One More Look at that Amazing Paddle Bike

Rick giving his fans a wave...he does it just as well as the queen!

Reese getting on with some stability provided by Jim. Rick, Bill, Eileen and Olivia in line.

Reese gives a wave.

Chris Hayes came up from Grottaglia for a ride.

Jim, Rick, Olivia, Reese and Eileen waiting their turn.

Bill Williamson looks like a pro.

Dobberfuhl Good-bye Part 3 of 3

Besides painting we love to share food with friends. We have great memories of Thanksgiving dinners, pizza nights and delicious dinners with Jim and Amory. For one last time we shared a meal with them and some friends who they have known for the three plus years they were here.

Aldo and Eileen

Rick, Jim and Aldo

Alessandra, Gilda and Amory

Amory and Olivia

Dobberfuhl Good-bye Part 2 of 3

Painting a Memory

One of the things we love to do is to paint group paintings. We thought this would be our gift to Jim and Amory to hang in their new home and to remind them of fun times with good friends in other lands.

Rick and Amory work on the original design.

The initial brush strokes.

Jim working on the contents spilling out of his wine bottle.

Eileen and Amory checking their work.

Eileen, Jim, Amory, Sue and Olivia with the finished painting. Gilda also contributed some Italian music notes to the final product.

Dobberfuhl Good-bye Part 1 of 3

How do you say good-bye to friends you have known for three years, who have helped you become familiar with a foreign culture and have introduced you to some truly wonderful people? Jim and Amory are starting a new adventure in the Seattle area but we will greatly miss having them in our backyard. Even to the last moment they were introducing us to new things like the paddle bike ....

And this octopus that some fishermen gave to Olivia and friends as they kayaked past...


Jim saying good-bye to our cat Shanoah...

A special cake from one of Jim and Rick's Italian train buddies.

A Day at the Bisceglie Beach

Now that the weather is warm the beaches are starting to fill with people and the beach clubs are starting to put up their umbrellas and prepare for the sunbathers.

This beach club is laying the planking and putting up the palms

Here is Olivia doing an impromptu hula!

This pedal bike is a new addition to Jim's collection. The bike is separate and the pontoons are carried in a backpack and inflated at the water's edge. His hope is to commute from Whidby Island to Everett and thus avoid the ferry traffic. Good luck!

Rick gives it a whirl

Olivia takes a spin

Eileen peddling along...

Back To Work!

After a six month hiatus I am back to work on my blog (thanks to all of you who prodded me on!). Why the time away? Who knows...maybe just a recharge. So much has happened. We went to Germany where we met my sister, skied in Austria, visited London, met friends in Spain where we visited the Alhambra, saw great movies, had great meals with friends and so much more. I will attempt to catch you up but for now I will show you some of the things that have happened recently, beginning with a reminder shot of the town of Trani as seen last night when Rick and I headed out for a gelato and a stroll.


Rick and Sue (I was hoping that we were framed correctly in the shot. Turned out just fine).

Swimmers out already! It wasn't quite warm enough for me to venture in the Adriatic but cool water temperatures do not slow down everyone!

The Trani cathedral

Totsie III

Totsie III, the Trani Totsie.

We encounter stray dogs on our travels. Totsie I was on the Greek island of Evia, such a sweetie. Totsie II was in Merviel, France, also a sweetie. Totsie III is in Trani. This dog is special and very smart. It follows you around town, waits outside shops for you to return and loves attention. A real sweet personality...can you say personality when refuring to dogs? Anyway... here is Leslie giving Totsie III a good scratching.

Totsie III rolled over for some more lovin'...

And these are the new puppies at the pet store! Aren't they adorable??? I think I will bring all of them home with me.
Leslie is egging me on in this decision. She is such a good influence!!!