Vanquishing the Tramontana
Fiendish Wind We’ve been having a struggle with the weather this week. We started the week with snow, which was beautiful and magical and we loved it. Then the sun came out and it was clear and bright and we loved it. With the sun came the wind. It...
Seasonal Perspectives
One of the things we were looking forward to when we moved here was to experience the seasons. We’ve been coming to Italy for 25 years, so we’ve seen snippets of every season, but to witness the changes crosses a threshold between visiting and living. We got here in...
Peace on Earth
Christmas is always a special time – you feel a sense of renewal, of peace, and of hope. This year has been especially meaningful for me. So many things have changed for me this year, not the least of which is that I don’t go to work every day...
The Homecoming and an Italian Christmas Miracle
Steve went to Atlanta for 10 long days and came back home on Monday. He flew into Rome and took the train to Arezzo where I skillfully drove to pick him up. Millie and I were waiting in the car when I saw his beautiful silver hair appear from...
Thanksgiving in My Heart
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. And as with all uniquely American holidays, it’s not without its controversies. Regardless, it’s a day where we pause to gather around a table with friends and family while giving thanks for the blessings that we have received. It’s also a day that...
The Baths Up the Road
We visited Bagno di Romagna recently, a small village near here known for its thermal springs. Bagno di Romagna is a Roman town and became an important stop on the route between Rome and Ravenna. The thermal springs are a cozy 116 degrees year round. I can imagine that...
A Place for the Soul
Last weekend Anghiari hosted a great celebration of the food of the area, called the Centigusto, or One Hundred Tastes. As part of the festivities, there was a nature walk through the forest and countryside around here. We joined our friend Rossano, who guides these walks, and three other...
A Celebration for the Senses
One of the things I love about living in Anghiari is that it’s a small town with a big city vibe. It’s rare to go for more than a few weeks without some event or celebration. And they almost all center around food, which makes it even more appealing...
Ghouls, Goblins, and Church
Halloween has its origins in ancient Celtic traditions concerning the end of the year and the disposition of souls to the otherworld. Eventually, the Catholic church got on board and moved their All Saints Day to November 1, making Halloween All Hallows Eve. Then November 2 is All Souls...
Road Trip
We took a road trip recently to the Adriatic coast. We’ve decided that now that things are somewhat settled for us, we should take an overnight trip about once a month. We’d like to go to places we’ve never been, but since we’ve been traveling here for over 20...