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Hello my dear readers,

I hope your week is awesome so far 🙂

Today let’s discover Sicily, the first Italian region that knew the tomato plant and one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of Italy, rich in history, wonderful beaches and particularly suggestive natural landscapes, a dazzling blend of rolling hills, volcanic mountains, and coastal beaches that meet sparkling seas.

Sicily, a magnificent island of a thousand souls, splendid in the Hellenic, then Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman grandeur, and all these diverse chapters of history have soaked into the soil of Sicily, creating the unique culture that continues to captivate the rest of the world.

Sicily is a surprising travel destination, rich in UNESCO World Heritage, warm of the kindness of welcoming and wonderful people, with wild and serene landscapes, very white beaches, lapped by turquoise waters, and roaring volcanoes.

Sicily is comprised of one large island, the largest…

I went to Paris a few weeks ago, just as spring was beginning. Paris is absolutely beautiful. Early spring also means less tourists, so even though Paris is always booming, it was relatively quiet with short queues for the big tourist hot spots like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tour. I stayed with my friend Andrea in Paris and she showed me the sights. My first day there I was able to join her and friends for a crepe dinner by the Pantheon at La Creperie.

The next day we did the big things, such as visiting the Louvre (which is free for EU residents 25 and under!). We saw the Mona Lisa, and walked the Louvre in its in entirety. The Greek statues were also fun to look at.

Next, we walked to the bridge Alexander III and then toward the Petit Palace. It was lovely to look inside…

On Sunday, we adventured to the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area.  First we stopped for lunch and to go for a hike.

After hiking, it was a short ride to Port Jarvis, NY to stop at a nice coffee place.  I’ve been using almond milk and cinnamon in my coffee lately and love it.

Steve enjoyed seeing the train station and turntable.  We didn’t know it was there, and it was a fun surprise.

Next, we visited Grey Towers, home of Gifford Pinchot.  He was the first Chief of the US Forest Service and Pennsylvania Governor for two terms.  One of Pennsylvania’s State Parks was named after him as well.  I had fun taking pictures of the mansion and garden.

Even though we have visited all of the State Parks in PA, there are still places to visit related to the State Parks.

Before heading home, we stopped at Dingmans…

On Sunday, we adventured to the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area.  First we stopped for lunch and to go for a hike.

After hiking, it was a short ride to Port Jarvis, NY to stop at a nice coffee place.  I’ve been using almond milk and cinnamon in my coffee lately and love it.

Steve enjoyed seeing the train station and turntable.  We didn’t know it was there, and it was a fun surprise.

Next, we visited Grey Towers, home of Gifford Pinchot.  He was the first Chief of the US Forest Service and Pennsylvania Governor for two terms.  One of Pennsylvania’s State Parks was named after him as well.  I had fun taking pictures of the mansion and garden.

Even though we have visited all of the State Parks in PA, there are still places to visit related to the State Parks.

Before heading home, we stopped at Dingmans…

by: Gigie Arcilla (Philippine News Agency, 13, July 2019)

Her tears were not a mark of weakness but of overwhelming grief, disappointment, and love.

Christine Banugan, chief of Mandaya tribe in Caraga, Davao Oriental, was not able to hold her emotions when a young Filipino American (Fil-Am) stood up and chanted in US accent “Stop spreading lies” during a forum of Filipinos with eight indigenous peoples (IP) leaders at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on July 10.

An emotional Christine lets it all out. (Courtesy of Mac Villarino)

“I am a victim of communist terrorists. Hindi ninyo naranasan ang mamatayan ng ama dahil pinatay ng NPA, ng komunista! (I am a victim of communist terrorists. You did not experience having a father murdered by the New People’s Army),” an emotional Banugan said.

The female Fil-Am “intruder” was no longer around, though, to listen to Banugan’s emotional…

Having guests threw off my schedule this week and I missed my first run. However, I did get a ride in…my second this year.

What do you do when you run with someone much younger who runs 50k’s? Drive them sea level to 7,000’ for their first run since recovering from pneumonia. Subconsciously, that’s what happened on Wednesday as we grabbed the opportunity to run the closed road from Bunny Flat to Old Ski Bowl on Mount Shasta. An 800′ climb to keep life honest. With all the trail running available, I felt guilty running on the road but we had it all to ourselves. I was disappointed that there were no wildflowers because they have been so prevalent elsewhere but there was still snow in Panther Meadow so it was like driving into another time zone. I fell through a snow bank and smashed my phone against a rock…

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