What would Italy be like without cats? When I was little, I was amazed that everyone in Grotte had a cat and that they were all named Ciccia. Yes, Ciccia used to be the most common name for a cat and happens to be one of the variations on the [...]
This weekend, I worked in the garden. There is a price to pay for garden beauty. Weary and scratched up legs and arms from pulling, tugging, snipping, chopping, turning, hoeing, and carrying wheelbarrows full of branches to the slash pile. And while I garden, my mind sinks into a sort [...]
Fellow yogi and friend Jeff once commented that, from reading my blog, he had the impression all I do is practice and teach yoga, give retreats, travel, and eat. Of course, I have these interests and others, but, I must say, food is such a part of the Sicilian culture! [...]
I grew up hearing my flustered mother say: NU GIA N'TO ZI FRAAAAAA! Get over here! Mom was going through the first syllable of each of our Italian nicknames (Nu for Nuna short for Onofria for Nora, Gia for Gianna short for Giovanna for Jeanie, N'to for N'tonia short for [...]
July 30, 2016: I am reposting this and have added a few more photos. I wrote this a few years ago in honor of my Aunt Lily. Today, sadly, she died. She just turned 89 years old last month. I am overwhelmed with sadness. The world today seems to be [...]
