Category Inspire

Virtual walks… Italy – it’s FUN!

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When COVID hit last year, we were finding new ways to exercise. Suddenly, virtual walks became really popular. I just did a virtual walk in Ireland with Fleet Feet. I liked it, it motivated me to log my miles every day, not fall behind.

When that walk ended, I took a break for a month. I noticed that without the challenge, I lacked the same motivation for walking. I walked, but not with the determination. It does HELP to have a challenge. Add friends for accountability – perfect!

My friend told me about The Conqueror website. Being Italian, I had to sign up for the St Francis Way challenge. I’m enjoying the walk and looking up new cities on the way from Florence to the Vatican in Rome. Some of the towns are really small, not many people.

In case you are wondering, I am not affiliated with The Conqueror website. Just sharing. The Ireland Fleet Feet challenge was nice, but not easy to log the miles. So, helpful to share with each other. If we are going to spend $$, good to find the BEST virtual site out there.

Now, putting gym shoes on, heading to CONSUMA, ITALY. Looked it up, many things to see/do: wineries, vineyards, castles, zip line, religious sites, art galleries and more.

Of course, a GELATO at the end of the walk!

Memories of my Italian grandmother…

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I enjoy knitting. I go through phases though, sometimes no knitting and other times I find knitting therapeutic. Not long ago, I was in a buy yarn, knit scarfs mode. Scarfs are easy. I wanted a pattern where I didn’t have to think about the pattern.

This scarf was easy and I loved the blue color. My Italian grandmother taught me how to knit. It was interesting, because she didn’t speak English, so I had to watch, try and look to her expressions for approval. I either got the “Si, bene (YES, GOOD) or “NO, guarda (NO, LOOK).”

I still have the small mustard colored ball of yarn she taught me with. It’s packed in my treasure chest of memories. Over the years, my treasure chest of memories has gotten smaller and smaller. Old letters thrown out, report cards (do we really need to keep those), old year books, photos (of no real importance)… you get the idea.

So, today, this post is in memory of my Italian grandmother (Nonina). I miss YOU!

In fact, for lunch I will make pastina in brodo. I loved when she made that for me!

MEMORIES — I look forward to traveling to Florence soon.

San Diego: Ships, Horatio Hornblower…

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When I was in San Diego I saw these two ships. I immediately wanted to climb aboard and stand at the helm like Horatio Hornblower OR Errol Flynn as the pirate. If you haven’t seen the Horatio Hornblower series (1998 – 2003), I highly recommend it. While it’s an older show, it’s not outdated. You will be engaged the entire time.

Take a look:

Here was another ship I saw. I didn’t have enough time; otherwise, I would have signed up for the tour.

It’s amazing to see these ships up close. A few years ago when I was in Sardinia there was a tour ship that was on the horizon. It looked BEAUTIFUL, I longed to see it up close there is such a mystery around these ships. In San Diego, I got my chance, they are a work of art. Intricate with all the details. I did not see a plank.

I hope you enjoy these ships as I did.

LAND AHOY!!

Birthday Surprise: Beer & Goats

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Who says birthdays are boring?

My daughter surprised her boyfriend with a Brews n “Baahhs” birthday celebration. For an hour they visited with the goats, then they were rewarded with craft beer.

She enjoyed the goats, he enjoyed the beer.

Life is about finding new adventures!

You’ve got to read this book, see the title…

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A week ago, I was bored with what I was reading. Good books, but they weren’t catching my attention. I’m sure you’ve been there. When we keep reading the same paragraph over and over, it just won’t sink in. I even fast forwarded to the middle of the book to read a few paragraphs – NOPE, my interest in the story was not going to improve.

So, I went to the online library and started browsing. This book by Jack Canfield / Gay Hendricks, You’ve Got to Read This Book!, came up. The title alone got me hooked.

I’m half way through, and I gotta say, it’s a good title, good book. Great stories of people’s lives, some hardships and/ or how they got where they are. Somehow, this book has my attention. I think I like the short story aspect and learning about different people.

Time to head to a bookstore…

Spring / Summer — going to the beach, longing for a book to actually hold and read. Miss hardcover books, too much online reading.

Here’s to exploring the bookstore and buying a new book!

ART NEWS – SOLD – World’s Largest Painting, $62M, Dubai Auction

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When I say, “world’s largest painting,” I mean Guinness World Record. Imagine 17,000 sq ft equivalent to 2 football fields or 4 basketball courts of art. That’s a lot of work. “The Journey of Humanity” consists of 70 art panels.

This is a fabulous story of Sacha Jafri, British Artist, who took advantage of COVID lockdown in Dubai to create a painting that would raise money for charity (disadvantaged children specifically). What is really wonderful and inspiring is that he included children’s art from around the world into his painting. His goal was to raise $30 million, he doubled that raising $62 million.

Crypto businessman Andre Abdoune from France purchased the entire painting. Abdoune plans to build a museum for this painting. So happy to hear this, because the painting as a whole tells a story of COVID, lockdown, children suffering, etc. It should be seen as “one” piece.

I’m not an art expert, so glad by chance I came upon this article. I wish the media would share MORE stories like this. It proves there is more LOVE than hate in this world. Do away with the negative media and our world would start to work together and flourish.

I look forward to hearing more about Sacha Jafri in the future!

Photography: Snow Sculpture… Exercise…

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When exercise pays off…

Look how beautiful. Now, it looks like this is an elephant sculpture with snow on it. Could it be a man made snow sculpture? How would they get the trunk to stay up?

On to my next adventure. Oh, I did see that someone still had their Christmas decorations up. A 5 foot Nutcraker in their yard. It’s time to put that one in the attic.

The birds have gone back into hibernation. No more chirping.

More snow this weekend.

I’m sharpening my writing pencils. Let the creativity continue!

How do YOU organize your To Do List?

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I saw this picture and I got the biggest chuckle. It’s exactly how my brain works. I like to see everything I need to do at once in bright beautiful colors all over the place. If it is in a notebook, for me, information is lost. Move one Post-It Note and I WILL KNOW – no joke!

Interesting how our individual brains work/process information.

I’ve been reading about Evernote, but there is a monthly charge – don’t want that. Still need Netflix. Hum…

Any other ideas?

Mega Millions Lottery tonight — 1 Billion, GOOD LUCK!

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I don’t really gamble, but the Mega Millions Lottery is up to 1 Billion. It just takes one lucky ticket to win! If we don’t try, we don’t have a chance.

If you stop posting, I guess we’ll KNOW you won. You’ll be on an Island somewhere drinking a margarita and enjoying life.

GOOD LUCK everyone!