Sun drenched Venezia!

Venice, filled with tourists in July, was already buzzing early in the morning.  It  quickly became very warm as we ventured out to explore the magic of the city.  St. Mark's square, a piazza in front of the famous cathedral was filling up with those who were patient enough to wait in the queue for a chance to view inside.  The line was already winding its way around the buildings walls.  (We decided to forgo this idea - mostly because it was so hot already and we had only planned one full day here.)  Although we had not really eaten breakfast - only a few things we had brought from the car - we were now definitely on the search for authentic Gelato!

In front of St. Mark's Cathedral

We meandered along winding sidewalks, sandwiched between century old buildings, while small motor boats and gondolas jockeyed for positions in the narrow waterways.  I was continually amazed how they were able to transport people, belongings and necessities in a flotilla of mismatched boats and barges and never seeming to collide with each other.

A flotilla of gondolas, barges and small runabouts

A typical sidewalk filled with shops, tourists and Venetians.
Store fronts and family homes lined the narrow sidewalk

Sometime before noon, in a quiet neighborhood, we tasted what was to be only the beginning of many flavors of gelato.  I began with lemon and chocolate.... heavenly.  We sat on a rock wall that lined a canal, watching small businesses taking care of daily routines and just relaxed in the warmth of the city.  There were many moments like these for me... sitting back and thanking God for my family and this moment together.  Two years ago I could not even fathom traveling with out Al at my side, but somehow I feel he wanted me to make this trip and the memories I had of our time here (nearly 30 years ago) made me smile and thankful I had come.

Simple moments, simple treasures
Gelato and family

We headed back to the Grand Canal for more sightseeing - and of course making our way over the Rialto bridge - crammed with people and shops purveying only what the elite would think of purchasing.  Wandering past one of the canal restaurants we came upon the most delicious looking pizza - huge slices of fresh tomatoes and pineapple.  We knew this was our menu for lunch - along with a beer or glass of wine - after all we were in Italy!

Looking back at our restaurant under the red canopies

It was so relaxing to sit outside under a red canopy and watch the world float by.  We lingered for as long as we could and headed back out to the sun baked sidewalks to window shop and meander back to our hotel, gather our swimsuits and towels and take the boat over to Lido Island for a "refreshing" swim in the Mediterranean and of course more gelato!  Such a life!

On the boat to Lido

                                  

Arriving at Lido Island

Lido, even though it is also centuries old, has a totally different flavor - more open with gardens and trees and automobiles!  It seemed a little odd to cross over the water and arrive at what seemed like a different culture almost.  Back to reality in a sense.  Finding our way to the swimming beach, we took turns floating and bobbing in the sea water.  It felt so nice to cool off and just do nothing - except smile, laugh and wonder why on earth people should lay nearly nude on a public beach!  Women who were topless on the sand, would then wrap themselves in a towel to put their clothes back on:)

One more stop before returning to Venice and our night out for dinner - gelato!  I don't remember exactly what I had but I'm pretty sure it was one scoop of lemon with a scoop of hmmm... raspberry, I think!

Ryan and Emily had met an artist on the plaza when they were in Venice previously, who had advised them about a tasty, locals restaurant -  so after putting on our finery we stepped out to another golden lit evening - along with many others, who were making their ways to dinner or walks in the cooler evening. Hundreds of people were out but again, it felt quiet and subdued.   Before returning to our apartment for the night - I wanted to take a picture of the golden hued sea with the majestic architecture in the background.  I opened my camera, turned it on, set my scene and pressed the button... a very strange click occurred and my camera suddenly quit.  Oh sadness... my trip had just begun.... thankfully Michelle and Ryan would continue documenting our travels so I will still have a few pictures to share.

more to come....

                                      

A taste of Italy...

On July 18, I began my adventure to see Ryan, Emily and connect with Michelle in Germany.  I had a direct flight to Amsterdam in which we took the northern route over parts of Canada, Greenland and Iceland.  In spite of traveling in the late afternoon and all through the night it never got dark.  I had expected the sun to fade a little, but it was brilliant the entire flight.  Once landing in Amsterdam, I had to go through customs and then security.  I had over an hour so I thought I would be fine - but our taxi on the runway took 30 minutes and my gate was at the complete opposite end to my departing gate to Munich.  The lines for customs were 30-40 people deep with about 12 check points!  When I finally was able to get to the customs agent I asked him if I was going to make my flight and he suggested I really hurry....I still had to go through security and then run (in my flip flops - bad choice for running).  I arrived with about 5 others who were also panting to board!  Craziness!  I really have no desire to fly through Amsterdam again.

God is faithful!  I made my flight to Munich, my luggage arrived (although torn) and I found my way to the  subway, met some other Americans heading to Oberambegau (near Garmisch) - the home of the Passion Play, changed trains at the Bahnhof, and was on my way to Garmisch.  It was a beautiful, warm and scenic trip.  Little by little, places that Al and I had travelled with Amy and Colleen were coaxed out of my memory and relived in my mind.  I was getting so excited to be reunited with my family!

