Casey, Italy and Other Good Stuff

Today's Pet Peeves

2009-10-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, this is an unusual topic for me but there are a couple things I need to unload--things that tend to either drive me batty (an old-timers expression), set my teeth on edge or cause dread. You all can feel free to add your thoughts of a similar persuasion in the comments section.Here goes:Coffee pots that drip--in fact this is what set me off this morning. I have never had a coffee pot

Traz Sighting

2009-10-23T08:45:00.001-07:00

The first night you would have seen Traz sleeping outside child's door--he was too scary.By last night, this is what you would have seen.Check out the toes.I am eternally grateful for my Slow Travel friends who encouraged me to embrace Traz rather than admonish child for his non-money sense. Thank you my friends.

Ya Gotta Love Him

2009-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

Eleven year olds are such a trip! I had four of them years ago but because there were four I missed a lot of what each of them was all about. I wonder how much I overlooked and what joys were lost. There's much to be said about a house with an only child.Casey had his Washington D.C. experience last week. It was a week with many unique opportunities; a time to experience the camaraderie that

Congrats to Fattoria Viticcio Vineyards

2009-10-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Having spent a year enjoying the variety of wonderful wines from the vineyards of Fattoria Viticcio, we are thrilled for our friends and the recognition their wines have received in the October editions of Wine Spectator.For a year we lived amidst the vines of the primary vineyard. Our apartment sat above the cellars and bottling rooms. Our windows looked over quintessential Tuscan country side.

Ossobucco--Yum!

2009-10-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

With all due modesty, I make a killer ossobucco. Ken, who orders this in restaurants here and in Italy-including Milano, says nothing compares to Chef Jane’s. What can I say? Except to be honest and admit it comes from a cookbook.Last April I promised son Jeff that I would make it for his birthday but somehow it never happened—probably because it first takes a bank withdrawal to buy the veal

A Treat Is Coming

2009-09-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I know that I could succumb to the insidiousness of self-pity. So far I've been lucky because as it lurks in the background and works to wiggle its way into who I am, I catch it and say "no way." I know that such is the road to dissatisfaction and waste of life--things for which I have no time. I prefer sunshine and green valleys.But, I must admit to a real sense of anticipation over an

A Month Later

2009-09-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

A month ago today, I was tired, cranky, dazed and horribly incoherent. Having survived the trip home from Italy, I wondered if I would see normalcy again in my lifetime. By day two I thought I was fine, but when the end of the week came and I was still dealing with a frustrating tiredness, it hit me that I am getting older and adjustment takes longer. I just hate these reminders. If I can

The Day After Labor Day

2009-09-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

In much of California, school has always started the day after Labor Day and for most of my life this was the day I looked forward to with dread and anticipation. I missed the campus and the kids. The new year always blossomed so brightly, held so much potential--whether my vantage point was as a student, a teacher or an administrator.But...I always hated getting up before the sun rose--primarily

Quick--An 11 Year Old on Loan

2009-09-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days-- if you would like an eleven year old for a few days, I have a loaner, postage paid. He's charming, handsome, funny and smart--well, not always..........I was so enjoying the laughter and play coming from the pool this afternoon as he and his friend made the most out of the last days of summer. It was so "all boy"--the stuff of storybooks until...Ken asked "What's

Greve in Chianti--Going Upscale?

2009-08-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

Greve in Chianti holds a special place in my life. How could it not after having lived there for a year, making friends, knowing its nooks and crannies, calling it home? It has a forever corner of my heart--there will always be a longing, even when I am happy somewhere else.Greve, like so many small Italian towns, remained changeless for many years. The same merchants, the same celebrations, the

Amazing!

2009-08-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back and just about, almost, maybe recovered from the flight which was a bear. I have decided that Lufthansa employees are too often unpleasant, unhelpful and not overly competent. We were flying United but needed to use Lufthansa to get from Florence to Frankfurt. The woman there managed to create problems that carried with us throughout all three legs. This was the third negative

Time for Goodbyes

2009-08-14T07:50:00.001-07:00

Our time this year in Bella Italia is finito. Suitcases are packed and most are in the car—a laborious affair when places must be found for wine, olive oil, ceramiche, 00 flour, Italian books and dvd’s and gifts. No wonder we have one more duffel than arrived in France with us six long weeks ago.Note though—the absence of clothes, shoes and purses in the list. Impressive? Not really.I found a

Whose Eye on the Road?

