Autumn is slowly creeping into our area. The grape and olive harvests are in full swing. The days are lovely and warm, but not uncomfortably hot. Nights are sometimes cool enough for a light blanket. For some reason, autumn always reminds me of Nonno’s house, our summer home. It’s the house my husband was born […]
Most of us do not like endings. Beginnings are fun and exciting, with new things on the horizon. But endings mark the conclusion of something, with words like cessation, separation, mourning, goodbye, and farewell. They often carry with them a sense of loss. We experienced this sense of loss during our recent stay in Hubby’s […]
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 my […]
June is a busy month for us. Hubby is busy finishing up his English classes. While I am busy getting ready, as usual, for our summer visits to friends and churches. I wish you could join us! First stop: the hometown First stop, Hubby’s hometown in the beautiful Cilento National Park, near Salerno. Where we […]
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 a […]
Walking through Italian villages is like a journey into the past. Another time, another way of life. Everything speaks of times gone by. From narrow cobbled streets, to ancient buildings. The ever-present scent of wood smoke fills the air, transporting the mind to slower days. When whole families gathered round the fire for warmth, chestnuts roasting […]