The seventies… Ziggy Stardust at Earls Court Arena, the concert of a lifetime. The hat I’m wearing in the picture to the right (yes that is me), was thrown into the crowd at that concert by Mick Ronson (drummer for the Spiders from Mars). I was lucky enough to catch it, and almost crushed to death hanging on to it. Good times that passed too quickly. Don’t you love my bedroom wallpaper?
I have trouble working on my book when I’m distracted, and there has been a lot to distract me this year. Now, things have settled down a little, maybe I can get serious and get that book finished.
I’ve been writing since my early teens, and when I was younger, my stories got me into trouble more times than I want to remember. My words were sprawled across the pages of exercise books, and hidden in my bedroom. They were full of drama, excitement and romance. My poor mum often found them, and mistook them for my diary…I should be so lucky. She worried about what she read.
Mum was forty when I was born, and I was definitely a shock to the system. A wild child. Always looking for adventure, trying different things, running with the wind.
Born in the fifties, raised in the sixties, and married in the seventies. Wild exciting times. I have so many tales to tell, if only I dared to write them.
Now, in my sixties, I’m still writing. I’m still a little wild, but my body has slowed down.
David Bowie is no longer with us. Thinking about that still brings a tear to my eye. Hopefully he’s having a lively conversation somewhere in the after life, with Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson, the other great legends of his time,
Davide, his carpenter and the stone guy worked hard on Monday. Our kitchen update is almost finished. We’re still waiting for the LED’s and there are a few minor adjustments to be made to our existing cabinets, but it looks lovely. I really like the fancy new sink. Very Italian. Davide heads a family run business. His very proud 75 year old dad was here helping organise everything, and his sister (Stefania), takes the orders in the store and puts together the invoices with her mum’s help of course.
Federico, our local plumber, came by on Tuesday to connect the dishwasher and finish the work on the sink. Such a nice guy, and a part time truffle hunter. Apparently our area is full of both black and white truffles (tartufi). Amazing!
I’m going to try and arrange a truffle hunt for our daughter when she visits in September.
Hubby spent the Monday morning outside with his pickaxe, making more steps in the hillside. Villa Joanna has a new lease of life inside and out.
The new steps fit nicely, and naturally into the side of the hill, and hubby cut a stone path from them, to the next set of steps that lead to my flowers. Who knew he could be so handy in the garden?
I have my very own nature ramble at the back of the house.
These faces that make me happy! A beautiful boat ride on the sparkling blue Mediterranean in Cannes in the late eighties, and an adventure in Cabo San Lucas in 2008.
I decided to make Sunday special this week. Why? Just because! Okay, so its mothers day (Festa della mamma), in both Italy and the US, but that isn’t the only reason. I just don’t often concentrate on me. My life is a constant race, even in retirement, to get things done and keep everyone else happy. I think today I will concentrate on making me happy. Not sure if I’ve ever made that a priority before.
Writing and photography have long been my hobby, and both started at about the same time. I love taking photographs because memories can be made even more special when captured on camera. I enjoy writing because I can write my troubles away.
Hubby took me to lunch at my favourite restaurant. Good food and lovely people. We shared the day with two other events. A sixtieth birthday party and an eightieth birthday party. We soon became part of the celebration. Everyone is family in Italy!
Denise Lesley Oldfield is responsible for the colourful Northern Lights photos above. Thanks for letting me use them Denise.
On Friday night I had nightmares about storms. I dreamed I couldn’t get home from the gym. I haven’t used a gym in years so I don’t know where that came from. It was quite terrifying! The following morning I read that we were experiencing quite a strong solar storm. Maybe it was the reason for my dream…I used to have a kind of second sight. It’s not so prevalent as I get older but maybe last night it stirred. I’ve had a few pretty bad headaches lately too, which used to come with premonitions. I know, sounds unlikely, but I could tell you so many stories of things I predicted. I always told someone when I had them, and they would humour me…until the premonitions came true. Then they just thought I was weird.
The solar storm made the Northern Lights visible to many people who don’t normally see them. There were sightings in the Southern US, parts of England, and also here in Italy. I wish I’d seen it.
My mum loved flowers and I’m following in her footsteps. On Friday I had no intention of working outside, but as usual the garden called my name. The photo below looks a little raggle taggle (is that a word?). Our house backs onto a steep hill (collina), and we’re working to tidy it up and make it pretty. Hubby used a pick axe to dig into the rock, and on Friday afternoon, planted some flowers. These concrete cubes are normally used for a drainage system, but their shape was perfect for the hillside, and they were cheap (us retirees like cheap). Next he cut into the rock to make steps so I can get up there and tend to my plants. I think it will all look beautiful when it’s finished.
