Today, we walked over to St. Peter’s to find out about a tour of the necropolis under St. Peter’s.  And about having a mass said in St. Peter’s for my dear friend who died last week.  Bonnie Winikates was 89 and a devout Catholic and I think if I can get this done it will please her family.  Especially if Papa Francesco says the Mass.  We went to the Swiss Guards as I had been instructed by a Swiss Guard the other day.  And who should be there but the same SG.  We were both surprised to see each other.  When I first talked to him he was a couple of blocks away at another SG post.  He speaks perfect English. Asked him today where he was from and he said he was Swiss, and I commented on his perfect English…and he said, ‘My Mother is from Long Island.’  Anyway, we could get no information today because it is the feast day of St. Guiseppe- I think that is St. Joseph and all offices are closed -church offices, that is.  

We hopped on the bus and went to near Piazza Barbarini to see an exhibit of Richard Avedon photos in an art gallery.  They were stunning.  Many old actresses I had never heard of, but many famous people I had…Twiggy with long hair, Jackie Kennedy in 1956, Sophia Loren, Penelope Tree, Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn and one of Marilyn Monroe.  Andy and I both commented on how lost and sad she looked.  All captured in a moment of grace, movement and beauty…and the beautiful gowns they were wearing.  Vintage but classic.  There was a separate room with colored photos of a beautiful woman posing with a dressed skeleton…very macabre and almost disturbing.  The woman’s clothes were stunningly elegant, but she and the skeleton were posed in very rundown, dirty, shabby scenery sets.  

After that, we went to a Lebabese restaurant and had lunch.  Had been there before and really liked the food.  Hummus with lamb chunks on top, baked chicken livers in a heavy pomegranate sauce and Andy had an appetizer plate and I had grilled lamb and rice.  The chicken livers were just outstanding!  I would love the recipe and maybe something will be found on Google.  That will be my meal next time we go.  

Came home to find out the lights were off in our apartment!  Called our leasing lady and she got an electrician over right away.  He finally determined the water heater has a broken sensor and was causing the electricity fuse box to trip.  We have lights now, but no hot water until it is repaired.  He thinks that will be tomorrow.  We shall see.  A hot shower is one of the simple joys of my life and I will miss it.  Boiled water over the stove just isn’t the same…but better than nothing.  At least we aren’t sitting in the dark freezing.  Today it was almost 70 degrees and sunny…just beautiful.

That’s it for today, unless something exciting happens.  Good night, folks.