life in italy – Signora Sheila

The Saga of Our Summer House

A vintage white flatbed truck carries a wooden cabinet and colorful items along a highway, captured in motion against blurred trees.

June has been a month of movement for us. We’re clearing out two houses at the same time. When we bought our current house—the only home we’ve ever owned—I thought we’d never have to move again. Over the course of our 50-year marriage, we’ve moved over 50 times, but I stopped counting after the 50thContinueContinue reading “The Saga of Our Summer House”

The Golden Years of Worry

Elderly couple reviewing paperwork together at a kitchen table; the woman looks concerned while the man offers reassuring support.

The Golden Years are touted as a time of leisure, free from many responsibilities and rigid schedules. A time to enjoy life, and maybe even a little prosperity. But for many seniors, the Golden Years might more accurately be described as the “Worry Years”. Because they often bring fear and concerns about declining health, theContinueContinue reading “The Golden Years of Worry”

For When you Feel Marooned

Tropical beach with leaning coconut palms, lush jungle, soft golden sand, and turquoise waves under a bright blue sky, creating a serene mood.

When you first move overseas, nothing seems to be where it should be. Offices, appointments, and waiting in line may not work the same way. Stores don’t always sell what you expect. When we first moved to Italy, we spent weeks trying to find matches for our stove. Who would have thought you could only buy matchesContinueContinue reading “For When you Feel Marooned”

Italian Worm Cheese and Culture Shock

Rows of round, pale cheese wheels mature on metal racks in a cool aging room, creating a warm, orderly artisanal food scene.

We have a saying in Italian. Non c’è 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 somethingContinueContinue reading “Italian Worm Cheese and Culture Shock”

The Old Auntie’s Kerchief: The Power of Love

Black-and-white historical sketch of women and a child carrying large baskets on their heads through a village street, conveying quiet resilience.

I can still see her, old and frail, limping up the steep hill with her homemade canes. “What do you have there, Zia (Auntie)?” my Hubby asked, pointing at the mesh bag on her kerchief-covered head. I just gaped, wondering how many nasty things had been on that seldom-washed, filthy headscarf! “Oh rabbit droppings for myContinueContinue reading “The Old Auntie’s Kerchief: The Power of Love”

Chestnuts Bursting on an Open Fire

Cozy feet in colorful striped socks and chunky knit slippers rest near a glowing fireplace, creating a warm, relaxed winter atmosphere.

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 fireContinueContinue reading “Chestnuts Bursting on an Open Fire”