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Well before we get to today's post, evidently my email has been hacked.  So if you get a note from me asking for gift cards, please don't buy any as I don't need them.  But please do let me know.

Thanks.  Now on to today's post...

From my friend Bruce...

You may not always see the results of your kindness, but every bit of positive energy that you contribute to the world makes it a better place for us all.

                                                    Lisa Currie

So again, true kindness, true goodness is not motivated by a need to see results.  It simply understands that goodness/kindness is extremely valuable in and of itself.  Even if we don't see the effect of our actions, they are moving out there like ripples on a pond.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Government Shutdown

First of all, I apologize that there was no post yesterday.  I thought that I had one set up, but I made a mistake.  Sorry.

Now to today's post... I am writing this on November 3.  Tomorrow I leave for Italy for two weeks.  I return on the 17th.  I hope to post many great pictures of our travels between the 5th and the 18th.  I also hope that by the time that we return, the government shutdown will be over.

Why a government shut down?  Because we ran out of money.  We are not running a balanced budget.  In most governments, in most homes, we run a balanced budget.  Income and expenses match, or close to it.

If you overspend in most worlds, it catches up with you.

In the United States, we have given up on a balanced budget.  Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle overspend and print money to cover it.  Whatever amount they approve for the year, when they have overspent it, they need a continuing resolution.  In other words, raise the debt ceiling and borrow more money to keep the overspending going.

Can you imagine what would happen if our country actually balanced the budget???  All spending would have to be cut by about 25%.  Can you imagine the austerity measures that would have to be put in place?  Every  program cut by 25%.

My friend Paul reminds me to relax about all of this because it is more complicated than I think and it is not as bad as it sounds.  But it does concern me.

Anyway, I would like to think that me and 99 friends could go to Washington as Senators or congressmen and congresswomen, get along, speak with kindness to each other and balance the budget.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Pompeii

Today we saw the city of Pompeii which was covered in ash from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79ad.

Because it was totally covered up with ash, it was very well preserved.  Archaeologists have been working on it for many years.

It was very cool.

many frescoes were visible on the walls

you can see the height of the ground around the excavated area...

Mt. Vesuvius... imagine the left and right sides rising up and 
meeting in the top.  The guide told us that 1/3 of the 
mountain was blown away in the eruption.

amphitheater

And so our visit to Italy has come to an end.  We have made great friendships on the trip.  Many people are already talking about where we will plan to go next year.

We are so fortunate to be able to visit such places.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Capri

Regarding these Italy pictures, I feel funny just posting pictures and not saying very much.  But I so appreciate those of you who have enjoyed the pictures.  

The heavens declare the glory of God, the world shows the work of his hands.

The beauty of the hills and seas is so humbling.

Day 7 was spent on the Island of Capri.  Again, fantastic.

local grocery store with vegetables in the narrow
alleyway outside.  Very cool to see what the locals
have the opportunity to purchase.

harbor of Capri was used by the Greeks and Romans.

Another lovely day.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

The Amalfi coast

Among the most beautiful places on earth is the Amalfi coast.  This was my first time to this area, and it did not disappoint!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ancient Rome Part 3

What a treat to return to see the coliseum and the Roman Forum.

The Roman forum - shops

Arch of Constantine 325ad

Coliseum 

Gate 35

It is such a wonderful place to visit.  It was on my bucket list... yes at the age of 68 I have a bucket list.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Ancient Rome, Pt. 2

We also saw the Vatican Museum.  It is among the best museums in the world.  It holds many items that were gifted to the church, as well as items that the Christians looted, or kept for safe keeping, depending on how you look at it...

Authentic Italian Pizza

roman ruins

face removed from city of Rome now in the Vatican museum

hundreds of statues in the Vatican museum
most from ancient Rome.

1st century floor moved to the Vatican

amazing large maps from the 1600's

large tapestries 10' tall x 20' wide
gifted to the Vatican

Authentic Egyptian obelisk moved to the Vatican

lovely sunset at the Vatican

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.