As I am "perched" here in my window, a substantial osprey just soared past with a big fish in its talons. Lunch! Well, it is nearly noon here! How amazing it is that today the river is quiet and flat, no wind, when yesterday the waves were washing over the break water and the palms bending from the high winds. It is not grey at all, with the water and sky being blue and the trees green, and the birds, well, they are actually grey with some white detailing. A gorgeous heron has landed on the rocks and seems to be looking for some fish as well.
I've heard just about enough speeches already this morning and am now back to the radio, waiting to hear how the markets will react to the decision of the government regarding my financial future. Oh, wait, everyone's financial future. The advisors insist it is not time to go cash out and stuff the mattress but I'll tell you what, it sure is tempting to do something proactively in case the whole world crashes down around us.....
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Justin and I had a lengthy conversation yesterday regarding his schooling and hopes for travel next spring. A couple lady friends had wanted to go with me but now it seems less and less likely they'll scrape the cash together in time, if at all, for a Mediterranean trip. Justin and I have been discussing going to Florence for some time now, Justin going so far as to find me a furnished flat near the Ponte Vecchio bridge. He said, "You can send for me, and I'll come help you decorate." The key word there was "furnished", right? Rats! I'd still "send for him" of course, as it's important to his studies.
This is a picture of the Baptistry doors in Florence which Justin is currently studying in Art History class. These doors, bronzed, tell Bible stories through ornate carvings, relief. and sculpting. Photos do no justice to their beauty and detail. We both regret missing so much stuff in Florence due in part to insufficient information and because of the search for the Murano glass store to buy my chandelier which I'd spotted the year before. When I was ready to give up, he pressed on to find the shop.
Justin is considering changing his major to English and minoring in Art History since his advisor at school told him it might be a good idea. It seems their budget for art and music was so dramatically cut that he's going to have problems finding just the right classes to meet his major at UNF. Another option would be to transfer to another college, but for right now, I certainly have no problem with him changing to English. Not too long ago he mocked me for being "such an English person" because of my punctuation books on the dresser! Now he might be one, too! Justin has writing skills--in fact, a few years ago when I read an essay written by Justin to Pete and Tarren, they both said, "He sounds like you!". Cool, I think!
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Of course, my true preference to go and live for any length of time is Greece but for Justin's purposes, the art and history portion, Italy is where he needs to be. At least right now. They are studying some of the things we've seen there and such, which makes his longing that much more powerful. I think I'd find more suitable foods in Italy anyway, since I can't quite wrap my head around eating fish and vegetables the way they do on the Greek Islands.
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When we were talking yesterday and I mentioned my passing thoughts on cashing out and taking leave (of my senses???), he asked if I was going to "pull a Francis"--meaning Francis Mayes, who wrote and lives "Under the Tuscan Sun". The first time we rented it, about 4 years ago, I read aloud the blurb on the back of the DVD: "a recently divorced author with writer's block takes a vacation in Tuscany and buys a villa..." He didn't want me to rent it, being a bit nervous, but I calmed him with, "I don't have writer's block!!" We both think we'd like for me to live far away, in fact, I accused him of trying to get rid of me, but I sure would miss everybody big time! It's hard enough getting people to come visit me in Florida, much less in Florence!!!
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