The International Language of Music

Savona, a much larger city than Millesimo, is just a short drive away, and rests on the shores of the Italian Riviera.
We drove into Savona late in the afternoon and will be staying for a few days in the family apartment.
This apartment building has an antique charm and beauty of it's own: the ceilings are high, the floors are patterned cold marble and the rooms small but welcoming.
The elevator in the lobby holds two people comfortably (Three becomes a crowd!)
After a quick bite we head to a concert. On the program tonight are four gentlemen seated at two grand pianos: eight hands!
The performance was wonderful - playing to an audience of about 250 - and lasted over two hours (15 minute intermission - CD's available in the lobby!) and four encores.

The Day-to-Day

(Jan. 22) There's never a lack of things that need to be done, or could be done.
We begin to stir around in the morning after the church campanille has rung (on the hour and half-hour, 24\7) several times.
After expresso and breakfast, we head outside to see what needs to be done. during the week of course, the eight orphaned cats need to be fed. On the weekends, others in the village will make the long hillside trek up to take care of them.
There are always Birch tree branches that can be picked up from the yard - great for kindling.
Today we went to plant a Christmas tree on part of the property along the brook. Planting Christmas trees is somewhat of a tradition. There are three trees still surviving from past Christmases in the area where we headed today - one over 20 years old.
The tree was loaded into the wheelbarrow and we made our way to the area. Down by the brook you could see tracks of wild boar that inhabit the region. I was really happy to know that wild boar are nocturnal!
Afternoons are for siesta, quiet time. With pen and paper in hand (since the computer is on the blink) or books to read, we settle into chairs, snuggled in with afghans and cats (there are four that reside in the house), in front of the cook stove and truly take time to re-energize.
Often after siesta and before the evening meal is the time to visit with neighbors.
We are offered a cup of hot tea and the tin of butter cookes is set before us. We stay no longer than one hour - all of the conversation, of course, is in Italian.
I'm finding I can pick up words and phrases here and there and as long as I have a general idea of the topic, I manage just fine!

Back to Basics

I've always suspected that I'm a 'farm girl' at heart. (Most of my friends are aware that I rise and set with the sun!)
Living these past few days in the 'country home' has served to confirm these suspicions.
My firends (where I am staying) choose to live a rustic life.
Showering in the morning all depends on whether or not the water heater has been stoked with enough wood to heat the water tank.
For those of us who love to cook, this is paradise! (This morning with my oatmeal, I first cracked walnuts that had been gathered from their walnut tree!
We shopped at the open market for fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses - many of which are produced in the local area. However the green beans were from Egypt.
The fun of cooking is deciding what will be cooked on the gas stove or oven, and what can be cooked on the woodburning cook stove which sits in the living room and also doubles for providing warmth for the house.
One commodity not seen very often, anywhere in Italy, are clothes dryers. Once clothing is washed, it is hung to dry.
Because of the unusually warm weather we have been able to hang clothes outside through the morning and early afternoon. Clothes then finish up inside close to the woodburning stove and by the following morning are ready to be folded, ironed, or worn.
I have been assured that what may seem rustic (ie charmingly romantic) can get old very, very quickly. However, right now this feeds my soul!

Living on the Land

We started our day with a 30-minute walk [one way], winding up the hillside, to a farm house where Julio, the hermit, used to live.
After 80-plus years of living and working on the land - with no running water or electricity - Julio had to move closer to town to be cared for.
The purpose of this daily walk is to feed the eight cats who continue to reside on the homestead.
I was told that Julio tended acres and acres of land, all by hand including "mowing" the grassy terraces with a scythe.
His gardens and orchards were a sight to behold.
Our own meals come from the land. The garden is still producing lettuce, onions and beets. [The temperature has been unseasonably warm - 64 degrees yesterday]. Wine comes from the neighbors vineyard and cheeses from a town not too far away.
Life is good!

Planes, Trains, [Buses], and Automobiles

[After a few minor techno glitches, I'm now at a computer that will let me catch up! However, I can't upload photos . . . just yet. I'll keep trying!]

