March 21
I can’t stop. I came across a James Cordon carpool karaoke video this morning and now I literally can’t stop watching them. I’m sitting on the couch with my EarPods in and laughing out loud to the point of crying thinking about how much I love music and how magical it is to watch him just cut up with various singers and actors. I fell in love with the show when I first saw the Paul McCartney episode, but now I just watch them all; even if I’m not that familiar with the performers. Music has a way of soothing the soul and taking you to a different place; more into your soul and less in your head. It certainly got my day off to a good start. The rest of the day went well too. We committed to very little news and instead got some exercise, cooked some great Italian food, and had a Godfather marathon. I have never seen the Godfather movies - which seems insane, but I realized they came out when I was only about six years old. It was amazing to see Robert DeNiro, James Caan, Marlon Brandon, and Al Pacino as young men at the start of their acting careers. The cinematography, scenes in New York, Italy, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas were stunning, and the acting…wow. Thoroughly enjoyed parts one and two and still need to finish three…that’s a LOT of Godfather in a single day, but hey - the upside of quarantine. Hope to finish the 3rd today.
Ah Italy. The olive oil, the wine, the landscape, the people, the culture, the spirit. I find myself thinking so much about Italy these days - my friends there, my upcoming (and unlikely) wedding there this summer, the sunflowers, my experiences there over the past two years, the sights, the s smells, the sheer beauty of Italy. I wrote a poem of sorts on my last trip there. I think I will share it now. Sometimes I like to just write random words as opposed to sentences and paragraphs. It’s long but captures my last trip there so well. I went to celebrate an old friend’s 50th birthday (my third trip to Italy in an 18 month period, and one of the best experiences ever). We went with a group of about 30 people - we didn’t know most of them prior to going; an incredible group of people and a delightful adventure thoughtfully planned and designed by Mike’s wife, Dominique - I will be forever grateful for the delicious and gorgeous and laughter filled journey!
Italy Words train of thought…….
#grappawithgreto
cobblestone streets of Rome
real room keys with tassels
thirst quenched Aperol spritz and Limoncello
cocktail lounge
bright lights and beautiful bar
street food expedition
all the bread all the meat all the cheese
sunset over the Tiber
iPhone 11 captures it all
ancient ruins surround me
the old meets the new
crisp linens
delightful aperitivo
crisp chips and salty nuts
white wine
red wine
full moon over cathedral and fountain
salty cheesy tomatoey meaty garlicky
pistachio cookies
tastebuds delight
red wine
white wine
morning sun
walk through the neighborhood
cobblestones, bridges and sanctuaries
bird poop and theft
bus rides and glee
hangover or car sick
prosecco bubbles
bus rides
distracted angry bus driver
pit stops
more bubbles
laughter and neck braces
road to Greco
all the seafood
all the spaghetti
laundry flapping in the breeze
from the balconies and windows
overlooking the sea
arrivaderci!
