I love the idea of this assignment, but I didn't have time to go out anywhere, other than a quick driveby to the Gianicolo Hill near where I live.  So I decided to take most of these photos from my balcony.  Although my neighbors weren't outside, it felt somewhat voyeuristic to shoot down into their patios - as if I were spying on them.

We have had a long, rainy winter (by Rome standards, which means we can't really complain, though we still do.)  The cement patios are green with moss from the damp weather - an almost electric green.   We are longing for spring, with its sun, flowers and hope.  

This was an interesting assignment for me because I stayed at home for most of it. It made me look at ordinary objects I see every day in a new way.

1. My neighbor's table through my hanging plants

2. Solitude

3. Vase of weeds and cactus

4. Motorcycles and cars parked on the sidewalk

5. Down below, a reflection of up above

6. A closer look at number 5

7. My neighbor's table, another view

8. Buster, unhappy about the fact that I'm working instead of taking him to the park.

9. Rome from the Gianicolo Hill.  The blue at the top is not the sky, but the mountains far away.  One good thing about all this rain is that the air is very clear and you can see a long way.