 Nerine Shatner Friendly House
This non profit organization is one of the nation's first residential
homes for women recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.
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Hollywood
Charity
Horse Show
For the past eleven years, William Shatner has spearheaded the HCHS
which features some of the best western reining riders in the country
while simultaneously raising money for charity.
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William
Shatner also
Supports:
 March
of
Dimes Canada
 The Jewish
National Fund
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Post subject: Email from Sicily
 Posted: Jun 06, 2008 - 10:59 AM
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Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2005
Posts: 9408
Location: Living in the NOW
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Henci, (Hen chay: Hello in Muskogee)
Well, yesterday we did some digging. We were cleaning a rock wall area to see what was there and to see if the wall had collapsed or was some sort of strange arrangement (it had collapsed). The site is supposed to be Roman/Greek age, and only about 200 ft (downhill) from the castle.
I was very lucky- and found a Byzantine era coin (one whole coin- the one I found, and a fragment found so far). I also found some interesting pot sherds that were glazed (mostly Medieval period, but a couple were older), bones, and an ancient spike (age unknown, but old). We've found hundreds of roof tile sherds, as well as a whole bunch of plain cooking type pot sherds.
We're almost finished with all of the political problems we've been having. We got the final permit (to dig in this part of Sicily requires 35 permits!!!) and should be actually excavating in the castle area on Monday. There is another part of the dig about 400 ft from the castle- all downhill, that we have already started the trenches and so on. It's still a bit too rough and downhill for me, so I won't be working there until (maybe) the end of the field school. I'm getting stronger, by the way- steps that made me pant when I first arrived now don't affect me. Some of the climbs around the castle, however, are still way too rough- worse than Black Mountain!!! Far Worse!
Last night I got the first real full night's sleep since I got here. I actually got just over 8 hours of sleep! It's been really cool here (last night I would have appreciated a long-sleeve shirt!) and we've been having unusual weather for this time of year- we've had two periods of rain. It's also been rather cloudy on several days.
I've gotten a lot of suntan (with a little sunburn) in spite of the lotion I've been using. The lotion is SPF 50! I'm now darker than most of the people in the group (with a couple of exceptions). Well, they DID say that our people tanned easily and quickly- we do!
The food has also been fantastic. Last night- grilled lamb (for the second time)! It was great. I think the difference between Sicilian food and what we get in the states is based upon the types of foods available. Around here, everything is small-scale. Instead of the huge food crop varieties (meant for making profit rather than quality), they raise really good stuff- like we had in our garden several years ago. It makes a huge difference!
Because of the politics, by the way- we're only digging today and tomorrow at the lowest/furthest away site, and I and a few others don't have the health for the climb, so I have much computer/running around stuff to do. That means I can email you. We're also still working on having internet at the agriturismo through cell phone cables. It will be slower, but would make things easier.
I've been thinking about you and our "babies" a lot. Except for the road to the castle (considered the worst in the area, if not in all of Sicily- except for the section BEYOND the castle, which I'm told requires 4 wheel drive with a granny gear), I think you'd get used to it and have a blast here. The scenery is still restful and awesome. Etna has been erupting stronger than usual- I think I mentioned in the last email that we walked down the road to see it at night, and we could see the lava flow as a tiny red ribbon on the mountain. It's also been classic during the day- smoke rising out of the top.
There are also springs all over the place, and many have pure drinking quality. There is one well-known spring on the way to the castle called "AquaRosa" which means red water- but it is DELICIOUS! We stop to fill our water bottles and packs every day. I also am drinking and sweating at least 2 liters (half gallon) a day- generally more. The mountain towns and several of the roads have springs where you can get a drink- fountains and so on.
We plan on taking a couple of trips to various places in the next weekends- a short trip on Sunday (possibly Etna- where we can see the eruptions at a safe distance, but close enough to watch), one to one of the Islands where obsidian is found (which has big sites), and one to the south of Sicily where there are the best-preserved Greek Temples known! The Island trip and the South Sicily trip will both be overnight, btw- and will cost some money but will be well worth it.
How is the job coming- the new line? Tell me how everyone is doing. Give my love to everyone. Snuggle Sunshine, Snickers, Cubby, Spot, Stripes, and the others for me and tell them I will be home in a few weeks. I have lots of pictures and some videos to share. I will also try to get a video of driving in these towns (as well as going up/down from the castle).
It's been rather lonely here without you, even though I have 16 students (male and female) around me.
Love ya!!!
Feke Cate (Fee gee Jah dee: translates to Red Heart) |
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Faith can move mountains! But don't be surprised if God gives you a shovel!
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Post subject:
Posted: Jun 06, 2008 - 02:44 PM
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Member
Joined: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 10423
Location: Never you mind where I'm at! You don't need to be knowing! Snoops!
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Very nice letter. Bob has a way of describing his surroundings and experiences to where you can visualize it easily. Great narrative.
35 documents for permission? Sheesh! I don't think Indiana Jones has that problem....much!   Bob better be careful about that sun. Despite the Muskogee blood in him he'll wind up a crispy critter. My doctor is already griping at me because I've got a great dark tan now.  All I do is sit outside on the southside of the house and read books and I'm darker than anyone else. I keep getting lectures on melanoma! Yeah yeah yeah, I know already!  |
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