2009-08-07T01:33:00.000-07:00

I have often thought of writing this post but usually the thought comes as we round road curves, barrel down the autostrada /freeway or ride parallel to a cliff that drops 500 meters to the chasm below. The question that comes to mind is “what is the relationship between the driver and the passenger in your car." Long ago I read a comment from a woman whose husband periodically expressed

Mud Baths--Hot Stuff!

2009-07-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

This week's points of interest...If one were Casey, there wouldn't, couldn't have been a more idyllic week--nothing to do but swim, play, eat gelato, laugh and just be a kid out of school from morning until late, falling into dream land when the head hit the pillow--only to start up again in ten hours. What more can summer offer?Now me---well, I played some along with other unique and mindless

The More Things Change......

2009-07-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

the more they stay the same.Three years ago--minus 6 days--we began the adventure of calling Fattoria Viticcio in Greve-in-Chianti our home for a year. It was a quite glorious and wonderful year for all of us.Casey met the challenge of attending the local elementary school and did well learning in a very different language. He loved the freedom of roaming and exploring the vineyards and hills; he

At Home in Tuscany

2009-07-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

We are in Montepulciano--at Sant' Antonio. We have been coming here since 2001--having missed just one year. This is a favorite place of ours for many reasons--first and foremost being Nico and his family. He has an infectious personality that draws in everyone he meets. He and his family have become like family to us. Casey and Sophia have been special to each other since they first met as

Bella Italia

2009-07-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

We are back in Italy after a short foray into another country called France. I have several friends who love France and return often, but it is not a country that makes me comfortable.Although having been in several parts of the country over the years--crisscrossing from Normandy down to the Riviera, I always feel my role of stranger there. That is not to say I have not enjoyed time spent there;

Relaxing in the Luberon

2009-07-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Kathy, her husband and daughter spent almost a year living in Provence--much as we did in Italy. Kelly went to the local French school just as Casey went to the Italian school. Both kids flourished and grew and are different from the people they would have been without their experiences.Because of their time in the lovely Luberon area of Provence, they now offer personalized

When the Pick Pocket Strikes

2009-07-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

We travel--have done so for years--I would say we're pretty accomplished and sophisticated travelers--kind of know what we are doing--know the do's and don'ts and how to handle ourselves. Or at least that is how we view ourselves.So, sometimes a little humility creeps in and is good for the soul. A pain? Yes! Frustrating? Totally! A memory not to be forgotten? Hopefully so that it is not repeated

2 More Sleeps

2009-06-27T20:16:00.001-07:00

In the common parlance of Slow Talk, a helpful site when planning trips to Europe and elsewhere, you mark off time to travel by counting the "sleeps"--nights before departure. We now have 2--tonight and tomorrow. Monday morning we are off and the daily grind is behind us for a few weeks. I have decided that part of my love for travel--besides the enrichment and cultural opportunities--is the

Of Men and Iron--Sequel

2009-06-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

If this leaves you puzzled, just read the previous post and all will be made clear.Enjoy!

Of Men and Irons

2009-06-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes all that can be done is laugh.First, let it be known, I do not iron or do windows. Ironing ceased our first week of marriage when my new husband discovered I could not iron his shirts and began taking them to the laundry. Since then I have raised 4 kids without ironing. Well, truthfully, if something looked too bad, I have been known to pull the board out.There was the day when the

Milestones

2009-06-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

Life is made of certain, definitive, universal--well, universal in many cultures-- milestones. Most of us have passed through these and moved on and yet, even then, continue to mark them in new ways from time to time.Many of my readers know that we raised 4 kids and shooed them out of the nest decades ago. We loved each of them but were not unhappy empty nesters--we had lifes to live and dreams

No Monoply on Patriotism

2009-06-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

More information on the Born Again American Organization

Little League and Me---Sequel

2009-06-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Meet the eleven members of the Orioles Minor Team of the Allied Gardens Little League.Well, the party filled the day today and, in all honesty, I must admit it was a fun time. The weather cooperated--not hot but warm enough to be comfortable. The kids had a load of fun. The new basketball hoop was a hit and the newly completed "fort" provided the most perfect place for the team to dine in