Rain, Heavenly Rain

 Not much but it's a start; bringing with it cooler air. Perfect timing as we just finished planting and mulching the flower garden and Mikki put in her winter garden yesterday.

We just returned from lunch in San Daniele, home of prosciutto - I swear the meat melts in your mouth. Meals are served with a prix fixe menu and worth the hours drive - bread sticks, cheeses, mushrooms, antipastos. On the way I saw some of the Solar Farms - something of a controversy here in Italy because they take up valuable agricultural land and no one know what happens to the equipment once it's served it's usefulness. Mikki and I were laughing and remember our last evening in San Daniele; Franco and Philip formed the MTM club (Married to Morgans) with the password "SOS." When we arrived at the restaurant; there were no tables so we drove onto the centrale and walked to the castle.

Carving on church wall

Church wall

Villa de' Concina

Loved the continuing arches

Where we usually go to eat

 

Where we ate this time

Just as our food was served; it started pouring and our table was exactly under the space you see to the right. Giorgia quickly moved to the side with Kil  and Morgan and for the most part we stayed dry.

Well, I'm tired of fighting this Italian key board - almost every word has to be retyped. Enjoy the pictures.

Hot, Hot, Hot

While there's a breeze today, which knocks down the humidity; there's really no break from the heat. By 6:00, we'll loose the breeze and the mosquitoes will drive us indoors where there's not even a chance for the breeze.Still the mornings are quite lovely; Mikki and I can usually sit out on the veranda, enjoying our breakfast. Today is market day in Portuguaro and we went to find flowers for Franco but decided to wait as his - I'm try to think what to call it; similar to our grave monuments, only his is for the wall - could be placed as early as tomorrow or Monday. Mikki and the kids approved the design earlier in the week.

Yesterday morning, Mikki, Kilian and I took Jackie and went to the nearby river. It's a wonderful place for Jackie to run and swim and we filled Kil's backpack with rocks for the new flower garden.

Kil and Jackie heading for the water

Kilian

Mikki and Kilian

 

 

 

Last night we watched the movie "Smoke Signals" - not at all a good choice; about a a young man wondering why his dead father left him. I thought I was getting "PowWow Highway" and was practically ready to crawl under the chair. Yes Philip, you warned me "Christmas in the Clouds" would be a much better choice.

Well this little corner where the PC is getting hot. Ciao!

Off to School

Today was the 1st day of school for Giorgia and Morgan. Giorgia attends school in Portuguaro while Morgan's school in in Summago. Morgan's attending a new school this year - sort of Junior High; no more of the hated uniforms. She was agonizing that her mother insisted on going with her the 1st day - just sure Mikki would be the only mother there. According to Mikki - not so, most mothers will be there.


Ok, let's see . . . back to Saturday. We went to a faire in a near by village. It was held by the church and there were large tents set up for the people ordering food. The village is known for it's donkey meat. I was not tempted, I didn't consider giving it a taste. Instead I ate cold cuts of non-donkey meat and cheese. There were readings and comic skits but both Mikki and I were tired and headed home.


Philip, here is your spritz picture:

























That's all for now. Kilian arrives home tonight - he's been at the university the past week taking tests. If I understand correctly -  both Gwen and Kilian have several months break at the end of each semester and then they return to take their finals. I believe Gwen's tests begin next week. Ciao!

What a Week It's Been

When I can catch my breath - so many thoughts. Let's see . . .  just this day alone Mikki is flying around cleaning house; needs to look perfect for the ABB people on Tuesday - nothing quite like that for my arrival! However, I had clean sheets, clean towels and a beer waiting; along with a warm welcome and good company - think I got the better bargain. I started planting in the garden:

Mostly I moved a few existing plants around and put pots in places where I think larger plants should go. Giorgia started cleaning her room. Giorgia does not merely clean her room; she rearranges it, turns it upside down, to the accompaniment of many groans, deep sighs and occasional calls "Mama!!!!" Morgan is on an alpine hike in the highest part of the Dolomites - the range between Italy/Austria/Switzerland. I saw a CD of last years hikes - we're talking hiking and climbing with ropes! It's not for the faint of heart. Then the washing machine begin dancing around the wash room and throwing out a few sparks - while Mikki and I stood wary watching; wondering whether to shut it down or hope it could get thru the final 9 mins of wash. We decided it was loaded unevenly-so far, our wish is granted; washed another load.


Then there were conversations with Ernie; who's home from the hospital and Chris who dealing with lots of "stuff" - Giorgia & a friend arriving for a few days, Ernie's upcoming gall bladder surgery, moving his father into the old age home (a suite, with a balcony, overlooking the lake is available) and then getting Ernie's home sold. Luckily, Nancy and Mikki will be helping him. We've all been there; trying to keep the balls in the air - so you understand how Chris is feeling ... oh, and he has a family and job ... that too.


Ok, we haven't got to noon yet - and oh, about the little screech owl who seemed perched on my bedroom window last night; wasn't too happy about that one.


Then about 13:30, the men came to cut the Soya - there's a mad scramble to shut all the shutter and windows in both houses as the dust is horrific.

