We don’t travel by train much anymore, but I remember the long train rides of our early carless years in Italy. When my husband had to ride an old moped 12 miles to work – even in the rain and snow. There are areas of Italy where you can live without a car thanks to […]
We’ve had thieves strike. Twice. The first time they were real thieves, but the second time they were kind of fake thieves. As many of you know, we have a summer house, and when we weren’t there, thieves entered and stole a mirror and a small step ladder. Those thieves were odd. They didn’t mess […]
We’ve had fun and adventure, traveled the world, learned new skills and experienced other cultures! And we did all on a shoestring budget, right from our home! “How is this possible?” you ask. Through our guests who shared the love they have for their homeland, or their passion for things like painting, making balsamic vinegar, […]
Do you have a problem with smelly towels? We always did, but not anymore! Over here, especially during Italy’s rainy season, towels take a long time to dry. So if they’re not washed after each use, they start to smell acidic, and so unpleasant to use! But how can we wash them when it rains? […]
According to statistics, the average American family of four spends about $18 a year on laundry detergent.ยน Add another $39 for bleach, and $66 for fabric softener. That’s a lot of money going down the drain. (No pun intended!) And that doesn’t even take into account the toll all those chemicals take on the environment. But you can […]
Retirement anymore seems to be right around the corner for us. Yikes! And because of certain lifestyle choices we’ve made, we’re starting to think they’re going to be interesting years, to say the least. Not that we’re alone. It’s not uncommon for people to find themselves in reduced circumstances in their retirement years. And not just with reduced […]