Of course, being Friday, my day started at Villa Lempa market, which is also where I bought the plants for the garden. I love the plant stall there, and the man who runs it. He always gives me a ‘bargain’. I usually pick up lunch after shopping and on Friday it was pesce fritto (fried fish) . Every Friday it’s on the menu at our local fish shop for €24 a kilo. We only need half a kilo for two of us so there is another bargain. It is very popular, and the queue is long if you don’t get there before 11:30. It made for a great lunch with crusty bread. This week I requested calamari and baccalà, (squid and salted cod), and it was delicious.
Have a lovely weekend everyone, and watch the skies tonight, we may be lucky again.
Another stunning sunrise, followed by some ‘me time’ at the hair salon.
On Wednesday I enjoyed a visit to Francesco my hairstylist. He’s such a friendly guy, and has a lovely, relaxing salon. While he snipped my hair, we talked (mostly in Italian), about anything and everything, especially music. We have similar tastes, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, and he introduced me to the music of Gypsy Kings, who I liked a lot.
In July, we’ll have lived in our home in Gabbiano for two years. It has been a very busy two years. If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ll know what I mean. We’ve achieved a lot.
Although we’ve worked extremely hard, there has still been time to explore our new area, make lots of new friends, and host visits from old friends and family. Now with Summer ahead of us, I’m looking forward to spending more time with all those people who stuck with us through the storm!
“What Storm?” Health issues (mine), struggling to turn this neglected house into a home…you name it, we seem to have encountered it over the past two years. Hopefully it has made us stronger.
Hubby and I have tackled many projects together, and enjoyed the work. The end results made it all worthwhile. I never thought he’d enjoy gardening and landscaping so much, but this house has captured his imagination, and his heart.
On Thursday we started another project… the slope at the back of the house. Wildflowers cover most of this area but there are a couple of places where they have been washed away. A few choice climbing plants, concrete planter boxes, and a little mesh to hold everything in place do the trick.
When I was in the corporate world, my alarm used to wake me up at 5:15 for work, seems so long ago now. On Monday morning I travelled back in time and woke up at 5:15, with the sun. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the view. So gorgeous out there.
I’ve spent a great deal of time reading and editing my book over the past few days. I’m almost at the end of what I thought was going to be my final edit before sending it to the amazing Barb Wilson…wrong! I’m going to read it one last time before parting with it. If any of you are writers you’ll understand how difficult it is. While reading one chapter of your book, your brain is still thinking about the previous chapter, the one you’ve just read, and how you can improve it. A writers life is a tough one. Especially if you’re not rich and famous.
My book is based on my experiences during, and after I retired to Italy. Not all good, but truthful. Sometimes stressful, sometimes funny, and sometimes very sad. Thats life though, it’s not always a rose garden.
Stephen King is my favourite author. He writes some crazy stuff, but he writes with finesse. He knows people and his characters immediately become your best friend. I don’t read his stories, I tumble into them and remain there for days. I feel as though I know Holly Gibney personally (Finders Keepers).
My Saturday morning walk was a poetry of colours. We’ve just stepped into May, so its only going to get better.
On Saturday afternoon, we got our second visit (this year) from Jehovah’s witnesses. The first visit surprised me, and I certainly never expected a second one. Who would imagine there would be Jehovah’s Witnesses in Italy. Not an easy job I’m sure. Hubby talked to them today, and politely sent them on their way. There aren’t many houses along our road, so I can’t imagine they converted anyone. Just as they left the church bells rang. I’m sure they must have felt defeated.
Sunday was beautiful. After some morning chores we decided to try a different cafe/bar for Aperitivo. I’ve glimpsed Bar Duerre Di Mariani many times as I’ve driven through Folignano. It’s just off the main road, and always looks lively. I’m glad we tried it out. Such a lively, happy, friendly place. We sat in the sun and enjoyed a couple of Proseccos, which of course came with salami, and bread slathered in olive oil. Hubby enjoyed it too. Another bar to put on our long list of places to re-visit. So many now, and all within ten minutes of home. I don’t think we’ve ever lived in such a lively area.
After lunch was cleared away I put my feet up after another full day. We always have something to do, even though we’re retired, but this is the way we like it. I can’t imagine sitting around all day doing nothing. Had we still been in Colorado I think we’d have been bored…or maybe I’d have spent more time on my orange Kubota…I do miss cutting those acres.
