Not trying to be cute, I have seen Italians recite Dante by the age of 9, even earlier. It makes sense as Dante did create modern Italian, as much as it makes sense these people continue to communicate within their own labyrinth of dialects. Which makes me wonder why I don’t run into many ‘intellectuals‘.Continue reading “Why play the intellectual when you recite Dante by 9”
Category Archives: Blog
A brain wider than the sky
Some are attracted to opposites when they choose a partner, or in my case, to someone fundamentally different. It’s not a bad idea. It can be a clever, albeit painful way to expand one’s consciousness. Of course few write about this better than Henry James does in “Portrait of a Lady” . In the bookContinue reading “A brain wider than the sky”
Gigi and the floral trees
Summertime vibes and lido love
Weather’s getting hot, people are walkin and shoppin in bikinis. Young Italian girls and boys are adorable. German couples with their kids inspire tourist appreciation bc they’re so well behaved/opposite of the engish in amsterdam. Protocol’s floating away on the lake, it’s like Paris in August. It’s gettin messy and that’s just fine.
A Tale of Two Butterflies
Flowers and Ferries on Lake Garda
and butterflies too..
In Verona you even get the moon
If you’re in the mood for classical and you’re coming to Venice, why not take a detour and hit the outdoor theater in Verona. The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheatre in Piazze Bra – you not only get the opera, you get the moon. Sorry for the quality of the foto, but I wasContinue reading “In Verona you even get the moon”
“I told you so”
Gore Vidal’s 4 favorite words. I doubt he’d be surprised – almost happy he doesn’t have to see it, after all he saw us and chronicled us at our best. And he did suggest America was moving back to the Stone Age many decades ago. So No. Not such a great birthday for America butContinue reading ““I told you so””
The music in Joan Didion’s writing
When I posted this mini portrait by my mother on facebook a friend said, “Is that Joan Didion?” Don’t think Didion was the inspiration but this is how readers often feel when reading Didion. She writes in minor keys. She writes about death and pathological grief and she is concise. She finds the right keyContinue reading “The music in Joan Didion’s writing”
I surrender
Italy can act like a balm. She can soothe the soul. So I surrender.