An old Chinese proverb states that the finest memory is not so firm as faded ink. So as I find myself aging, I decided to record some of my memories – before they fade beyond recall. Yet even as I pen these memoirs I can’t help but wonder why the unbosomings of an ordinary old […]
Our neighbors are mostly older, simple folk with little education. Often confused by our rapidly changing world, they often have difficulty using technology. So they tend to stick to the way they’ve always done things. And that can lead to some pretty crazy conversations! Crazy dialogues! Just for fun, let me share some of these […]
We have a saying in Italian. Non c’รจ niente di nuovo sotto il sole. (There is nothing new under the sun.) And yes, I know it’s from the Bible. But I also know that King Solomon, who wrote it, didn’t live in a foreign country. Otherwise, I wonder if he would have changed it to: “There is something […]
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 on […]
Children often think grandmothers are the most wonderful women in the world. But I can’t help but wonder if my kids have ever thought, “That’s not the same woman who raised me!” Windows wide open to a soft, gentle breeze. Spring had come! My favorite time of the year. And what better time to do […]