We returned home on Friday from Italy. It was sad to leave the landscape of ancient scenery and historic sights everywhere. It was also sad to say good-bye to my workshop students but I know we will keep in touch. I am happy to work with anyone after a trip, to make paintings from some of their photographs.
It was great to get back to our home in San Diego and find it in good shape and not damaged by the fires in our area. Best of all, it was wonderful to reunite with Ollie and Socks, our beagles. The dogs were well taken care of by our pet sitter/friend, Debbie Reid, who in our absence trained Socks not to bark, calmed down Ollie, kept our house sparkling and handled the threat of a looming fire and evacuation with excutive level skills. If anyone is ever in need of a house/pet sitter, she is the best and she's an artist and good cook as well.
Yesterday I unpacked my suitcase, distributed my gifts, the dog hat I bought in Venice was not well received but all of the other souvenirs were well liked.
I 've put off opening up my agenda to suspend reality from creeping in to my Italian mental state, probably long enough and today will step back into American culture and go to Trader Joes to buy low sugar jelly.
lft top: Good bye beautiful purses. Lft bottom: Hello burritos. Rgt. Bottom: Socks is the large beagle and Ollie is the small one.
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