We've been feeling similarly-- we moved to Italy from New York a year ago, but somehow still find ourselves mired in the USA news cycle, which is not a place anyone would wish to be. It feels crazy to be wandering around Lake Como, or Rome, or Florence, or Milan obsessing about Jimmy Kimmel. Thanks for a reminder to focus on the beauty we're living in...
I dream of the day we can not fixate on the U.S. news cycle. But really, you've been here only a year? For some reason I thought it was longer than that.
We've had a home in Le Marche for 20 years, so we've been coming back and forth for a long time. But it was only about a year ago that we started spending most of our time here. And yes, I agree-- a break from the USA's daily trauma would be welcome.
I don't think a day goes by without me saying "tutto a posto"! As for Still Life, yes! It's definitely on my favorites list. When I was in Florence recently I popped into Santa Felicita to see the Pontormo Deposition again. Not my favorite painting, but now it has special meaning because of the book.
Exactly! I am not a Pontormo fan—personally I am more of a Duccio gal—but just seeing the painting and thinking of Evelyn and Ulysses, that grabs my heart.
Absolutely, Cheryl. Its the beauty of moving to a place as an adult. Everything is new--the systems, the brands, the daily garbage collection that means I have five bins. Five. But the just-pressed olive oil, a flock of sheep eating from olive trees near the deSpar supermarket while the shepherd and his herding dogs take a rest, these are some of the reasons we move to places like this.
Ah, five bins. We only have four! Yes, we're here for all of that, aren't we? Unfortunately there are no sheep nearby where I live—lucky you! I do see the occasional cinghiale, which is definitely not the same thing!
Beautiful reminder of why we choose to live in Europe. While Italy fills your soul with art, my Spain gives me wonderful light. Starlight , moonlight and sunlight bathe me in healing energy and hope for this world.
Loved this post and your voice!!! I was in Paris and London for the last 18 days and I hear every little thing you say about being surrounded by beauty, about going in search of things the way you want, about loving seeing art through the eyes of an art historian. When we can connect the dots and/or receive a more nuanced view in some ways, that is its own reward, isn’t it?
Thank you! Ah, Paris and London—lucky you! I'll be in the south of France for the first time next June, and I can't wait. My first time seeing France other than Paris. And yes, you put it perfectly—the reward is in what we make of what we see and do.
Beautiful piece! It’s maybe the most essential difference between Europe and the U.S., this respect for art and understanding of how it enhances our lives.
We've been feeling similarly-- we moved to Italy from New York a year ago, but somehow still find ourselves mired in the USA news cycle, which is not a place anyone would wish to be. It feels crazy to be wandering around Lake Como, or Rome, or Florence, or Milan obsessing about Jimmy Kimmel. Thanks for a reminder to focus on the beauty we're living in...
I dream of the day we can not fixate on the U.S. news cycle. But really, you've been here only a year? For some reason I thought it was longer than that.
Love these small bites of Italian vocabulary. Grazie mille.
Prego!
I love the Plautilla Last Supper. The colors are so rich and...autumnal!
"Acting local and forgetting about thinking global for a while" seems to suit you.
We've had a home in Le Marche for 20 years, so we've been coming back and forth for a long time. But it was only about a year ago that we started spending most of our time here. And yes, I agree-- a break from the USA's daily trauma would be welcome.
Ah, that’s why I was confused! We still need to meet up one of these days.
Thanks for the shoutout. And what a wonderful reminder to go back to that sense of beauty when times get hard.
My pleasure!
Loved this, all the bits.
A posto is such a good, useful expression.
And Still Life—did you love it? It is an absolute favorite and I keep it on my bedside table for easy access when I need to dip in ❤️
I don't think a day goes by without me saying "tutto a posto"! As for Still Life, yes! It's definitely on my favorites list. When I was in Florence recently I popped into Santa Felicita to see the Pontormo Deposition again. Not my favorite painting, but now it has special meaning because of the book.
Exactly! I am not a Pontormo fan—personally I am more of a Duccio gal—but just seeing the painting and thinking of Evelyn and Ulysses, that grabs my heart.
Evelyn and Ulysses forever! 💕
💘💘
Absolutely, Cheryl. Its the beauty of moving to a place as an adult. Everything is new--the systems, the brands, the daily garbage collection that means I have five bins. Five. But the just-pressed olive oil, a flock of sheep eating from olive trees near the deSpar supermarket while the shepherd and his herding dogs take a rest, these are some of the reasons we move to places like this.
Ah, five bins. We only have four! Yes, we're here for all of that, aren't we? Unfortunately there are no sheep nearby where I live—lucky you! I do see the occasional cinghiale, which is definitely not the same thing!
Thanks
Beautiful reminder of why we choose to live in Europe. While Italy fills your soul with art, my Spain gives me wonderful light. Starlight , moonlight and sunlight bathe me in healing energy and hope for this world.
I'll make sure to take note of the light when I finally do get to Spain. Thanks for the heads-up!
Loved this post and your voice!!! I was in Paris and London for the last 18 days and I hear every little thing you say about being surrounded by beauty, about going in search of things the way you want, about loving seeing art through the eyes of an art historian. When we can connect the dots and/or receive a more nuanced view in some ways, that is its own reward, isn’t it?
Thank you! Ah, Paris and London—lucky you! I'll be in the south of France for the first time next June, and I can't wait. My first time seeing France other than Paris. And yes, you put it perfectly—the reward is in what we make of what we see and do.
Had to share this short post on my other Substack.....I felt it would resonate...
https://kalsomuchtosay.substack.com/p/ill-always-love-paris
Beautiful piece! It’s maybe the most essential difference between Europe and the U.S., this respect for art and understanding of how it enhances our lives.
Wonderful article …..bravissima!
Grazie mille!