Vacation Book #1

One of the things I love about vacations - is spending the time in the plane or in the evenings reading.

The first of the books I read in Italy this month was "The Cellist of Sarajevo" by Steven Galloway.   I thought the book was very good.  I do believe you can learn allot from novels.  Premise was how people stay human in inhumane circumstances.   You can read a review at this link http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=hardcover:sale:9781594489860:15.36

I was taken by a quote since I am a pessimist and at work they say they only want optimists.  I say that there is nothing wrong with pessimism as long as you have drive for results.  Pessimists tend to be realists and address how to make things better.

"Do you know the difference between an optimist and a pessimist?...A pessimist says "O dear, things can't possibly get any worse.  And an optimist says "Don't be so sad.  Things can always get worse".

Maybe it is better to be a pessimist - you tend to do things about the situation.

Sunday in Florence

Since it is Sunday - I thought I would share one of the MANY pictures of the cathedral in Florence (which we visited last Saturday).  Very impressive.  Many of the facades of the churches in that part of the country are multi-colored.  This picture doesn't show that as well as others I took since it was a grey, misty day.

Under the Tuscan Rain

Just got back last night from a week long tour of the Tuscany region in Italy.  All the tour guides laughed and welcomed us to the "Tuscan Sun".  November is their rainy session and we had rain most days.  But it was still one of the best vacations I have had.  I loved the area.  I really felt like I belonged there.

I am still sorting though pictures but the one here is from region around San Gimignano.   Some very subtle fall colors.