Astounding

I just can't imagine what some people think here.

Take our dog Trooper, a pure-bred Labrador Retriever. Some Italian imported him from Hungary at substantial cost, then just gave him away. We are the lucky recipients, but still... makes you wonder.

A similar curiosity; this seemingly full-blooded hunting dog is in a shelter we have been working with. Why would anyone cast off such a magnificent dog? (Ok, frankly I can't understand casting off any dog, regardless of breed or problems).



Read more about the dogs in this shelter, and what we are trying to do to help at: www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com or www.miamattsson.blogspot.com.

Photo Copyright (c) 2009, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

See Naples and Die

One thing a visitor notices about the Naples, Italy area, is the stray dog situation.

Well, after the trash, that is.

Strays seem to be everywhere.

What most people don't see, however, is the dogs that get put into shelters. The conditions are horrible, and since shelter operation seems to be a lucrative business (Euro 125 per dog, per month from the government) there is no incentive to find "forever" adoptive homes for these guys.

These pictures were taken on a recent trip to a "small" private shelter that is being closed by the goverment. "Only" 70 dogs are languishing in this shelter.

Read more about them, and what is being done to try to help, at http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

All photos Copyright (c) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved

Naples Trash

The new Italian Prime Minister vows to fight the trash problem in southern Italy, centered on Naples.

CNN News Report on the subject.

Well, it couldn't get much worse.

Gaeta, Italy

A recent trip and 4-day stay at Gaeta harbor gave me a small chance to see this beautiful, old harbor town.



Here are a few of the panoramas I made from my little point-and-shoot, auto-focus digital camera.

The "modern" side of the harbor, taken from the deck of the US 6th Fleet Command Ship, the USS Mount Whitney, which is home-ported in Gaeta

Old Gaeta, taken from the fantail of the USS Mount Whitney, looking back along the "Fleet Landing" pier.

Another view of the newer side of Gaeta harbor, with some of the mountains in the background near Formia.

Another view of the newer side of the harbor, as the sunset approaches.

I'm still mastering the Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 program, but hopefully you can get an idea of the harbor area.



Unlike just 2 hours to the south in Naples, Gaeta is clean and pleasant... much more like one pictures Italy to be. The old town has many winding, narrow, off-angle stairways and narrow corridors that are centuries old, but still used to get to peoples' homes and businesses. There are ruins from the 1st Century B.C., that were the foundation for "modern" buildings in the 16th century. The harbor-side walk is nice in the evening, and on Sunday evening in particular, it seems the whole town is out and about, doing just that.



Incidentally, Gaeta was the site where the first Pope to visit sovereign US territory did so. How? When Pope Pius VI was in exile in Gaeta, the USS Constitution was in port, and he came on board. A warship is the sovereign territory of its nation.



Very nice... I expect and hope to go back soon to take more and better pictures.

A Childs Security in Blue

Black and White Adonis

My passion is to shoot black and white pictures. One of my models was an Italian "guy", Bobby a 21 years-old adonis.

Hanne Boel Concert

Scandinavian recording artist Hanne Boel played a benefit concert at the NATO-base's Naples Community Conference Center in September. Here is an article published on the event:

Hanne Boel rocks the NCCC

Scandinavian Recording Artist, and current Naples resident, Hanne Boel and her band, performed at the Naples Community Conference Center (NCCC) on JFC Compound Thursday, 6 September 2007. Proceeds of the event, approximately 2000.00 Euro, benefited the charity BIANCO/NERO Daycare for Children in Castel Volturno.

The crowd of approximately 225, who each paid 10 euro to relive their favourites from the 1980’s and 90’s enthusiastically received Ms Boel as she sang through two sets of her hits, recent work and some favourites from other performers.

Colonel Fleming Larsen, Danish Army, Joint Operations Support Branch Chief, J3 Division, welcomed the crowd and commented that such charity performances, hopefully, will be repeated in the future.

Known as the “Scandinavian Queen of Soul”, Ms Boel enjoyed great success in her native Denmark as well as Sweden, Norway and Iceland in the 1980’s and 1990s, with her smoky, bluesy voice is reminiscent of Janis Joplin. She now lives in the Naples area with her musician-husband and children, but has recently released a new CD of original music. Titled “Private Eyes”, Hanne’s CD is climbing the charts, and her music is being introduced to a new generation of fans, as well as those who have enjoyed her soulful melodies for decades.

Ms Boel and her band performed for free on Thursday night, so that 100% of the proceeds could go to charity. MWA sponsored the event, and provided support for sound and light, instrument rental and transportation. The NCCC was arranged for by the Scandinavian Community, primarily spouses, and the manager of the NCCC. The recipient of the charitable contribution was decided upon in cooperation with the Allied Spouses Club at JFC Headquarters, Naples.

Story and Pictures Copyright (C) 2007 Todd Mercer

We enjoyed a really great concert. I wasn't familiar with her music, but of course my better half was more than familiar....she is a fan from way back. Regardless of my familiarity, I quickly got into the music, and really enjoyed the two sets she and her band performed.