The soya is in the background; the harvester cuts it almost to the ground

Mikki, Adriano & Bruno

Bruno

No sooner is the harvest finished than it's taken to market; Mikki and Adriano follow in their car - price was good; Mikki at least broke even. 

In the meantime, the family Bravin begins arriving for the afternoon visit with the parents - there's lots of "Ciao's", laughter, talking, arguing - I love listening but I do have to get rid of this Idiot's Smile plastered on my face . . . just wait until Christmas.

Let's see, what else - Oh, Linda's birthday; what fun! Giorgia baked a torte (apple) and Mikki made Grandmother's brownies. We picked up fresh fish in the market earlier in the day and they were served with polenta.

Fish being added to deep fryer

'

Calamari fried, small fish waiting

Polenta

After dinner we toasted with processco (am I happy or what!) and sang Happy Birthday

She REALLLLLY was having a good time!!!!

See I told you they were having fun!

Cara Linda

Friday Giorgia, Mikki and I went to the designer outlet center - I know women who would travel 100's of miles to see this place. You name a world reknown Italian designer and they are at this mall - about 30 mins from Mikki's.

Giorgia & Mikki at THE mall

THE MALL

Saturday, the weather continued warm and muggy. In the evening we attended a mass for Franco. The church is lovely, small with towering ceiling and lovely frescos.  Afterwards we went to a nearby town for a festival - whoops, supper time. More later.

Pictures

Seil River in Adliswil - can walk along it for miles

Riding stables near Schnorf home

Where else but in Adliswil, Switzerland!!!

Downtown Portuguaro

Mikki & Sonja in Portuguaro

Morgan - Portuguaro

Mikki - Portuguaro

Church in Portuguaro - scene of an international university music festival

Giorgia, Sonja & Mikki - rainy day in Pavia

Pavia Duomo

Giorgia, Becky & Mikki in Pavia

hursday market in Portuguaro - Emanuela & Mikki

Portuguaro Fish Stall

Everyday Life - Sometimes

Wednesday Evening

It’s always exciting at the Bravins – if someone’s not dropping by about the time Mikki’s thinking of preparing dinner; a bed’s being delivered at 9:30PM…just as I was thinking I’d be more comfortable in my night gown! There’s lots of advise & helpers to determine where and how to set up the bed; so I’ve moved out of the line of fire. My assistance is unneeded. Philip I’m thinking we need to take one of those Rosetta language courses – why don’t you order the Italian course from Amazon? I don’t want to come back here for Christmas with the entire Bravin family and just sit there drinking coffee with my Idiot Smile plastered on my face. Mikki says the entire family gathers at her home in the afternoon. Adriano is very patient with me and helps me with nouns but I want to do better.

The girls start school Monday. Lizbeth, you might want to teach here – full salary – 18 hrs. per week.

Weather is cooler but still very muggy and the mosquitoes drive us indoors as soon as it’s dusk.

Thursday, noon

Today’s is Linda’s 85th birthday – Bueno Compliano (good complete year.) It’s also Market Day – all of downtown Portuguaro is street after street of booths with every type of items you could hope to buy – 52 weeks of the year, on Thursday – it’s Market Day. Adriano’s wife, Emanuea is here and joined us. She lived with an American family and speaks very good American English. They bought fish for dinner – lots of different kinds to fry for tonight’s supper when the rest of the family will be here (fond memories, for me, of Philip and Franco going to Carole to get the fresh fish as a special treat.)

I found a couple of Euro coin holders – 1st Mikki and I’ve found in several years. We bought some flowers for Franco – Mikki and Giorgia took the bouquet to the crypt. We stopped to see if the front of the monument design is ready for the family’s approval. The verse being printed – in English – “There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go.”

We had an hysterical time yesterday; Giorgia decided to make Crème Puffs with carmel filling; from a recipe she found on the internet. Mikki was at a teacher’s conference & Giorgia was well past the beating-to-death the batter before I figured out what was going on – too late. Instead the puffs were flatter than pancakes. I assured her, they would still be tasty (with my fingers crossed!) We then started on the carmel sauce…Michele returned to help us and between the 3 of us we turned the carmel into brittle. Eventually Gio and I got the brittle back to a liquid stage and added the cream and other stuff. The sauce was quite good – the dough – not so much. Only her grandparents ate more than one – Giorgia refused to taste any of it. Thanks Kid!!!

Note to self about Christmas socks – Miki does hers on Jan 6, believe it’s the 3 Kings Day. Mikki says Christmas Day is all ready exciting enough and then they need to get ready for the family to arrive for the afternoon. Also Philip; what do you think of maybe going to Rome before we head home – it might be a great time to see the city without so many tourists? Just a thought.

Enough - oh, one final note; inheritance, I only mention it because we made a wrong assumption which was corrected when Mikki & Giorgia met with the legal consultant – Kilian and Giorgia can’t refuse to accept their share of the property and have it go to their mother. If they don’t accept; the inheritance goes to Morgan – so they will keep their shares.