slight delay who cares
all the joy
back on the bus
almost to Amalfi
winding goat strewn roads
narrow and harrowing
nail biting and breathtaking
how much more can we take
trees and eucalyptus and mountain and sea
around the bend yet again
hairpin turn in a bus
don’t look down
we are on the “safe side”
now we aren’t
driver on the phone
is he ok
vomit comet
back up car
we are coming through
Ravello or bust
all the way to the top
suitcase suitcase suitcase
up the hill
through the cobblestones
into the beauty
of the Palazzo Avino
all the pink
all the green
all the sea
and flower and umbrella and arch and stone and beauty
unending water
and cliff and seaside
green and lush
the smell of the sea
the sound of glee
push open the windows
breathe in the beauty
open the drawers
smell the shampoo
feel the slippers
drink more bubbles
shower and dress and reception
All the beautiful people
under the blackened sky lit by glorious moon
the Amalfi coast shimmers like Christmas lights along the shore
beckon
see me
taste me
feel me
embrace me
wallow in me
don’t forget me
dive in my sea
taste my grapes
lush in their fullness
harvest time
scent of lemon and rosemary
earth and sea
taste of the ocean
ripe luscious tomatoes and fresh basil heaven
oil of olives
nuts of trees
hot steaming rich coffee
warm milk on the side
croissant croissant croissant
all the bread
all the time
over the hills and through the lemon and olive orchards
to the ruins
locked door
no matter
beautiful views
spectacular walk
lovely laughter
Italian stylish hats and joyous smiles
the blue of the sea
juxtaposition of green and yellow and red and orange
and allll the colors of the Amalfi
bus ride grappa feel the burn
fields and vines and lemons and sun
friendships old and new
toasts and roasts and laughter and cake
love and gratitude
sharing
red wine
white wine
bubbles
not in that order
birthday love
beautiful meal
great conversation
smiles and laughter
sun reflected in the sea
saltwater on my skin, in my hair in my eyes
buoyancy
salty
fresh and cold
sore feet from the rocky bottom
full from the delicious feast
gratitude for the opportunity and beauty
yellow and pink and green and orange pastel houses and shops dot the hillsides
rocky ruins scattered throughout
laced with grapevines and olive trees and rugged cliffs
towering above the busy narrow streets
boats and sails and smells
more red, white, and bubbles
warm bath
sleep. hard hard sleep
rest day
walking and running through the hillside
down the hills
through the streets
through the farms and the fields
hello little donkey
so many lizards
bright bright sun
parched yet happy
back up up up wayyyy up the hill
poolside
white wine white wine white wine by the glass by the bottle
all the sun
all the view
all the laughter
all the hats
all the sunglasses
bougainvillea purple
flowers in pink
different people yet all the same
taking it in
enjoying the beauty
loving Greto’s happiness
a trip well planned
by the love of his life
beautiful couple
happy for their joy and being surrounded by love
scent of the spa
warm massage
gentle relaxation
dancing in the room - all the Beatles, all the bubbles
fancy dinner
all the beautiful people
joy for our tastebuds
morning sickness (the alcohol kind not the baby kind)
too much wine food (who has the pepto)
should I go or should I stay
how can I get up when I’m possibly dying
not enough sleep….
delayed trip to Capri
better late than never
quivering stomach watching rocking of the boat
must sit up top to settle my stomach
salty cold sea air
sunglasses and sun
Bask jacket snuggles
Cliffs and rocks and ocean spray
Capri beauty
“convertible” cabs - pink and white and sea blue
smiles and photos and giggles from the back seat
oohs and ahhs of the views below
so much to see
so little time
gorgeous seaside deck
white and bamboo and blue and yellow and cocktails and tunes
dancing and laughing
and seafood all the seafood
temptation room heaven
chocolate and fruit and pastry and cream
lemon tart
delicioso
perfecto
warm bath
early night
last in Ravello
Italian music
dimly lit cobblestone streets
red and white and bubbles
early morning
last coffee delivery
no croissants too early
headed to Modena
train station scurrying and lugging of luggage and where is the bathroom
and then the ride
across the hills
through the fog
between the trees
in mostly silence
as we all processed
where we had been
what we had seen and felt and done
through the tunnels
more potato chips and bubbles and espresso
gratitude for the million little details
thoughtfully curated
by our hosts
Bologna taxi line efficiency
trading euros for dollars with new friends
heading toward delight
the Casa Maria Luigia experience
like no other
brilliant in its beauty
every. last. detail. perfection.
beautiful villa
exquisite rooms
Gucci wallpaper leaf and vine
wall to wall to wall albums
art and music and music and art
and design
the refrigerator!!!
snacks under glass prepared just for us
pink bubbles
black cabinets and walls
and white and black fragile china
two cherry art
leaf drawing
meanwhile the outdoors
the lush fresh gardens
red “door to the garden”
small “she shed”
swinging with joy
poolside delight
coca cola in the poolhouse
the time is always NOW
fountains and trees and grass and rosemary
olives and birch and cypress and oak trees
ai wei wei and legos
hidden bar in the cocktail room
waving hands framed
all angles
leather and velvet
wood and bourbon and gin and vodka and wine
poolside mummy
brief nap in the quiet dark of the gorgeous room
art tour!
