Friday, October 18, 2024

Leaving For The Last Frontier

Today we leave the unrelenting heat and sunshine to head out to Alaska, The Last Frontier, on a nine-day cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel.

Years ago we drove to Alaska but this will be our first time in the Southeastern part of the state.  Not only am I looking forward to seeing some new territory, but I'm very excited it'll be happening in cooler weather.

I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to leave behind the cactus, heat, and sun!


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  An Evening In The Land Of Angels
2017:  Drawbridge Warning
2016:  Driving Into The Sunset With Voices In My Head
2015:  Look Away, Look Away, Look Away, Dixieland
2014:  Denial For Sale In New Mexico
2013:  Friday Night Fright
2012:  Ten Things For October
2011:  Jane’s Addiction
2010:  Isolated Iesolana
2009:  WWJD?
2008:  Where The Angels Arrive And Depart
2007:  Diamonds In The DeepBlue
2006:  Everyone Is Doing It
2005:  En-Gulfed Coast

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Hot Mountain

 

The evening sun hits the Santa Catalina Mountain before it sets.  



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Champions On Wheels
2017:  16 Miles Per Hour
2016:  Smoky Slices Of Butt
2015:  Clouds In The State Of The Large Creek
2014:  Yellow Trees, Big Sky
2013:  The Negotiation
2012:  Going Au Naturel 
2011:  A Great Idea
2010:  The Real Deal
2009:  This Should Keep You Buy For A While
2008:  Plenty Of Room For The Ladies
2007:  It All Began With The Cheese
2006:  Zig Zag Wisconsin Color
2005:  Made In China 

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Under Gray Italian Skies

 

There hasn't been a whole lot going on here in Arizona, so there are no new pictures. I've been going through old photos on my computer and have found a bunch from our Italy trip many years ago, so I've been posting a few of those. Here's another one.

This is the Duomo in Florence.  I remember the day was overcast and dreary.  Grey skies, intermittent rain.  I remember I had to buy new shoes because it was too wet (and uncomfortable) to walk around in my cute ballerinas.  

Florence is a beautiful city though, rain or shine.  Visit if you have the chance.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Signed, Sealed, And Being Delivered
2017:  Growing Season
2016:  The General Landscape Of Southern Arizona
2015:  A Bright Spot In The District
2014:  The Way The River Went
2013:  If You're Looking To Flip A House For Money....Don't
2012:  A Sad Day For The Piggies
2011:  A Warrior Waging A Noble Fight, Fueled By Chocolate Ice Cream
2010:  Ragazzo dell’Ombrello
2009:  Eddie It’s Not Even Halloween Yet Friday
2008:  Not So Different, Are We?
2007:  Quite Uneducated, If You Ask Me
2006:  Sometimes Identity Theft Can SAVE You Money
2005:  Mina In Fifty Years

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Champion Of The Weak

This sculpture by Baccio Bandinelli is called Hercules and Cacus and it's located in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy.

When you see this in person, it's difficult to take your eyes off of him.  Hercules is really built. 

Those Italians really know how to sculpt.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Drinks With Dillinger
2017:  Crushed And Bundled In Canada
2016:  Is Purse Anxiety In The DSM?
2015:  Apple Crisp And Friends
2014:  Where The Food Is Delicious And The Service Is World Class
2013:  Something To Look Forward To
2012:  Two More For You, Mr. President!
2011:  A Thing About Things
2010:  Americans Among Us
2009:  Next Time I’m Buying Him Carbon Paper And White Out. And A Roll Of Stamps. And Maybe A VHS Player.
2008:  Flash Flood
2007:  Consider The Source When Getting Advice
2006:  Perfectly Apropos For Bush’s Home State
2005:  Soul 2 Soul

Monday, October 14, 2024

Still Sweltering

 

It's October 14th and it's still in the nineties. Hot.  The last week of September was in the mid-hundreds.  What the actual fuck?  The people who don't believe in global warming need to come to Tucson because I've been here for 40 years and it's definitely hotter than when we first moved here.  

I can't stand it anymore.  It's so unpleasant.  I can't be outside without being miserable.  Just going to the store is a hassle.  I come home drenched, hair like a wet rat.  The sun just never stops shining.  And even when it does, it's still hot.

On top of that, our air-conditioner went out and we had to wait TWO weeks for the part.  TWO WEEKS with no air conditioning!!!!  The fans are going all over the house and Ed bought a window AC unit for the bedroom, so at least it's cool enough to sleep, but the first three nights were brutal.  It'll be fixed by the end of the week.

