There are rumors that the lockdown is going to become stricter in Abruzzo. The infections have risen over the past few days. There aren’t a huge amount of cases, but Abruzzo is very rural, so hospital beds are limited.
With that news, I decided to get out this afternoon and buy one or two things that may not be available to me next week. Wine of course!!! One of my favorite cantina’s “Spinelli” is close by, so I stocked up on Rosso, Pecorino and Rosato.
Next stop was a nursery/flower shop called “One Shop”. I don’t have a garden here by choice. After tending to over three acres in Colorado I decided a patio was all I wanted. It’s a little too early for summer flowers, but I managed to find few flowering shrubs to pretty up the area by my back door. Also herbs for the balcony on the top floor. Nothing better than fresh herbs.
Shopping in small, local, family run shops is a perfect opportunity to practice my Italian vocabulary. Today, for the very first time, I was able to speak more Italian than English. I was thrilled to be understood and happy to translate English words into Italian when requested. The friendly people in this area love to learn English just as much as I enjoy learning Italian.
Piano piano (slowly slowly), I’ll get there in the end.
Colledimezzo is a very small village, with around 550 inhabitants, and currently we have four active COVID cases. All isolated, but it is still a worry. I don’t think they’re seriously ill. Speriamo di no. (We hope not).
Piano piano
23 Feb 2021 Leave a comment
in COVID 19, Uncategorized Tags: Abruzzo, An American Abroad, Cantina, Colledimezzo, English Strain, flowers, herbs, Hospitals, Italy, Pecorino, pensione, planting, Primavera, red wine, retirement, rosata, Spinelli, Wine
Primavera
19 Feb 2021 Leave a comment
in COVID Tags: 2021, Blossoms, COVID, COVID 19, flowers, Italy, nature, New Life, New year, Primavera, Spring, walking
I enjoy my daily afternoon walks, especially on days like this. The weekend snow has almost disappeared. Trees are blossoming and flowers turning their heads towards the sun. The end of winter is in sight. If only we could wash COVID away with the snow. So tired of it. I heard there were a couple of cases in our village today, I hope they’re not serious. I really want life to be normal again.
Can you remember what a normal life was like?
Stay safe everyone, and let’s look forward to spring.
Ode to the Blanchland Daffodils
18 Mar 2015 Leave a comment
in Poetry Tags: Blanchland, daffodils, Easter, England, flowers, Northern England, Northumberland, Ode to a Daffodil, Photography, poetry, Travel, William Wordsworth
Easter approaches and I remember my youth and the way we spent Easter Sunday. We would picnic in beautiful places around England. Sometimes we’d travel for a couple of hours just to find the perfect spot. One my dad’s favorite places to sit and eat his Easter Sunday picnic was Blanchland. We’d spread out a ‘picnic blanket’ and enjoy our ham sandwiches while we watched the sea of Daffodils moving in the breeze. England isn’t renowned for warmth at Easter, so a steaming thermos of tea was a welcome accompaniment. I wish my mam and dad were still around, I’d love to share one more Easter with them. This is for them.
Flowers and Memories
06 Apr 2014 Leave a comment
in Photography Tags: alzheimer's, Books, Fiction, flowers, hobbies, New Mexico, Photography, Santa Fe, Travel, work, Writing
Married to a workaholic makes you remember things for different reasons sometimes. During a long week-end in Santa Fe a few years ago my husband had to work remotely for a couple of hours. I’d almost forgotten about it until I came across some photos. I had to spend some time on my own. I made good use of it.
I take photographs and write novels and short stories to keep me occupied.
It helps keep the Alzheimer’s at bay.
Click on the link below to see what I’ve been up to.
Kiss from a Rose
19 Jan 2014 Leave a comment
in music, Uncategorized Tags: birthdays, flowers, Love, Music, Photography, roses, Seal
I got roses for my birthday and remembered this song. It always gives me the chills.
These are a Few of my Favorite Things
04 Sep 2013 Leave a comment
in Life Tags: Books, Family, Fiction, flowers, Photography, Travel, Wine
Sitting on my deck with a glass of wine watching the sunset!
Flowers at Richmond Castle – England 201
Visiting beautiful places.
Getting together with family
We should all do our favorite things a little more often.
Colorado Nature
26 May 2013 1 Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Birds, Clouds, Colorado, flowers, Franktown, Gardens, Memorial Day Weekend, nature, Photography, Rocky Mountains
The sky looks angry, should I hide?
A heart-shaped Lilac smells as good as it looks.
The Angels guard my Marigolds.
And the Humming Birds keep feeding.
The healing power of Summer rain.
24 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Colorado Tags: Colorado, Denver, drought, flowers, Franktown, nature, Rain, Summer
We have had a hot, dry Summer in Colorado this year. I am a sun worshipper, but the heat this year was too much even for me. I believe it has been in the nineties since May with very little rain. The hottest summer ever to be recorded, but last night we got rain. Look how Fresh and beautiful it is now.
