Latest Story

10 writing tips — oh, alright, 17!

 Your way is the write way. You don’t have to show your writ­ing to ANY­one.  You can, but you don’t have to.  Just writ­ing for your­self is very important. You don’t have to READ what you write.  In fact, it is a good idea to let things “sit” for a while.  Like a stew—let your thoughts stew on paper.  Just keep writing. Give your­self some space.  Don’t read yes­ter­day today.  Read yes­ter­day next week. You have per­mis­sion not...

Read more »

Women who run with the camels

Women who run with the camels

That is what co-owner Miranda Innes calls women who show up in at her Moroc­can B&B alone. Yet I would not rec­om­mend it for the fem­i­nine faint of heart.  A woman alone in a souk with her own pock­et­book in tow throws Moroc­can male...

Read more »

My two Italian husbands

My two Italian husbands

Citta della Pieve, Umbria. “Call me.  I can do any­thing for you.  AN-knee-theeng.” This strange man had just thrust his card in front of my face, so close that even with my read­ing glasses on, I had not a prayer of read­ing it.  He...

Read more »

About packing

About packing

Check out www.onebag.com .  This web­site has a good pack­ing list, as does Rick Steves’ web­site, www.RickSteves.com .  For more than a month, you may not be able to...

Read more »

Make me Harry Potter!”

“Make me Harry Potter!”

As I was installing a lightning bolt on this British lad's forehead, a la Harry Potter, his older brother watched carefully, and then signed up for a shooting star...

Read more »

Gershwin and the Knights of Malta

Gershwin and the Knights of Malta

Mag­gione.  Open­ing night, in June. Built 9 cen­turies ago, between 1150 and 1170, the Cas­tle of the Knights of Malta is impec­ca­bly restored, and is the first cas­tle I have...

Read more »

Dealing with people’s reactions

Dealing with people’s reactions

When you share your plans:  “I’m going to Italy for two (or three) months!” be pre­pared to han­dle the reac­tions.  You’ll find three main reactions.   1.The detrac­tors, who...

Read more »

Dreams are one thing, having them another.

Dreams are one thing, having them another.

It sounds like it should be a sim­ple choice, when the oppor­tu­nity presents itself, to grab that brass ring. But it isn’t always. I first learned this when my...

Read more »

Italy is not a good place to experience suffering

Italy is not a good place to experience suffering

Every Christ­mas day, in the fondo of Palazzo della Corgna, the terzieri of Castello presents inspi­ra­tional scenes for the sea­son (called a pre­sepe).  It is Castello’s gift of the...

Read more »

Quotes

On choice:
In any given situation there are three basic choices: Exit, Loyalty, or Voice.
— Jill Hackett, Women, Voice, & Writing