What Fills My Plate

 Merry Christmas to everyone.  I wrote this blog in 2020.   However, this year we will go to Lanzarote.  I am determined and with 3rd booster shot.  Here is what I wrote then.    This will be a difficult holiday for most of us.  Back in March I never thought that this covid situation would take so long, at least now it seems that we can see a light at the end of the long tunnel.  Maybe by summer we can move around and enjoy some  travel.  I already have some ideas generating on this.   Right now, on this day, we were to be on Lanzarote Island, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.  We wanted to go and feel the peace that we find there.  It is so quiet, not crowded and the weather at this time of year does not require a jacket.   There is a small market on Saturdays where you can find cheeses, breads, crafts, clothing and even a cigar maker.  There is a big volcano, and a small island off the northern side to visit.   Mainly we sit while I paint while my wife knits and we

 Buon Giorno Bridge from 1100 Winter arrived yesterday with a dusting of snow, and we are projected to have more than a week of  cloudy skies.  Even though the weather experts have predicted this, the sun just broke through to bring out the birds to dine in our feeder.  Right now two doves are shoulder to shoulder porking out, while once in awhile looking up to see if danger is coming.  I think they are making up for yesterday where it was too cold to make a visit. The virus continues to rise here in Italy, although a bit slower.  We are being told that during the holiday we will not be allowed to leave our municipality.  The are still working on the details on this rule, which should be finalized by tomorrow.  Life goes on here, as I have reported, everyone still wearing masks, and doing it correctly I might add.  I see people wearing them while driving.  I would hate to wear a mask all day at work, they are a pain, and get bothersome as I am sure you know. I wanted to show you an old

  From My Village By Train in 40 Minutes Welcome back to my What’s On My Plate blog.   Today I just wanted to capture a small snapshot of life in my small village.    You could drive through it in only 4 minutes.    I will relate what I saw in our main piazza.   What happens here, I believe,   is typical of most small towns and villages in Italy.   In the next few minutes you can read a bit about a typical morning in Italy.   Let’s start off with a visit inside the town hall we call Municipio. I went in for   a short visit with our town mayor in his office.   Mayors are called Sindaco in Italy and like any town around the world they do their best to keep the lid on things.   Right now he is very concerned with the virus and the economy.   Money is tight, and he has to juggle upkeep of the village and the resources to pay for it.   My mayor is young, likeable, and has a genuine smile.   He tells me that he is a secondary math educator when he is not sitting in the Sindaco’s chair.   My

This blog post will include some of my latest paintings that have just arrived from the framer.  I rarely get to show them matted in a frame.  I will include a short description with each one. There is a river near Puerto Vallarta, quite close to where Elizabeth Taylor made a movie.  This house was set in the jungle, and I added the lady with her laundry, changed much of the foliage and added the boat. Joan of Arc received the leadership of the army of France in this castle, Chinon, France.  Chinon is also known for its wonderful red wine. The old center of Chania, Greece, has tiny streets and the architecture is Venetian.  I found this priest added much to the feeling of this composition.  But to me, it is all about that blue door. Budapest is a beautiful city and we found this not so old castle with a lot of charm.   This is also found at that castle in Budapest, on the right side of the last painting.    An old church in St. Petersburg, Russia. My friend Jonathan Barker allowed me t

 Ciao tutti, Hello everyone. Several years ago I visited the house of Marco Polo in Venezia Today I am looking out my window and seeing a blue sky and the day is just about as perfect as it could be.  However, in a few hours the rain will arrive in the big clouds that are building over the volcanic hills nearby.  We have had a wonderful August and September this year.  If we had tourists, they would be having a memorable visit.  Now is the perfect time to paint Italy, no tourists in the scenery.   Yesterday I voted in Italy's election.  The process is about the same as in the United States, but the lines are not as long and everything seems to go faster.  Elections here are held on weekends so that everyone has a chance to vote.  A second day is open for voting on Mondays.  Many merchants who have small shops do not have them open on Monday morning, so this helps them to have the time to vote.   Upon arriving at the middle school I see a huge chart with all the parties and individu

  Country Road Scenery Slovenia There is a magical place in the small country of Slovenia.  Slovenia is located just above and to the right of Italy.  This posting will attempt to show you just how special it is.   4 Hours From Our Home Is Kog We went to a tiny village called Kog, located in the upper right hand corner near the boarders of Croatia, Hungary and just a bit farther one can find Austria.  Therefore, you can expect that the houses in Slovenia to look quite a bit like ones you will find in those countries.  Many are covered with flowers near windows and in front to greet everyone with a smile and a good feeling.  Rows and Rows of Vines   Kog is famous for a wine maker named Milan Hlebec, and this area is called Jeruzalem Road.  The hills are crammed with grape vines of many types, and if the hillsides are touched by the sun, there will be vines.  You will find other crops growing, but mostly for family use.  Most of the villages are located at the top of the rolling hills, w