The Dying Population Of The Dying City

An elderly lady sitting outside of her house in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy, the dying city.

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2024: Floating Into Victoria
2023: Bienvenido A España!
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Moto Cop
2018: ¡Salud!
2017: Eddie On Ice
2016: My God, This Reminds Me Of Why I Love Adele
2015: Making Friends And Dinner Plans
2014: It's So EXHAUSTing Being Right All The Time
2013: A Marriage Of Two Loves
2012: I Love A Man Wearing A Damn Good-Looking Workboot
2011: MMXI At Full Throttle
2010: Maybe There’s A Reason Ed Never Lets Me Out Of The Truck
2009: Napolitos
2008: Pull Up A Chair
2007: The Story Of The Uppity Barista: Otherwise Known As A Texan Gittin’ Above His Raisin’
2006: Rock, Paper, Eddie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

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

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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

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!  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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

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

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??

Piazza Principale

 
Piazza San Donato in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy.  It is the main square in the village, which was founded more than 2,500 years ago.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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: A Symbol Of The Coming Heat
2018: The Next Five
2017: Vintage Ed
2016: Elixir
2015: March Woods
2014: What A Guy Will Do To Get Out Of Watching Girl TV
2013: Up And Over The Green Mountains Of Vermont
2012: Perhaps She’s A Closet Road Warrior
2011: Fifty-Five Years And Counting
2010: Humor That Needs A Humidifier
2009: Eddie Is He Wearing Trousers?? Friday
2008: Soon To Be Yummy Snack Food
2007: This Is What I’ve Been Doing Lately
2006: 1-800-PRODUCT SATISFACTION
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Modern Meets Medieval

 

Juxtaposition in Corona, Italy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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: Couple Goals
2018: The Jewels Of Rodentia
2017: Oh, The Horror I've Seen
2016: Barbed Badlands
2015: Exotic Tropicals
2014: Eggs, Milk, Bread, And Good Blood Pressure
2013: Clowns Looking For A Place To Live
2012: My Early Version Of Google
2011: Food With Integrity That Fuels Creativity
2010: If Only It Were Dollars Instead Of Miles
2009: The Last Bit Of Winter
2008: Eddie Fr-Eye-Day
2007: Authorized Personnel Only
2006: Stolen Zillow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Costiera Amalfitana

 

The Duomo di Amalfi (Amalfi Cathedral) in Amalfi, Italy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: I See Stupid People
2019: Sick Mountains
2018: A Spin Around Town
2017: A Little To The Right
2016: Around Town In 80 Days
2015: The Gold On The Hill
2014: Be Happy You Don't Have A Bolt In Your Head
2013: Seriously Up To Our Ass In Alligators
2012: Such A Fragrant Sprig!
2011: Coast To Coast
2010: The Joke’s On Us
2009: Eddie Monsignor Starbucks Friday
2008: All The Better To Smell You With, My Dear
2007: Neon Railroad
2006: I Left My Heart…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

You Don't Bring A Toaster To A Wedding

I didn't marry an Italian or have a big Italian wedding, but what this comedian is saying is true of every Italian wedding I've ever attended.

It was only when I moved to Arizona that I learned people brought gifts to weddings. What??  It was bad enough that no one dressed up for weddings in Tucson - casual sundresses and jeans were a common sight - but they actually walked into a wedding reception with a wrapped gift and piled it on a table with other gifts.  I'd never heard of that in my life.  We never bought gifts.  We always gave money.  That's just how it was done. 

The small satin bag he talks about, we always called "la buste" (whcih actually means "the envelopes").  And the bride and groom really did go through them at the end of the night. 

And let me tell you, Italians are very generous.  Newly married couples totally make a killing! 



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: A Castle In Bluegrass Country
2016: The Crest At Sunset
2015: Over 80 Feet Of Traveling Comfort
2014: Insta-Coastal
2013: Traffic
2012: Fire Hazard
2011: Smiling High
2010: Time Travel
2009: One More Reason I Love The Highway Hags
2008: Boathouse On The Gulf
2007: Canada Is Bubblicious
2006: You Know You’re In A Hotel That Doesn’t Have A Star Rating…
2005: It’s A Dry Heat

Rainy Arezzo

Looking back on some pictures from Italy and found this one of Arezzo.  I think Italy is going to be at the top of the list for honeymoon locations.

Honeymoon!  Yay.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016:  Snippet Of Texas
2015: Half The Size, Twice The Violence!
2014: Wildly Fierce Candy Cactus
2013: How I Spent The Day
2012: From Farm To Table
2011: Ups And Downs
2010: Three Men, Two Generations, One Passion
2009: Miss Tooth Reigns Supreme
2008: And This Is Why She Will Always Be A Maid At A Hotel
2007: I’ve Been Everywhere Sunday
2006: Family Reunion Rules
2005: Chillin’ In Anchorage

When You Think Of Tuscany

A street in Cortona, Italy, the town where Frances Mayes, the author of "Under The Tuscan Sun", lives.

Frances Mayes put this place on the map for most Americans.  No matter how over-saturated we've become with all things Tuscan, I still want a villa like Bramasole.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Hitching A Ride
2015: Ocean To Ocean
2014: Where We Go To Squeeze Melons
2013: Yet We're The Ones With All The Rules
2012: There Is No Problem Here
2011: If This Is What Being A Loser Means, Count Me In
2010: The Only Thing It Extends Is The Humiliation Of Having A Small Johnson
2009: Wishing You All A Happy Lá Fhéile Pádraig
2008: There Should Be Some Sort Of Award For This
2007: Table Talk
2006: Cats And Grandchildren Make Great Indentured Servants
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Hours Of Silence

I saw this sign in Civita di Bagnoregio.  This is what Google Translate says about it.



