Another History Lesson
My "History Buff on Wheels", Angelo, went rolling past me along the canal this morning. In a cycling daze and not recognizing him, I nodded and said the usual "ciao" as one cyclist to another. Mere...
Hanging “58”
"What's the 58 for?" "You don't know? It's all over the internet. It's supposed to repel flies. Two weeks ago I had flies all over the place before I hung that up. Now I just have a couple of flies....
Full But Not Scholarly
This is not a scholarly blog with a foundation in formal Art or European History. I'm the first to admit my ignorance in those realms. And on the web, one can find formal information and imagery on...
Fish Snob That I Am
I have caught and cooked a LOT of fish in my life and I cook it well enough that I'm a snob about eating fish at a restaurant. My friends know this about me. I've sent fish back to the kitchen when...
Minnie & Michelangelo at the Castle
The little girl was unrestrained and so pleased with herself. She and I both saw the humor of her Minnie Mouse joining Michelangelo's unfinished Rondanini Pietá. As I think about it further, I...
Jackrabbits Like the Morning
Since it's been so toasty here lately, I took my bike ride in the morning today, heading out from the house just after 8:00. When I got to the field that had been full of rapeseed and red poppies a...
Megan’s Leaving!
Megan and I met while struggling through Italian classes together in the winter. We had come here for different reasons, but found ourselves learning what we could together to communicate… and a...
Tasting Wine with Friends
The grape varieties and resulting wines here in Italy are numerous and quite different than in the U.S. What better way, then, to learn about the wine I'm drinking than to take a wine-tasting class....
The Perfect Summer Lunch
When it's beastly hot outside, what could be a more perfect lunch than sublimely-ripe melon with culatello prosciutto, and some near-fist-sized, plump, fresh figs? Add artisan pasta dressed...
Sardenara: Not-Quite-Pizza, with Anchovies
Last Friday, after my whirlwind morning in Genova, I continued on to Sanremo for what was likely my last visit with my "landlady" Sandra and her husband, Mauro, before my departure from Milano. I...
Marina Pavani: Antiques in Genova
It all started with hat forms on Milan's Grand Canal. Five weeks ago I went to the Mercatone Antiquariato - Antique Market - along the Naviglio Grande and saw hat bases made of coarse fabric. They...
Turgid Toes
I just took my shoes off as it approaches midnight and I have turgid, little, sausage toes! It's still 81 degrees out on these 90+ degree days and I'm so grateful for the invention of air...