be ready
Lara delights with her words
about words
and their importance and significance and power and potential
words carry meaning
be it hateful or kind
and last forever
the words
quotes in light
art in color
art in black and white
red white and fucking blue
perfectly placed and balanced
tables art too
the sea tucked in the drawer of one
amidst the leather chairs
glass chandeliers
accidentally left
and repurposed
as if they always belonged in this spot
above the check in
next to the ying and yang sofas
carefully handpicked by Massimo and Lara
welcoming all to their glorious space
the soft evening light floating over the cobblestones
between the villa and the carriage house
now a glorious kitchen and dining room
only room for twenty
bubbles and red and white await
the beautifully dressed friends
who now are closer
through experience
and joy
art on the walls
Damien Hirst
a play on drug labels
and nourishment
simplicity
followed by so much flavor in tiny dishes
oysters meet lime granita
broth and caviar and crunch
animated love and joy by chef Jessica
beautiful food
more bubbles and white and red
the five ages of parmesan light and crisp and full and creamy and foamy
piece de resistance
the crunchy part of the lasagna
to be eaten with your fingers
dipping the overcooked baked again pasta in the sauce and the cheese and the love
the next the favorite for me
the spinning plates
allllll the colors - the green, red, yellow, orange
pure vegetables disguised as splattered art
on bright white plate trimmed in silver
beef coated in herbs - sous vide the word and need of the day
let’s buy one!
recreate this dish
impossible yet lofty
I love it
melt in your mouth
Nebbiolo alongside
Langhe
Casa E. Di Mirafiore
nothing like it
crusty bread to lick the plate
literally
recommended by chef
cheesy salty delectable tortellini as palate cleanse…more more more
chocolate and raspberry
deconstructed lemon tart - capers, salt, basil, tiny pieces of art alongside
broken yet perfect.
It’s perfect
its broken
just like southern italy
leave space in your life for poetry
when something imperfect happens its perfect
WWMD
How to break the rules
let me count the ways
so much heart
in all the words
of all the people
break the rules
live by the rules
you get one life
it’s yours
see the world
feel the love
examine the beauty
the details
making a playlist
in the midst of the laughs
not quite right
but not quite wrong
too tired and full to dance
want to just process all of it
so many emotions
“full”ish moon over the courtyard (foolish?) fullish? I like to make up my own words
the glow of the night is lovely
the lights of the kitchen bright
no room left for nightcap
more love of the art
feeling all the feels
on the last night in Modena. the only night in Modena
there will be more nights in Modena
of this I am sure
Rough night of sleep
Early morning coffee in the garden
followed by breakfast of kings and queens in the carriage house (9 courses 9 hours ago)
Gardens and fountains and art and music and food and wine
oh my
People enjoying Paris and Venice and allll the other places now
scattered over Italy and France and elsewhere
Off to San Gimignano for a quick dance with my memories
Of birthdays of my own, of vines and friends, and my son Zach
With whom I shared a glorious adventure here
Through the fields of sunflowers in the summer
though the cobblestoned streets of Siena and Lucca and San Gimignano
With wine and cheese and picnics and Brunello and Grappa
Rekindling friendships and building new here on this journey
grateful for all of it
sunshine and laughter
more bubbles and white and red
in this special place
that has my heart
whatsapp continues
the funny and silly and heartfelt
the travel woes and travel joys
the hives, the luggage, the photos, the friendships
all thanks to you Mike Greto
So glad to know you
and now to get know your people
thank you for sharing
thank you for all of it (Domi and Mike)
Here’s to 50 years on this planet
and the next 50 with all the joy, tears, learning, love, grace, beauty, and hugs
Back to reality and all of its different yet wonderful beauty.
Home sweet home. Half the beauty of travel is the coming home.
All the love for Italy right now. The suffering there is real. The fear is real. The death toll from covid-19 is real. May this beautiful country recover soon and may the bells ring throughout the squares and the sun shine on this beautiful land and these beautiful people. Until I see you again.
