California Dreaming

Flashback Friday -"Iris" -Goo Goo Dolls

I fell in love when this song was playing, repetitively on the radio. Yes, this was the 1990 's and I still listened to traditional radio. This was before iPod's & Satellite radio. But that's another post.

This song reminds me of the hesitation to make the "great leap" into love. A time where I felt stuck,  un-confident of my life choices.

Then he appeared, my love. I know this sounds like a romance novel. But it wasn't all pink champagne & roses. It felt as I was being tested of my worthiness for this love. This song reminds me of "walking through the fire" to arrive on the other side, to the love that I wanted.

YIKES! I didn't intend to make this post be so somber. Sorry. Anyway John Rzeznik is great to watch, in the video.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

A Walk in the Forest

Every day, I try to walk nature path by my office.

 

It helps to clear the mind and add more pesky steps to my pedometer. The pedometer, that's another post all together!

Sometimes I see other people walking or running or your typical forest creatures. You know, squirrels, birds and lizards.

But this nature trail has Dino Stump!!

 

 

Someone got very creative! Dino Stump started with 3 dinosaurs. Then all of sudden, it became a dinosaur hang out. I am not sure why Tony the Tiger's head showed up. But he looks like he's having a good time.

 

Further down the trail is another hangout with other forest creatures.

The Travelocity Gnome & a zebra??

It's amazing what you find in a forest, in California.

La Dolce Vita

One of my "new" favorite Italian blog sites is Ciao Christy, an Atlanta, GA gal that now lives in Florence, Italy. Every Monday, she and a group of other Italophiles and expats write about the "sweet life" of Italy.

Today is my turn.

One of my last trip's to Italy, I discover the wonderful tradition of "Aperitivo". No, it's not like the USA's "Happy Hour", which usually means discounted drinks and maybe mediocre munchies.  An aperitivo can be anything from a great side spread of wonderful Italian specialities to  a little bowl of chips.

 

After the Roman Death March, I needed to get my mother a glass wine, pronto! The nearest spot was the Snack Bar on Piazza un Piscinula, and here's our aperitivo. See even, the little snack shop provided something for us.

Here's a great explanation of Aperitivo, Italian by Ms. Adventures in Italy.

 

Lucille Ball-Happy Birthday

 

 

To one of the most entertaining and funny comedians,

Happy 100th Birthday, Lucille Ball!

 

100th Post-HOPE-Shaggy

Yep, this is my 100th post!

I can't believe that I have written 100 posts, on this little, invisible blog.

Because of your support, inspiration and point of view, that I am driven to carrying on with my chaotic thoughts.

So in honor of you, here's one of my favorite motivational songs, Hope.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Summer Blues & Roman Memories

As I try to slog through these summer blues; I find myself looking back to past trips for escape.

Like this trip to Rome.

Palentine Hill

I remember how my mom was being a good sport by walking to the Coliseum from our rental. Unfortunately, she would refer to this day as "The Death March"!

 

 

It didn't help that I was paranoid of pick pockets. Which translated into I wouldn't refer to a map. Basically I took my mother the "long way", on a very warm day.

Coliseum-side view

 

On a positive note, we did find the Coliseum.

 

Now that I have tripped down memory lane, I do feel like I have traveled to a distant land. This has help keep the summer blues in the background, for the time being.