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. 
The boat is in the water and where did we go for a "splash down" cruise? 
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.
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.
My husband Chris, getting the boat ready for splash down. It goes into the water this week...
Fire Island and the snow....
Snow has fallen on Fire Island.
A panoramic shot of Fire Island, taken today. 
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.
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.
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.
Tourism is one of the major industries in Sicily. The economy cannot be sustained by agriculture or fishing alone. 
The fishing village of Cefalu...the boats are in, waiting for the warmer weather.
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.
