Uncategorized Archives - the right effort

Missing Italian Food!

April 14, 2024April 12, 2024Posted in blogging, Italy, Sicily, Travel, Uncategorized, writingTagged food, travel, TucsonLeave a comment

It’s been a couple of months since my travel in Sicily and I miss eating real Italian food! Of course, when I was with my relatives in Rome, I was truly spoiled with absolutely delicious homemade Italian food! While back home in the southwest USA, I started looking for ricotta, buffalo mozzarella, eggplant parmigiana, and pasta made in Italy. Trader’s Joe has parmesan cheese and ricotta, neither of the quality one would find in Italy, but they will suffice. Costco, thanks to a friend pointing this out to me, does sell pasta products from Italy. (I cannot eat wheat products from the USA.) Buffalo mozzarella is available in various stores. But what I was really hoping for was a place to pick-up an Italian meal already made if they did not sell the individual items to make the meal on my own. So I went searching for Italian delicatessens and bakeries in my town, Tucson. Here are 2 places I stopped at and ate lunch:

Village Bakehouse: Great looking pastries, including various croissants. I ordered lunch: chicken caprese on ciabatta and an iced chai. Order at the register, pick up the drink at the other end of the counter, with food delivered to the table. I’m sitting outdoors in the cool shade. The sandwich was tasty, with mozzarella, tender chicken, tomato and pesto all toasted within the ciabatta. Half my drink was gone by the time my sandwich arrived. For a medium drink, lots of ice- no wonder it was half gone by my sandwich’s arrival. Next visit I’ll try a croissant!

Chicken, mozzarella, pesto on ciabatta… tasty!

Viro’s Real Italian Bakery: I actually was looking for green Italian olives. Not finding olives, I ordered and ate a delicious cheese and mushroom calzone! Many other people were here enjoying spaghetti, fish fry, piping hot soup and gelato! I have no room for gelato or any of the pastries today. While in Sicily, I saw their flag and here it was on the wall. Will have to keep this place in mind for future lunch stops.

No doubt I need to continue my search. These places have food I enjoyed eating and when I look for pastries they both had plenty of that to offer. I’m not usually a pastry-eater, but if timed with a good cup of coffee, well then, that can be another story!

Onward … avanti vado … forward I go!

Pastries at these places:

Valley of the Temples, Sicily

February 22, 2024February 13, 2024Posted in Sicily, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Every day we either see agricultural land with olive, almond or pistachio trees, greenhouses where vegetables are grown, fields of fava beans, artichokes or cultivated prickly pear, ruins, hilltop towns or the sea. I had to chuckle about the cultivated prickly pear because living in the southwest USA I did not expect this plant here! I am so glad I did not bring jars of prickly pear jam for my hosts! There would be nothing unique in receiving that jam gift!

Our first stop was a bar. Here is where we buy a coffee and/or pastry and use a toilette. The expectation is if you use the toilette, and since they all do not require a € .50, then you’ll buy something as payment for the use of their toilette. I showed the man a photo of a Sfogliatella… this was their version as I asked for ricotta within.

We arrived at the archeological site, Valley of the Temples. I had first seen this area on the PBS television program, Doug’s Geology Journal. This Greek-built temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 510 – 430 BC. Sara, our local guide, walked us through the 1.5 mile area of temples and catacombs. Here are some photos from there.

Lunch was at Rita and Marcellus’ home. Delicious vegetarian meal all grown on their property: olives, sun dried tomatoes, lettuce, citron, mint and the wine was produced from just down the road. After a pasta meal, we were shown how to make moka coffee and offered some. I did not indulge because the caffeine at this late afternoon time of day would keep me up for the night.

The highlight here was seeing the cart-making work of Marcellus’ father! He worked on the ones we had seen at their home till he was 82 years old! Absolutely beautiful work requiring blacksmith, wood carver, and painter. I had an opportunity to sit on the cart as all was explained by Marcellus. These carts are now with a UNESCO Heritage designation.

Our dinner and stay this night was at an agriturismo, a country home, Villa Trigona. Very comfortable place, birds in the backyard fields, and good food for dinner and breakfast, but we stayed only one night. It’s interesting how some people in our group love being in the country while others enjoy the cities. This tour so far has had a good mix of both!

