I was recently in Boston. I went with my friends to Rockport, a beautiful coastal town. We enjoyed walking around, seeing the shops, the marina, the seagulls.
Suddenly, I heard, “Hey, look at that sunflower! Still hanging on.”
I went to take a closer look at it. It was so cold, I had to have gloves on, so this was a hardy sunflower.
Rockport was a pretty little town. A few more pictures for you.
It’s fun to explore new areas.
A beautiful sunset in Michigan. The only thing missing are the sound of the waves…
Later clouds were coming in.
Another great photo, but the IPhone always has that “green dot,” so hard to get rid of it.
We’re moving into August. Soon it will be Fall.
ENJOY the weekend!
Yesterday I was working, completely forgot about the SpaceX Dragon landing. For some reason, I turned the news on, just in time to see the landing. It was beautiful and exciting.
Our astronauts are home!
Welcomed by dolphins! That was AMAZING!
While I’m not Irish, it’s fun to celebrate with my Irish friends. This morning they were showing the St Patrick’s Day parade going on in Dublin. My daughter lived in Ireland for five years. She said this is indeed their biggest holiday.
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Maybe we all find a pot of gold. I do enjoy their sheep. 😉☘️🇮🇪
You might enjoy this story. Recently, as I was traveling and connecting flights, I had to go through Passport Control. As you know, this is always stressful. The lines can be long, we hope it won’t take forever.
When it was my turn, I walked up to the window. I pulled out my passport, I heard a clink, I didn’t think much of it, but wondered why the Agent was looking at me so seriously. They do have intimidating looks.
THEN he lifted up my Angel coin and said, “Is this YOURS?”
“Wow, why YES,” I said smiling.
He tried to keep his serious composure, but had a grin. I told him, ”This is a special moment for both of us! What were the chances that this would happen? Thank you for giving it back!”
I often have an Angel coin in my purse. Somehow, the Angel coin ended up in the pages of my passport.
I hope I’ve made you smile. We never know what surprises await us from day to day!
That day, I did feel like I was being “watched over,” and I bet that Agent felt the same. At least he had a funny story to tell when he took a break.
While in Florence, I walked through the Sister’s garden after breakfast every day. While it wasn’t a huge garden, it was a nice size. I was amazed at all the fruits / vegetables / flowers they had.
I loved the shape of this olive tree. Turning the corner, I saw this huge tree with pomegranates. I eat them, but I’ve never seen how they grow.
I had no idea what this was… ANYONE? The Canadians I met didn’t know either.
They had an over abundance of red peppers. They start out green, then turn red.
Their roses had the most fragrant smell.
A shamrock…
Rosemary, time to cook!
Finally, a pigeon. My grandmother used to feed the pigeons that came to her window every morning. So, I smiled when I saw this one, all alone
I enjoyed the peaceful garden walks every morning with a quick stop in the Chapel. The Nuns were putting fresh roses from the garden in the vase for the alter. It was nice to see them.
Every day is full of surprises. While in Florence, I stayed at Holiday House Borgo Pinti, run by the Oblate of Assumption Sisters. A beautiful sanctuary located behind the Duomo, a ten minute walk. Religious stays are interesting. Each place quite different; however, the common theme is peacefulness.
Every morning, after breakfast, I would walk in their beautiful garden, filled with roses.
On this particular morning, as I walked by this statue. I stopped in front of it, listening to the birds singing. For some reason, I looked down and something “white” caught my attention.
As you can see. I was walking on gravel, all the stones seem to meld together.
As I bent down, I found this, “Make a Wish” stone with a feather close by. How lovely.
Some Canadians were walking by, I showed them. One of them immediately said, “that’s a dandelion,” there is spiritual significance in that. I hadn’t noticed the dandelion. I was focused on the words, “Make a Wish.”
This was important, staying at a spiritual place, behind the Duomo. A wish could come true! I looked up at the sky, sun shinning, thought of my Italian grandmother, was this HER doing?
