Chestnuts, an open fire, and the importance of finding joy in simple things. The fire didn’t heat better out of the fireplace. All it really did was create more smoke! Although no one would ever convince the dear, stubborn, old man of that! Yet we fondly remember those simple evenings of reading by the fireContinue reading “Chestnuts Bursting on an Open Fire”
Tag Archives: home life
Tradition and Cultural Adaptation
Adapting to different cultures is usually difficult and confusing, and quite challenging. Take the standard Italian greeting of a kiss on both cheeks. It’s really not as standard as you might think. Because many people here only touch cheek to cheek while kissing the air. And in many business or formal settings, a kiss onContinue reading “Tradition and Cultural Adaptation”
Our Towns: Where is Home?
Our Towns is really our Tale of Two Houses. Ah, the complex fascination of life overseas (challenging, frustrating, but so blessed)! In fact, new acquaintances often ask, “So where are you from?” Our response? “Um, do you have an easier question?” So, to cut a long story short… Having lived all over the USA and Italy, with aContinue reading “Our Towns: Where is Home?”
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”
Italian Newspapers: Thoughts of the Past
As a child, I remember my father poring over the Daily News, our local newspaper. Every evening, since ours didn’t have a morning edition, he’d sit in his easy chair, newspaper in hand. Slippers on his feet. For some reason, red flannel plaid slippers come to mind. Although I’m sure he had other kinds over theContinue reading “Italian Newspapers: Thoughts of the Past”
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”