Archive for July, 2025

Terra Cotta Soldiers

July 29, 2025

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One of the high points of my first trip to China in 1987 was a visit to Xian, China, to see the terra cotta soldiers.

Xian was an ancient capital of China, and was the home of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.  The terra cotta soldiers made up an army that was buried with the emperor and was to guard him in his afternoon.  The terra cotta army consisted of at least 8,000 soldiers of all ranks plus horses and chariots.

The soldiers were still being excavated when we were there, but we could see column upon column of soldiers

The facial characteristics of the soldiers were amazing in their detail and variety.  It almost seemed as if soldier represented a unique individual.

The attention to detail also included the uniforms of the soldiers, as can be seen in the archer shown above.

Tellico River

July 15, 2025

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When Betsy and I were younger and more mobile we enjoyed visiting waterfalls.  An added bonus to that hobby was that we could often explore along the banks of streams, especially in state or national forest areas.  I captured this photo of the Tellico River here in Tennessee a few years ago.  We were on our way to Bald River Fa;;s. and stopped to explore the bank of the Tellico River.

Morning on Druid Hills

July 1, 2025

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Although neither Betsy nor I play golf, we do live on a golf course.  And we have found the golf course to be perfect for early morning walks (before the golfers hit the course) or for early evening walks (after the golfers have quit for the day).  I got this picture on one of our early morning walks around the back nine/