That will provide some relief.  And they claim it's going to get "cooler" next week.  Which means low nineties.  C'mon.  I need winter weather.  And even though winter is still too hot for me here, I wish it would just hurry up and get here.  I can't take it anymore.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Edible Jewels
2018:  Run, Roll, And Rain
2017:  Bee Stop
2016:  Prepping The Butt
2015:  Strangled By The Capital Beltway
2014:  Even The Deer Are Bored
2013:  Happy "Columbus" Day!
2012:  Not So Subtle
2011:  Satan Called. He Wants His Weather Back.
2010:  If Only I Looked As Good As He Does
2009:  What Grandmothers Do When Their Grandchildren Grow Up
2008:  The View Of The Valley And Meadow
2007:  A Beautiful Dimple In The Earth
2006:  Dive The Sky
2005:  G-Y-M

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Alternative To Packing

 

This is a brick wall in Siena, Italy.  Not really much to look at, just some old bricks. 

Ed and I are planning another vacation.  This time it's an Alaskan cruise.  I've already started organizing everything and making my lists.  I like to go places, I do.  But I hate to pack.

I'd rather bang my head on that Italian wall.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  French Inspired
2017:  Millions Of Miles Of Memories
2016:  The Early Bird Gets The Cacti
2015:  Unsteady Affair
2014:  Sailed The Ocean Blue, My Ass
2013:  Blank Mind
2012:  Digging Through The Vault
2011:  Shopping Hysteria
2010:  We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Blogging For A Word From Our Blogger
2009:  Here, Let Me Get You A Tissue For That Eyeball
2008:  The Secret Lies With The Twinkies
2007:  Where In The World Are You Carmen Sandiego?
2006:  Paraskevidekatriaphobia
2005:  Love’s Language

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Missing Them

I've been talking about my grandparents a lot lately and then I came across this photo on my phone of my maternal grandparents sitting on their porch in the Bronx.

Could this be any more vintage?  Look at my Poppy's socks.  And his guinea tee  And my Nanny's little housedress.  And her glasses.  With the chain. 

Boy, I miss both of them so much!  


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  My Feet Are Getting Itchy, Too
2017:  Of Course
2016:  This Butt Is No Joke
2015:  A Day Of Amusement On The Lake
2014:  法拉盛華埠
2013:  The Pumpkin Master
2012:  Prime Viewing
2011:  Still Flowering
2010:  Wishing I Could Trade My Feet For Wheels
2009:  And The Winner Is…
2008:  Palm In The Dirty South
2007:  Ed Makes Out With Fair Fluff Friday
2006:  Blue Light Special
2005:  Blue Collar

Friday, October 11, 2024

Remembering Our Time In Siena

 

Ristorante San Desiderio in Siena, Italy.




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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  It Is Enough Simply To Look At A Tree
2017:  It Might Take A Minute
2016:  Couple In Selfies
2015:  From The Top
2014:  If Your Name Is Tinsley, You Probably Use A Fountain Pen
2013:  British Invasion
2012:  Splendid Fantasy Road Trip
2011:  Hard To Get Close To 
2010:  Lunch In Fossombrone 
2009:  Taking Carving To A Whole New Level 
2008:  Is There Enough Yellow In THIS One For Ya? 
2007:  I Didn’t Realize Railway Workers Were So Frisky 
2006:  Individuality 
2005:  Text Me

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

A Corner Of Marche

 

This is a little lane in Fossombrone, Italy. We were here in 2010 to visit members of my step-cousin's side of the family, and I hope to return to this beautiful, unexplored region someday.  


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  When Does The Next Ocean Liner Leave?
2017:  Young And Jazzy
2016:  The Happy Cyclist
2015:  Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love
2014:  Where The Cranberry Is King
2013:  How To Lower Your Blood Pressure While Raising Another's
2012:  I Made It Because I Like The Word Schnitzel
2011:  I May Be Old, But I’m Not That Old
2010:  Today’s The Day!!
2009:  Ed Getting Jiggy Among The Sunflowers
2008:  The Bridge To Everywhere
2007:  Scared Into Anorexia
2006:  A Good Hot Cup Is Desperately Needed
2005:  Am I The Only One Who Noticed This??

Tuesday, October 08, 2024

A Well Made Torso Contains All Of Life

Torso of a Man by Auguste Rodin, located at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Modeled mid-1880s, cast in plaster c. 1926.



* Title quote attributed to Rodin.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  I've Got New Rules
2017:  Flashback To A Flashdance Summer
2016:  Make Your Reservation Now
2015:  Every Year Is A Good Year For A Hero
2014:  Peace Through Understanding
2013:  Goodwill Hunting
2012:  Approaching Talladega
2011:  Music Sets The Stage
2010:  Tacky Prevails
2009:  Not As Hot As It Looks
2008:  Burst
2007:  Stockholm Syndrome
2006:  Playing In A Dream Near You
2005:  The Greatest Story Ever Told

Monday, October 07, 2024

Drip

 

A water faucet in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.  Photo taken by my friend Vicki.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Gratuitous Zac
2017:  Tall, Foxy, And Toxic
2016:  Magic Shoes

2015:  Finally Fall
2014:  Fruit On Main
2013:  Circling The Shark
2012:  Unlimited 
2011:  Autumn Leaves Begin To Fall 
2010:  I Wonder What Color The Ancient Estruscans Wore? 
2009:  You Ask, I’ll Answer 
2008:  You Can’t Hide From The Eyes Of A Truck Driver 
2007:  Flurry Of Ruffles 
2006:  A Bag Full Of Dicks 
2005:  Go West Young Man!! Uh, I Mean East. East.

