistry

I saw these paintings at a local cafe. I love the colors and how they contrast with the brick wall.

Men's Championship

For some reason, our golf course decided at the last minute to have the men's championship this weekend. My husband played and did quite well.

Unfortunately, the final flights hadn't finished when we left so I don't know who the club champion is. In any case, my husband had fun and he made it in before the rain started. I don't think the champion flight was so lucky, but I guess that's the price you pay to be the winner.

Fireworks!

In order to avoid the crowds, we watched the fireworks display from across the water. It was really spectacular and especially nice with the reflection in the water.

Hope everyone is having a nice Fourth of July weekend!

Happy Fourth of July!

We spent the day playing golf (what else!) and lounging at the Club Pool. Many people showed up and there were plenty of activities for everyone. It was quite good fun!

Saying Goodbye

It seems like people are retiring left and right here at Siemens. I went to a party last Friday evening and we had another reception here at work earlier this week. Everyone gathered in the cafeteria to wish Ed the best. It was really nice.

I have only been with Siemens for eight months and I highly doubt I'll be here for 34 years. But here's to you Ed! I hope retirement is good!

Storms on the Horizon

The weather in Jackson has been sort of strange lately. It has cooled down considerably and last weekend we saw on and off storms.

Although the rain can interrupt my golf game, my vegetable garden is happy for the extra water and minerals!

July Theme Day: NO!

Today's theme day is a "NO" sign. I chose the sign at my golf course warning non-golfers not to use the cart paths. It's really can be dangerous to walk on the course while others are playing. Luckily, I have never been involved in any golf accidents.

Take a look at some of the other blogs around the world participating in today's theme day!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Avignon, France by Nathalie, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cavite, Philippines by Steven Que, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Shantaram, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Delta (CO), USA by Bill, Duluth (MN), USA by Sun Dog Press, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gaia, Portugal by m+p, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Knoxville (TN), USA by Knoxville Girl, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Lynchburg (VA), USA by Timothy, Mainz, Germany by JB, Melbourne, Australia by John, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Monroe (GA), USA by Tanya, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Munich, Germany by Troy, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, Newcastle, Australia by Julia, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Poplar Bluff (MO), USA by Tricia, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Posadas, Argentina by Lega, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam Ruth, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Reykjavik, Iceland by Vírgíll, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Norma, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Stratford, Canada by Barb, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tel-Aviv, Israel by Olga, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Toulouse, France by Julia, Trujillo, Peru by Giulianna, Turin, Italy by Livio, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine

Bird's Eye View

Last night I attended a retirement party at The University Club in downtown Jackson. It's located on the 22nd floor of the Regions Bank Building, the tallest on our skyline. Here you can see the dome of our State Capitol Building.

It was really fun to talk with colleagues outside of the workplace. We ate, drank and generally had a good time. And the view was pretty good too!

Crepe Myrtles

The crepe myrtles are out in force here in Jackson! Everywhere you look there are blossoms of light pink, dark pink and white framing your view.

Yesterday my husband and I played an early round of golf before work (we are still somewhat on Berlin time) and I couldn't believe how beautiful they were. I hope everyone has a happy weekend!

Mississippi Merchandise

Don't know what to bring back from your trip to Jackson? Here are some colorful ideas!

A Work in Progress

This is a tribute to the late and great Medgar Evers and all the work he did to make sure equal rights really did apply to all Americans, no matter what their skin color or heritage. Although we may still have some work to do, I think we have made a lot of progress towards that goal.

Cosmos

Finally I'm back from Berlin! My husband and I were delayed for three hours in the JFK airport on Sunday and we didn't get home until 2am. With all the work I had to catch up on, etc., I didn't feel much like turning on the computer yesterday.

This flower just began to bloom before I left for Germany. I was hoping for a full bouquet upon our return. Unfortunately, it was pretty hot while we were gone and the plant got sort of wilty, so no more flowers for now. But it did perk up after I watered it, so I'm hoping for more cosmos!

Hacksche Hofe

The Hacksche Höfe (courtyards) were designed in the early 1900s. Electric trolley cars roam the mainly pedestrian streets, and the whole area has a really relaxed atmosphere. The interior facades of the buildings are covered with lovely ceramic tiles and it's a very nice place to relax a little after some hard shopping on Oranienburgstrasse or Rosenthalerstrasse. The streets are lined with funky boutiques and it gets very crowded on the weekends.