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2016: Boot Up
2015: It's Always Pie Day In Shipshewana
2014: Clap Along If You Feel Like A Room Without A Roof
2013: On The Run
2012: The Town Under The Giant Oak Tree
2011: Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
2010: Yeah, Cause Heidi Klum Is So Easy To NOT Notice
2009: Busy Week
2008: Small, Yet Mighty
2007: Zen
2006: Riding The Rusty Rails
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Metallum Warrior

This life-sized metal sculpture was created by two Italian sculptures, Nicola Zamboni and Sara Balzani. We saw them in a piazza in Sienna, Italy.  This photo was taken by Ed.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Woman With Dog
2015: The Supers And More
2014: Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
2013: House For Sale: Goats Included
2012: Hanging On By A Thread
2011: Does A Bear Have A Diner In The Woods?
2010: Would You Rather Sit On Your Ass All Day Eating Cheetos And Watching TV, Or Would You Rather See?
2009: The First Bit Of Spring
2008: Pop Secret
2007: The Kind Of Shopping That Makes Me Want To Commit Suicide, Right There In The Middle Of Macy’s
2006: The Benefits Of Memory Loss
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Oh, The Horror I've Seen

Ed took this photo in Pompeii, Italy.  This ancient town was one of the most fascinating places I've ever visited.  A definite must see.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Barbed Badlands
2015: Exotic Tropicals
2014: Eggs, Milk, Bread, And Good Blood Pressure
2013: Clowns Looking For A Place To Live
2012: My Early Version Of Google
2011: Food With Integrity That Fuels Creativity
2010: If Only It Were Dollars Instead Of Miles
2009: The Last Bit Of Winter
2008: Eddie Fr-Eye-Day
2007: Authorized Personnel Only
2006: Stolen Zillow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Little To The Right

A friend of mine recently told me she was planning a trip to Italy and asked about the places we went when we visited.  I don't have any expert advice for her but I did send her everything I thought would be useful.

While looking through my folders, I came across photos.  I'm going to post a few of them this week.

This first one was taken by Ed.  It should be pretty obvious that it's the Leaning Tower of Pisa.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Around Town In 80 Days
2015: The Gold On The Hill
2014: Be Happy You Don't Have A Bolt In Your Head
2013:  Seriously Up To Our Ass In Alligators
2012: Such A Fragrant Sprig!
2011: Coast To Coast
2010: The Joke’s On Us
2009: Eddie Monsignor Starbucks Friday
2008: All The Better To Smell You With, My Dear
2007: Neon Railroad
2006: I Left My Heart…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Hill Town Transportation

Vespas lined up and ready for touring in the Tuscan hill town of Radda in Chianti. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2015: 651 Miles To Go

2014: I May Not Love Your Traffic, But I Do Love You

2013: Astonished That Anyone Could Schedule All Those Things

2012: A World Of Imagination Left Behind

2011: Betty’s Got It Going On

2010: Don’t Miss The Latest On TDR. Today At Eight, Noon, Six, And Midnight

2009: No Hothouse In Sight

2008: ’Till The Cows Come Home

2007: Salt Lake City Special

2006: It’s More Expensive To Say No

2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Remembering Italy

One of the many road signs I took a picture of when we were in Italy in 2010.  Looking at photos makes me realize it's time to start planning another trip!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: We Are Not Government Issued
2013: A Railfan Mecca
2012: When I Was A Kid
2011: Nuts About Thanksgiving
2010: On The Way To Turkey Day
2009: Winding Down For The Big Holiday
2008: Pssst! The Fish Are In The Water. Check The Water.
2007: Elphaba’s Long Lost Sister?
2006: What Boys (And One Girl) Do On Thanksgiving
2005: Cold Turkey

Twisted Sifter Sifted My Photo From The Web

We just watched Morgan Spurlock's "The Inside Man" on CNN.  Tonight's show was about Cyber Spying and Big Data - he explored data collection by the government and big corporations.  What he discovered is nothing new and would freak a lot of people out, but for some reason I just don't get all that wigged out by what people know about me.  Big surprise, huh?  I have a blog.

I did check out some of the websites they talked about though - one of them being Duck Duck Go, a search engine that doesn't collect any information on what you search for - and put in my name.

Among the stuff I found, was this.  It's from February.  I had no idea.

I'm not really sure how I feel about seeing my picture on that site.  You've seen it before here.  On one hand, it's kind of cool that they picked it up.  On the other hand, they didn't ask.  But then again, they did give me credit for the photo, and linked to my website and other social media sites.

I looked up information on what to do if someone uses your photo without your permission and found this, one of many articles about it.  I've read this stuff in the past, but never in the past have I come across my own photo on the web.  

I briefly considered how they used the photo, and decided it really wasn't all that bad.  In the meantime, I'm going to check with a friend who knows more about this and see what they think.

But until then, I decided to go with Option #1.

The "Do Nothing" option.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2013: Mine Is Easy To Spot
2012: Oh, For The Love Of Food
2011: Blintzes On Broadway
2010: Watt A Work Of Art – Part One
2009: Salena Javier Barcelona
2008: Road To Bangor
2007: Horton Hatches A Plaza
2006: Crack Whores For Everyone!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!