Baby Beluga, no ferris wheel for me and fire on the mountain

- Scene from the shark exhibit at Georgia Aquarium.  Sister, niece and I were there on Friday afternoon.  I like how the sun rays are coming down into the water from the skylight - a docent said that is natural light.  We also loved seeing the pregnant Beluga whale, Maris.  A friend was there on Saturday and said that exhibit was closed because the staff was readying the tank for the impending birth, which happened appropriately enough, on Mothers Day.

- No one would ride the SkyView ferris wheel with me - there it is in the distance.  Sigh.  I am going to rally some friends to go at night.  My first Bell System job in Atlanta, way back when I was in my early 20s, was inside the Equitable building - the black building there on the left. 

- And later Saturday night - there was the laser show/fireworks display at Stone Mountain Park.  Niece took this photo - I labeled it "Fire on the Mountain" after that old Marshall Tucker Band song.  In all the years I have lived in Atlanta, this is the first time I've attended this.  I can cross that off my bucket list now.  :)

Funniest moment - niece laughing when I fished in my purse while driving, after a pollen related sneezing attack and came up with a clean tissue.  Niece says her mom and I are two peas in a pod.  We always have tissues, etc.  Oh - the millennial generation!  She also didn't want a wine glass, opting for a red solo cup (I keep those on hand for picnics.)  I loved their visit, can you tell?

Ex view, current view and lovely visit

- A favorite client works on the 19th floor of a building in midtown Atlanta.  This was their view (photo taken about three years ago.)  When I was preparing to visit her earlier this week, she told me that her office had been moved to the other side of the building.  I said, "Oh - you lost your view!"  Her reply, "But the new view is SPECTACULAR!"  Of course I took photos - see below. 

 - Here's the left side view.  You can just see Stone Mountain on the horizon line there on the left (you would have to click to enlarge.)  That's right about where I live.  So funny that as the crow flies, as they say, it doesn't look so far away, yet it takes an hour or so in traffic to drive there.  Love all the trees beyond the buildings - there are many low rise buildings and houses beneath them.

- Middle view (my hands holding my phone are reflected on the left).  :)  The big white building complex toward the lower left is the High Museum of Atlanta / Symphony Hall.  The Georgia Dome, where the Atlanta Falcons play, and home to many concerts can be seen on the upper right (click to enlarge.) 

- And my smiling client's reflection is in this shot, in which she enthusiastically sweeps her hands to talk about the view.  (Click to enlarge.)  Sometimes visitors to Atlanta think the downtown area (a couple of miles south of midtown here) seems small, but the metropolitan Atlanta area goes on for miles and miles, as is evident here. 

We got our printing business squared away quickly, so we could chat.  It was a lovely visit.  And the weekend is upon us!  I hope you have a lovely one, my friends.

Dogwood trees, downtown Atlanta and adventures

- A tree so beloved in the south that it has its own festival this weekend in Atlanta.  The Dogwood trees sure are beautiful right now.

- Braving downtown to return a pair of shoes purchased online.  An internet search revealed that the manufacturer has a store in Peachtree Center, right in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  Something about the scent of it (food, cigarettes, transit vehicles) made me think of being in New York City.  And for sure, the street around Peachtree Center was filled with tourists, visitors, conventioneers.  A fun (and windy!) 20 minutes and then home to the 'burbs.  :)

- A fun, rollicking read:  "The Adventures of Black Jack Pepper" by M.L. Madison (aka our friend Riot Kitty).  It is meant to be a children's book, but I found it a fun read about a wonderful family that includes a French Toast loving cat.  Details can be found here, if you'd like to order this ebook.

It's the weekend again!  I'm ready for it!  I hope you have a wonderful one!