Sure enough, in researching the spiritual meaning of the dandelions, it is said they provide resilience, hope, transformation, new beginnings and the ability to manifest desires. Wow, I sure needed that!
So, with the holiday season here. We have many challenges in life. I share this with YOU.
MAKE… YOUR… WISH!!
Miracles happen…AND… follow your instincts, ie me looking down and finding this stone.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As I was exploring small streets, I came across Dante’s Church with all of these “love locks.” Will they work? I think it is the ritual for people / couples, to add a lock, and “feel” their love lasts forever, right?!
In that frame of mind, I saw these teddy bears in a window, positioned in such a humorous way. I thought of an older couple, comfortable in their relationship.
Of course, we must see a Pinocchio. Again, another humorous siting, next to Tigger. Whatever sells, right!
I walked by this toy store. I liked the world puzzle map they had. In America, we are focused on the 50 states and American history. Yet, our kids still need to learn more about the World.
This was funny. I was sitting and having a gelato. Different tourists walking by. I heard this man telling a younger guy he was with. If we get separated, just look for my green shoes. Of course, my ears perked up, I looked and he was right… no chance of missing the “green shoes.” Brilliant idea!
I discovered this shop with the most beautiful colored pencils. I have not heard of this Italian brand, Fabriano. I liked the pouch the colored pencils were in. I wish I was an artist, I would have bought them.
Of course, I have to end with a photo of the Ponte Vecchio. Gold prices were so high, that they don’t have beautiful jewelry anymore. Also, there is an owner that must own 7-10 shops on the bridge. They sell the same jewelry, so it was a bit boring looking in the windows. This is a view of the entire bridge.
I’ve been to Florence, so I was not there as a tourist. I mean, touring monuments, etc. This time, I was just going around. I walked the streets, I had walked with my Florentine grandmother when she was alive. One thing I forgot to do, was walk back to see her home, etc. Next time, there’s always a next time.
Ah, Florence!
I was recently in Florence, Italy. My mother was born / raised there, so it feels like a second home. I was fortunate, there were not many tourists. I was able to walk the streets and actually “see” the buildings, etc.
And guess what I saw… YES, a Starbucks! Amazing how they are everywhere. You’d think in Italy, they have the best coffee, who would go to Starbucks? Obviously, people go. Same with McDonald’s which is by the train station, always packed with people.
I noticed that more cafes offer coffee to go. Years past, that was not an option.
Oh, and of course, I saw the Apple Store too.
Imagine walking by the Duomo and being able to walk right in, no long line. That hasn’t happened in years. I lit a candle, look how full, so many prayers.
It’s interesting, no matter how many times I go to Florence, I still take photos of the Duomo as if it is the very first time. I was thinking about that this trip when I took photos.
Did I need another photo of the Duomo? YES, of course!
Happy Traveling.
AerLingus sends me promotional deals a few times a week. Normally, I delete them without even a glance. However, back in September, as my father had just passed… I thought, maybe it’s time to go “somewhere.”
One promotion was focused on reduced fares to Europe. I looked and I found a “good deal” to Munich, flying through Dublin. I really enjoy Munich, so I knew being there would lift my spirits.
I enjoy flying AerLingus, they are still clean and orderly when boarding and in flight. I don’t want to bash other airlines, but traveling is not fun anymore. It’s gotten so crazy and chaotic.
Oh, flying is a good time to catch up on movies we haven’t seen. Also, it makes the 7-8 hr flight go by very quickly. I enjoyed this movie, “Wicked Little Letters.” It’s a true story.
Another nice thing about AerLingus is that the flight goes through Dublin, we clear U.S. Customs / Immigration there. So, when we arrive in the U.S., we can immediately head home.
Oh, I smiled at this. When I was in the Munich airport, food choices were healthy sandwiches / big German pretzels. When I got to Dublin, no more sandwiches, instead, a pub and pre-packaged sandwiches (yuck!). The U.S. is the same, hard to find healthy food in an airport. Why is that?
Glad to be home! More to come…
Brilliant Viewpoint 