oh my goodness those short storms on Lake Garda
They are intense and they do not last long. Here on the lake fair weather turns foul and I could not be more grateful. The heat evaporates and we fantasize the ozone layer has been healed. At least for a while our bodies receive a reprieve from the heat and humidity. Awfully dramatic here onContinue reading “oh my goodness those short storms on Lake Garda”
The adventures of Colette and Godot
They fit perfectly into the hero’s journey. In fact, these two papillons were the heroes of my personal odyssey in many ways. They taught me how to listen to the call to adventure, so we sailed across the Atlantic, venturing deep into the belly of the whale. I was terrified but Colette and Godot keptContinue reading “The adventures of Colette and Godot”
The things my feet have seen and how my face is changing.
Daily maintenance dictates time, keeps us distracted and moving forward, we celebrate milestones and achieve the odd goal every now and then. I just passed an important Italian language test, got the results today; felt official and feels great, on my way as they say. Still, the moment arrives, as it did last night whileContinue reading “The things my feet have seen and how my face is changing.”
A minute of wind on Lake Garda
So many winds to choose from here on Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake – located two hours west of Venice and one hour from Europe’s most romantic balcony in Verona. The two main winds are called Peler, and Ora. Peler blows from the north, affecting the whole lake, but particularly the central and northern areas. It starts in theContinue reading “A minute of wind on Lake Garda”
The Magic of Piemonte; a little film
Locals would ask, “Why did you move to Piemonte?” They were genuinely curious. After all, I was the only American living in our town of Loazzolo. When Gore Vidal was asked ‘Why Rome?’ He thought Howard Hughes had it right, “How did a long nailed recluse end up in a sealed hotel room?” Hughes simplyContinue reading “The Magic of Piemonte; a little film”
Moving house is about new beginnings and letting go
When we move house it feels like a new beginning yet it’s often an exercise in memory, nostalgia; about the past. Each key received had teased me it could solve a mystery, and unlock the secrets of cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Bucharest or Prague yet Rome kept her secrets safely tucked inside. Each move demandingContinue reading “Moving house is about new beginnings and letting go”
Italy has changed me
I’m not certain when, which day or year, but it did happen and just dawned on me the other day. For such a spontaneous person I can be slow; nice to know irony is not dead. I was in Riva del Garda when struck by this epiphany. I’d suspected it for some time, but nowContinue reading “Italy has changed me”
Climate does change, and it happens so fast.
Arrived in Riva yesterday, jumped on my bicycle and 5 minutes later this crazy storm errupted. I was at the piazza, parked my bike and ran into Cafe Italia. Surrounded by German tourists, I ordered a glass of white wine and watched. I’ve seen storms before, but this was dramatic, perhaps even unique. We haveContinue reading “Climate does change, and it happens so fast.”
Need a break from the drama? How about a drive to Venice – to the Queen of the Adriatic.
Welcome to your Daily Bailey Alexander, where’s it’s time to see Venice, hallowed out, her beauty on full display. A quick two hour trip from Lake Garda to La Serenissima, where we can cross the lagoon and take a trip out to San Michele, the island that is a cemetery. Where we can pay homageContinue reading “Need a break from the drama? How about a drive to Venice – to the Queen of the Adriatic.”
A little film about an extraordinary woman and her tiny food factory; a place where dreams come true.
Some stories are told through food. Soon, I’ll share the story of this extraordinary woman and her famous restaurant located in Cessole, Piemonte. It’s called Ristorante Madonna delle Neve. It’s known far and wide….and soon you’ll know about it too : ) For now, a little film about an amazing woman and the business sheContinue reading “A little film about an extraordinary woman and her tiny food factory; a place where dreams come true.”
In the land where pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake
Italy’s often considered a country of artisans. What they do well they do better than most – just watching Massimiliano Poggio make a Caffè Shakerato offers an example. Tomorrow Italy begins to open up. I wonder how tourism will unfold. Here in Piemonte they don’t rely on services and tourism, instead they spend most theirContinue reading “In the land where pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake”
A little film about Lake Garda and how comics inspired Gary Lachman to go cosmic.
‘A Couple of Europhiles’ welcome Gary Lachman this week and it’s a trip. We discuss how to keep your mind open to synchronicity and Gary dives deep into mysticism, esotericism as well as imagination and consciousness. As we cycle around the lake you can listen to Gary’s youth and how he graduated from comics toContinue reading “A little film about Lake Garda and how comics inspired Gary Lachman to go cosmic.”
