Turkey Day in Tampa: Fun in the Sun

4 seasons are overrated. Nothing beats going to the beach for a Thanksgiving holiday. Though crisp day by Florida standards, the beach was SO beatiful, claimed by my brother in law to be one of the top 10 beaches in the world :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my brief trip to Tampa. We missed a large feast because we flew in on Turkey Day arriving in the evening - we saciated our appitites on 7-11 hot dogs and "lunchables." But the important thing was that we were with our family.

I was able to shoot some pics at the beach... I just sat in my chair and put on my long lens and shot like I was a papparazzo. It was fun! We buried a few of the kids in the sand, where they felt quite at home... hysterical.

Click here to see pics!

Santa Wasn't Expecting Such Excitement

Luckily, we got to meet Santa the other day in downtown Reno. He was willing to take a picture with Dan, Blue and I... as long as proceeds went to charity ;^)

It was a calm day at the North Pole until the Flowers family arrived. Somehow Blue freed himself from Dan's half-hazard grasp, and galloped into Santa's workshop - barely skimming quickly by a few little children, he went straight for the 3 blue haired old ladies in the corner and almost flipped them all. Running like the night after him, I almost broke my back, but I was able to save the all people from our freakishly excited, and hyper little doggie. Once Blue saw the tennis ball, all was OK again. His obsessive personality comes in handy once in a while, particularly when you want a good picture. Just hold the tennis ball next to the camera and you are assured a happy dog looking right into the lens.

What's the Deal with Trader Joes?

Anyone been to Trader Joes recently? Busy, right? I don't get it.... is it only a Reno thing? Why is Trader Joes ALWAYS crazy full of people? As a consultant, I'm loving my flex time these days - the fact that I can run errands in the middle of the day as opposed to lunchtime, after 5 p.m., or on weekends - it is outstanding! It's liberating to shop and not have to stand in line. But Trader Joes is another world.... no matter what time, no matter the day, it is SLAMMED. What is the deal? I love it there I just can't help but feeling that people are always in my space!

The 3 Stooges

My brothers (one is missing) goofing off, dressed in Gramps' old coats and hats. I thought these were hysterical.

Bear Down!

I had to post a recent email that my cousin sent me. My cousin Joe (or Joey as I call him), who currently lives in Wyoming, could be considered an outdoorsman. As a city/suburban gal, some of the stories I hear of the wild tend to shock me a bit from time to time. This is one example...














Joey writes, "I shot a bear last night at about 6:30. She is about a 200lb bear. Will probobly rug out somewhere around 51/2 and 6 foot, I am not 100% sure.

Sorry if i have not called anyone about it. Been so busy. I have to go to a work dinner tonight, was up late last night getting home, and skinned it most of the afternoon.

The coat was amazing, as you can see it was winter at the bait site for about 2 weeks. Baited for about 2 and a half weeks, and she came daily but i never seen her. She was coming in at dark.

After the big storm i started feeding her less and she came more in the day. Last night was the first time i had seen her. I knew from the tracks that it was a good bear. I didnt even hesitate. 1 Shot and she ran about 20 yds and started the death moan."

So-- I'm not exactly used to seeing cold blood on top of snow like that. While I'm clearly a wimp, I know this is a big deal for Joey! I can't wait to see the rug even though I may very well shed a tear when I do... :)

An Epiphany: Well, Sort of.

The other day, I had an epiphany: I expend entirely too many brain cells keeping up with celebrity gossip. When is the last time I watched the news? When is the last time I read a credible paper? When is the last time I read an intelligent magazine? My mind is craving real data about the world. We're at war and yet I am just like the masses who know more about Britney Spears' love life than my own candidates for the next election. So, I'm now reading Time, Money, watching CNN, and driving my husband crazy with questions like: what is our retirement plan? What do we need to be investing and saving now so we aren't bankrupt and on welfare at age 65? Ha! I am way too tense about life in 30 years. But I think I'm getting closer to at least being a responsible citizen. Now I just have to organize the kitchen so we can start recycling again... one thing at a time.

Italy: 3 of 3

Chianti, Southern Tuscany

The last portion of the trip was arguably my favorite. Probably because it was mostly new territory for me. Got to see areas of Italy that artists have captured for centuries... I felt special just to be there among all the beauty. The people in the small towns of Tuscany were so warm and open -- Our host in Greve, Cecilia, made us feel like one of the family. We went wine tasting in the Montalcino region where Brunello is popular - this was very fun b/c it was a true exploration: no one spoke English and we literally just drove blindly onto family properties and they welcomed us with open arms.

View pictures here.