the more things change, the more they stay the same

I love old stuff.

Always have.

Especially old stuff that has a connection to my family.

These old milk bottles,

and the pretty butter dish,

were on display at our town's little museum.

Funny how these days

we've returned to choosing glass containers

for food storage.

And funny how old gems like these

seem to be all the rage in wedding and home decor.

Fine with me.

Cause I really love old stuff!

Linking up with

Little Things Thursday

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

and

Weekend Reflections

Telling Stories

Do you want to know my favorite things about visiting museums?

Well, it's not all the old, historical stuff.

Though these signs and water-can back packs are pretty cool.

My favorite part is meeting the story tellers.

Listening and learning from those that have gone before,

and those who have learned from those who have gone before.

The passion they hold for the stories they tell,

and the touching details they share never fail to move me.

This was the old Salem fire house decked out for Salem Fest, and the chief told us wonderful stories that day.

Linking up with

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Wednesday's Around the World

and

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Museum Reflections

A small journey back in time

always stirs my heart

and sharpens my reflection.

{Town History Museum, Salem Town Hall, Salem, NH}

Sharing with

Little Things

and

Weekend Reflections

Salem Fest

It was festival day in my new little home town on Saturday.

All the historic buildings were open

and my daughter and I had a nice wander

back through the ages.

This old building was a schoolhouse from 1861-1895

and the town library from 1895-1966.

Stay tuned through the week for more town history!

Joining Tamar for some

Good. Random. Fun.

And now, in living color...

Designed by architect Willard T. Sears, Fenway Court was completed in 1901. Now known as the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, this remarkable building is home to the only private art collection in which the building, collection and installations are the creation of one individual. The galleries of the museum surround this lovely, 15th century Venetian style courtyard and fill the first three floors. Isabella herself lived in an apartment on the fourth floor! Can you even imagine the pleasure of being surrounded by all of this art each and every day?!

{a few courtyard details}

{a few courtyard flowers and palms}

{and a selfie...looking through a side gallery with the courtyard behind me}

Joining Kim for

Little Things Thursday

Black & White Wednesdays ~ Shadows and Light

On January 1, 1903, Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her {then} home to the public. Her home, built around this stunning courtyard, was her love child. A museum for all the many exquisite pieces of art, letters, literature and furnishings that she collected from around the world. The collection was hers ~ chosen by her, purchased by her and displayed as only she could present her treasures. A New York society magazine described her as, "the brightest, breeziest woman in Boston...the idol of the men and the envy of the women." Her personality lives on in this amazing place. She was the woman who served donuts and champagne on that January evening for her grand opening. The one who wore a head band to a Boston Symphony performance that said, "Oh you Red Sox" ... in red letters, of course! To this day, if you wear Red Sox gear to the museum you enter at a reduced rate. And if you're name's Isabella...well, you get in for free!

I love visiting this place ~ I'm immediately transported back to another time. I'm immersed in the mind and heart of a woman who lived fully and worked to see a daring dream fulfilled. These are a few of the photos I took of the courtyard on a very sunny day! I loved the games the light and shadows were playing all afternoon. Enjoy!

Join us here and share your

Black & White photos!

I'm also sharing with

Wednesday's Around the World

Black & White Wednesday: More Rodin

It's not often that a museum is flooded with natural light.

Or that photography is allowed.

But the Rodin museum had gorgeous windows, with lots of sunlight streaming in.

And {no surprise} I really enjoyed taking lots of photos.

All the statues were magnificent.

So strong.

Muscles rippled, hands grasped, toes curled.

And the faces.

Oh...

It was the expressions captured on the faces that I found the most intriguing.

Agony, ecstasy, pride...

...tenderness.

From the hard stone...the immovable, unchanging and cold stone...a life force breathed passionately and told a story. It spoke of relationship and circumstance. It shared emotion and begged to be heard. There was artistry that surpassed craftsmanship, yet honored the craft. It brought me joy to spend an afternoon surrounded by Rodin's sculptures.



Please link up and share your Black and White photos here today!

Rodin Museum {outside}

On this absolutely gorgeous fall day,

we headed to downtown Phili, and visited the Rodin Museum.

{there will be photos of some of my favorite sculptures throughout the week}

The museum and the grounds have been recently restored,

and were nothing short of dazzling!

Linking up with

Project 52 and Miscellany Monday