Florence Dinner with Bill and Kathy

 

Piazzale Michelangelo

  

 

This was Sunday at the scenic overlook at “Piazzale Michelangelo.” This is a favorite go to spot to view the beautiful city of Florence from above. I asked Aria if the campground still exists next to the Piazzale and she sent me an article “see in comments” which says a new park has replaced the old campgrounds”. Sounds lovely though I have such wonderful memories of my first trip to Europe 1971 and camping there high above the city. At the time they provided a free shuttle down the hill to city center.

 

A Sunday Reunion

 We had a wonderful time with Mike’s Professor today. It made me so happy to see the two together again just as they were years ago, advisor and student chatting intently about all things Physics related. It was such a treat to be together reminiscing about old times at UCLA, a 1978 trip to Europe when we spent some days together in Holland and catching up on what our respective grown children are up to. After breakfast we took a private path to a secluded beach. More chatting with a lovely view. A very special reunion day.

A short walk through the neighborhood to a private pathway to the beach.

 

Reunion With Seth

Strawberry Summer Cake

 

 

Tomorrow we’re driving out to Malibu for a reunion with Mike’s UCLA Physics doctoral Professor, Dr. Seth Putterman. Not only was he a wonderful mentor but through the years a great friend to both of us. I just baked a Strawberry Summer cake. It’s a recipe my cousin Pati sent me that sounded so good.   I wish you could have smelled the delicious fragrance of this cake baking!

 https://smittenkitchen.com/2011/05/strawberry-summer-cake/

you can also do a sheet cake 

 https://smittenkitchen.com/2019/06/strawberry-summer-sheet-cake/

 

Florence This Week of June 23rd

 Sofia has been having the best time with her teen cousin Filomena (from Basilicata) visiting with the family this week. Rocco loved having his cousin visit his school for family day lunch. He learned to bake challah in class! Michael loves cuddles from his cousin too! So the summer days go…

 

cousin Filomena visits

Lizzie visits

 

Some Good Thoughts

Anything IS possible.  "You are never given a wish without also being given

the power to make it true"

 "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

 

"One's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

"We all have access to genius."

"Genius is a the result of focused attention on a subject."

"You cannot get poor enough to help poor people thrive or sick enough to help sick people get well."

"The cure for boredom is curiosity.  There is no cure for curiosity."

Off the Hook

 

Another caper with my partner in crime Sherri.  Yummy lobster roll from “Off the Hook”. Not a bad haul.

 

Sofia Contemplating in Firenze

 

Julian's 2nd Birthday

 

 June is the birthday month of both grandsons in Australia. This week Julian Elio turned 2 on the 25th. His middle name Elio means “sun” a symbol of light, warmth and life. This name is befitting for this sweet boy who brings all those things to every room he enters . Happy 2nd birthday Julian Elio.