Saturday, March 31, 2007

On Fire Island, March 30, 2007


The boat is now in the water and we just had to visit Fire Island and see what changes the winter has made on the beach.
Not much as changed....nature has been good to the dunes.
The beach seemed very wide, but that may be temporary due to the tide and season.
I'm looking forward to returning next week; hopefully there will be less wind in the air and a warmer sun.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Lost: one hat

The boat is in the water and where did we go for a "splash down" cruise?
Fire Island, of course!
I was playing with the lost and found post at Barrett Beach.
No other people, just us.
Great day, even though it was windy and cool.
It had the promise of better days to come.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

daffodils in April


daffodils in April
Originally uploaded by Alida's Photos.



My daffodils from last year.....

They are starting to come in, but today on Long Island, it is a little colder again, so their growth may slow down.

In about a week or so they will look like this, full of color and searching for the sunshine.

Just like me.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

the hat on the chair

The hat is there waiting....waiting for a ride. The sun is setting. It's too late now. That's what happens when you wait too long.
But the hat will still be there tomorrow.
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To my family and friends: are you just a little confused?
It's just me, playing with light and shadows and words.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Getting the Boat Ready...

My husband Chris, getting the boat ready for splash down. It goes into the water this week...
Shine that hull!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Welcome Spring!

Fire Island and the snow....
With warm, sunny weather yesterday, the snow melted quickly.
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Click on each photo to see the larger version!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Fire Island and Winter

Snow has fallen on Fire Island.
It is still a beautiful place to be, to walk and enjoy the outdoors.
Drive to Robert Moses State Park and park in Field 5.
It is a short walk along the boardwalk.
You may see deer and you will see a beautiful, peaceful island.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Fire Island in snow....

A panoramic shot of Fire Island, taken today.
The walkways and sand dunes were covered with snow, but it was beautiful!
I was surprised to see so many people walking the beach.
I guess a sunny day get everyone motivated to walk.
Where better to walk than the beach?
Click on the photo to see a larger version.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Road to Agrigento, the town of my maternal grandparents....


An artichoke.....Produce in Sicily is usually sold with leaves intact, to show freshness!

Click each photo to enlarge and see more details.

An olive tree that is said to be 2,500 years old. In Agrigento you need a permit to cut down an olive tree, I'm told.
This is near the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento...

Thursday, March 15, 2007

More of Sicily

Ear of Dionysius....a cave in Siracusa, Sicily. It is said to have unusually wonderful acoustics. Water was channeled from the top of the cave to help excavate the quarry stone.

Riding a bike through the streets in Sicily is a common mode of transportation.

Marsala, Sicily

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Touring Sicily

I often have to take a break from posting photos of Long Island. After all, Long Island women do go on vacation. It also give me new and interesting object to photograph.
My most recent vacation....Sicily!
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The ancient Greek ruins and the town of Agrigento...beautiful countryside, wonderful people, and the ancient ruins from Greek period.



Beautiful rolling hills filled with lush green vegetation and lots of wildflowers...


Villa Romana de Piazza Armerina....Mosaics from an ancient Roman Villa, set into the floor of this estate.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Tourism in Sicily

Tourism is one of the major industries in Sicily. The economy cannot be sustained by agriculture or fishing alone.
Unemployment, I was told, is about 20%.
The people seem to be happy and healthy, so I guess it is not such a major problem. Somehow people make enough money to enjoy life, share a good meal with family and friends, sit at the coffee bar and enjoy a coffe and conversation.
A big bonus: health care is free from the government, so that is one big worry/expense that is non-existent.

The fishing village of Cefalu...the boats are in, waiting for the warmer weather.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Agrigento, Sicily


Agrigento, Sicily

My mother's parents were from Agrigento. I never got to meet them but the people I met in this city are wonderful. Everyone smiled at the Americans with the cameras and wanted to stop us and communicate. "Where are you from?" "Oh, New York! You have family from Argrigento?"

As my husband and I walked through the narrow streets, one lady wanted to know why I was walking around with a short-sleeve shirt. "Aren't you cold?" I could understand even though my Italian is limited to a few words. It was 65 degrees F (about 18 C) and the Sicilians were wearing winter coats...no kidding....heavy coats with fur collars. I was so warm and over-heated from walking up and down those many hills and steps.

Every street twists and turns and brings you to another hill or staircase through an alleyway. I loved it!!! I could feel the history and thought of my grandparents having to leave this country for a better life. I can't imagine how poor and/or desperate they must have been to want to leave such a beautiful country.

It was Sunday and I could hear the pots banging in the kitchens, and ladies speaking Italian...and the smells!....wonderful tomato sauce cooking for Sunday dinner. It brought back wonderful memories from my old Brooklyn. Brooklyn was like that at one time, a lifestyle taken from the "old country."

I wish I had met my grandparents.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Sewing the nets....Cefalu, Sicily


Cefalu...


The Sicilian town of Corleone...selling fennel


The men of Corleone...friendly and eager to communicate with Americans.
Marsala, Sicily...


Palermo....fishing boats


The town of Cefalu....


Cefalu, Sicily...
Arriving in Italy...


Palermo....


The ruins in Segesta, Sicily...


The town of Marsala..... Posted by Picasa