Fire

So, southern California is burning again - only this time it is fairly close to us so the smoke in the air is bad. Pity the firefighters - but thank heavens they are there. If there is an upside, the skies at sunset can be beautiful.

Thought for the day

"People drink coffee in every state...but Hawaii is the only state that grows it." Not sure if this is technically true, but I would bet that commercial amounts are only grown there.

Personally, I am semi-addicted to coffee. Lattes and wet cappuccinos, in particular. Every now and then I try to behave, drink more tea. But I fall from grace every time. But, it's one of my two vices (the other is dark chocolate), so I guess I'll just accept it and enjoy myself. My favorite coffee seller, Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena, CA, also sell the lattes that I love. My other favorite spot is Kaldi, in So. Pasadena. Both, as you maybe can tell, are local, one of a kind.

Laughter

"On average, an adult laughs about 15 times a day; a child laughs 400 times."

I have a book with lots of little tidbits like this one. This one is easy to believe. When was the last time you really laughed?

Thought for the day

Crossing the street - Athens, Parliament Square

In 2003, "89% of Americans didn't have a passport."
I think that explains a lot about the ease with which Americans can be led to fear "others." Makes such a difference to see the world firsthand and realize that the average "other" pretty much has the same hopes and plans as we do. Of course, that works both ways - we should share our everyday lives, too.

Next best thing, read. Everything.

But the best part of travel, second only to what you see - what you can eat - I have had the best food and some of the oddest.

Thought for the day

"It takes the average American 2.6 days to feel relaxed on a vacation." And since most people get to take a week, that means you hardly have any vacation time. If you are like I was, the two days at the end of the vacation were consumed with getting stuff together to leave. Everyone should get a month. At least.