Coral Reef

For lunch today, T enjoyed this bento with a coral reef theme.

His lunch consisted of:

• two fish-shaped sandwiches (one with a candy eye)
• puffed goldfish crackers
• "CORAL REEF" Scrabble Junior Cheez-It Crackers
• applesauce (in a small blue bowl with a waves design)
• Little Debbie coral reef cake
• milk (in a shaky cup with a blue and green fishes design)

There's also a coral-colored shell ring next to the applesauce container.

I discovered some interesting facts about coral reefs.

• Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals.
• Coral reefs are colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients.
• Coral reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny, and agitated waters.
• Coral reefs are most commonly found at shallow depths in tropical waters, but deep water and cold water corals also exist.
• Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species.

source and photo credit:  Wikipedia

Linked to:
   Bento Blog Network
   What's for Lunch Wednesday

Portugal

I received this postcard today...from Portugal.

The postcard shows an image of a photograph taken by Emílio Biel, (1838-1915).
He was a businessman, publisher, and photographer.  He was considered one of the pioneers of photography in Portugal.

The subject of the photograph is Torre dos Clérigos, or Tower of Clergy [Church] in Porto, Portugal.

The Clérigos Church is a Baroque church which was built by Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect and painter.  Construction of the church began in 1732 and was finished in 1750 (approximately).

The monumental bell tower of the church, Torres dos Clérigos, is located at the back of the building.  It was built between 1754 and 1763 and is 75.6 meters high (approximately 248 feet high), dominating the city.  This great structure is one of the most characteristic symbols of Porto.

Belgium

I received this postcard today...from Belgium.

The image is of Heilig-Hartcollege (Sacred Heart College) in Maasmechelen, Belgium.

The sender didn't write anything (not one word) on the back of the postcard...and although the back of the postcard includes printed information about what is pictured on the front (above), I'm not able to translate....  :(

Come to think of it, I hope the words printed on the front of the postcard are appropriate for posting...since I'm not able to translate....

Germany

T received this postcard yesterday...from Germany...

Dresden, to be exact.

The sender wrote that Dresden is the capital of Saxony in the east of Germany.  He also wrote that this postcard shows the summer residence castle of the Saxon kings, built 300 years ago, and baroque and English gardens.

I received a different postcard from Dresden last October.  You can view it and read more about Dresden here.

Canada

T received this postcard yesterday...from Canada.

Isn't it just the cutest image of a polar bear?!

According to the information printed on the back of the postcard, the polar bear's distinctive thick white coat acts as camouflage in the snow and ice and provides warmth against the extreme elements of the Arctic.

According to the sender of the postcard, there are lots of polar bears in the northern part of her province (Manitoba).  She also wrote that the polar bears are a huge tourist attraction but also a danger for residents.

Russia

T received this postcard yesterday...from Russia.

It shows an image of Atlantes.

According to the dictionary:

• Atlas (capitalized) is a Titan who, for his part in the Titans' revolt against the gods, is forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders.
• Atlas (capitalized) is one who bears a heavy burden.
• Atlas (plural, Atlantes) is a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster.

According to the dictionary:

• Caryatid is a draped female figure supporting an entablature.
• Caryatid is a supporting column sculpted in the form of a draped female figure.

The most celebrated example is the caryatid porch of the Erechtheum* (an Ionic temple), with six figures.

The Athens Acropolis is home to four edifices (large, massive, and usually impressive buildings):

• Propylaea
• Parthenon
• Erechtheum*
• Temple of Athena Nike

Caryatids sometimes are called korai ("maidens").  Their male counterpart is the atlas.

I took you on a rabbit trail...but the information was interesting!  ;-)

Gurleyville Gristmill

A woman from Connecticut contacted me recently to request a direct swap.  I received two postcards from her yesterday.

This second postcard shows images of the Gurleyville Gristmill, located in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Shown are:

• stone gristmill
• miller's house
• gristmill interior

The Gurleyville Gristmill is located on the Fenton River.  A gristmill was built on this site in 1750 (approximately).  It was replaced in 1835 (approximately) by the present gristmill (shown above) that operated until 1941.  The gristmill was constructed of stone and is the only stone mill of its kind in Connecticut.

The miller's house was the birthplace of Wilbur L. Cross in 1862.  He served as the governor of Connecticut from 1931-1939.

The gristmill interior shows the 19th century grain hopper and millstone hoist.

source:  Joshua's Trust

Glastonbury

A woman from Connecticut contacted me recently to request a direct swap.  I received two postcards from her yesterday.

This first postcard shows images of Glastonbury in 2002.

About Glastonbury:

• Glastonbury is a town located seven miles southeast of Hartford, Connecticut.
• Glastonbury was founded in 1693.
• The town was named after Glastonbury in Somerset, England.
• The population of Glastonbury is 34,427 (2010 census).

source:  Wikipedia

Iwo Jima Memorial

T received this postcard from Texas.

The postcard shows the Iwo Jima Memorial in Harlingen, Texas.  The sender wrote that, in person, the monument is huge!

This information is printed on the back of the postcard:

Created and donated by sculptor Felix de Weldon to the Marine Military Academy in 1981, this is the original working model prepared by him for the casting of the bronze in Washington, D.C.  This world-famous piece of art stands as a symbol of heroism of all American fighting men and determination of free people the world over.

~A perfectly patriotic postcard for the 4th of July weekend!

5

The second letterbox we searched for was "5."  It was planted in Five Forks...

by a letterboxer who has lived in South Carolina for five years.

watching Mama look for the letterbox

stamping the find

Palmetto Pastime

I cleaned out and straightened up my letterboxing "kit" a couple of weeks ago, which made me want to go letterboxing!  (I didn't realize it had been more than a year since my last find.)

Today being Independence Day, my husband had a holiday from work.  We took the opportunity to go letterboxing!  We looked for two letterboxes and found both of them.  That doesn't always happen!  :P

The first letterbox we searched for was "Palmetto Pastime," planted by a letterboxer who lives in California.  He planted it on a cross-country road trip!

Great Britain

I received this postcard today...from Great Britain.

It shows the Houses of Parliament (south side) in London, England.

The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the parliament of the United Kingdom.  Commonly known as the Houses of Parliament after its tenants, the Palace lies on the bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster in central London.

source:  Wikipedia