Just the Facts

"For every fact there is an infinity of hypotheses. "
Robert M. Pirsig -Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

This is something you might think about if you ever wander
through Death Valley with a camera. Possibly.

Quiet Reflection

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection
will come even more effective action.”
Peter F. Drucker 1909-2005

It’s probably a good idea to follow ineffective action with quiet reflection too.
Don’t you think?

Open to the Sun

The windows of my soul I throw
Wide open to the sun.
John Greenleaf Whittier 1807-1892

A quiet moment in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.

Just Talking

“It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much.”
Yogi Berra 1925

Italians do like to talk, although the guy on the left looks like he’s heard it all before.

The Ballroom

Art is art. Everything else is everything else.
Ad Reinhardt 1913-1967

I think a 15 foot high mirrored ball filled with air might be both.
I found this thing slowly rolling around the interior of a beautiful Italian church.

Two For One

“It takes a long time to grow young.”
Pablo Picasso 1881-1973

Today is the birthday of my wife and my niece. Here’s a shot of one of them, a few birthdays ago. Can you guess which one?

Happy birthday sweethearts!

The Laundry of Italy-Part 3

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.”
Truman Capote 1924-1984

Sheet happens.

The Laundry of Italy- Part 2

“After enlightenment, the laundry.”
Zen Proverb

You are enlightened, right? OK, then you’re ready for this.

The Laundry of Italy- Part 1

“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.”
E. B. White 1899-1985

Or taking pictures of the laundry. I’m easily entertained.

Tweetless in Italy

“Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit, and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty”
Joseph Addison 1672-1719

Old school social networking is still being practiced along the Cinque Terre.

A Clean World

“Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749-1832

These student monks are doing their part. This is Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Might as Well

"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."
Japanese Proverb

Have you ever tried to play two flutes with your nose? Neither have I but I know it can be done.

All I Want

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy”
Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1901

Not to be greedy but can I have them both? I’m just saying.

What’s the Meaning of This?

“Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.”
Jean-Paul Sartre 1905-1980

Kristina has made her mark. Forever. Or at least a very long time. Wasn’t necessary. Next time I hope she sends a card.

Safety First

“Little boats should keep near shore”
Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790

Or better yet, stay on shore. These small ships of Scotland are taking no chances.

Hallelujah, What a Bridge!

“Let every man praise the bridge that carries him over”
English Proverb

This bit of abstract reality is a view looking up at the morning moon through the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.