Signora Sheila

Italians Love Tradition

Open book rests on a table beside a coffee mug, glowing fireplace, and lamp in a cozy, warmly lit room with a calm atmosphere.

Adapting to different cultures is usually difficult. But it can also be perplexing and mind boggling. Take the interesting mentality of our town folk, for example. Hint: it can sometimes be antiquated, backward, and impractical. This often comes as a surprise to us, because they are, in many ways, practical and down-to-earth. Italians love tradition.ContinueContinue reading “Italians Love Tradition”

My Abruzzo Town: Scerni

Quiet hillside village with red-tiled roofs, a stone church tower, and green fields overlooking distant rolling countryside beneath a blue sky.

Scerni is a quiet, peaceful town of 3,000 people nestled along the crest of a gentle hill. It sits in the hilly countryside of the Chieti province. Located 276 meters above sea level, Scerni boasts an inviting, fairly mild climate. Summers are hot and dry, with average highs between 83-87°F (28-30°C), and overnight lows aroundContinueContinue reading “My Abruzzo Town: Scerni”

All Roads Lead to Rome

Sunlit ancient stones of the Via Appia road winding through dry golden grass and umbrella pines, creating a peaceful rustic landscape beneath a blue sky.

In the year 20 BC, Augustus, the first emperor of ancient Rome, placed a gilded monument called the Millarium Aureum, or Golden Milestone, in the Roman Forum. This monument marked the starting point of all roads in the vast Roman Empire. All distances within the empire were measured relative to it. The Romans were masterContinueContinue reading “All Roads Lead to Rome”

How Accessible is Your Website?

Close-up of a white computer keyboard with a bright blue accessibility key, wheelchair symbol, and “accessibility” text, emphasizing inclusion.

I recently installed an accessibility plugin called AccessiYes on all my websites because, as their website says, “every visitor deserves a site they can use.” I had never given much thought to site accessibility before, probably because it had never been an issue for me personally. I started looking into it only after a friendContinueContinue reading “How Accessible is Your Website?”

For an Audience of One

Small glass bottle of golden oil surrounded by white and pink flowers, creating a fresh, elegant, and soothing botanical still life.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3 Every day, regardless of where we are or what we’re doing, we areContinueContinue reading “For an Audience of One”

Travel With Just a Carry-on

A vintage travel flat lay features a leather satchel, patterned scarf, sunglasses, compact camera, and open notebook, evoking a stylish, nostalgic getaway.

The peak travel season is pretty much over. But now is one of the best times to visit Italy. The weather is at its best. Travel fares and hotel rates drop. The hordes of tourists have departed. Menus feature seasonal specialties. You can enjoy foods like fresh mushrooms, truffles, chestnuts, pumpkins, and wild game. YouContinueContinue reading “Travel With Just a Carry-on”