Posted on: May 18th, 2012
A beautiful hike in Umbria
Yesterday we hiked from Spello, along the old Roman aqueduct, to Collepino – a tiny little medieval “borgo” on the side of Mt. Subasio, completely surrounded by il parco regionale del monte Subasio. It was perfect hiking weather – bright and sunny, clear blue skies, with a nice cool breeze up in the hills. The great thing about hiking in Italy is you often can go from one town to another, and thus, there is usually some place to stop and have a nice plate of cheese and salami, and a glass of wine in a lovely little piazza. Or, your destination could be to stop for an espresso before turning around to do the hike back.
At left are pictures of the view along the trail, and looking back at our starting point, the town of Spello. Below, yet another amazing Umbrian countryside view, with Spello in the distance.
Below: The little piazza in Collepino; a pizza oven on the edge of town in Collepino; and along the path, a sweet-smelling flowering bush, the name of which I know nothing about, neither in English nor Italian!
Posted on: April 16th, 2012
Giant purple stone vase …
for my sister who died seven years ago today. Loss continues to have a loud voice inside my head, and yet there are still few words to describe the inexplicable. I think of her every time I order anchovy pizza; and she comes to mind whenever I see a purple flower blooming. How did empty become so substantially solid?
I spent most of last week trying to make a drawing for Kukla. Whether or not she would’ve liked any of what I did is still a big question mark in my mind. Che ne so (what do I know)? Maybe it’s not so much what death takes away that causes so much difficulty, but what it leaves behind: all those unanswered questions.
Regardless of what she might’ve thought about the drawings, the wisteria, no doubt, would’ve made her smile.
Posted on: March 22nd, 2012
A Journey Behind the Walls
I’m having a show of recent work here in Foligno. Imagine that!
30 March – 1 April 2012
PrimoSpazio
Palazzo Pandolfi Elmi
via Cesare Agostini, 19 – Foligno (Pg) Italia
Inaugurazione: 30 Marzo 18:00 – 20:00
You can see some of the work on the Italy sketch page of this site (click those words“Italy sketch” to get there). There will also eventually be a little information on the PrimoSpazio gallery website (www.PrimoSpazio.com), and we’ll try to take a bunch of photos and post them soon after the big event!
Posted on: March 8th, 2012
Oggi e la giornata internazionale della donna.
As stated in Wikipedia: it’s a day to remember the social, political, and economic conquests of women, as well as the discriminations and violence that are still in evidence against women in many parts of the world. In Italy the day is celebrated with Mimosa flowers. And, right on schedule, the Mimosa trees are in full bloom. When we were in Rome 4 years ago on March 4th there were mimosa cakes in all the pastry shop windows. I’ve not seen them yet in Foligno, but I’ve not yet been out this morning.
Here’s wishing you a bright sunny day of the women – may we all continue to move forward in creating a peaceful world where equality and justice for all prevails.