You want seasons? I’ll give you three; my first summer here, flowers in full bloom, in June. Last year’s gothic fog and today’s rain.
When I chose to settle down I wanted 4 seasons yet Piemonte came with so many of ’em. There’s a time to plant vegetables, pick the grapes, cut back the vines, stack the wood, cut back the roses, hunt for truffle, fertilize the lawn, switch from our well to city water, trim the hortensia toContinue reading “You want seasons? I’ll give you three; my first summer here, flowers in full bloom, in June. Last year’s gothic fog and today’s rain.”
A little film about America’s pathologies, an Odyssey and demystifying consciousness
20 years ago I started writing about America’s pathologies, which include victimology, litigiousness and evangelicalism. And what about the latter, are they just fundamentalist, or simply insane. They let us know of their anger, their resentment, thanks to Trump inciting them, as it culminated in that insurrection at the Capitol. 20 years ago, those pathologiesContinue reading “A little film about America’s pathologies, an Odyssey and demystifying consciousness”
A poem, full of snow and silence, from Piemonte
It just keeps snowing here in Piemonte. It would appear Covid has been good for the climate. The roads are used less, there are fewer cars on the roads yet plenty of tractors to be seen. Everyone, except for us, seems to have a tractor because we are surrounded by farmers; tending to their vinesContinue reading “A poem, full of snow and silence, from Piemonte”
The Materialists, The Cultural Creatives, The Social and Ecological Progressives and The Traditionalists
I wonder where you’re heading…personally, I’ve been riding the culturally creative vibe for the past couple of years. I’ve heard most people fall into the following 4 movements, although of course; there’s overlap. I’m not sure which one is growing faster than the rest, depending on one’s cultural reality…which city, which country in which youContinue reading “The Materialists, The Cultural Creatives, The Social and Ecological Progressives and The Traditionalists”
Noodle Angels and a man named Norman Durkee
When the noodle army is unleashed I can’t help thinking of those I miss ‘that much’; and Norman was that special friend. I know you have our own and I hope you enjoy the little film…
When Mark Twain visited Staglieno cemetery he said…
“We will remember this after we’ve forgotten all the palaces” such is the dramatic and moving experience of Staglieno cemetery in Genoa; La Supurba”. Through storytelling, geography and fun facts we explore Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, Val d’Aosta and Piemonte – the secret that needs to be told. If you miss travel you just might loveContinue reading “When Mark Twain visited Staglieno cemetery he said…”
No. 46: “A dream within a dream” Edgar Allan’s Poe’s poem in Italian gothic.
The fog rolls in each morning and every evening here in Piemonte, Italy. The atmosphere is gothic and the fire’s cracklin in the background. Time for some Edgar Allan Poe…
Daily Bailey Alexander No 4 All Saint’s Day
Excerpt from the video: It’s November 1st, All Saint’s Day and soon to be All soul’s Day; let’s take a tour of the cemeteries of Europe and spend some time at Steglieno, in Genoa, the largest open air museum and monumental cemetery in Europe, perhaps the most gorgeous of them all. Achingly beautiful, haunting, magicalContinue reading “Daily Bailey Alexander No 4 All Saint’s Day”
Tales of The Vagabond Lady; Over the top and they’re all true.
For the price of a cup of coffee I offer flamboyant tales for your pleasure, packed with travel and parties left out my book. Finer details and frivolous bits that didn’t fit. They lend better to the short form because they are intense and panoramic. Sometimes you just crave a story. You will travel throughContinue reading “Tales of The Vagabond Lady; Over the top and they’re all true.”
Step inside the factory, enjoy the fantasy of a favorite dish; the reality of how family and food stay strong in Italy.
Interview No. 7: yet another amazing interview, a wondrous tale, a fantastic story about an old woman with an apron. How she built an incredible business, beloved and well known across borders. It’s called Madonna Delle Neve, in Cessole, in the region of Piemonte. My next book will include a 12 interviews with 12 Piemontese.Continue reading “Step inside the factory, enjoy the fantasy of a favorite dish; the reality of how family and food stay strong in Italy.”
