why "From Florence and Back" rather than from the US or New Mexico or Albuquerque and back? because I think I feel more at home in beautiful Firenze and want to always return. it was 1985 when I first saw Florence and it was love at first sight! I was so excited to see "the" David and never considered that my husband wouldn't feel the same, but he said if he wanted to see David he'd go to Caesar's Palace (we lived in Las Vegas) and look at him. ok, Caesar's David is an exact replica right down to the marble from the same quarry as Michelangelo used but really ... Michelangelo's chisel never touched that David in LV! so I looked alone at all the wonders of the city on the Arno, never thinking I'd ever be lucky enough to return again much less live there for a few months. but I did return and I did live there for 3 months and now I'm about to return again for a few months ... the gods are truly good. so quite often when I was walking home at night after all the crowds had left the Mercato Nuovo (the new market) I would superstitiously touch the snout hoping the fable would be true for me.
Rubbing that wild boar's nose obviously works. You're on your way back. I'm living here. Thousands of others keep returning (too many are staying. Arghh!)
Great blog start. I look forward to seeing more.
xoxo
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Karen Woosley
8/20/2012 12:18:03 pm
I already love it - you have a wonderful way with words - I like the section about the "Author" - keep up the good work
I was so emotioned with this blog that I pushed some wrong button and my comment left before I could complete it. So, Shirley,well done! TY and go ahead. The main issue, in my opinion, is your statement: "while I've led a truly great and fulfilling life, I haven't yet seen enough of what draws me to Florence." A really good point I hope to contribute to.
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Grace Pompeo
8/27/2012 01:12:47 am
Great blog Shirley! You are my new hero and I hope someday I can live in a lifestyle that you do.
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andra mccormick
9/17/2012 04:14:52 am
Loving the blog and the pictures. Having never been out of the country (except a brief walk across the border to Mexico once) I feel like I am there with you and that I am learning so much more than I ever would otherwise!
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Michael
9/23/2012 04:11:58 am
Great blog Mother! I hope you are having fun and being safe. Sorry to hear about your cosmetic bag....I remember it well and hope it magically apppears. Best wishes andk keep us posted...see you at Drew's wedding!
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Sally Coletto
9/29/2012 01:49:42 am
Shirley, Reno and I have been in most of the places you are visiting. But I have to say we loved Dubrovnik. Keep the pictures coming. Sally
So happy that you are in Florence, and the blog continues. Your first day sounded great. Lots of walking. Sally
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Author
Growing up I was very close to my Italian grandmother and I think she must have infused in me a love for things European/Italian that I am lucky enough to have been able to indulge a number of times. I have traveled extensively in Europe, been to China twice, to the USSR (when it was the USSR!) rode the Trans-Siberian Express, visited Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong ... I've been extremely lucky to have seen a lot of the world ... but always my mind and heart return to Italy. Now I'm about to see my favorites again soon: Italy, and in particular, Florence. I have a wonderful family of 3 sons, 3 granddaughters, 1 grandson, daughters in law, a sister and her family and my wonderful 90 year old mother. I love these people and my friends but ... some intangible something draws me to Italy, to the art, the architecture, the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, the Italian culture personified in so many movies: Italians not being able to speak without waving their arms, gesticulating wildly, not being able to drive without horns honking, arms gesticulating out the window, food ... food so very good the aroma almost wafts from the movie screen while the white aproned waiters gesticulate about its virtues ... always the arms gesticulating! So ... while I've led a truly great and fulfilling life, I haven't yet seen enough of what draws me, and thousands of others, to Florence. A dear friend in Florence writes a blog, Whose Dream is It, http://whosedreamisit.blogspot.it/, well my dream was always to live in Italy for a few months and now that dream is reality!