The Ups and Downs of Life

Beautiful Colledimezzo

COVID is messing with my head and I’m sure I’m not alone.
The English strain of the virus is becoming a problem in Abruzzo, particularly in the province of Chieti, where I live. This means we’re back in the red zone, and I can only leave my village with a self certification form, and a good reason. I understand but wish people would follow the rules and be a little more cautious. We need to beat this virus and get back to a normal way of life.
My surroundings make confinement bearable. I had a beautiful walk today. The view lifted my spirits.
Yesterday my daughter told me she’s booking her flights for the end of the year. Not safe to consider international travel until Christmas at the earliest, but it gives me a whole year to look forward to seeing her.
Who’d have thought we’d still be battling this? I have a bottle of Champagne in the fridge which I’m keeping for the day we’re all free again. I may drink it all to myself.
Stay safe everyone!

Zona Gialla – Yellow Zone

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!

Accepting a Gut-Wrenching Change

Michelle Obama 2020

On Tuesday evening, when I realized how the election was going to play out, I took something to help me sleep and went to bed. With out a sleep aid, I’d have been awake all night planning my escape from the US. Silly really, I love my home in Colorado. Sure if I had enough money I’d buy a second home in Italy, and stay there as often as I could, but my daughter, and her husband live here. I’m not going to run away from the people I love.

I got to thinking about why I was so upset. There are the obvious reasons. Donald Trump’s campaign was filled with hate and negativity. His profile was that of a male chauvinistic pig. Was that an act to get people’s attention? Will the real Donald Trump be a kinder gentler man?

Then there’s this Pence guy. He terrifies me. He looks like a Nazi. Looks can be deceiving though can’t they? I’ve read about him and he really is very right-wing! Much too right-wing for me.

Then I thought about Barack Obama and what a graceful, intelligent, thoughtful president he has been. I’ll miss both him and his beautiful family.

I just hope our new government remembers this is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. We don’t want to be dictated to, just need a little guidance. I hope the new government listens to us. Every country has good folks and bad folks, and some that are a little bit of both. Lets throw all of our beliefs and values into a big pot and mix them together.

Maybe the end result will be spectacular.

Oh, and one last thought……..Michelle Obama 2020. She already has my vote!