the tree

Yesterday we rode out to the opposite side of the province to select our tree . . . not a common Italian ritual but one that did include the Italian who owns the plot of land where the trees grow.  This was year number three.

Maddy took some time out to explain, of all things, Pompeii and Vesuvius to her two little friends, who were eager to listen.  She's never visited either location, only seen the volcano from afar in October; give the girl a couple of books on the topic & she quickly becomes a little Ms. Know-It-All.  It's always amazing to me what will peak her curiosity or hold her interest.

innsbruck

 

  

  

Our latest adventure took us to Innsbruck, Austria, where we spent a couple of days exploring the city in all of her romantic Christmastime goodness.

We'll be back.

i'm moving & the tallest persimmon tree I ever did see

I'm moving the blog.  Time for a change.  In the twelve years since graduating college I've lived in 10 homes & 6 cities.  The permanence of this house we purchased in Italy in 2007 is taking hold . . . no sign of a move in the near or distant future -- just lots and lots of mortgage payments.

I'm working on a new URL & am deciding some changes I want to make in terms of blogging.   When I get it worked out, I will likely start posting on the new blog & keep this one online for a few weeks until, "poof," it will disappear from public.  Just like that.  I am totally okay with it.

The Tallest Persimmon Tree I Ever Did See

Vicenza, Italy

Maddy can't say cacho without a smirk or chuckle -- for a five-year-old it's just too close to a word that describes a bodily function, I suppose. . . or rather, the result of a body function.

canceling christmas

As I was in the kitchen this evening using up the final remains of the Thanksgiving turkey to make a turkey salad, the kind of turkey salad I remember eating pressed between crustless white bread cut into halves at showers or weddings or special events when I was a kid, the turkey salad with the turkey, celery, and onion cut so fine that it's almost minced . . . I began to reminisce just a little, which jogged my memory that Mr. Duncan mentioned he heard this spot on NPR:

 


Um, well, of course I know Phillip Creel (a local teacher from another generation), and, yes, I've been to the bonfire on the levee in front of Phillip Creel's house at one time or another.  He lives right on the River Road, about a mile or so away from where my brother's family has settled.   Since leaving my hometown, I do find myself very unsure of what to do on Christmas Eve; I usually insist that we cook up a pot of chicken and andouille gumbo, but, quite frankly, nothing ever seems right.  Ever.  Every year I spend some time fantasizing about the events on the levee in Paulina, Lutcher, and Gramercy when the evening arrives.  Longing.

If the bonfires are banned, it would be like canceling Christmas in this area.  What a pity!

You can read a bit more about the tradition here.

PS.  Yes, they do talk like that.  All of them.  I do not, anymore. Except when I'm upset & then I sound just like them. :)

favorite thanksgiving memory

Thanksgiving 2009 
2 Dads + 2 Instruments + 4 Kiddos + 4 Adults humming / singing the carols in the background =

LifeIsGood.

 ----------------------------------

Thirty days hath November; I did it -- a post everyday.  I, however, will not be doing it again and may not appear much in December as a result of it.
Whew!

The school visit went well.  I did discover the differences, the hype of this particular school, and to sum it up I'll just say I saw a focus on the education of the "whole child." I like that.  It is full. FULL. FULL. FULL.  The principal did, however, take our information & jotted down the name of our "connection," who accompanied us on the visit, on the application . . . just to remember us later, she assured us. Wink. Wink.  Almost completely unaware of cultural subtleties, I have no idea if we stand a chance.  Rumor has it that they are obligated to take five outsiders, esterni -- one mother called us. . . could Maddy be one? hahaha! (If it is indeed true, kids like Maddy are likely not the intent.)  While it is indeed full, the choice of who has the 27 spots has not yet been made.  It is, in a way, quite comical to hear the rumors and listen to the chatter among the mothers comparing the schools.  Most seems to be full of opinion; I wonder if there might be a bit on intentional deceit.
In the end, all will be well.

I am also brewing up a bit of change in my blog world.
More Later.