Reading from a Rainy June

Mysteries (in English and Italian), perfect for reading in your hammock or by the fireplace (if you’re mid-winter right now). As well, I have some literary fiction to recommend, and two books about 60-something women looking back over their lives. Warning or Teaser: this post includes the boldest paragraphs ever published on this blog. Click through to read. . .

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Italian Lessons On Sicily

A few weeks ago, I gave a presentation to my Saturday morning Italian class on my recent trip to Italy. Some readers kindly encouraged me to share the written version here — with an English translation, of course. And a few photos. Click through if you’d like to meet my Inner Italian, Francesca.

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Six Sicilian Things Saturday

A Five Things Friday post that somehow turned into Six Things Saturday. And since readers have been curious about my time at a Sketching Workshop in the Sicilian countryside. . . I give you Six Sicilian Things this Saturday. . . A little weekend diversion. Hope you enjoy!

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Lost and Found in Ortigia. . . The Man in the Red Pants

Wandering the sinuous, narrow vicoli of the old island city of Ortigia last month, I should have paid more attention to what turns my husband was taking just ahead. Instead, I found myself alone in the labyrinth, wondering where the man in the red pants had gone. . . But what an enticing labyrinth it was. . .

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The Way We Rolled, in Rome. . .

I don’t know how you like to travel, but we like to slow it down, take time to smell the roses and sketch the angels and spot the old guys playing cards on a table they’ve carried out to a public square in the sunshine. We did that and more last Saturday in Rome’s Trastevere district — read on for a sample.

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Copyright

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photographs in this blog are my own. If you wish to use any of them, please give me credit for my work. And it should go without saying, but apparently needs to be said: Do not publish entire posts as your own. I will take the necessary action to stop such theft. Thanks.