Mourning Walks
1 gennaio 2023, Stati Uniti ⋅ ⛅ 41 °F
My dad died during our December visit to Washington State. This cast a pall over Christmas, but I’m so glad I was there to grieve with family.
Our trip was a blur, but every morning, my sister andLeggi altro
Larry’s Genes
6 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
We hopped aboard the Costa Deliziosa cruise ship in Trieste. There was no time to explore this historic city, but we had to snap a quick selfie since Larry’s grandparents emigrated to America fromLeggi altro
Old Town Dubrovnik
7 gennaio 2023, Croazia ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We are so jet lagged! More so than usual. I blame lingering grief, although I know that wherever my dad is, he’d be happy to see me and Larry traveling.
I read an article recently that pointed outLeggi altro
Croatian Kitties
7 gennaio 2023, Croazia ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
I saw some handsome cats in Old Town Dubrovnik. They all seemed quite well-fed and content.
As we strolled by the sea, I peered over the stone rail and was startled to see a cat curled up on theLeggi altro
Sicilian Sunrise
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Catania, Sicily greeted us with brilliant hues and lenticular clouds forming over Mt Etna. I’ve never been here before and am excited to take a walking tour through the old town.
Bellini’s Tomb
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
We saw Vincenzo Bellini’s tomb today in Catania, but for some reason, our guide told us very little about him. She promised to talk about him later, but it seems like she forgot.
I know BelliniLeggi altro
Mummy Saint
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
The body of cardinal Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet is in Catania’s cathedral. Dusmet died in 1894, but after his beatification in 1988, his body was placed here for public view. A silver death maskLeggi altro
Cathedral creatures
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Here are a few statues that caught my eye on Catania’s cathedral.
Breast Pastry
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Sant Agata is Catania’s patron saint. She was martyred when Romans tortured her to death for refusing the advances of one of their men.
One of the atrocities she endured was having her breastsLeggi altro
Elephant Palace
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Catania’s city hall is called the Palazzo dei Elefanti. Elephants are a common theme throughout the town. The association dates back to a Byzantine magician who rode through town on one manyLeggi altro
Merman, Dad!
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Every time I see a merman, I’m reminded of that scene in Zoolander, where his father calls him a mermaid and he testily replies that he was a, “merman, Dad!”
I saw these lovely mermen inLeggi altro
Witchy Brooms
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
I’m always intrigued by the old style brooms I see in Europe. They look so witchy! I’d love to try one sometime. Have you ever used one? I saw these in Catania today.
Spider Man
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Spider-Man, Spider-Man, friendly Sicilian Spiderman!
(Catania, Sicily)
Catania Fruit Stand
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
This colorful fruit stand is typical of many we saw today in Catania. That yellow fruit is called “cedro” and has a very unique flavor. I’ve never tasted it outside of Italy.
Lamppost Legend
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Our guide told me this lamppost sculpture refers to a legend about a Catania’s woman who avoided being married to a foreign invader by jumping to her death down a chimney.
“Don’t get the wrongLeggi altro
Octopus Burger?
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
As a port town, it’s no surprise to see seafood restaurants in Catania. Even so, this “octopus burger” caught my eye today!
Veg, Meat & Fish
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
If I had to describe Catania’s open air markets in one word, it would be, “colorful.”
I’m so curious what that purple cauliflower tastes like! As for those cuts of meat, I’m not sure whatLeggi altro
Sant Agata Mural
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
If you read my entry called “Breast Pastry,” then you already know why this woman is carrying a tray with her own breasts upon it.
The sticker next to this wall mural mimics a typical artLeggi altro
Catanian Street Food
9 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
As part of our tour, we stopped for a typical Catanian handheld meal. Arancino is a fried rice ball that features meat, tomatoes and cheese. The shape is meant to represent Mt Etna. It was tasty andLeggi altro
In the Shadow of Vesuvius
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
Good morning from Naples! We’re enjoying the sunrise in the shadow of Vesuvius. I wonder what delights this day will bring?
Pompeii misc
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ 🌧 50 °F
What a fun day we had exploring Pompeii! The first and last time I was here was 2011. Larry and I were here during our honeymoon.
It amazes me to see tile work from 2000 years ago and have it inLeggi altro
House of the Lovers
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ 🌧 50 °F
During our tour of Pompeii, we strolled through a middle class home that’s nicknamed “the house of the lovers.”
Quiet Day in Pompeii
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Last time we visited Pompeii, the streets were bustling with tourists. This time, being off season, it was much different. I really enjoyed strolling these ancient ruins during such a quiet day. MakesLeggi altro
Phalluses in Pompeii
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
I’m always on the lookout for interesting architectural details. In Pompeii, a unique feature were all the penises!
They do not all mean the same thing. Sometimes they are literally pointing theLeggi altro
The Stabian Baths
10 gennaio 2023, Italia ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Here are some shots of the Stabian Baths. These were public baths in Pompeii featuring a frigidarium (cold water), tepidarium (medium heat), and calderium (hot water.)
















































































































































Two to TravelCondolences on your loss … such a peaceful setting for your mourning strolls.
ViaggiatoreThank you! Yes, those forest walks with my sister were just what the doctor ordered, very healing for both of us!
Viaggiatore
Washington is so beautiful my sister lived in port orchard Bremerton on green mountain near Silverdale I lived there with her twice in 89- 90 in port orchard where my son was born 33 years ago then on green mountain 96 when my youngest daughter was 4 then went back in 2005 for a visit my sister wanted to go so we went I took her on her last trip to Washington she passed away June first of this year