Italy, Day 1

I made it safe and sound and made it through my first day in Florence. I have no doubt that it is because I am older, but these all night/day trips are getting harder. I was traveling for about 22 clock hours, and while it all went very smoothly, it was a long day.

I am sitting here after a "market meal" of Perona beer, fresh cheese, a new (for me) type of salami, and good bread. My intentions were to find some small out of the way to eat and drink some wine, but I ran out of steam. I took a good three hour walk, but that was it.

The picture of the Duomo is the first photo I took--literally that was the view from the spot where the taxi let me out. The flowers are from my room--it is a neat view, and I will work with that to find a better photo. The River Arno was filled with rowers as the sun set. It is pretty amazing what you can do with with sidewalk chalk, and I love the bikes and the small lanes.

More soon. but I am winding down. I will try and post a few words and pictures each day as I can and technology allows.

Turning...

Honestly, one of the things that I looked forward to when I moved back to the Midwest were the more clearly defined seasons. Yes, there were colorful trees there, but the green-ness 12 months of the was confusing for a person who was used to more definite seasons than Baseball, football, etc.

So I went looking this weekend, and found that it is too early, even though I went "north" to as far a way as Crosby, which is, as a friend pointed out, right next to Ironton. And found barely anything. The weather is turning crisper, which is good. It had been a very warm summer. Instead of constant color, I found trees just turning and in transition.

Not unlike me, I guess. I turned 50 today, a milestone of some sort, I guess. One friend who is a decade younger and always will be, pointed out that 50 is really old. My response was, and I do believe this, is that I have never equated a numerical age with growing up or a maturity, so this is an easier day than I thought it might be...you hear these stories. I am not holed up with my shades drawn on my couch with a 5 liter box of wine, for example, and I hardly wince when AARP tries to send me their silver card with all its benefits. I made it up my 21 steps to my home twice today, and never once used the chair ramp. Yes, I know the analogies: Leaves fall, the autumn of my life, and so on and so forth. But I also hear that 50 is the new 40 or even the new 35 or 38 or so, and I am untroubled.

Yes, today is basically just another day, though lots of birthday wishes via Facebook and texting made it nice as did a few other touches. Thanks to all those who helped me turn.

Our state fair...

I went to the Minnesota State Fair this weekend, and it was fun. The fair fare was good, the animals were cute, the weather perfect and, all in all, it was an exceptional day. It reminded me of my newspaper days, so that part of it was fun, too.