First I must tell you about the little Italian guy who is probably retired or bored or a pervert, but he rides around Salerno on his bicycle wearing an old speedo. First. It is him wearing the speedo not the bike and it is old because the elastic is barely there so when he rides his bike ahead of you, you are looking at his leathery tan back right down below the crack. Good god it is amazing...like a train wreck.

He and I took along walk this morning up to the large sailboat marina....the water seemed more aqua .... Lots of boats are dry docked but there are a few still in the water which leads me to believe their fall is here. Up along the sea wall there were folks laying in the sun on the concrete. Just looks odd but then I guess there is no beach and no particular areas of grass? Of course we saw the old man on his bike there...then the extreme opposite. I'm walking around in my Nike dri fit t shirt and sweating...many, many people Re wearing sweatshirts and leather jackets. So many extremes....gelato.

We met up with the other 3 and walked to another marina which is ...gelato...actually a commercial dock where we will take a ferry to Amalfi and perhaps Capri....which is actually pronounced. KAAA pry. Who knew,,,,,,gelato.

While at the doc we saw a Brasilia ship come in and dock. We were told it was loaded with about a thousand Fiats. Apparently the Italians stopped making Fiats because Brazil can make them cheaper....He and I hoofed it down the street to see if we could see them being driven out of the ship...we got bored watching the heavy equipment which preceded the car....gelato....so we gave up....during our walking, we saw the cutest little Nissan parked on the street. It was a larger car than we were used to seeing....it was a Juke. Perspective is everything.

I love gelato

Until next time...they are not going to get me to eat octopus. I'm just sayin!

We took the train to Salerno today from Rome...the city is on the south end of the Amalfi coast in southern Italy. First time to see the Mediterranean Sea. We don't have a beach per se as far as we walked today. Just incredibly huge rip rap. No waves which is the only disappointment for me...it is a neat city. We have some music wafting up here through our mini veranda doors from the outside bar downstairs. It may be along and loud night.

The Coloseum yesterday. I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that 2000 years ago, Jewish slaves hauled marble to build it and it has withstood the wars,weather and emperors. Christa remarked that putting her hand on one of the stones was like connecting with someone back in the double digit years A D. Next door to the Coloseum are more remnants of our ancient past...some currently being excavated. The history connected to the area is morbidly exciting and excruciatingly cruel and the ghosts nearly vibrate thru the psyche. Chris did mention that she got the tickets at the "Christian rate" although there is a discrepancy as to whether Christians were actually thrown to the lions at the colesium or close to the nearby chariot races. We paid for a hop on hop off tour bus yesterday...it's the way to go...it certainly makes you aware of what there is to see and what is important this trip or save for another trip. when we head back next week, he and I Are going to try to see thee Vatican and St. Peter's square....along with michealangelos handiwork.

We walked from the hotel last night to see Trevi Fountain and so did thousands of our best friends.

thestreets in Rome are cobblestone, the width of an alley and mostly one way....in those streets, are the outside restaurant dining tables which are mostly filled. It's nothing to be eating dinner and be close enough to hand a fork full to someone going by in their vehicle....there is no fear...it is controlled chaos at its best. So...

So until next time...

It is just like the movies....this is actually the first time in my life that I've been totally surrounded by.....there is no word. We were wheels down at the Rome airport around 7am on Wednesday...midnight Iowa time...immigration took about 40 minutes and the rest has been nothing but pleasure...Dave, Chris and Lys arrived about an hour later and the fairy tail began. We payed A private driver 100 euros to rocket ship us to Hotel Suisse by the Spanish steps. Incredible....nothing 5 star. Much, much better. Quaint, clean and the feel of Italy. The shuttered windows...... No words....

We fell into bed from total exhaustion and slept 4 hours...dave woke us up at 1600. The Spanish steps...there will be pics when we get home ...named for the Spanish embassy to the vatican which has been in Rome for 300 years. Who new steps could be so interesting? You not only walk up and down them but you sit on them, you socialize on them. You gather above them and below them...they are a roman destination. Below and for several blocks is Rome's Rodeo drive....what's a Jimmy Choo they asked! All around there are handsome Italian boys giving out roses..."my gift to you". Then they hit up the man as the woman walks away. They got Lys twice...We finally had the talk.. I explained that you have to walk by, ignore and shake your head no....Dave said Don't make eye contact. It was costing him a fortune... We ate dinner in the plaza below the Pantheon...totally a dream. Google it. Drank wine, ate pasta and dessert all with a view of the ancient temple AD120. A stroll back to the hotel on cobblestone streets...romantic not in the amour kind of way just romantic. Shutters open now,cool breeze, street traffic breakfast in our room the italianway...I'm totally in awe!

Until next time

ANXIETY

Be off the grid...on our way to Italy on Tuesday early. 

That is what is on my mind....

I used to go barefoot all year...I have been known to step outside and actually step into the snow without shoes...Most of my life, I wouldn't be caught dead in a hat or cap or anything knitted on my head...I also didn't like scarves unless they were the right color or fashionable and gloves or mittens..only if it was below zero and I was going to touch the snow...doesn't the cold steering wheel bother you - uh no.  It could be 64 degrees in the house and I would be wearing shorts and a t shirt with no shoes on and certainly no socks...no matter what - no socks. 

I presently have on two shirts and a sweatshirt, sweatpants and OMG...I just went to the bedroom and put a pair of socks on.   I fear real gloves and nylon 4 corner scarves with cute little reindeer and bedroom slippers.... H E L P    M E

Until next time....

I'm not sayin' nuthin' about you know what!

The season's they are a changin'

It's Monday.

Until next time...

I think the med adjustment is changing the way I dream and I'm not sure I like it.  Seems my mother has been haunting and I've been doing some crying along with all of the other bizarre stuff.

I have people in my life who are damaged...they know they are damaged and make every attempt to treat others nicely - and every now and then they speak out if they disagree with you - really disagree - otherwise they try to just communicate with you to share thoughts or opinions.... 

Then there are the people who are damaged and angry - perhaps with a touch of narcissism (that may be like being a little bit pregnant) who are happy talking about themselves...appear to be conversing but every opportunity opened to them, will swing in with a comment that leaves you wondering """W H A T """.

Then there are the angry people who don't give a damn who you are or what you are saying - they hate themselves and life and want to make sure that you are either injured from their verbal attack or they are hurtin' for a verbal take down so they can spew some more hate to the next person who crosses their path.

And then there are bullys who are so damaged inside that they can ony throw verbal insults at others in their attempt to hide who they are inside.  Those who blow the most smoke have the most to hide.

And then there are just evil people who are wasting the air that someone else could be breathing.

Until next time....

  The end of the growth period for corn and beans and the first golden stripes of color in the bean fields is usually when I awaken and say...awww fall is here...it was incredibly early this year.  A few trees begin to turn but nothing gets me into the fall mood like the crisp cool air...even when it is warm...it is a different warm...then there is the farm bean or corn dryer nearby that I can hear in the distance...it's a soothing sound...and then walking thru the leaves.

It seemed to happen in a week.  We sat outside on the deck Saturday and would feel a breeze then the leaves would gently be falling on our heads.  I love fall.

Until next time....