It also pays to look at your feet while walking in this area. When I was taking a peek at some of the smaller streets off of the main square, I found this pictured inscription. It is a remembrance of the Jewish residents of the building who were sent to death camps and died there. Once I had noticed this one, I couldn't stop seeing them everywhere. There are also many houses and apartment buildings that have plaques in their entrances memorializing the former residents who were deported.

I'll be back to my regular posting from Jackson tomorrow, but I hope you have enjoyed this trip to Berlin as much as I have!

Memorial

This memorial is located in a small park near a Jewish school. It was created to commemorate the families who were rounded up on this spot before being sent to death camps.

The inscription ends with "Never Forget."

Marx-Engels Forum

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the former East is the Marx-Engels Forum. No good tourist can pass up the chance to be snapped with the two greats.

The New Synagogue

Sticking with the theme of religious buildings, this is the city's New Synagogue. It was damaged during the Kristalnacht, but not as badly as the Rykestrasse Synagogue. In fact, it received more damage from the Allied bombs than from anti-semitic vandalism!

Luckily, after the war the dome was rebuilt and the building restored to its former glory. It's a very lovely place. In the summertime, visitors can climb the dome for a bird's eye view of Berlin.

Marienskirche

The Marienskirche is the oldest church in Berlin. It is located in the former East, not far from Alexanderplatz.

The church was built in a very simple Gothic style and the interior is very pretty. The only disconcerting thing is the strange "music" that emenates from the trams and underground trains that pass nearby.

Wasserturm

This is Berlin's very first water tower. I was designed by the English architect, Henry Gill. Work began in 1852 and the project was completed in 1875.

The building served its original purpose for many years. However, under the Nazi regime people were taken to the building and tortured in the basement. It has now been converted into apartments, although I'm not sure I'd want to live there. There might be ghosties lurking about!

Goldener Hahn

I am out of pictures of Jackson, so I'll share a few of Berlin while I'm here. This is a wonderful Italian restaurant that my husband and I always visit when we're in town. They have a great wine selection and the menu changes daily, so you know the food is really fresh.

The Golden Cock (the English translation of the name) is located in Kreuzberg, which has a very large Turkish population. Naturally, when Turkey won their match in the European Football championship, things got sort of rowdy in the streets. It was all in good fun, although it took us about 40 minutes to get home, double what it should take!

Magic Mushroom?

I found this very strange fungus growing in my yard. At first I thought it was a piece of trash, but when I went to pick it up, I noticed it was attached. For some reason, it reminds me of the surface of the moon, although I've never been there. It certainly doesn't look like something you'd want to eat!

If anyone is good at identifying fungi, I'd love some insight. Or maybe a link to someplace where I could get more info.

Quail Hollow

The Quail Hollow Golf Course is actually in McComb, MS which is near the Louisiana border. We recently played there when our friends from Germany were here. It was a very beautiful course and we all enjoyed it immensely. I have a feeling we'll be back with other golfing friends and family!

Friday the 13th!

For Friday the 13th, I thought I would chose a spooky subject! This angel is guarding her charges carefully.

It's funny in the US people see the 13th as an unlucky day when bad things will happen. In Europe it's quite the opposite! For example, lottery ticket sales always spike on Friday the 13th. I suppose my husband and I will be participating here in Berlin!

Newk's

Newk's is a good place for a quick, but filling lunch. They have the best salads and there are even vegetarian options on the menu! I like to use them when we have catered meetings at work. They provide lunch boxes with all the fixings, including a delicious brownie (without nuts) for dessert.

There are a few different locations around town, but this is the original. Nothing beats Newk's!

Inside Lemuria Books

Here is a small peek inside Lemuria Books. The small outcrop I visited this weekend actually hosts rare editions and first runs. Most of them are signed and some are even pre-print versions for proofreading purposes.

The walls are lined with bookshelves and there is a small stage where they sometimes have live music or poetry readings. So, if you know anyone out there looking for a rare book, take a look at lemuria.com.

I am going to be out of town for about 10 days. My husband and I are heading to Berlin for some quality time with the MiL and our friends. I've scheduled some posts for while I'm gone since I'm not sure if I'll have reliable access to the Internet while I'm across the pond. Hope you will enjoy!

Lemuria Books

Lemuria is one of the few local bookshops left in this world being taken over by Barnes & Noble and Borders. Lemuria has two branches, one in the nearby Banner Hall and this smaller outcrop. I'll give you a look inside tomorrow.


I stopped by on Saturday morning for auditions for the Mississippi Murder Mysteries group. I just found out yesterday that I'm in!! It's all very melodramatic and a bit silly, but I think it will be fun. And it pays, even if only minimally.