Tonight We Had Tacos!

Yes, it was taco night and we had them last week, too. That equaled the total number of times we had them all last year--as Casey dutifully pointed out. Somehow Mexican food, that which we thought we could not live without, faded into the culinary background when competing with the delicacies of Italy.

I so often write of what we miss which isn't quite fair as there are things that we treasure here--now, if I can think of some of them. Let's see--

1. Tacos, burritos, red curry, kung pao, huge artichokes and......corn on the cob.
2. Our church fellowship--somehow Baptist churches are few and far between in Italy-or actually in most of Europe.
3. Our friends of years. New friends are wonderful but can never replace those that have traveled life with you.
4. Scratch--our dog--or rather Casey's dog.
5. Being able to talk with teachers sans interpreter.
6. A big, big refrigerator and freezer.
7. Meat cuts that I understand.
8. Finding clothes that fit my non-size-6 frame.
9. Spending time with our son.
10. Browsing book stores which have books I can read.
11. $'s not €'s.
12. Target for Casey's clothes and Costco jeans for me.
    
13. Canned music (scherzo).
14. Air America.
15. The desert.
16. Dungeness crab.
17. Ability to read and comprehend directions on soap boxes--or anything.
18. Having groceries bagged for me.
19. Freeways rather than toll roads. (I do miss the Auto Grills).
20. Big Christmas trees.
21. Heated swimming pool.
22. Honey Bunches of Oats
23. Heat or a/c that isn't on a schedule.
    
24. And............how about some suggestions from fellow travelers?
25. A fellow traveler addition--and rightly so: The beautiful Pacific Ocean
    

So, have I redeemed myself in the eyes of those who think I spend too much time remembering and wishing? Probably not, as somehow a list doesn't really equate with narratives. But, the simple truth is, Italy demands the rhapsody that the USA has not yet found.