The Life Ahead is an Italian Film that Delivers a Powerful Message
If you're like me, The Life Ahead just might take you by surprise.La vita davanti a sé (its Italian title), directed by Edoardo Ponti (son [...]
The Seemingly Interminable Wait Here in Italy
Here we are, a year later, and the country’s path forward is anything but clear.And the light (resolution) still seems far off in how Italy [...]
Learn the Italian Idiom for “A Rare Occurrence”
Know the Italian idiomatic expressions.If you really want to demonstrate that you’ve been doing your Italian language and culture lessons, then start boning up on [...]
My ItalyWise Blog Takes on a Heightened Focus.
Going forward, my ItalyWise blog will be dedicated primarily to the Italian culture and language. I know that already I’ve presented quite a bit [...]
Italians Wear It with Reverence and Dignity
Italians demonstrate their passion in a multitude of ways. Many non-Italians might think this would manifest mainly as energetic hand gestures, unrestrained facial expressions, [...]
A Year of Surrender and Taking a New Path.
2020 challenged even the best of coping mechanisms. Funny how we can delude ourselves into thinking we have it all together when life is [...]
I’m Dancing in a Sea of Italian Wine Finds
I've been stocking up my sweet new wine fridge Hallelujah! I’ve just returned from Conad, where I harvested a load of Italian wine finds. [...]
Watch Out for These Italian Critters
Your Italian life will undoubtedly include time in the campagna. That's where the chances of encountering one or more of these featured Italian critters [...]
Living in the here and now.
I don’t often go through the archives of my past paintings… Recently I did and came across this one, entitled [...]
Dive In! Start Learning the Italian Culture NOW!
If I had a do-over, I'd have started WAY earlier and studied WAY harder If there is any one overarching piece of advice that [...]
Practical Driving Instruction in Italy—Prepare Yourself!
If you're American, and you want to drive in Italy, you can't dodge this requirement. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings if [...]
Seeking Light in a Period of Darkness
The world seems like it has gone mad. For me, despair comes when I enter circular thinking in an attempt to figure out two [...]
Finally, A Nationwide Italian Mask Mandate
I guess, better late than never, right? I’m doing my best to reside in this mindset rather than saying, “Why the hell has it [...]
Find Yourself in the Heart of Abruzzo
And prepare to be romanced by Abruzzo's finest culinary treasures. So many people, longing to be in Italy but grounded by the pandemic, are [...]
We Just Keep Waiting…
The paint is still drying on my latest oil painting, “Ca’ Rezzonico.” When it does, I’ll add my signature. As I stand back, ready [...]
Children Will Listen…and Learn
These lyrics, part of "Children Will Listen," rendered by the extraordinary Stephen Sondheim, are more on my mind than ever. Why? Because, in the [...]
Italian Healthcare Vs American Healthcare
Italian healthcare wins, hands down, in my opinion. And, on multiple fronts. I've been in Italy for almost eight years now, and as I look [...]
COVID in Italy, When Defiance Turns Deadly
The privileged elite thumb their noses at the pandemic and party hard. And this kind of defiance reared its head at a posh club [...]