To celebrate Penny's nativity are the following:

Rosie, Maryann, Walker, Melinda, Pam (all the way from the Ukraine), Katherine, Michael, Melissa, Karen, Bill, Sophie, Alex, Becky, Jim, Palermo and friend, Candee, Sammy, Barbara, Luis, Denise, Jane, Diane, Gary, Martha, Gina, another Karen, Ami and Me. There may be others.

How many of us could have 30 plus people travel the globe to celebrate our birthday. I'd like to write one of those movies where everyone here tells of their adventures and\or misadventures in getting here .....and then get to pick which actor will play them. In the spirit of Four Weddings and a Funeral .... but with a different title.

The party is later today and I have to say a few words. Maybe I'll use these. We've been loosely planning entertainment. Walker, the 13 year old son of Maryann, said he will play something on the guitar. Was thinking of Panic in Needle Park. I believe that was voted down by the committee (though the park in question is mere footsteps from my New York headquarters).

Yesterday Ami and I for the first time in our lives ran into someone from NY in Rome. Michael Serby, a Dr. we worked with at Mt. Sinai some years ago. He was enroute to a Psychiatry conference in Florence. Earlier we had gone to the Giotto show. Ami's decided to collect Assumptions as she likes the concept of Heaven. (couldn't find a Giotto painting of The Assumption...so here's Giotto's depiction of St. Francis preaching to the doves...)


On Friday, friend Vincent took us for a tour through the Forum revealing all sorts of historic information. One item I'll pass on to you. The stone, Porphyry (purple), was used only for statuary of significant power people in old Rome. As a consequence it is now extinct. Every chunk has been used up. There is a registry of where every piece of porphyry can be found!!!!!

I may get one more blog in before I leave for home. And I know you're disappointed to not yet have the full list of my Annunciations. There will be an epilogue of photos and final commentary after I get home, however I hope I'll see all of you at the party tonight...