Category Archives: my studio notes

the dawn of a new decade
just a few days away
2020 seems like a symbol to me
of clarity, sharpness of detail

what are you grappling with?
what are you wishing for?
what changes would you like to make?
what do you want to create in your life?

feeling gratitude today
for each and every moment
remarkable, meaningful
even when challenging, difficult

i’m able to experience

all the different emotions
all the different sensations
all the different possibilities
all the different choices

simply because i’m alive

tears and laughter
fear and anger
sweet surprises
utter joy

an entire timeline of
past memories
precious present
future hope

i can react
and respond
i can revel
and reason

i can take action
and touch lives
i can design my path
and create my existence

i can choose to move through pain

an extraordinary life, isn’t it?

we’re not celebrating thanksgiving in italy today
so when i’m missing the way things were
it’s easier to be here

and at the same time more difficult

recalling time-honored family traditions
with my parents and grandparents
as well as new rituals my own family-of-four created

interesting, the twists and turns of life

wishing everyone in the states
a day of coziness and good cheer
(with a special shout-out to my favorite two)
 
 
 
 

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in this passage from her book ?????????: ? ????????? ???? ????, martha cooley describes her daily life with her husband, antonio, while living in italy for 14 months. it was a bit uncanny reading it, because it’s an almost-perfect description of me and eric most days.

three years ago, on 28 october 2016,
I MOVED TO ITALY!

and i guess you could say
a lot’s happened since then

• my husband and i self-renovated a large villa that had been closed up for years (mold and peeling plaster just two of the issues), living in chaos and dust and unpacked boxes for close to 8 months
• we stood in numerous immigration lines, attended italian cultural classes, endured house inspections (electrical, plumbing, medical), and more .