What fresh hell is this; historic floods in Limone and France
We had winds at 100 km an hour, so very dramatic yet no damage. Nothing like the damage done to Limone, Piemonte, located 2 hours west of here. To think my guy would take a photo of a picaresque home, this property full of charm, but one week ago, only to see it floating downContinue reading “What fresh hell is this; historic floods in Limone and France”
No. 43: A little hope and lotta beauty on Lake Garda
For the first time since lockdown, I left Piemonte and drove to Lake Garda, where it sparkles, and feels light, where the water offers insight and emotions the mountains, alone, don’t always provide in Piemonte. I always have expectations, because this place has always offered a reprieve, a way to find myself in a smallContinue reading “No. 43: A little hope and lotta beauty on Lake Garda”
No. 42: Once upon a time my magic carpet flew me everywhere, letting my odyssey become a fantasy…
Without my flying carpet I couldn’t have gone on my odyssey. And without Colette and Godot it wouldn’t have had that particular charm…
No. 41: We’re on the hero’s journey together, perhaps our darkest hour, and yet the elixir is out there, waiting for us to find it.
Today’s Daily Bailey Alexander vid vignette explores Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero with a Thousand Faces’. Alas, now we’re on the journey, together, billions of us. Having left the ordinary world, we’ve now entered the extraordinary one. We need our mentor, we need to deal with the challenges, and overcome them so we can find the elixir,Continue reading “No. 41: We’re on the hero’s journey together, perhaps our darkest hour, and yet the elixir is out there, waiting for us to find it.”
No 39: Searching for a soulmate, looking for love while split in half during the dog days of summer.
According to Greek mythology, humans were orginally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two, condeming them for their pride, condeming them to spend their lives in search of their other halves. Always searching for their soulmate, for love…
No. 38: Italy, specifically Piemonte, where the pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake
When the world opens up for travel they will want to come to Piemonte, where there’s a season for everything. Italy’s fine wine country, nestled up against the Alps, in the region they call Piemonte; the secret that needs to be told. The home of slow food and cooking schools where joy is served andContinue reading “No. 38: Italy, specifically Piemonte, where the pasta is al dente and the coffee tastes like a milkshake”
No. 37: Three funerals and a caffe in Piemonte
Unfortunately, another funeral; always in 3’s, indeed. First Zio Giacomo, last week, then Franco, now Stefano, today. I will finish my caffe shakerato, made by Massimiliano Poggio at Machi’s Bar here in Bubbio, then follow Stefano’s coffin on foot with the other Bubbiese, to the elegant cemetery in Bubbio… Stefano’s son, Max, was my firstContinue reading “No. 37: Three funerals and a caffe in Piemonte”
No. 36: The essence of Zio Giacomo and making gnocchi in La Rochelle
Maurice Nicole writes about our essence compared to our personality. And a person may have a noble personality, but rather, it’s that which lies beneath…and that’s what it felt like to be in Giacomo’s presence; you felt his essence.
No 35: Mid summer dreams and crazy car races in Loazzolo
The day began so peacefully, it was just me, the birds, and two papillons named Gigi and Gaston. Until the noise began and it was anything but a sleepy Sunday in Loazzolo.
No. 33: A Romantic Twist on the Pragmatic Dutch
Living in Amsterdam reminded me of living in Seattle. It was eminently livable, full of competent and industrious people, enjoying their entrepeneurial spirit. It rained, allot, the year I was there; and yet it was pretty, and it was a pleasure. It also had its romantic moments. Which is what I read about, in thisContinue reading “No. 33: A Romantic Twist on the Pragmatic Dutch”
No. 31: The Herbal Magic and Healing Powers of Anna Fila Robattino
Anna Fila Robattino truly has a gift, there’s nothing quite like her popular herbal hikes in Piemonte. As we gather our herbs we learn their botanical names, their common names, how to make hot tisana, or cool drinks for summer, how to cook with herbs or eat them raw, how they can help with respiratoryContinue reading “No. 31: The Herbal Magic and Healing Powers of Anna Fila Robattino”
No 23: Time and Struggle and Hoping an Engineer like Jacob Glanville can find a Cure
From engineers like Jacob Glanville to writers like Katherine May; dealing with the struggle and hoping for the cure to end Covid19
No. 11: Noodle Angels and a little wisdom from Joan Didion
It’s that time of year again, it’s time to bring out my army of noodle angels. Time to celebrate the little things, especially when the smallest idea can loom so large in the heart and the mind….