Cani di Firenze

Periodically I spend a little time in Florence, Italy. It's a wonderful place in many, many ways. And each time I'm there, I miss it, immediately, upon leaving. One of the things that's wonderful about the city is the presence of dogs. The Florentines love their dogs and, since I leave my own dogs to go there, I love them for loving their dogs.

Here are some Florentine dogs. Shot with an iPhone.

Via dei Bardi (My Old Stomping Ground)

Via dei Bardi

Via Santo Spirito

These two made best friends with the butcher in the Mercato Centrale.

Patti tries to captivate a city dog on Via dei Geppi, our temporary home.

Please. Please. Christmas Market, Piazza di Santa Croce.

Not a dog, but a cat, observing us as we try to open our apartamento door.

This dog lived in a gelateria near Santa Croce.

Watching the Florence Marathon, Piazza della Signoria

Mercato Centrale

Tiny dog standoff, Via dei Calzaiuoli

Via dei Calzaiuoli

Ponte Santa Trinita, late afternoon.

Mercato Centrale

Piazza di Santa Croce

Santa Croce Christmas Market

Piazza di Santa Croce

Ponte Santa Trinita

Piazza di Santa Croce

Via dei Serragli

Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci

Piazza de' Frescobaldi (facing Ponte Santa Trinita)

Via dei Serragli

Staring down the chestnut vendor, Christmas Market, Piazza di Santa Croce

Ghost Leaves

 I always love the ghost images that fallen leaves make this time of year on concrete walkways. These images are progressive- some taken during the day, some at night. Traveling between the Art Building and the William J. Benton Museum of Art on the University of Connecticut campus, pausing to take in these ephemeral moments is a nice "anti-venom" to the blah, blah, blah of time spent in depressing meetings (otherwise known as "time out of my life that I can't ever get back"). There is something about these "leaves/not leaves" that always interests me...

Boboli Gardens, Sketch Crawl

On Saturday I took my University of Connecticut art students on a "sketch crawl" at the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy. For the uninitiated, a sketch crawl is a group of artists getting together and drawing on location. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time. We even enjoyed lunch afterward, courtesy of Palazzo Rucellai (where the students are currently enrolled). What's better than a morning of drawing? A morning of drawing followed by as much pizza and salad as you can eat.

Eraser Sushi

Today's workspace. My genius knows no bounds. But it does know food.

My Glorious Trip to Italy (In Pictures)

No travel agents need apply! I had a great time and saw plenty of sights all by myself! Only the good stuff, folks, only the good stuff.

How do you say "Don't ask, don't tell" in Latin?

Any country that has pirate Chihuahua graffiti is doing something incredibly right!

No hanging around here. That's pretty clear.

Cuisine surprise, grocery store style.

The drama of nature.

F-Train: Totally True Photos

Folks, this has to be just about the best train in the world. It appears to make people do amazing things. That is surely worth your $2.50 admission any day.

Just a guy tryin' to get a leg up in the world. Or, on the train.

The train is not just transportation, it's also a hibachi house!

This train originates in Coney Island. Really.

Viva, Villa Mexico!

Yes, Villa Mexico is located in Grampy's Gas
Station. Not near. In.

This place bills itself as "an authentic, homemade, Mexican food locale right in the middle of Beacon Hill, in Boston," and it is. You'll think you're in Mexico City... or at least LA. Don't let the establishing shot fool you- it is IN a gas station- just go on trust. Better Mexican fare you won't find in Boston (or much of the northeast), and the customer service is unbeatable, "my friend." Plus, you can fill up, or, as I did, assist a hapless young woman with her choice of motor oil WHILE you eat in front of the power steering fluid display. Go here (and if you don't trust me, read other reviews online):
Villa Mexico

The menu. BTW, the Mole Poblano Burrito is bueno!

Julie King cooks. Or, makes magic, as you'll find out.
Don't leave without some of her homemade salsa.
You've been warned.

Dine in!

House rules. Hygiene is king!

Dinner! And auto maintenance! Perfect together.

And perfectly safe! The marinated chicken burrito

is featured here, along with a great deal on

Power Steering Fluid.