The beautiful Adriatic, only twenty five minutes away, but it may as well be on another continent. The red zone doesn’t permit me to visit.
I’m stocked up with wine food and even bought some comfortable chairs so we can relax on the patio. We have books. We have a lovely view, what more could we ask for…FREEDOM!
I just wish we could get the stupid virus under control. Seems like we’ve almost cracked it and then…another variant rears its ugly head.
One day we’ll enjoy visitors in our (three hundred year old) new home. One day we’ll drive across the mountains to the Amalfi Coast…one day.
Until then I have my books, comfortable chairs and sunshine.
Stay safe everyone!
Wish I Was HERE!
25 Feb 2021 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, Colledimezzo, coronavirus, COVID, COVID 19, Italy, Lock down, Red Zone, relaxation, retirement, Zona Rossa
Zona Gialla – Yellow Zone
01 Feb 2021 Leave a comment
in COVID Tags: Abruzzo, Adriatic Coast, Citta Sant Angelo, coronavirus, COVID 19, COVID Vaccine, Freedom, Maisons du Monde
For the last four months (give or take), my life has been controlled by colors. Yellow (gialla), is the color I like to see. Why?
Yellow means I have a little freedom.
Abruzzo danced into the yellow zone today. What a fantastic feeling. It means I can drive to Fossacesia and look at the beautiful Adriatic. Restaurants are open for lunch again (but not dinner). Bars are open until six pm. A 10:00 pm curfew is still in place, but I’m not usually out after 10:00 anyway. A mask is mandatory, and anyone not wearing one will be fined, as they should be, but at last I can travel a little further than the next village.
Tomorrow (without having to complete a self certification form) I’m going to Citta Sant Angelo to do a little shopping. I may find a quiet little restaurant by the Adriatic to stop for lunch. Freedom is something we take for granted, until it’s taken away. Let’s hope everyone is sensible while enjoying this newly granted freedom, if they are, it may be here to stay.
Buonnanotte a tutti!
Living in Colledimezzo. It’s the little things that make a difference.
19 Jan 2021 Leave a comment
in Health and beauty Tags: Abruzzo, aging, Colledimezzo, coronavirus, COVID, COVID Testing, Italian People, Italy, Life in Abruzzo, Life in Italy, retirement, Small Villages, The Good Life
I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The views are stunning.
For a couple of months I still felt like a fish out of water because I’d lived in Colorado for over 20 years. I knew my home town and surrounding areas very well so shopping, getting my hair done etc., was all a routine. Didn’t take any thinking about.
When I moved to Abruzzo, even though I’d vacationed here for a couple of years, I had to find a new routine. New places to shop, get my hair done. Quite a task. I over thought everything!!!!
It’s nice to go grocery shopping in the nearest town when I need to, but…our village has a small grocery store which stocks everything from fresh fruit and veg to wine! I decided to try the hairstylist in the village. She’s really good, I’ll stick with her. I ran out of eye creme (a girl has to have a good eye creme), so I thought I’ll give the local pharmacy a try…guess what. The nice young man who tested me for COVID when I arrived, and fills my prescriptions, is also comfortable talking about eye contours, and found just what I needed!
Not bad for a village of a little over 500 residents. The simple things make all of the difference.
Thanksgiving in Abruzzo
29 Nov 2020 Leave a comment
in Thanksgiving, Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, Chieti Province, Christmas, Colledimezzo, Cooking, coronavirus, COVID, Holidays, Italian Food, Italy, retirement, Retiring Abroad, Thanksgiving
My first Thanksgiving in Abruzzo!
Although I lived in Colorado for 25 years, I’ve never truly celebrated Thanksgiving the way Americans do. I enjoyed cooking. Getting together with friends and family was lovely, but the “Holiday” never held a special meaning for me. Not like Christmas.
2020 is my first Thanksgiving in Abruzzo. We didn’t go out and buy a huge Turkey, or make pumpkin/pecan pie, so it was very low key. Social distancing due to COVID has taken over the lives of everyone.
We celebrated with a huge polenta, Italian style. I’m not going to take credit for this gourmet delight, our good friend created it. It was delicious! On Black Friday I had a dental appointment in Lanciano. I completed two “self certifications”, one for the dentist, and one allowing me to stop off at a large Supermarket. There weren’t many people shopping, because of the Red Zone rules. I shopped for things I can’t buy locally and picked up some Christmas lights along with one or two tree ornaments. It was a gorgeous day, so on the way home I took photos. I can’t wait for all of this to be over so we can travel again, itching for a road trip, but until then I’ll make the most of my beautiful surroundings.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all my American friends.
Retirement UPS and downs!
05 Nov 2020 1 Comment
in retirement, Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, Chieti Province, Colledimezzo, coronavirus, COVID, COVID Zones Italy, dream homes abroad, Italy, Retiring Abroad, Retiring to Italy, Yellow Zone

So here I am, a little over two months into retirement.
How does it feel? Pretty good most of the time. I don’t have to rush to get things done after work, or during the weekend. The washing can be done whenever I like, along with chores. I can take a walk when I like, shop any day of the week. Have a glass of wine, explore my new surroundings, write, exercise, daydream…
And now the downs!
Yes, there are some, but nothing that can’t be overcome. I miss my daughter and son in law, and their silly pups. I miss my friends too. Trying to learn to speak Italian fluently at my age is tough, but I’ll get there. I’m very lucky to be in a “Yellow Zone” in Italy, so COVID isn’t causing me too many problems, but its still on my mind, and of course prevents me from hosting a family Christmas. This too will pass and things could be worse. I think I’m still in the adjustment stage, but like I say, its only been a couple of months.
It’s good to be back!
25 May 2020 2 Comments
in COVID 19, Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, Colledimezzo, coronavirus, Italy, retirement, stress, worry
No, I’m not back in Italy yet, but will be soon. The little door at the bottom of this alleyway, is the back door to my new home. Looks like a little castle doesn’t it!
It makes me smile.
We’ve had such a year with this horrible virus, COVID 19. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it go away (who doesn’t)?
It left me frozen for a while. I’ve never been so stressed. Every time I showered my hair came out in clumps…didn’t think too much of it until I went to my hairstylist again, “what happened to your hair?,” he asked. He looked at me with concern at the amount I’d lost. I hope it grows back. Have other folks suffered in similar ways? I’m know I’m happy to be alive! Anyone got any stories to share, things to get off your chest!
Be safe my friends, and thank you for stopping by.
Italy
09 Apr 2020 Leave a comment
in COVID 19, Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, Apennine Mountains, Chieti, coronavirus, Home, Italian Food, Italian Villages, retirement, Spaghetti
It’s been a while since I wandered the cobbled streets of Colledimezzo.
Three months in fact
So much has happened
The world has changed
Can’t wait to be back
It’s been a while since I gazed on the mountains and tree covered hills of Abruzzo
But the memory is so strong
I smell the scent of woodsmoke and fresh mountain air
And meatballs and spaghetti and lamb and sweet delights
Can’t wait to be back
It’s been a while since I hugged my friends in Colledimezzo
Enjoyed their laughter
Reveled in their kindness
Enjoyed their warm hospitality
I’ll be back as soon as I can