Venice and other items...

Palm Sunday...On the way to church this past Sunday we walked through the Piazza S Marco as we usually do. It was 10AM and we happened to catch the procession of palms by the cardinal of Venice, bishops, clergy, and the parishioners of the Basilica S Marco. While processing the length of the Piazza, all were singing hymns which were amplified by portable loudspeakers. It was quite moving. The photo here shows Cardinal Scola, he wearing wearing a mitre. The palms carried were six feet long, whole branches, very impressive.  Our palm Sunday is 20 April so we have to wait, drat.

Judy Stires of Bay Head, NJ and a Venice resident has passed away after a 14 month battle with cancer. She was 76 and was one of the most vibrant, active, generous, upbeat and funny people we have ever met. She loved people and always spurned the Venetian ex-pat habit of gossiping, making her unique here. We have fond memories of her here in Venice and in the US. She leaves behind dozens and dozens of friends and we shall not see her likes again. We pray for her soul and also for Sidney and their children.

The good news is that we have gone to contract for the sale of our retreat in the Italian alps. See pic. We sold it because we found that we hardly ever retreated to it, alas. The first 2 years we did so 8 times a year, but, thereafter, the frequency diminished. So we sold it; took two years. Below is a view from the veranda and of the chalet itself perched on the side of the mountain. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

And what about Obama and Reverend Wright? Because Obama says he never heard Wright deliver racist, anti-American rants, is it, therefore, logical that Obama can exonerate himself from hiring him as an advisor and admiring him? Is this the logic that got Obama through law school or the LSATs? Obama did not know Wright held the view that America had 9-11 coming? How can this be? Hey, Obama, read his parish newsletter.

Can this man be president? Here's Obama with Sharpton. Says a lot about the company this man keeps. Obama should return to local community service. Soon.