Fall 2010 - School is back and the cycle continues

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele Milan, Italy Aug. 2010

I couldn't resist posting on of my favorite photos from the trip to Italy. I'm trying to stretch out the pleasure and the fun feelings of that trip, I hope they last a long time. Funny to see McDonalds in this photo, even though this mall dates back to early times - built in 1865 if I am remembering correctly. I think this was the first indoor mall ever. Even before Meadowbrook Mall!

This was a wonderful fall weekend, just cool enough and beautiful, no rain. (Although they are saying how much we need rain.) We must have been really tired, we spent most of Friday trying to get a little done around our house, but mostly sleeping in the La-Z-Boys. Watched a little TV movies, but not much else. By Saturday, we did manage to go walking at one of our nearby parks, Black Hills Regional. I'm really glad we did, although they are doing some changes to our best trail there. This required climbing over a small chain link fence, into the area of our old trail. They appear to be spending some tax dollars "improving" a trail that we really liked the way it was. I don't want it paved and I don't want it "relocated" close to the park road. Oh Well. I do not like the "climb this fence" part of that hike, but Ed kept saying "It will be alright, that DO NOT ENTER sign does not mean us." Anyway, it was fine.

We loved watching the WVU game! Goooo Mountaineers!!

We got my car washed, but I still can't figure out how to get the bubble gum off the door jamb and a little on the bottom of my door. Don't want to hurt the finish, just remove the pink goo. Hmm...

I guess I am trying to survive menopause. I complain (a lot) and ache a lot. I'll get past this I know.

We had fun going to a movie in Bethesda, and then to dinner at Mon Ami Gabi. I had the salmon, it was really good. (and I know, it was good for me.) The movie was "The Kids are Alright" - about a couple that has children through a sperm donor and then the kids look him up with they are teens. It was an OK movie.

On Monday I managed to finish running the sweeper in our condo, so now we look a bit neater here. Took me all weekend to accomplish just that much. Gheeze.

We walked on both Sunday and Monday at my favorite, Brookside Gardens. As always, this place is so peaceful and beautiful. I just love this place.

Today is the first day of school for many. Ed and I thought about how tough it was for our two kids to start new schools in California and then the 2nd year, to be in yet another new school situation. I guess you spend many years trying to be the best parent you can be, then a lot of years looking back and second guessing yourself. There just aren't any rule books for parenting.
We're so glad and very lucky that we have the two kids we have. They showed their strength and tenacity in not only surviving, but thriving.

We managed to go to Harris Teeter on Monday, and stock up our kitchen for another week. We had rotisserie chicken and corn on the cob for dinner, very good!

So, we're off to another beautiful fall. I'm so looking forward to this coming week, as it is already Tuesday, so I only have to survive 3 more work days! Then I can "Walk a little more now, so I can walk a little more later." as my old trainer used to tell me.

My lunch at the Olympic Museum, Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerand 08/2010

Ah, the salad with broiled chicken, Gruyere cheese and fresh ingredients...the ubiquitous tour book at my left, my tour guide Ed at my right.

The view! That was the most amazing thing really, but the Alps are obscured by the nice cool Coca-Cola Lights. We are seated at the restaurant at the top of the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, Lausanne, Switzerland. We choose outdoor seating for the wonderful weather, the views of Lake Geneva, and the mountains. It does not disappoint!

This is one really beautiful spot. There are a lot of sculptures on the walk to this place. Nearly all of them celebrate the human body, it is beautiful and a lot of fun.

the Musee d'Art et d'Histoire Geneva, Switzerland August 4, 2010

And this one at Chateau D'Gruyere

I wanted to share these photos of a couple of the most interesting suits of armor we got to see on our trip.
There were also some of the neatest swords, some so massive, we can only dare to envision the size of the warrior that could wield such a sword. Looked like some of the swords would weigh a hundred pounds.
There were also many many many guns of all types and ages, some so beautiful you had to gasp at the workmanship and the inlays.
It just lends itself to letting you imagine a whole other world.

Controversial Matter

OK.
In my daily work I need to monitor several blog postings that deal with medical issues and technology issues our library will be involved with.
In the course of this, I regularly monitor the SSP's Scholarly Kitchen. This is one very respected and insightful blog, with lots of new cool hip views on our technology innovations and how we interact with health information. I really have seen great things on this blog.

The latest posting from them is really really interesting.
WARNING: It has the "f" word, if you are offended, please do not view this. If you are at work, it might be wise to turn down your volume.

Here is the link to the blog: http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2010/08/27/penn-teller-on-the-vaccines-and-autism-debate-if-only-all-science-communication-were-this-good/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScholarlyKitchen+%28The+Scholarly+Kitchen%29

Joey's Day in Gruyere and Our Day in Gruyere

Interesting how similar and yet how different Gruyere looks in different weather. It is so very beautiful there.

Sunday evening in Maryland

This is the little man made lake at Rio Center. They were having free music, with TWO live bands playing, one at each end of the lake. We walked the lake trail around and listened to the music. It was awesome! What a nice place. Because a lot of people here are speaking in a foreign language (Spanish here) we still felt like we were traveling.

