Morse Museum and stuff

Still enjoying the warm weather!  We drove the 40 miles to Orlando this weekend to see friends who have moved there from Savannah.  Our plan was to get there early so we could see a little of Orlando before lunch.  I found information on a "little museum", the Morse Museum of American Art, featuring the world's most extensive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany glass and artwork in the world.  It's smallish and free ---- I thought, yeah, well, ok.  WOW. What a museum!  Not only do they have a vast collection of his famous lamps, there is also his dining room,  living room, veranda, chapel, all with the original furnishings and artwork.  And jewelry he made.  Here is just a very small sampling...

This beautiful piece is about 10 feet high .

This is Tiffney's actual chapel from his estate.  The hanging green glass cross is just awe inspiring.  The cross is probably 5 feet long.

A wall to overlook a garden.

Tiffany's favorite flower - daffodils. Many of his famous lamp shades used daffodils. A portion of a memoir from his daughter said that the home was a museum, not to be played in.  But his field of daffodils were free for play and her favorite memory of growing up in the estate in Long Island.

This is a garden door.  There are 4 panels that slide to completely closed or to allow access to the garden or cooling breezes.

The Tree of Life was Tiffany's last work.  He was 86 when he finished it.  It is about 12 feet tall.

Here is a link to the museum.  I expect we'll go again next year.

http://www.morsemuseum.org/

Lunch with friends Cathy and Bill!

After lunch, we stocked up at Trader Joes's.  The store is located in a nice strip mall against a small lake.  We liked the fountain.

By the time we got home, a wistful looking Smokey was watching for us.  Actually, she was probably just trying to wake up from her blissful day long nap.

We did a short walk in a wildlife park that we'll visit on Friday.  Luke caught this cute little fellow - he's letting the rest of the lizard world know that this is his territory and broadcasting
 his availability to any interested lady lizards.

Luke had an exciting morning today.  He met a fellow RV'er a few days ago who is an instructor for radio controlled airplanes, one of Luke's MANY interests.  John invited Luke to go with him to the flying field this morning.  5 of them went, flying their planes, and letting Luke fly one also.  Well, sorta.  Like the driving instructor who has a second brake in the car, John and George had second "over ride" controls to prevent a nose dive and destroyed plane from the beginner.

I had an exciting morning also - stitches out from the oral surgery!

And we've booked for next February!  Yay!!!

Tomorrow we leave to spend a few days with neighbors who moved down here last year.  We look forward to seeing them and also seeing some of the western side of the state.