Now That's a Bloomin' Bloom!

Happy Easter Monday to All!

The Chicago House rose garden is doing an astonishing job of putting out blossoms. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen such an overwhelming display in all the 12 seasons I've spent here. And the fragrance? Remarkable!

Whew! Made It...

Ha! Bet I had you fooled! "No blog post from her today," I hear you thinking! Well, that was almost the case. But then I uncovered some real possibilities and... I got to go out into town for some errands:

The impressive line-up of trucks on-loading the supplies for Medinet Hbu, which opened today

My shisha/hookah/water-pipe/nargile/hubble-bubble waiting for repair

Tina has been working so hard to prepare the garden at Healey House for the sod delivery! The plastic is to keep the cats from digging up the newly prepared soil.

Wonderful fresh fruit at lunch--the watermelon is from our own garden.

A stop at the gas station to fill our minivan with benzene

One of the things I love about Egypt--all the bright colors!

Bash mohandissa Buttons waiting for the delivery of sod for the Healey House garden

No. 4! But Who's Keeping Score?

I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this post-a-day pace up, but I'm doing my best! These first few posts have to deal with within-the-walls matters, as I will not have an opportunity to venture out until the weekend. Today I can show you the view from my office...

...and some of the bikes which our workers use, both to get around the campus quickly and to commute between their homes and CH...

...and a few of the majestic Washington Palms to be found on the grounds...

...and two more of our coterie of cats, Dusty and Beau...

Dusty the Hierakonpolis Cat

Sitting Pretty

Beau the Wonder Cat

So-named because of his resemblance to Buttons

You'll be pleased to learn, I'm sure, that any cat who decides he or she would like to take up residence here is required to be neutered or spayed. We are lucky to have access to the services of Animal Care in Egypt for these operations.

And finally, a beautifully enameled vintage lamp from the courtyard...

She's Back...for Her 11th Season!

Just arrived in Luxor at about 6 a.m. yesterday morning--10:45 p.m. flight from Paris to Cairo, 5 a.m. flight to Luxor. Exhausted but happy! It's always good to come back "home".

Slept most of yesterday, but did manage a couple of photos of my first close encounter of the cat kind, with Buttons!

After doing a bit of unpacking yesterday (in between deep sleep sessions!) and this morning, I made my way to my office and started the procedure for preparing the library for opening, probably late next week. After lunch, I took these photos of the flora of CH (since I had taken the fauna shots yesterday!):

Milk and Wine Lilies...

...fill the foyer with the most wonderful fragrance!

The breezeway garden at the beginning of the season

See you soon...

Life on the Perimeter--Part One

A new exercise regime has me walking the perimeter of CH twice a day, once clockwise and once counter-clockwise. I also wander around the grounds with my camera every now and then. It's truly amazing how much "life" one finds in the space of 2.5 acres! I'm not even going to try to caption each of these photos. Just look and enjoy!

Check out the bumble bee!