Working in Italy

Ack is in Italy doing a training workshop on satellite remote sensing for EUMETSAT. I am staying in a hotel on Lake Bracciano, just north of Rome. In the town of Bracciano is a castle, the majestic Odescalchi Castle.  Here are some photos from the trip, one from the view of our breakfast place in the hotel, the rest from a visit to the castle.

This is a view from the patio we have our breakfast at, below is a swimming pool.

The approach to Odescalchi Castle, the family continue to live there.

A view of Lake Bracciano from one of the walls.

A view of the courtyard. The castle was never conquered and so it has many of its furniture and decorations that are over 400 years old - thus no pictures were allowed.

On this particular night, there was a fund raiser for Breast Cancer, so they lit up the castle in pink! This was taken from a restaurant, the food in Italy is great!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Yeah, it's fuzzy but I was far away.  Here's Bionca at her East High School graduation ceremony, center, big smile.

Must Be Summer

Groundskeeper at work

Ack spent part of his Memorial Day Weekend repainting the shuffleboard courts.  We're ready for any takers.

New vehicle

To celebrate memorial day, Anne and I purchased a used truck. A 1998 Ford Ranger with 80,000 miles. The same year as our van, but with 105,000 less miles.  A very basic truck. We need that second vehicle now and then, but also to transport 'stuff' mack and forth from Anne's community garden. You can see the van in the garage. The van has served us very since we purchased it. Many trips back to NY to visit family and the girls in college.

Erin's Birthday

A belated post to Erin's Birthday!  Pictured above with Al and Anne, under plastic, during a visit to their house in 2010.

3-month tests: Cancer cleared

So, after my 3-month CAT scan and blood tests cancer looks to still be cleared.  Next check up in 3 months (July 19 test, Dr. appointment on July 20).  Blood cell count is getting back to normal as the chart shows.

I also finished my last 'cancer puzzle gift', this one from Mike!

Happy Easter!

Anne and Ack visited Erin in Bloomington for Easter and some house cleaning. We are trying to get the house ready to put it up for sale. In addition to decorating eggs, we had some great lamb!