Two flights, totaling 7-hours - with a 2 1\2 hour layover in Manchester, England - one 3-hour bus ride, a one hour train ride, then a 1\2 hour car ride - I'm here!
"Here" is the small village of Aquafredda, population 100 or so, consisting of a church, a cememtery, and homes scattered across the terraced landscape.
Aquafredda is a "suburb" of Millesimo, which can actually be located on some maps, if they're detailed enough.
The country home where I am staying, looks out on the foothills of the Alps. The homes in this area were built many, many years ago and continue to be handed down, generation to generation with slight modifications being made as needs arise.
I've come 180 degrees from where I was 24 hours earlier!

Photo of Max

Before I leave New York, I wanted to include a photo of Max. Max is a three-year-old Doberman Pincher [mix], who knows he runs the household.
Having a dog in New York - in a tiny apartment - may seem crazy, but actually makes a lot of sense: it gets you out every day so you can go for a great walk [to the Dog Park] and meet a wide variety of people [fellow dog-owners].
I'm also thrilled to let you know that Max made the cut for the Dog Park calendar and has his photo proudly displayed on the month of July!
Yes, Max has met the rich and famous, the not-so-rich and not-so-famous, yet is loved by all and hasn't let any of it go to his head.
Max, I'll see you in April!

New York, New York !

There is a tradition I have followed every time I have come to New York, and that is to have my first breakfast at French Roast. So, naturally, I needed to get a picture!
People have asked me for several weeks now, if I have been excited about my upcoming trip.
Of course the answer is "yes" or why would I be heading out. However, that hasn't been completely true. I got excited once I was on the plane and heading down the runway.
There is a quote that I feel expresses this best: "As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are, otherwise you will miss most of your life." Buddha.
Right now I am excited to be in New York - and as always, there is adventure around every corner.

Saturday was the day slated for a six course French meal, so of course the apartment building notified the tenants that the water would be shut off from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. The meal was fantastic!
The water came on at 4:30 . . . with the hot water coming back on, Sunday at 3:00 pm.
It's hard to worry about the minor inconveniences when there's good food, good wine and great company!

Gifts and gadgets

I just got a new digital camera with flash drive and of course, I have to be sure I know how to work everything, so took this picture!
This is a gift given to me by a very talented and dear friend [she creates these clay figurines].
Hopefully, there will be many, many more photos in the weeks to come!

Food for thought . . .

I've taken some time these past few weeks, to catch up on some reading. Because the first part of my upcoming journey begins in New York, a friend gave me several books written by Ruth Reichl, former New York Times restaurant critic.
In one of these books, Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, Ruth writes how she would create elaborate disguises and personas, in order to be undetected as 'the critic', and hopefully have a 'normal' dining experience to review.
She talks in the book about how the process of 'reinventing' herself almost took on a life of it's own. A feeling that she had within herself, split personalities that were finally allowed the chance to be set free.
It's amazing to me, how quickly we allow ourselves to be categorized or labeled as a particular type of person - complete with how we should think about any given topic, what foods we should eat, what clothes we should wear, what music we should listen to, etc., etc.
But, put on a disquise [or retire from your job, sell your house and almost everything you own], and you can be 21 again, ready to take on anything or anyone. At least as much as you will allow yourself to take on.

Not tabula rasa

If a person starts with a blank slate, where are the experiences and decisions, good and bad, that have shaped who that person has become? And we should never forget . . .
I love beginnings . . . a chance to clarify the direction I've chosen. Probably more so this year, since I've managed to simplify my life in almost every facet!
Rather than have a list of resolutions for this New Year, I've decided to focus on only one resolution and with an incredible gift from my office mates, I have the words as a daily reminder: a beautiful slender bracelet with the words, "Live the Life You've Imagined."
Simple to say . . . a bit more challenging to follow.
Perhaps, when you're young, change comes easier because you don't have as much proverbial 'baggage' that has accumulated through the many years of living, working, interacting with others.
And so my new year begins, with a new resolve and the memories that are me.