About Me

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When I started my retirement travels in 2009, I wanted a way to share it with family and friends as it was happening. Hence, "My Travel Journal". However I realized I wouldn't always be on a trip and wondered what to do with the blog in between times. My daughter pointed out, wisely, that travels can also include trips to the kitchen to try a new recipe, trips to visit family, trips to my neighborhood Starbucks, or a fun day trip with a friend. You're welcome to join me on any of these journeys! I've set up individual pages for each of my major trips (see tabs above).

Also, I have an Etsy shop where my current needlework resides. The last pieces I posted here were in 2013! So if you'd like to see what I have accomplished recently, go to (and I apologize for having to copy and paste):

www.etsy.com/shop/thedollhouseneedle

I recently added an "Italian Word a Day" thingie which shows up at the bottom of every page. You see the word and can click to hear it pronounced. I've been enjoying it and I think my accent is improving as time goes by.

March 18, 2012

Ah, Fiorenza!

Just a quick note.  Tongiht, I decided to scroll through some Netflix documentaries to see if there was something different I could watch, maybe about travel.  I came across a PBS series "The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance" and decided I'd give it a try because surely some of it would have to be in and around Florence.  I wasn't sure I'd like it - some of those historical documentaries where they act out (without speech) what is happening seem a little awkward to me.

Well, Episode 1 opens in Florence and is basically the story of Cosimo Medici's rise to his status of "father to the fatherland" and Brunelleschi's building of the dome (my duomo).   It was nice, too, because they shot scenes from various places and vantage points around the city and it was like being in a familiar neighborhood.  I'm so glad I had a chance to spend so much time there.

And, of course, at the very end, there it is in all of its glory - so beautiful, and so huge!!  Made me think I should have stuck to my vow that I'd never go to Europe without getting myself to Florence to see the duomo.  Who knows, maybe I'll win the lottery and decide to do a quick overnight trip on the train from Nice to Florence and back. :)  It does call to me...

3 comments:

Christopher said...

I can see where every trip abroad for you should include your duomo... though sometimes that won't be practical at all...! Yes, we all need a lotto win right about now!

Christopher said...

...ps... neato on your new Maps link on the blog, and documenting all your vast travels...!

Mary Lynne said...

Hi Chris - I keep meaning to tell you (in addition to posting it here) that I think you'd probably enjoy "The Medicis" so you might want to consider putting in your queue.

And I have to confess to checking bus, train and even planes to Florence and it's just not going to work. The bus is relatively inexpensive but leaves at 4:00 a.m. from Nice!! And I think the return bus got back around 11:00 p.m. which would make me a little nervous.

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