Damn Spam
Sitting in my spam trash are 15,201 spam "comments" that have come in since September 5! (Yes. That's fifteen thousand+.) I've managed to create enough filters that I haven't had to purge each of...
Extra Virgin
At almost 4 months' time here (with a few side trips away) I have now gone through a one liter bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I just bought my second bottle. And by the way, even though I've...
Ambitious Cheese and Such
What a street market! I rose up out of the subway this evening at 6:00 and immediately stepped into a one block section of tented stalls hosting vendors from the many regions of Italy. Wow. Cheeses,...
Fish on a Sunny Day
Wow. An absolutely gorgeous day in Milano. Is this what Fall is like in Italy?! Sunny after some 2:00 a.m., drenching downpours recently. Fresh air, yet nicely warm. No humidity to be bothered with....
I Bought a Branzino!
Nope. It's not a Vespa-type scooter or a little car. It's a little fish. A couple of months ago, while at the Saturday market, I was overwhelmed by the seafood choices I had no familiarity with. No...
Is She Italian?!
Excuse me, but, I've NEVER seen head-to-toe plaid on an Italian woman before. I don't think I've ever seen PLAID (but you KNOW I'm going to start keeping track!) Granted, I've only been here 4...
Gondole e Gondolieri
It seems that gondolas (gondole) are the worldwide symbol of Venice. The tourists love the show of the sleek boats and their often-stripe-shirted boatsmen (gondolieri). By evening time, wandering...
I Love Venice
Journal Entry: 12 September 2009 (I know... It's been a few weeks since I traveled there, but it's been a busy time...) "This place SO stimulates my senses. It absolutely delights my eyes at every...
Milano Cookies & Turkey Dogs
Heading back home to Milan, sitting at Sea-Tac awaiting the Seattle-London-Milan flights after a VERY crazy-busy, chuck-full two weeks here in Seattle. I had thought that some time here would be a...
Leaping Frogs
Just had an hour and a half bike ride. A BIG snake crossed my path. Little frogs jumped out of the mud puddles in front of me as I approached. Something rustled in the grass next to me. No muskrats...
Gleaning the Early Fall Corn Field
When I rode along the canal the other day, sure enough, the corn field had been cut bare. There were two men out gleaning, walking up and down each corn row looking for remnants. They had filled...
Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head*
I HAVE made "Muskrat Cacciatore" before, but that was long ago and far away. It was pretty darned good, (yes, it DID taste "just like chicken") but I think this big guy might be a bit tough. He's...