5 Steps to Reclaim Your Life From the Internet

Have you ever had an epiphany moment in your life? Those aha! moments, that make you sit up and take notice? I have, and one came to me recently. It came one evening when I realized that I didn’t want to spend all my time scrolling and reading online. Epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception of orContinue reading “5 Steps to Reclaim Your Life From the Internet”

Two Months Without Internet

Could you handle two months without Internet? Long ago in the pre-pandemic days, we would spend most of the summer visiting friends and churches or down at our summer home. And most of the time without Internet, for two whole months! Many people these days would ask, “Is it even possible to live without Internet?” HowContinue reading “Two Months Without Internet”

Kill That Pigeon

I wanted that pigeon dead; it’s sad but true. Don’t get me wrong, I love birds. I’d love to have a house and barnyard full of them. (Not that I have a barn!) But I did not like that pigeon! “Kill that pigeon, I said!”  The outside walls of old Italian houses like ours, areContinue reading “Kill That Pigeon”

Ten Upbeat Ways to Beat the Blues

Storms and difficulties of all kinds and sizes come our way. From simple doldrums or times of discouragement, to life’s great storms and even pandemics. And they can really start to get us down. Many of life’s problems are extremely serious, like the events of the past few years, from pandemics to financial crises toContinue reading “Ten Upbeat Ways to Beat the Blues”

The Italian Passeggiata

As the sun wanes in the western sky the cool evening air beckons to all Italians everywhere to take to the streets – for la passeggiata. Young and old, and everyone in between – it’s time for the evening promenade. If you’ve never experienced one, I can only assume you’ve never been to Italy. AtContinue reading “The Italian Passeggiata”

Italy’s Snail-Loving Village

Although often considered a French dish, Italians love their lumache (snails) just as much! And our village is no exception! In our area of Abruzzo, the little town of Scerni is known as the snail-loving village! My husband, a snail lover himself, fits in well with these villagers. Who are known in this area as the sciumacchiniContinue reading “Italy’s Snail-Loving Village”