Category Archives: Uncategorized

I looked out the back door at the deck and Brian had built a snowman.  It was perfect snowman snow, so I don’t blame him.  Before too long he had been all dressed up and was ready for action. Scott … Continue reading →

When the average person thinks of Italy they often think of the Big Three:  Rome, Florence, and Venice.  Lots of art, architecture, and museums.  Very few people think of bucolic backwater villages and abandoned stone farm buildings. Sicily is, on … Continue reading →

Driving in Italy is different. What passes for normal traffic flow in Italy would be considered incredibly rude in the States, even in Chicago. The way it works is this: The pipe is of a certain size, and it allows … Continue reading →

…and I am very, very happy.  U. Wisconsin Press stopped in to see our book buyer and left a few samples.  This one came to me (thanks, Sasha). This is an awesome book…excellent photos, good taxonomy hints, and locations in … Continue reading →

Here’s a word that I love.  Then again, I love a lot of words.  This one just is fun to write, and fun to say, and what’s more wonderful, it’s the perfect word to describe Palermo. The word is palimpsest … Continue reading →

From November 1981 to March 1982 I lived in Monreale. I was also woefully ignorant of everything about what Monreale was and why it was pretty amazing. Monreale comes from its earlier Latin/Italian name of Monte Reale, or Royal Mountain, … Continue reading →

This was an ad in a trade rag called Retail Traffic, mostly about the business of retail real estate, REITs, etc. Chloroform in print, mostly. But this ad caught my eye. And froze my heart. And congealed my liver, spleen, … Continue reading →

“The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.”   Gandhi. Well, that just about locks it down, doesn’t it?  This … Continue reading →

…but aren’t. This comes from driving 1800 kilometers last week in a Nissan Note, a 5-speed diesel that got 40 mpg over a week of mountainous roads and chaotic Palermo traffic (it’s like a demolition derby except you don’t actually … Continue reading →

Ortigia, the old quarter of Siracusa. The Good News: We got home.  The trip was wonderful (more on that later).  Ian had a great time, I had a great time. The Bad News: If something can be screwed up on … Continue reading →