Comments on: weekend homework: a chat with the universe

By: MoscowMom

MoscowMom — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:41:14 +0000

Really pretty pictures, especially the first... Ah, how I miss Italy!!!!!!! MoscowMom's last blog post..Rest in Peace Come back, come back!

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:57:03 +0000

I love that photo of Badolato! What a gorgeous view!
Do you collect the seaglass along the shore when you are in the marina? It was my favorite souvenir from Siderno.
My husband loves to eat the prickly pear cactus fruit. It always reminds him of his childhood.

Ciao, Pat

Pat’s last blog post..Green-Wood Cemetery and the Civil War Project

I absolutely collect sea glass Pat, although I don’t have a big collection (don’t go to the beach enough!). It’s so pretty though

I don’t really eat too many prickly pears though…just not one of my faves.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:15:21 +0000

Lovely pictures. I love the one with the flower.

Nadine’s last blog post..My Nephew

Thanks Nadine! Hope you had a lovely weekend

By: Paolo

Paolo — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:20:29 +0000

I have a really ambivalent relationship to the whole “Law of Attraction” thing. I strongly believe that our attitudes affect the outcomes we achieve… the placebo effect, if nothing else, satisfies the science geek within that there’s something there. And I though I have (sort of grudging) admiration for Oprah, her bandwagons are often kind of cringeworthy bland self-helpism to the max — plus, how can it be a “Secret” and a bestseller?

The pseudoscience irks me, as does the slavish insistence that “The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears.” Are the Iraqis too focused on what they fear (“please don’t slaughter my family”) instead of what they love (“please give me peace and some clean water”)?

All that being said, it’s been my experience that having really clear intentions set in your mind and filling yourself with confidence (IOW “fake it till you can make it”) does help. At a minimum – as the woman said as she fed her late husband chicken soup – it couldn’t hurt!

Paolo’s last blog post..The power of positive drinking

I’ll see you this, and raise you the “self-fulfilling prophecy” idea; I do believe that glooming and dooming draws that toward you as well.

And I feel the same about the Oprah stuff. She’s an amazing woman, but I avoid even reading her book club selections since they become *so* out there. And I think it’s a real shame that someone (I don’t even know who b/c I won’t link to it!) called this “The Secret.” Particularly when it’s an idea that’s been around for centuries.

I don’t know how much I buy into my soul attracting things, but I do believe our subconscious does so, so I suppose it’s not too far-fetched for me since I do believe we have souls as well.

Anyway, the couldn’t hurt thing really sums it up well for me. And the fact that it’s a *much* better way to live than to walk around all negative all the time. Negative Nellies drive me batty.

By: Sara

Sara — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:15:58 +0000

They’re all beautiful, but I love the top picture best.

So are prickly pears native to Italy, or were they something brought over from the New World that escaped cultivation? (Or, heck, is that someone’s garden?) I ask because I was raised in coastal southern California, which is always being compared to Italy in climate, and where they are indigenous and grow wild all over the hills, too, even right next to the sea. In fact they are indigenous to a lot of parts of North America, but I never saw any in Europe — not that I’ve managed to get everywhere in Europe.

Their flowers are very pretty, too, as I’m sure you know, and they are what is meant most often by the expression “cactus rose.”

(Having difficulty getting my comment to post. May post many many times; my apologies. Please just pick the one you think is prettiest.)

Only posted once! Sorry for the trouble though

Prickly pears grow wild *everywhere* here, and they are called “fichi d’India” or Indian figs…my guess is that they are either indigenous or where brought over by Arabs from the Middle East many centuries ago, but don’t quote me on that

I’ve heard that the line between southern and northern Italy is drawn by where prickly pears start growing in the wild

By: mentalmosaic

mentalmosaic — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:16:21 +0000

‘Tell the Universe what you want.’ Or in Foodie speak, ‘Take your pick from the cosmic menu.’ Food for thought, but I wonder if you still need to tip 15%? Love the photos! ~Tui

mentalmosaic’s last blog post..Another Slice of Piazza, Beast Meets West and Flashback Friday

Hah, Tui…I say not if you’re doing the talking in Italy where it’s included in the coperto

By: Karina

Karina — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:56:23 +0000

I just loved the pics. So peaceful and quiet.

Karina’s last blog post..Red Light

Thanks Karina

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:20:40 +0000

Really loved that first pic. And as someone mentioned before, what you said reminds me of The Secret but less annoying
Ah! We have to think real hard this weekend…

Linda’s last blog post..Chock full of political nuts

Thanks Linda, and yes, I’ll be thinking *very* hard over the next few days

By: AscenderRisesAbove

AscenderRisesAbove — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:19:49 +0000

what a delightful photo – peeking through that tiny window. I want to look through there!

Thanks; glad you like it

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:15:01 +0000

The pictures are beautiful! You’re a great photographer. And I smiled at the captions you’ve got along with them. Have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you Robin