I’m not accustomed to having someone stare at me.  But when you ask someone to sit for you, and you’re not specific about where they should look I guess it’s only natural that they would look…

“Our eyes met in the piazza, we were only 15. For eternity our hearts were locked.” Pietro is a poet. We found him at the tobaccheria last night watching TV.  I pulled Ellie in with me…

Two weeks is not enough.  One of my new friends goes home on Saturday.  She planned this trip long ago. Though she loathes her job and her boss, she gave plenty of notice, studied the schoolbook cover…

I did not have to face “the square” ? though I think I may have tackled it, had we stayed put. Tomorrow… This afternoon we were invited to a private home to paint the landscape…

Last night the ‘after dinner walk’ wound up at the outdoor café. It is a summertime place where all generations meet. They stay up late playing games, dancing, gossiping. It’s a beautiful thing to see,…

The vibe shifted today. We are all on the same page now. The old tree was shaken up, and the sour apples fell off. There is nothing luxurious about this place. The beds are hard,…

We knew it was bound to happen. Four weeks (it has only been one) in an old convent with 12 women. Eventually background, personalities, and hormones will get in the way. It is suppose to…

I want to speak Italian. I have for as long as I can remember. My grandmother spoke it well, and often. I was young when she died but to me all of the sounds are…

The Advil PM and the bottle of wine were very effective. I woke yesterday well rested and in time for breakfast. “OK” I thought, “I’ll survive the nunnery cubical.” As a resident artist I have…

My first night in the convent.  I always knew I didn’t belong in one of these! If you are devoted to a life of silence then it works, because every step you take, every fart you…