Blog Archives

I worked through several of the more colorful photos from our 4th of July visit in Michigan. From flowers to fair food to fireworks, these images just scream out SUMMER!

TUESDAY. A 6am flight to Chicago…way too early…but at least on time. A quick run thru the O’Hare neon tunnel and then a short hop into Grand Rapids. Welcome hugs from Jeff’s mom and dad. Lisa and Lynn joined us for dinner in North Muskegon at the cozy Bear Lake Tavern…I had an amazing, creamy blue cheese burger…perfect. Dessert was Jeff’s mom’s homemade rhubarb pie…tangy and sweet…with a tall dollop of whipped cream. YUM.

WEDNESDAY. Dominick, Natalie, and Joshua arrived with Susan soon after breakfast for a dip in the pool. Splashing and jumping and laughs in the sun…Young Joshua is quite the brave swimmer! Dark clouds in the afternoon signaled the arrival of strong thunderstorms and torrential rain. Recently home from Germany, Julie and Adam arrived with Keegan and Mia. Dinner at the fantastic Bernie-O’s Pizza. Three mouth-watering creations, including Jeff’s favorite…the Hot Wing pizza. Jeff’s homemade mint chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Mexican Train to top off the evening…young Keegan with a surprising early lead!!

THURSDAY. A lazy pool-and-deck day. Lynn’s wonderful, cheesy chicken enchiladas. Matthew arrived from San Francisco. Hail, Hail, the gangs all here!

FRIDAY. Happy Independence Day. The Muskegon Art Festival was jam-packed with holiday weekend revelers. Classy art up top in the park; homestyle folk craft down below. For me, the highlight (of course) was the indulgent deep-fried Oreo…a fair rival to the deep-fried Twinkie from a couple of years ago 🙂 Ooey, gooey…these cookie morsels melt in your mouth. Pat and Joanie arrived from Detroit in a zippy convertible. A late afternoon Wippi Dip…chocolate-vanilla twist, please. More pool time, and then the pinnacle of summer picnics in Muskegon…brats on the grill. Fireworks over Muskegon Lake closed out a long, festive day.

SATURDAY. More family festivities around the pool and on the deck. Family and friends dropped by to share in the wonderful outdoor lunch/dinner. Late pizza and drinks out on the town into the wee hours. Madonna and J.T. coaxed a few dance steps.

SUNDAY. A final family meal before folks headed off to various destinations. I left Jeff to continue his Michigan visit, while I headed back to SF. Adam dropped me at GRR for what was to be a tiring flight home…full of delays and more delays. (I’ll save my frustrating United rant for a better day.) Home at 11pm. Missing Jeff 🙁

Sunday’s Pride Parade through the heart of San Francisco had its usual mash-up of bright color, pulsing music, and determined politics, but this year the undeniable feeling was joy. There was a noticeable air of celebration and love and inclusion. It is a wonderful time to live in San Francisco.

Every year, the parade attracts a few celebrities…or at least gay celebrities. This year’s notables pictured below: Cindy Lauper, Leslie Jordan (the diminutive persnickety actor from Boston Legal and Will and Grace…in a less than flattering pose), and “Fernando and Greg” (a local D.J. pair).

But the majority of the parade is full of real folks…many decked out in the most outrageous outfits. The costumes seemed even more over the top this year…it was my favorite parade in years.

In striking contrast with previous days in Venice, Day 4 was full of sunshine. Lots of churches dotted our route, although many of them did not allow photos inside. (Some of these are “forbidden” shots 🙂 The text, again, is from the original journal post.

A convenient way to chart a day in Venice is to pick a church in the distance and wind your way towards it. today, we visited eight. A historical game of connect the dots.

Set off after breakfast under a blue sky. First stop was the nearby Santa Maria del Rosario…”a Renaissance masterpiece”…on the Giudecca Canal. We had passed this columned facade many times in previous visits, but never ventured inside. A pleasant stroll down the canal fondamente and a quick jog to the right brought us to the church of San Sebastian.

Two off-the-map churches on the way to our next stop: Chiesa di Santa Maria della Visitazione (from the 15th century) and Chiesa di San Raffele Arcangelo (from the 12th century). One of the nice things of these hidden spots is that they allow photographs.

Lunch of hearty pastas at the Impronto Cafe. My tagliatele with mushrooms was wonderful.

Window-shopped to our next destination: San Polo, an ancient church from the 9th century. Another 9th century church followed…the beautiful San Giacomo dall’Orio. The non-descript San Stae was next…our least favorite of the trip.

Our last stop was the hidden gem, San Giovanni Elemosinario. Tucked away in the market approaching the Rialto Bridge. The church was built to blend in with the neighboring merchant buildings, and yet the interior was elaborate and peaceful. A highlight of the church was the faded frescos in a tomb beneath the floor.

Finished the day looking at paper mache masks, handmade marionettes, and Murano glass. Jeff found a magnificent oil painting from a favorite shop…Scriba, along the walls of the Friari. We have stopped into this shop on every visit.

Took a recommendation from a local shopkeeper and ate at the tucked-away, bustling Ristorante San Trovasco, owned by four brothers. My penne alla putanesca was divine. After-dinner drinks (mojitos and bellinis) and tirimisu at Impronto Cafe.

Serene, late night photos of the desolate Monday night city. The Grand Canal was silent except the occasional vaporetto.

The thick haze from Northern California’s wildfires has worsened today. The sky has turned sickly gray, and the air smells strangely of hot dogs on a campfire.