This was a quiet weekend for us. We are still recovering from our trip to see Joey. We were able to pick up our car (Pacifica), now fixed, thankfully. We are trying still to get some estimates on having some remodeling done in our kitchen. We look forward to having a better use of our space.

We were able to reach Joey briefly by Skype at the Copenhagen airport, but our connection was not so great.

We went to the Rio Center, near Gaithersburg, to see a Robert Duvall movie "Get Low". Great movie, crowded theater, I think every seat was taken, but it was a small theater. Robert Duval was amazing.

Old Town in Geneva, Switzerland

One thing I enjoy so much about traveling is seeing lovely things like these windows. I've always enjoyed how we all handle our windows, and these are two lovely examples that I especially liked.

Lake Geneva celebrations! Aug 2010

Can you make out the huge coctail glasses filled with fruit drinks (avec alcool) (with alcohol)

Joey and I did indulge - and it was awesome! Geneva has some kind of festival along the shoreline at this time of year. It was a little like going to a fair.

Geneva from Milan via train Monday 08/09/2010

Our last day!

Train ride was more fun, we sat with an 81 year old Italian lady from Bergamo, near Milan. She was cool. The guy across the aisle was from Paris and spoke French only.
The conversation was amazing, with Joey in Italian and French, Ed in English, which no one but Joey spoke. Lots of laughter and chatter.

View of Mont Blanc from that last Hotel by the airpot in Geneva. Our last night.

It was often difficult to post to my blog, if not impossible. We had barriers with Connecivity and electrical current. and Fatigue!

Milan to Lake Como by Train 08/08/2010 Sunday

Milan - Galleria - The Last Supper and Castello Sforesco 08/07/2010

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele - Build in about 1865

This was the day we took an organized tour with an English speaking guide. I had arranged this from the Internet. I was glad it turned out to be OK and not a scam. It was great! The tour guide was good and the tour allowed us to see the Duomo, the Last Supper, Museums, the Castle Sforzesco, and the amazing shopping district. The women in Milan are super skinny for the most part. They do dress differently than I do, for sure.

We really enjoyed Milan. It was not as clean as Geneva is. Everything in both places is so old comparatively speaking. Lots of history.

We went out to eat at a restaurant recommended by TripAdvisor, and it was CLOSED. Seems the Italians take August as a Holiday for the most part. After some walking, we found our way to another one. Very good food.

The next evening, our taxi driver got us lost and left us miles away from where we needed to be. We finally made our way back to civilization, with the help of Joey's Italian skills and the lady pharmacist that couldn't speak English but helped us anyway.
Walking at night around the piazzo was amazing and fun. Lots of coffee and gelato places and people to see.

The Piazza Duomo, Milan, Italy.

Piazza Duomo - Piazza della Scala

Train to Milan Italy 08/06/2010

The train trip through the Alps to Northern Italy is awesome. It circumvents Lake Geneva for a couple hours, then more through the countryside and tunnels through the Alps. It was about 4 hours. The train seats were grouped in 4's - facing each other. Joey was across the aisle from us. We had two Italian young women with 3 children across from us in the two seats facing us. The kids were actually good little kids, which was a blessing. They spoke no English that we know of, we heard them speak to each other in Italian and French.
Agriculture is subsidized in Switzerland, as it is in the USA. There are a lot of vineyards that we saw.

Lake Maggiorie is one of the largest Italian lakes in the Lombardi Lake District. Very handsome lake!
We were happy to reach Milan. I was trying to use the toilet in the train station, but it required a Euro, of which I had none. I found the toilets, but then had to go find a person to give me a Euro. This turned out to require my passport and, of course, credit card. It was like an episode of the Amazing Race. Finally, I can use the potty!

Ed and Joey walking to the Hotel Berna in Milan. Ready for a good nights rest. This was another "tourist class" hotel, although a little more expensive than the one in Geneva. Nice Italian linens though, and a bidet. Beautiful room, quiet and lovely.
Dinner this night is an unforgettable "red fish" recommended by our waitress. It was deboned at the table and it was really good, with fresh homemade pasta. Great food!!

Gruyere, Switzerland on 08/05/2010

This is taken from Chateau Gruyere. Amazing place!



The rain brought out the slugs, but that was OK to share the trail with them.



I love the pottery!

This is the Medieval Village of Gruyere, even more picturesque in the mist and rain this day.
Lunch was raclette, which is broiled cheese you rake off the tray onto your boiled pototates and bread, pickles and onions. Yummy! It was fun to sit on this patio, dining under an awning and watching people struggle with the rain, enjoying bubbling warm cheese.
Chateau Gruyere was amazing and exciting to explore. It was a pouring rain day, but that made the photos show up so much better, amazing colors.

Almost there in this photo.


This trail gets steeper as we go. Whew!


People here walk a lot, and so did we. In the rain. And the humidity. But it still was so much fun.

They really do make cheese here, huge copper kettles! Lots of cows! Yummy cheese.


Back on the train to Geneva at day's end... but wait, the day isn't over. We meet Joey for dinner with Christina, a girl from Utah and we have fondu in a really nice restaurant near the United Nations Headquarters.