Seeking Beauty: the last weekend of summer, part 1

It has been HOT and DRY here.  The flowers in our yard are wilting.  In these times one must find beauty where one can.  My weekend activities showed me beauty in the midst of a troubled world.

Part 1: Friday

On the way to meet my friend N for lunch in town, I walked across the Schenley Bridge, and had this view of the Cathedral of Learning (University of Pittsburgh) in a bright blue sky, uncharacteristic for Pittsburgh.

And also saw a cajillion of these combination locks attached to the fence on the bridge. Ah, humanity and its penchant for weird romantic traditions.

Then we went to The Phipps Conservatory, where they grow plants a lot better than I can.  The humidity in the Phipps can’t be beat.  We saw nearly every part of the place, spending over 2 hours there.  Lovely, but I was exhausted.  

This is maybe a coleus?

The Common Household Husband and I went to synagogue Friday evening, for the blessing of the new torah covers for the high holidays, which are fast approaching.  (Yikes! I had not yet bought the requisite honey!)  It was beautiful to sing familiar tunes for the prayers. 

I have no photo of the torah covers because I had an asthmatic coughing fit and had to leave the sanctuary.  Nobody wants a coughing fit to remain in the room these days.  CHH said it did not sound as dramatic as I thought it did, but I decided not to sing any more.

I do have a photo of these paper flowers at the synagogue.  You can’t tell from the photo, but each flower is about 3 feet across.  They are stunning.

Here is Part 2:Saturday.
Here is Part 3:Sunday.