Snails are molluscs or gastropods and they have only one foot. In my house in the country I had not only mice but snails perambulating around. Of course, with only one foot one can’t really say they walk. They creep or crawl. Maybe even slither. Which they do of course. There have even been snail races.Continue reading “The Snail”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Mice or Mouses?
Years ago, when I lived in the country by myself, I had to lay down the law for mice. One can’t help liking these little creatures, until one sees the havoc they can create. Yesterday a piece of chocolate left over from an Easter egg displayed a series of tooth marks on one edge. Aha!Continue reading “Mice or Mouses?”
Bilingual
Same concept, dfferent language Don’t know if it is a matter of age, but when one is what can be considered bilingual, and the equivalent of a word in that other language refuses to come to mind, one starts worrying. At least it takes time for that word one is looking for to surface. IContinue reading “Bilingual”
Postscript to Homeless
FREEDOM ABOVE ALL Of the various comments on my post, Homeless by Choice, a particularly lovely one was in the form of an email from Marilyn, a former student of mine when I was teaching at Gonzaga in Florence in the 1970S. She stayed with us in Orvieto that summer and we remained in touch. Now aContinue reading “Postscript to Homeless”
Easter
a post that is a bit overdue Easter is late this year but it doesn’t really matter unless you depend on school holidays. Particularly if your father is a teacher. And I always seem to be a bit late with my posts. With a family that wasn’t particularly family oriented, holidays like Halloween for instanceContinue reading “Easter”
Francesco
If only he hadn’t wanted to finish weed-wacking that field. He’d put in a new cutting string that whirled around and effortlessly did away with what most people called weeds. Some were and some weren’t. He knew the difference and most of them, in one way or the other, were edible. You might have toContinue reading “Francesco”
Perks
Perks or unexpected aspects of what happened. Well, not exactly a perk but a way of looking at the positive side of having broken my leg. My computer screen, in addition to the usual trademark Apples, accompanies them with the words “We love you”, a reminder of the presence of my sons. Thanks to them,Continue reading “Perks”
The Clinic
After my operation, for a few weeks I am in a clinic or struttura as they call it, named after a saint. The nuns who manage it recite their morning prayers before helping the inmates (I suppose that is what one can call them) begin their daily activities of coloring a line drawing of aContinue reading “The Clinic”
Ninety Six
February 15, ninety six years ago just after midnight I was washed and dressed in what might be called swaddling clothes. Now almost a century later I am still being washed and clothed.but it is no longer the same for the roles, have been reversed and it is not easy to accept that it isContinue reading “Ninety Six”
Jazz
A life not lived. New York City. 1950 more or less. I was in my early twenties. In my family, one listened to classical music, Mozart, Bach, Debussy. My father frowned on so-called popular music and, well, I don’t remember what he said about Frank Sinatra and, I imagine, jazz. Time had passed and atContinue reading “Jazz”
Windows
It’s two o’clock in the afternoon. The sun streams in through a window in the wall that overlooks the square. Plants on the windowsill cast shadows on the floor, shifting shadows that change shape as two becomes four. White curtains hang quietly on either side without a breeze to stir them, kept at bay byContinue reading “Windows”
Friends
Our loving faithful unquestioning friends. You’ve had a dog. You’ve had a cat. Or maybe several. You’ve loved them all and they’ve loved you, each according to his nature. Dogs will welcome you upon your return from town, probably wondering why you hadn’t taken them along. Jumping up and down and wagging their tails, theyContinue reading “Friends”
Oh, ma
Oh, ma! Your mom is always your mom. My son dropped by – he’s in his sixties – and handed me a shirt and — a button. I suppose he could have attached it himself, although my eyesight is a lot better than his despite my years. My younger son would certainly have pulled outContinue reading “Oh, ma”
Mental Wanderings
Pre-dawn mental wanderings, images of things seen, read and remembered It is still dark enough, early enough, for the street lights to be on. How luxurious to stay in bed, knowing the day’s tasks can wait, not yet urgent enough to force me to get up. I pull the covers up around my shoulders. MakesContinue reading “Mental Wanderings”
Bedtime Readings
The day is drawing to a close. It’s dark outside… Too early to call it a day as I reach out for a book from the rickety bookcase beneath the window. Three shelves with lots on Shakespeare, quite a bit of poetry, essays, a few novels, old favorites, some going back to over forty years.Continue reading “Bedtime Readings”
Minimalism
Seems the Japanese are particularly good at that, aside from Marie Kondo. Keep only what you really need, what is essential. Two pairs of jeans are quite sufficient – one to wear while the other one is being washed. Coffee cups? Generally, you and your partner need only two. If friends come they will haveContinue reading “Minimalism”
Three
If life is generous and the moment is right, a dear friend may suddenly surprise you by telling you about a poem by Mary Oliver on wild geese, introducing you to this poet of nature, a nature that you miss now that you are no longer privileged to be part of that world. Or youContinue reading “Three”
Starting Anew
It hits you all of a sudden. I’m no longer young. That’s one way of putting it. And then your sons are no longer young either. Not like me, but taking their share of pills and medicines. What strikes me most, perhaps, is the lack of inspiration. Oh, it will come, my friends say. SoContinue reading “Starting Anew”
Easter
Resurrection on the way. Thanks to a pacemaker and the patience and love of friends and family.
Some Updates
Life’s ebbs and flows occasionally necessitates a step back — a respite to reflect and to recharge. While Erika has recently hit the pause button for her blog, rest assured, it is only temporary and soon enough she will return to her digital canvas. To her loyal readers, Erika offers her heartfelt gratitude for everyone’sContinue reading “Some Updates”
Erika Bizzarri 