Friday morning dawned sunny and beautiful, but the afternoon brought dark skies and rain.
On Friday morning I had my first massage in Italy. I went to see Martina, who was recommended to me by my hairstylist, and a couple of his clients. Martina works at Centro Estetico Wild Beauty, which is a short drive from home.
The massage exceeded my expectations…but it wasn’t for the timid. If you’ve had a massage in the US, you know the routine…this was a little different. I was shown into a room with a massage bed, but that is where the similarity ended. Martina handed me a very small plastic package with something that looked like white paper inside. My face must have taken the shape of a question mark, because she showed me with her hands, what it was for. The package contained paper panties…well more like a g-string actually. I looked at her, indicated with my hands and said; “tutti?” (should I remove all of my clothes). “Si!” she said and left me to get on with it. I took off my clothes and donned the tiny paper g-string…it really didn’t cover much. Next I laid on the bed face down. Martina appeared and said, “Girati, per favore.” She wanted me to lie on my back. I turned over, and thankfully, she covered me with towels. She slathered her hands in warm almond oil, which smelled divine, and then she got to work.
Now if you are shy, or self conscious, an Italian massage is NOT for you because those hands go everywhere, except your most personal areas. Even my stomach was thoroughly massaged. It wasn’t a deep tissue, muscle cracking type of massage, instead fast firm strokes. I felt as though she read my body because she concentrated on the areas I needed it most. She didn’t ease up for a minute. It was amazing. Every nerve and muscle in my body was singing with happiness. She asked me to turn face down for the final ten minutes. Wow! I have to say she is up there on my list of best massage therapists. Of course I booked another appointment. I’ll go once a month from now on
Did I mention the price? €30! Seriously, I love this place.
I’m not thinking of physically going anywhere. I’m just really frustrated with technology. For over ten years, WordPress has been my blogging platform. Two days ago something went awry with the site, for me anyway, so much so that I’ve spent almost two days trying to fix it. I’ve ironed out a couple of mysterious kinks, but I’m still struggling to figure out what went wrong. UGH! It’s good for my brain to work on new things I suppose. My annual WordPress renewal is up at the end of May, and with my current problems I’m thinking of moving on to a different platform. Such a pain! (Should I stay or should I go?)
And now for something completely different. Wednesday was Labour Day in Italy, and another Festa of food. We were lucky enough to be invited to have lunch with Gabriella and her lovely mum. There is nothing better than celebrating an Italian Festa with Italians. We had a blast. The traditional meal for this Festa is:
e virtù, literally meaning “the virtues”, is the signature Spring dish from the town of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of Italy. This version of minestrone takes it name from the Seven Virtues of Catholic catechism. Custom has it that you need 7 different legumes and 7 different vegetables to make it, plus, for the really hard-core traditionalist, 7 different meats, 7 different herbs and 7 different types of pasta, both dry and fresh. Some recipes take the metaphor even further, calling for 7 hours of cooking by—I kid you not— 7 virgins.
The soup was absolutely delicious, even without out the seven virgins.
And now, a day earlier than usual, I’m going to post another blog! Why am I doing it early? I need a live test to see if I’ve managed to work the unexpected bugs out of the system. Very frustrated! Laughing a little too, remembering a nice lady I used to work with many moons ago. When we were having new software installed, and it was causing her problems she’d say…”Just fix the damn thing”.
I’ve been writing for so long it’s become second nature. All of my emotions are poured into my stories. Writing is my escape, and much healthier then taking medication to iron out the kinks in my overactive mind. Can you imagine me on medication…yikes!
When I retired I thought great, I’ll write full time, but of course it didn’t happen. All authors are blighted with the procrastination virus…not sure why.
I published a children’s book. Princess Tess and her Mess is one of Amazon’s best kept secrets. I’m not great at promoting myself! There will be a follow up to Princess Tess (hopefully).
My current project, an amusing rendition of our move to Italy, has been in the works for over three years. The story is finished but I’m tweaking it before it goes to my editor. Its been in the tweaking process for about a year, but I really want to get it right, and not bore you all with details that are only interesting to me. This is where my editor comes in. Content editing is mega important. I go back and forth with her several times before publishing. She rocks! If I don’t hurry up my book will be published posthumously. Maybe I’ll become a legend!
You’ve been here with me during the past few years, so you definitely have to help me celebrate the journey’s end.
Travel Tales and Mishaps 