As I exited the train station, a little ruby BMW pulled up and three smiling young adults jumped out of the car and I was engulfed in a their warm hugs and smiles!  Yeah, I had made it.  Ryan maneuvered his little car through all the narrow quaint streets without batting an eye.  I know I was never that comfortable during the two years we lived there.

We headed to the post housing where Ryan, Emily and most of the staff of the Edelweiss live.  I relaxed in a warm shower, repacked a portion of my suitcase into my backpack, met a few of their workmates and friends and we then loaded ourselves into Ryan's car again for the six hour trip to Venice.  It was really warm and not having air conditioning, we all melted a little on the trip - but arrived around midnight to board the train which seemed to float over the Veneta Laguna where we safely arrived in Venezia!  What a gorgeous night!  We boarded a "bus" (there are boat buses, boat taxis and gondolas -from least to most expensive) and found seats outside - perfect because Venice at night is magical.

As our hotel was located at the far end of the Grand Canal, near St. Mark's Cathedral, we traveled the entire length of the canal taking in all the bridges with their various architectural designs, the magnificent hotels and centuries old buildings all glowing in the moonlit starry night.  This floating dreamlike city was very much alive with visitors and natives still at midnight - although with a quiet, serene quality.

view from our apartment

We were directed to our hostel apartment - climbing 87 stairs on a circular stairwell - to a small apartment.  We were the only ones staying there and quickly found ourselves slumbering soundly.  Morning arrived with bright sunshine pouring in on our faces!  We were ready to see the city!

The Grand Canal

Maneuvering the narrow waterway!

Some of my favorite people!

The Grand Canal - St. Mark's in the background

To be continued....

The Gift of Travel

I never would have believed I could be in so many different places in one short summer - but I did.  So many varying emotions were washing through me - but I am so thankful that I made each trip - all wonderful and all so different.

Jackson was first on the list.  Of course, I wanted to spend time with all the little girls and their parents.   We read stories and played outside and made a trip to the park to wade in Jackson lake and ate ice cream in the town square.  It was what every Nana dreams of.

Elisa and Sadie braving the cool water

Precious little lady at Jackson Lake

Smiling, sweet Raina

There was a second part of my journey that was both heartwarming andt bittersweet.  With the help of a wonderful friend at St. John's we were going to finally have a tree planted in remembrance of Al.  Between Liz, the operations manager and the landscaper we decided on a beautiful spot near the front walkway of the hospital for a flowering choke cherry tree.  My hope of finding a spot where visitors, staff and patients could enjoy it and remember the man who's skills, smile and laughter may have touched their lives came to fruition that afternoon.  The prayer I had written was embossed on a thin layer of brass and bound to a granite boulder.  It turned out beautifully.

Most importantly, though, were all those who came once again to honor Alvis.  Friends, colleagues, his softball team and even one person who had not met him but had heard so many wonderful things about him came to pay tribute.  Dr. William Neal, who spoke with tenderness of his relationship with Al and claiming him as one of his heroes; some of his softball team members shared stories of his love of the game and his medical skills being used on the fields and in the dugouts. Reverend Jack Swan, a previous board member at St. John's gave a benediction incorporating Al's character and life example with the Seasons of the chokecherry tree.  My heart was warmed in recognizing how everyone there had been touched by him and their hearts were missing him, too.  I will not forget this afternoon.

With a Thankful Heart

 A Physician’s Prayer

Father, you granted me the opportunity to mend those who were broken,

To straighten and strengthen the framework of your creation.

You guided my hands, mind and heart

Permitting me the wisdom to apply stress where needed

 or a soothing hand of reassurance.

You equipped me with knowledge to perform the tasks laid before me

Knowing that this gift was also from you.

You filled my life with treasures –

My family

My friends,

The medical and hospital staff,

And the Jackson Hole community.

Father, Thank you for allowing me to serve you here.

In loving remembrance of

Alvis R. Forbes, MD

Orthopaedic Surgeon

November 29, 1950 – October 1, 2007

Enjoying dinner with family and  friends.

Weed Whining....

This has been an interesting summer for me....a very cool June and not spending enough time outside in my yard - which left me with a huge weed disaster and then a lot of traveling in July/August which contributed to my weed disaster - and the only real flower designing I was doing was at work.  My garden is not flourishing as it should be.  Maybe because it was so wet in June and then in July when I was just about to embark on several adventures the pump for the sprinkler system died and along with it several plants.  Things started to recover when we lost power for a few hours due to a sun flare ( or something like that) which seems to have fried the circuit breaker to the greenhouse.  The sprinkler problems always seemed to announce themselves on a Friday afternoon....thus leaving me to try and get all the gardens watered - not very successfully.  I guess one could officially call this whining - sorry.:(