Sunday, October 06, 2024

City Art

Neighborhood art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.



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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  I'm Not The Only One
2017:  A Teddy Bear You Don't Want To Cuddle
2016:  You Are Scored On My Heart
2015:  Truckin' Punkins
2014:  How To Achieve 365 Days Of Perfection
2013:  Leaving Las Vegas And Bypassing That Damn Dam
2012:  A Difference As Big As The Grand Canyon
2011:  Not Even Technology Can Fix Stone Cold Stupid
2010:  Three
2009:  Not Exactly “Daily” By Definition
2008:  I Almost Married This Man
2007:  Greeting Fair Lovers For Over Fifty Years
2006:  The Infinite Wisdom Of A Grandfather
2005:  Swingin’ Good Times

Saturday, October 05, 2024

Back East

Fall on the backroads in Ashford, Connecticut.  I miss the East Coast so much, especially this time of year.  I think it's time for a mini-vacation!




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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  I Can't Get Off My High Horse
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  
One More Look
2017:  Not Exactly "Woodland" Creatures
2016:  Hot Is Hot
2015:  Washy Watercolor Morning
2014:  The Piano Man Put Us In A New York State Of Mind
2013:  Eddie Sandwich
2012:  Scenes From An Italian Kitchen
2011:  Living Deliberately But Not Without Scars
2010:  Maybe They Just Don’t Like Oklahomans
2009:  Mexico? Derecho.
2008:  Juxtaposition
2007:  Eddie Sports Pigtails Friday
2006:  Gambling Under The Big Sky
2005:  Sleeping Beauty


Friday, October 04, 2024

Thursday, October 03, 2024

Abandon Every Hope, Who Enter Here

This is the first bronze cast of The Gates of Hell sculpture by Auguste Rodin, located at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The original plaster model is at the Musée D’Orsay in Paris

The plaque nearby says, "In 1880 Rodin was commissioned to create a set of bronze doors for a new museum in Paris.  Inspired by The Divine Comedy, an epic poem written in the early 1300s by Dante Alghieri, Rodin planned to decorate the doors with characters that Dante met on his fictional journey through hell.  The sculptor eventually discarded the idea of a strict narrative and instead created a weightless, chaotic world filled with more than two hundred figures in the throes of pain and despair.  Although the planned museum never came to fruition, Rodin worked on the sculpture for early thirty-seven years, periodically adding, removing, or modifying elements." 

On an unrelated note, I feel like I'm living on the other side of The Gates of Hell right now because the air conditioning in our house went out three days ago. Yes.  Hell.

The part to fix it will take two weeks to get.  Two weeks!  Sure, it's October, but it's October in Southern Arizona.  It's been in the mid to high 100s for weeks.  The temperature inside the house is currently 84 degrees, which is a picnic compared to the 102 degrees it is outside, but nowhere near the level I usually keep the house at when lounging around daily.  We keep the house between 65-70 degrees during the day, and at night, I drop the AC down to 53.  I could easily live in Alaska.  

I was in the kitchen the other day making dinner and I felt like I was in the Bronx in the late 1960s - there I was, in my muumuu, standing in front of the oscillating fan, cursing under my breath in Italian, and dripping in sweat.

Ed said this is how he grew up.  He's not bothered one bit.  I grew up with a father who kept the house freezing cold.  I obviously inherited the hot gene from him.  When I was a teenager, our summer house didn't have air-conditioning, and even if it did, my step-father wouldn't have been running it 24/7 like my father did.  We would go to sleep at night, moving as little as possible, directly in front of the fan.  I survived.  But now I don't want to do that. I don't want to move slowly like they do in the South to deal with the heat.  I don't want to feel my head surging with heat and the sweat dripping down my back. 

I am considering sleeping in the semi-truck since the AC in the sleeper works, but I guess I'll see how it goes over the weekend.  It's there if I need it.  I'm not at the point of abandoning every hope yet.

But I'm close.


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2023:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2022:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2021:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day.
2018:  Pure Eddie
2017:   Make Time For This Market
2016:   Capture The Flag
2015:   Arizona Dinosauria
2014:   Twilight In New York
2013:   The Sun Also Sets
2012:   Summoning The Mountains
2011:   The Power Of Gold 
2010:   Where’s The Beef? 
2009:   If One Could Love A Convenience Store 
2008:   Eddie Home On The Alien Range Friday 
2007:   N Is For Nanny. Oh, And Negligent. 
2006:   The Answer Will Be Revealed In Nine Months 
2005:   Lipgloss And Cocoa Puffs