Sicily! Monreale & Mazara

February 19, 2024February 13, 2024Posted in Sicily, Travel, UncategorizedTagged travelLeave a comment

The Duomo di Monreale has Byzantine mosaic, arched windows and no frescoes or stained glass windows, yet beautiful and difficult to capture all in a photo! There are so many churches in each town in Sicily. Walk a block and you’ll probably see/visit another church.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch at an agriturismo where the family makes olive oil and wine. On their beautiful land is olive trees, grape vines, and a resort. Lunch was bruschetta, olives, bread with some olive oil with chilis, wild black boar, and other food. Dessert: cannoli and I chose a Syrah wine. We walked a couple of miles, if we chose to, back to our car. It was an opportunity for me to hear 3 new birds and also photograph Doric Temple.

Along the way to Mazara del Vallo we stopped at a supermarket for water. We can drink the tap water in Sicily, but I like bottled water. Then on to Mahara Hotel. I have a view of the sea and a nice room. Once settled into my room the electricity went out!

Headlamp out to make my way to reception to see what’s happening. A few of us went out for late wine and pizza! We were back by 9:30pm and the hotel’s generator was still not working. We had our choice to stay the night when asked, as our guide knocked on everyone’s door to ask the question. We stayed the night.

Water is a HUGE Issue!

January 25, 2024January 28, 2024Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

As issues go, water is a huge one especially after so many years of drought! Some places are working on ways to cut their water usage so more water flows to the aquifer. One such place I visited, initially for birding, was Acacia Demonstrations Gardens in Henderson, Nevada. I wish I had my bicycle since the multi-use Harry Reid Union Pacific Railroad Trail was here too.

The Acacia Demonstration Gardens had various lawns and each with informative signs that explained why they suggested, for example, to use Bermuda grass rather than turf grass. Bermuda grass uses one-third the amount of water than turf grass! That’s important. Other information included drip irrigation versus sprinklers and how and when to use which one to create a water-efficient landscape. (It does drive me crazy when water is flowing down a street from any sprinkler or irrigation bib.)

With healthy gardens, more insects are attracted to it and they do their part to continue the breakdown and add nutrients to the soil. Sure, in some places you will have a patio, but you may decide it is not necessary to cover over the entire yard with patio tiles. You may find ideas to keep the remainder of your yard green. Maybe with a pollinator garden to attract hummingbirds and insects, while using minimal water, and make your yard colorful!

I enjoyed walking the gardens and reading the informative signs. There is a dog-walk area too. Plenty of birds were hiding in the trees once I started looking, plus I spent time watching a greater roadrunner scoot around the rocks and flowers! Fun!

Have you taken a close look at your backyard or nearby green space? Is water being used efficiently? If not, what could you do to minimize the amount of water being used so we do not waste such a precious natural resource? Anything you do will help. Thanks!

Ready For This Year to End!

December 31, 2023December 25, 2023Posted in UncategorizedTagged birds, travel, wildlife1 Comment

Goodbye 2023 …

I accomplished 365 days of bird-watching and recording my daily observations in Cornell’s e-Bird … done!

Challenged myself to a TRX workout …and not sure if that’ll work best for me going forward!

As a Habitat for Humanity volunteer: I learned new skills this year and will put them to use next year!

Added visitation to national parks new to me and will continue with that goal in 2024.

The stress and worry about the health of loved ones was huge. One does not have to be in the same room as that individual to feel the overall concern for another’s health. Positive energy, prayers and good medicine is always wanted to help those we love be healthier, cured and/or with improved health. I hope we all do our best to stay healthy in 2024.

The grief and sadness in losing friends I knew for 37 and 40 years really slammed me and I am still processing the losses. Previous years I lost my dad and that was devastating. This year I learned the importance of staying connected with friends since we never know when the person will be taken from our life. In truth, my dad and friends are always in my head and heart each day … still and always!

My brain relaxes when I take time to observe birds, sketch and paint. I hope to do more of it all. So much to learn and so little time!

Many miles were travelled in my van to the east coast then to North Dakota and Idaho areas. Travel will always be on my agenda, especially as I return to international travel next year. I cannot wait to be back on the road or in the air!

