When Castagne and Bocce Come Together.
A sizable bocce tournament was the perfect event for the pairing. Just last Sunday, I tucked my long legs under my chin and jammed [...]
The Danger of Italian Fantasies and Stereotypes
Not once have I regretted my decision to make Italy my home. Was I motivated to move here by Italian fantasies? Somewhat. Did I have [...]
Step Behind My Lens and Experience Life in Italy
Images speak so much louder than words. I've written volumes about my life in Italy. But taking you behind my eyes might just give you [...]
If You’re Accused of Having “Le Braccia Corte” (Short arms)…
Then people are implying that you're stingy. Maybe "le braccia corte" is being used in jest when it's your turn to buy the next [...]
Bocce Ball, Yummy Wood-Fired Pizza, and Generous Italian Friends
Oh, what an afternoon and evening it was! I'm still thinking about it, treasuring this experience of playing bocce ball and eating homemade, wood-fired [...]
How to Say “Take It or Leave It” in Italian
Italian idiomatic expressions are usually a far cry from their English equivalents. And how to express "Take it or leave it" in Italian is [...]
Life Goes on in Italy
I'm a lover of reportage, or documentary photography."Life Goes on in Italy, doesn't it?" I recently thought while having my morning coffee in the city [...]
Italy Implements the Green Pass
Today I saw the Green Pass checks in action.For those of you who don’t know, the EU Green Pass is a document showing that an [...]
Unveiling Appartamento Vittoria!
Our newest vacation apartment is finished and ready for guests!We’ve completed the finishing touches and welcomed our first guests to the elegant Appartamento Vittoria in [...]
EVERYTHING Grows in Italy’s Riviera dei Fiori
It's a well-earned named.Flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow like gangbusters in this westernmost stretch of the Ligurian coast called the Riviera dei Fiori. Now, I [...]
The Allure of Vespa Living
What took me so long?Why did it take eight years of living in Italy before I saw the light? Crazy. Vespa living is full of [...]
Italy Remains Open as Vaccinations Keep Plugging Along
An Update to Last Week's Post (below).Yes, a lot can happen in a week, particularly the Covid fallout from unrestrained celebrations of Italy's big Euro [...]
Italian Warmth Abounds at MP2 in Imperia
Relationships in Italy can flower beautifully.When they do, you’ll be thanking yourself for having Italy your new home and for doing the work (which includes [...]
Appartamento Marianna—Italian Elegance and Tranquility
If you love Italy and if you love the seaside...Then you'll love Appartamento Marianna located in Imperia on the sunny coast of Liguria known as [...]
Italy Turns the Corner
It almost doesn’t seem believable.But, yes, Italy turns the corner after so much time and after so many ups and downs. Finally, the daily stats [...]
Paying Homage to Formaggi Italiani!
Thank you cheeses!I’ve made this joke for years, mimicking an evangelical in rapture. Now, I’m dead serious in my praise of formaggi italiani (Italian cheeses) [...]
“At Rest”…New Jed Smith Watercolor!
I've been craving more time resting in stillness..."At Rest," my first watercolor in several years (I've been immersed in oils) is my tribute to the [...]
When Expectations Become Attachments.
And when they turn into mental prisons…Believe me, I’ve been learning this lesson in spades during my eight years in Italy. I’d never really considered [...]