Good to be back! HI AGAIN ALL!

Hi All -
I gotta tell ya it's good to be back.
Missed you all and the 'stuff' of ATS.
Can't wait to talk to the lot of you.

Hope you've all been well!
HUGS around and PEACE to all.

a reply to: silo13

Hi ya!

Where did you go?
Where have you been?

Can you tell us?

My brother is in Seattle as well...

Oh, and - can someone point me to where in the heck are uploaded pics are in libraries?
This place is not as user friendly as it used to be.
Thanks all!
peace

Welcome back !
Down the Rabbit Hole you go......

I remember you. How long were you gone? Welcome back. X

a reply to: TNMockingbird
Hi Hi -
I moved back to the States from Sicily and it's not been a very good couple of years.
Keeping busy, back to homesteading and writing and photography but hating the area (sorry if that sounds ungrateful).
I've really missed ATS.
It's great to have a little more time now to get back to ATS!
Thanks for asking!
peace

a reply to: misscurious
It seems like forever but for about 2 years.
How times fly!
VERY strange to be back in the States but it has its bennies too. Like KFC, lol.
Thanks for remembering.
Good to see you!
peace

a reply to: DogMeat

Hornappy? LOL!

Haha nice one

Welcome back from someone relatively new. I've heard of the way it "used to be" and others missing the ones who've left. And now I'm seeing some come back. That's really nice, as it's gradually changing the terrain back in a better direction.

Yea.

We spent two years in Yugoslavia just at the cusp of the war, 1979-81, so I know what it's like. We'd save our money to take a bus to Italy to buy things like coffee, light bulbs, toilet paper and a few personal products. I'm still not over my husband trying to request lamb at a meat market. The Italians were not very gracious at trying to understand someone who didn't speak Italian. He kept rubbing his wool jacket edge and going, "Baa, baa" as I winced and inched towards the Exit. The worst part were the bus drivers who would spend the Siesta time drinking and then we'd put our lives into the hands of the Universe on the drunken bus ride back. The best part was being introduced to cappuccino before it was popular. Once back in the states, we'd have to drive over 100 miles in any direction to find a cup, until we got our own machine. We blew up a couple of them before we got the hang of it.

So I know what you mean about KFC. Personally, my point of awe was slowly walking through a super market again, quite literally with tears in my eyes, marveling at the width of the aisles and the bright lights; the many things I had forgotten about, such as Hamburger Helper (yuk), Jello, peanut butter, those dryer sheets for the laundry, etc. But for me it was a great experience. Before I was there, I would complain about the quality of tomatoes. Now, having had to stand in line to buy one egg and then share it, I never complained again.....well, almost anyway.

Enjoy the transition home...

Hi, good to see you back here.

Believe it or not I was thinking about you and Lucie just an hour or so ago, wondering how you were getting along

a reply to: berenike

Oh it's so good to see you! I've thought of you often and hope all is well with you!
YAY!

a reply to: ClownFish

Oh boy do you know!
I still have a hard time with the size of the roads - the OPENNESS! WOW.
And the store?
I still go through with tears in my eyes for all the options - I mean - do we really need all that? 50 choices a bread and chips and soda? UGH. Crap!
But KFC still makes me drool. Not fallen into the pit to step through the doors yet but driving by and smelling that smell is making it harder and harder.
I know what you mean about the drivers taking a 'drink break' at siesta, lol - but there are really no speed limits to speak of. Talk about not having a nanny State! Not so sure if that's good considering out topic!
You made me laugh about blowing up the espresso machines!
And the tomatoes? That makes me cry. Nothing like a REAL Sicilian tomato!
Well - welcome home to you too. It's not easy is it.
peace

I was starting to think you may have run off with an alien and the two of you were flying around the milky way.

a reply to: rickymouse
Newman was taken.

Silo!!!

Big hugs and welcome home! I have missed your amazing photos and coverage of Etna and thought of you from time to time. Hope all is well for you.

a reply to: silo13

Welcome back you have been missed especially those beautiful photos you take.

a reply to: silo13

Welcome back mate! I wondered why I no longer
saw your fabulous Etna pictures & post.
I hope you are well & looking forward to your post!

Cheers
Ektar

Hey Silo! Welcome back home! HUGS!

a reply to: Doodle19815

Thanks tons! I wish I was still there! Maybe someday soon!