I remained healthy since the start of Covid a few years ago, yet this year I had Covid ….darn! … yup, time for this year to end! I hate viruses in particular because no drug will help … we just need to give the body rest …. Covid is still the number one virus in the air! Take care all!

My wish for humankind: live the Golden Rule. There are many ways of stating the Golden Rule and all meaning the same; here is one:

“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”

In 2024, let’s do better!

Death Valley National Park in December!

December 28, 2023December 16, 2023Posted in UncategorizedTagged Nature, travelLeave a comment

One late August 2023 day, Death Valley National Park had a rainfall of 2.2 inches of water. This was almost a year’s worth in one day. It left a lake where we usually see a salt-baked flat, 300 feet below sea level, at an area called Badwater Basin.

Our climate is changing and the tropical storm having brought that rain may just be the beginning of more climatic events. Death Valley National Park had so much storm damage the park closed for a couple of months. We sometimes forget how powerful rushing water can be! However, here the landscape changed with roads destroyed and necessitating the park closure.

We’re visiting now to see how it all looks since the park re-opened mid-October. (The previous year the flooding at the park left 1,000 people stranded in the park.)

In 1933, this area about the size of Connecticut, was designated a national monument. In 1994, the 3.4 million acres of land was designated Death Valley National Park. Native American peoples once lived here, now very few remain. The elders of the Timbisha Shoshone tribe lived a distance from any park road and the once thriving borax mining industry is now only in historical exhibits.

Our hikes:

A new hike for us was Mosaic Canyon. After a distance in, you’ll see an old railing … see photo below:

See slickness of the canyon wall and the railing … or all that remains of the railing?

The canyon floor filled in through the years so the rest of the railing and steps are under sand and rock! The beginning of the couple mile trail was gravelly and uphill. We continued along our hike with some slippery rocks to climb over. At a couple of spots towards the end of the trail, the sides of the canyon narrowed and rocks we had to climb were so smooth they provided no traction for me to grip and step with ease! Fortunately a young man was able to give me a helping hand at one point and I wished for longer legs.

Badwater Basin had always been seen by me with salt and more salt! Due to the August flooding, water created a lake here at this lowest point in the park. Here is a photo:

Flooding created this lake at Badwater Basin

We hiked at a natural bridge area and looked back on the basin with the water in it too.

An area of Death Valley National Park I never miss, Mesquite Sand Dunes.

Many people had been walking on those dunes!

If you are planning to visit Death Valley National Park, know the temperature and prepare with sunscreen, sunglasses and water. Few places are available for food, so bring snacks and other food. Gas up your vehicle before arriving at the park since gas here is expensive and you are driving many miles from one part of the park to another. Don’t forget to check out the night sky. Few places will get better than here!

Channel Islands National Park: Anacapa Island

November 26, 2023November 9, 2023Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Although there are five islands that make up Channel Islands National Park, I was testing out my motion-sickness pack by just taking a boat ride for an hour to the closest island to mainland California. From Oxnard, California to the smallest island, Anacapa, I was successful in enjoying the boat ride and the 4 hours on the island.

Anacapa Island is a chain of 3 islets named east, middle and west only accessible by boat. We were on East Anacapa hiking the mile-long trail and being sure not to stand close to the sea cliffs on this volcanic island. The notable natural bridge is a forty-foot Arch Rock, seen as we arrive by boat. The captain of the boat did a remarkable job docking in a small cove!

Arch Rock – symbol of Anacapa Island and Channel Islands National Park

Brown pelicans and western gulls are the most numerous sea birds here; however, during our boat ride I did observe numerous black-vented shearwater just a foot above the water’s surface and a pomarine jaeger flying overhead. Thankfully another birder was on the trip so we could discuss our observations. More easily to observe were the thousands of dolphins and about 10 humpback whales!

Saw whales and dolphins as we went to and from the island.

The island is small so we walked with a guide who told us the island’s history and pointed out various plants and animals. High school students were on our boat and they were here to hike and also collect native seeds for a project helping one of the restoration plant scientists doing work on the island.

