25 Comments
Nov 23, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Great post Cheryl. I feel the same way when I look at abandoned houses. I always hear the echos of the past people who lived there. It is sad. I hope you get a windfall and can buy Liberty.

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Oh my goodness, this is fabulous! Well, of course the house -it looks magical - and the location and history and everything else. And even more so, it becoming the centerpiece of your next novel! And who knows, maybe from there the money will come!

Abandoned houses do indeed seem sad, waiting, either in despair or full of hope and longing. I still feel that most houses are alive. They carry an energy, much like a personality.

You are extremely kind to reference my writing. Yes, the pull, the movement forward, as if already ordained, already written in time and has just been waiting for us to catch up to it.

I'm excited to see how this story unfolds - in fiction and in life!

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Dec 3, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Ciao Cheryl,

I loved reading your story. I spent many summers in Besano (where my parents had a summer home), and visited Viggiù many times: a piedi, in bici, in moto e in macchina!

I’m curious about your mention of Besano: Was your paternal family from Besano? Or were they from Viggiù?

Maybe you remember visiting my home in Sacramento many years ago.

I’m glad your staying in Italy is mostly positive. Up to a few years ago I wanted to retire in Italy, but after my sister’s passing, in 2018, I changed my mind. However, I still love my birthplace (Milano) and my birth country. And I love Central Italy, particularly Umbria.

A presto,

Antonella

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Nov 24, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

May you win the lottery. I know that yearning, and for you, it’s compounded by the fact that you have roots there.

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Nov 24, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

What a perfect story to read today on this snowy Thanksgiving morning in Colorado. So thankful for your words and inspiration. I hope my courage continues to grow everyday and my goal of moving overseas comes to fruition soon.

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Nov 24, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

I agree, it's a wonderful old house but I understand is more for dreaming than actually living in it: there is hardly a market for big liberty houses whose renovation includes new drain and modern wiring, on top of all the rest. I wouldn't buy it for living, but if I had in mind to open a B&B I would surely consider the investment and look for people like you, who can still appreciate the charme of these ancient dwellings and who would enjoy a breakfast on the terrace with a cappuccino and a fresh croissant :)

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Nov 23, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Wow, great post and very timely for my wife and I. We are struggling with a move to Italy or not.

A friend of ours said she and her significant other was discussing how expensive wine had become. In frustration they both considered buying vodka because it’s cheaper, but then came to the conclusion that if made all your decisions based on economics…..and vodka instead of wine??? Really??

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Nov 23, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Your dad would be so proud of all you've accomplished, Cheryl, and even more importantly, the woman you've become. I miss him.

You mentioned you're working on your third book. Has your second book been published? I want to get a copy!

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Nov 23, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Fascinating ... if you got the house, what would you do with it (after fixing)? Use as second house? If you rent it, even half of it, maybe you’re financially justified?

Looks beautiful. And, in a way, it seems to have already served its purpose for you :)

Hello from Roma! I’m currently lounging in the Piazza della Rotonda admiring the Pantheon, the people, the weather, and just the privilege of being in such a beautiful place. Italy can’t be beat (although, that said, I am very curious about Greece / Croatia and that region ... still, I doubt those places have the “dolce vita” mentality of the Italiano).

✌🏼

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Nov 23, 2022Liked by Cheryl A. Ossola

Great post. So reminiscent of under the Tuscan Sun. Which it sounds like you are living.

Story of my life! If I had nothing but time and money, I would be renovating houses all over Porto!

I do so love the cool old buildings.

Meanwhile, back in reality, that expand and contract thing with courage goes both ways.

We lost our shirts on a dream place in Denver. Can you say 2008?

Even if I got that windfall, I would not do it again. I would find a nice hotel to live in!

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sweet story. and ooooohhhhh so tempting. Maybe collaborate with a bunch of other ita-passionates and cobuy it?

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