Gifts

Lately I've been thinking about the value of gifts. I like to get them, you may say doesn't everybody. I'm not sure. I don't know if everyone apprecitates the true significane of them. The reason I like them is not that I got something for free, well we usually give in return so they are not really free. What I like is that when I use the gift I remember the person that gave it to me. Here are some examples: A Swiss Army knife my son in law Uli gave me, it's great to take on hikes, even the hikes around Venice, two high quality knives we got for our wedding from friends we don't get to see much that I use everyday, an old wine opener I sort of inherited when Luisa's grandmother died, an electric drill from my father in law, a coffee cup that Callie gave me from a riding competition, the electric grill thing Erin gave us for Christmas one year. Those are just a few that come to mind, but in a life time there are so many more and each one connects us to the person that gave it. Isn't it great to put something on or in your hand and think about for a moment the person who gave it to you.

A Little Movie of the Party

Julia's Communion

We didn't take a camera to the church as they said they weren't
allowed. That's funny as I told Luisa before, this is Italy there
will be cameras and there were. Ya gotta love this country for that.
Anyway they had professional photographers there also so we will get
pictures.

It was a nice service, I felt very good seeing my littlest daughter
welcomed into communion with the church. I wish my older ones would
consider it. But that's another story. After the mass we had 24
adults and 14 kids packed into our little apartment. But it's wasn't
bad, most had to stand. The food was a combination of efforts between
me, Luisa, Luisa's mom and the super market's prepared foods. It all
turned out great and we had food left over so we know everyone had
enough.

We need work

Well we are doing ok, but the architecture business has pretty much dried up for now at least. When are things going to turn around?

Giovanni's Picture

Giovanni, he's 7, took this picture. He's a guy what else can I say.

Pictures from Mantova

Me cooking french fries

Ready to go see the castle

What is a Typsetter

A person I know from Facebook and before that Expats in Italy says she is a typsetter. My uncle Karl was a typsetter. He took me to the newspaper one night where he worked. This was when I was a kid, too many years ago. He sat in front of a big machine with a typwriter keyboard attached to it. As I remember he would retype the reporters pieces and the machine would take melted lead and produce type that was then set into big sheets of type. They would then be put into the press to print the paper. Another part of his job was setting photos, ads etc. that had been produced also in lead onto the sheets. In other words he also composed the sheets.

Since everything today is done with the computer I wonder what does a typsetter actually do. Typsetter can you tell me. I imagine it's mostly about composing sheets.

The Great Deoderant Scam

I've been a faithful user of deodorant for how long? Since I was maybe 13. Problem is that I am a bit allergic to the stuff that really works. After a few days of using it I start to itch under the arms and if I stop using it the itching goes on for a couple of days. And besides that I still don't smell that good at the end of the day, even though I shower everyday.

I usually swim in the local community pool a couple times a week and shower at the pool where I don't have access to my deodorant. What I noticed was that I don't have that dreadful body odor they scare us about in the TV commercials for the next day. So I began to wonder why. I reasoned that it's the chlorine in the water that makes me smell like the pool but at the same time must me killing all the odor causing bacteria. I'm sure you know that when you sweat the sweat doesn't initially smell bad. It takes a little time for those little germs to produce and I guess reproduce.

Thinking about the fact that plan old rubbing alcohol kills some 99% of all germs/bacteria (fill a little bottle with it and use it instead of that hand sanitizer stuff which is just alcohol combined with some jell) I decided to try splashing a little under the arms after my shower. Guess what no more smell, works in fact much better than the deodorant and the cost is next to nothing.

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who shaves under the arms but they might try some other medical disinfectant such as what they sell here called Lyso Form. And of course the alcohol won't stop one from sweating. But maybe if you aren't worried about smelling bad you won't sweat so much.

"Mayo Clinic Housecall

Definition

Most people sweat when they exercise or exert themselves, are in a hot environment, or are nervous, anxious, or under stress. This type of sweating is both natural and healthy.

Sweating is usually only a minor nuisance. The odor is probably more troublesome. Although perspiration is practically odorless, perspiration can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin."

I suppose there could be some downside to destroying the natural bacteria on part of your skin, but I'm thinking it can't be worse that putting those other chemicals on it on a daily basis.

What is interesting?

My traffic has dropped off a lot lately. I suppose it's partly because I don't post everyday. But maybe also that the economy has people not thinking that much about traveling to Italy. Or maybe it's that I have mostly just been posting pictures. Anyway I think I'm going to try writing about stuff that's on my mind and posting less pictures.