At one end of the island is a lighthouse, first erected in 1912, with the current one erected in 1932. In 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the islands a national monument. In 1966 the lighthouse became automated and it is still an aid to navigation. In 1980, Congress designated 5 of the 8 islands as Channel Islands National Park.

Be Alert For Scammers …..

August 27, 2023August 18, 2023Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Time is important to me. I try to do all I can in a day and hours fly by! Where does the time go? On those days life is good.
HOWEVER… when someone or something wastes my time, I am furious! I rarely use the word hate … but I do hate scammers!
Beware the Geek Squad scammers! Don’t open the email, don’t call the number on the email. Report their phishing activity … plenty of info available on the web to learn those sites and/or call Best Buy and they have info. Block any phone call you may have made from the email. Change your password for the email it came in on. Notify your email provider to list the sender as junk and to be blocked. Check your credit cards and banking to be sure all is okay.
Why do some people need to be crooks, scammers, liars, dishonest, and simply awful? A scammer will waste your time trying to close them down, but it has to be done. Be aware … watch out for scammers!

A Crazy, Busy, Birding Day in Texas!

May 11, 2023April 19, 2023Posted in Birds, blogging, photography, Travel, UncategorizedTagged BIRDLeave a comment

Texas is a huge state! I am never sure when I will be back to Texas, so I visit as many places as I can before leaving the state. But this day I was really crazy. I thought I would only be visiting two places. My goal of an eBird checklist per day prompted me to bird at my Harvest Host location: Haak Winery at 7:50 am since the weather looked questionable. (Not a fan of birding in the rain.)

My next stop was El Jardin Del Mar in Pasadena, Texas. Stopping at small local places, off the beaten track, is fun, so I do it. I observed seven different species of about 60 birds total and maybe a good photo or two. A young man approached me and asked if I got any good photos. My response always is, I hope so. He and I got talking and before I knew it I was in my life coach role. A time later as I left he said, “Bye and thanks for the advice”. I wasn’t sure I did, but okay if he felt that way. Then I was off to my main event location, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

The wind was blowing so hard at this refuge I had a hard time standing. I used my van as a wind block to set my camera on its tripod. With baseball cap on backwards, viewing birds through my binoculars and taking photos, this was work! My van door flew open with the wind and I literally wrenched my left shoulder trying to capture the door. A couple also on the auto loop and smart enough not to get out of their vehicle stopped by to chat. They asked me why I do not check out Smith Oaks Rookery. Obviously they saw my battle with the wind. They mentioned I could take photos of birds up close, out of the wind, and on a boardwalk. Sounded good!

I was to be at my Harvest Host for wine and alligator egg rolls … who would miss that opportunity! With AT&T not connecting I drove to the Harvest Host location to let them know I will not be there by 5pm as planned. No one was there! Well, off I went to the rookery. What a great recommendation from the couple! Easy peasy as they say … photos taken in no wind! When I was leaving the couple was excited to see me and asked what I thought. (They too drove the half hour to view the birds at the rookery again and hoping our paths would cross to ask my opinion of their recommendation.) Very nice, great recommendation and the birds were everywhere! I hoped to have some good photos.

Back to the Harvest Host. Bummed, as the host was in Greece and no wine or egg rolls … good quiet night with only 2 local dogs barking at times. After a day like today, they did not bother me!

A couple of photos from this day:

The Holiday Season

December 25, 2022December 18, 2022Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

It’s here. The holiday season. Does this holiday season mean anything different than any other season in the year? Aren’t there 4 seasons in a year? Should we be doing anything different during this one? Are we not always grateful, kind, happy, and appreciative of what we have in our life during the other seasons? Or do we need a special holiday season to be genuinely appreciative?

I am always confused by this season. Now some are thankful to their creator and attend their seasonal ritual. Others finally buy the holiday gift a loved one wanted during the year. I like to think we are prayerful, thankful, giving and loving throughout the year and not solely this season. Or maybe I am once again part of the minority in trying to make sense of so many things within our world.

Today and always, I wish you many good days … may they be healthy, happy and what you wish of life … we are here today and every day to live each day to the best of our ability and to provide support to those who need it … celebrate all the holidays of this month and after with continued kindness and love!

I wish you a wonderful holiday season and upcoming year … as we be our best loving self in our ever-changing world.