Cathy Ruff, my friend and former neighbor in New Jersey, sent me this helpful tip. She came across it in the Newsletter of the Garden Club of New Jersey, and for those who don’t know, New Jersey is known as The Garden State.
To determine if your produce was genetically modified, look at the numbers on the tags of the produce you buy. My carton of fresh raspberries has a sticker that reads 5137 and underneath 3969 DSA1. Therefore, I am assuming the berries were conventionally grown on a bush, but not on an organic farm.
Although Mimi’s virtual Angels & Demons blog tour is complete, I must add one more post.Here are some photos showing a few more angels and demons in Rome, and some of the city’s other wondrous sights.
Storey grave in the Protestant Cemetery of Rome
Pyramid of Cestius in Rome
This weeping angel hugs a grave in the Protestant Cemetery of Rome . John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley are also buried there. The cemetery’s main attraction is the pyramid of Caius Cestius. Cestius was a wealthy and eccentric magistrate, inspired by Egyptian relics. In 12 BC, he commissioned himself a tomb. According to the inscription, it was built in just 330 days using brick and marble.
This grotesque face is actually a medieval drain cover set into the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a beautiful 6th century church. Legend says the mouth will snap shut on the hands of liars.The two little boys waiting in line ahead of me were very nervous. They asked, "Does it take just a few fingers or your whole hand?"
Statue of Cardinal Rodrequez
Scala Santa, the Holy Staircase
The tomb of Cardinal Rodreguez in Santa Maria Maggiore, dates from 1299. The church is famous for superb mosaics and a gorgeous marble floor. Below, is the Scala Santa or Holy Staircase that Christ is said to have climbed to his trail. It was dismantled and brought to Rome by St Helena in the 4th century. The faithful climb to the top on bended knees.
Ruins at Largo Argentina
The remains of four temples, dated among the oldest in Rome, were discovered in the 1920’s at the center of Largo Argentina. The site is now a cat scantuary where scores of furry friends make their home.
Piazza del Campidolgio
Rooftop view of Rome & the Vatican
City Lights of Rome
Sunrise an sunset are spectacular times to shoot photos. The city comes alive at night (above) yielding a new perspective on ancient classics. Below is a view of the Tiber River before dawn.
Mist on the Tiber River before dawn, Rome
Roman Soldier at Colosseum
Exterior of Rome's Colosseum at dusk
For a fee you can have your photo taken with this Roman soldier at the Colosseum.
Rome's Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain, made popular by Aubrey Hepburn in the movie Roman Holiday, draws a mob of tourists.They come and throw three coins, supposedly assuring their return. I'm just superstitious enough to believe it, so I always visit and toss my coins into the foaming fountain. Arrivederci Roma.
My husband, Jay, makes a great Tanqueray and tonic. Like every mixologist, he starts with gin over ice and tops it off with tonic water. But then– he squeezes a section of fresh lime into the cool liquid, letting the tart and tangy juice add some zip. After that, he runs the oozing fruit piece around the glass lip before plunking it into the cocktail. Swizzle a little and you’ve got an outstanding mixed drink.
Just recently I came across a new product which offered a twist on tradition and some experimental fun—Tea Forte cocktail infusers; a method to combine an extraordinary blend of tea with alcohol.