Bye for now - birthday people arriving

Monday Morning

All’s quiet on the Southern Front – Italy’s on strike. The railroad workers went on strike at 9:00 and everyone else is striking – in support. So the commuter and freights that speed by the Bravin house almost every 10 minutes are silent – only the high speed international eurostars are passing.

This morning Mikki took Kilian to catch an early train to Trieste – otherwise he would have been walking the 90 meters to the university, once the strike began. He didn’t leave last night, as planned – instead we played Pitch. We Morgans must have our priorities!

Kilian will be in Trieste this week; returning home next week before going back on the 27th – I think those are the dates; I’m known to get confused.

Mikke and Giorgia partnered against Kilian and I; each of us won a game. We’ll play again – however there will be no “vibrating” cell phones nearby and kids answering text messages. I was ready to go across the table and grab Kil by the throat when he forgot “off Jack” while he was busy texting – but my own cards were so awful; it wasn’t worth it.

Another car; another kid – Giorgia had a driving lesson yesterday – on a Standard!!! It’s been about 20 years since I last drove with a kid using a standard shift – Ben in Wheaton. My experience with Giorgia was less scary. Mikki in the back seat was possibly the greatest distraction; silence was beyond her abilities…only kidding. Given a first lesson; all went quite well. We went to one of the factory parking lots and practiced shifting, turning, braking – all that stuff. She’ll do fine.

This morning Mikki is starting the paperwork for the land. The title is in both her name and Franco’s. This afternoon they meet with Marco’s (brother-in-law; Sonja’s husband) brother who will give them advice about the property distribution. 50% of Franco’s portion goes to the 3 kids and 50% to Mikki. Because Giorgia & Kilian are of age, their’s immediately goes to them; while Mikki manages Morgan’s portion. The kids wish to sign it over to Mikki but she needs to make sure that by signing it to her they still are entitled to an equal amount; should anything happen to her. Nothing too unusual – same as in the states.

This is probably more information than anyone needs or wants to know but as this is an open blog; I want to assure the family that Mikki and the kids are doing well. Of course it’s terribly hard and the grief, pain, hurt overwhelms them but they are piecing together the shattered fragments of their lives and trying to form a new picture of the future. There are a couple of jig-saw puzzles upstairs and I’m struck by the similarities – trying to put it back together without a clear picture to follow and always those darn missing pieces.

There are lots of decisions to make but before that can be done; Mikki needs more information – she’s getting it. She’s fortunate to live in a community of friends and family who can make contacts for her. Certainly, if it were me in Kentucky – I wouldn’t know where to start.

So…on we go. Morgan just left for soccer practice. Giorgia’s waiting for a driving lesson – I’m still building the new flower bed in front of the veranda. Kilian helped me yesterday and we got it dug out. Now I’m pulling out the weeds. It’s about 3’ wide and I’m thinking of starting with lavender – I still have to go to a nursery and look at the plants recommended for this area.

That’s it for now.

Flying Along the Autostrada to Pavia

Actually neither Mikki or Sonja will qualify as Formula 1 drivers - but they are enjoying the luxury of driving a non-standard shift car.

We staggered out of bed at 5:30AM - having not gone to bed until midnight; Mikki and I watching a movie with Kil - Truman. Kil sat enthralled for the dozenth time while Mikki & I kept asking one another "do you have any idea what is going on?" Giorgia, she was at a party. So we were a glum little group stopping to pick up Sonja.

2 hours later we stop for a capaccino &; briochet - think truck stop - throw in german, romanian, austrian,spanish, slovanian, etc...tourists all queuing for the same thing it's overwhelming & sooo interesting.

Now we're back on the road; hoping not to get lost - apparently Franco got lost every time & he commuted here for years.

Oooh, Mikki just put in Springsteen's The Seeger Years - we're going to sing. good!

14:20 There is nothing of Franco in Pavia - it was so obviously a place where he stayed only until he could go home. other than many pictures of his family; the apartment was impersonal. We were packed up & out of there within the hour. All in all, the blank canvas made it easier for each of us.

Afterwards, we walked to the palazzo. Pavia is celebrating the 650 anniversary of the university. The steets were packed with booths selling foods from all over Europe & all sort of "stuff." If it hadn't been pouring rain; I'd have ignored the "I have NO room in the suitcase." instead my thinking was "Mikki can keep this until Christmas." Alas!

We ate at a "Mexican" restaurant - a treat for everone; including me - I was enthralled; thousands of miles from home & I'm eating "Mexican!" Who could resist ordering Procutti Tacos??? Note to self; bring all the fixings for a large American Mex meal. Get Lizbeth's recipe for the Chile Reanos.

Leaving the restaurant; it was poring - thank goodness Sonja bought all of us umbrellas; as it was, we were soaked. All

In all; it's good day.

I'll post pictures this evening. Ciao!

Final First Impressions

Final first impressions:

There are pictures of Franco throughout the house – smiling, holding his children, with Mikki. Several of you asked about donations. The charity of choice is Doctors Without Borders. Mikki speaks often of Franco; I have yet to have the children refer to papa; still too painful. They will soon be back in school and their lives will take on familiar routines.

This afternoon I watched a 15 minute video – pictures of Franco’s life; edited by his brother-in-law Marco. It was touching. I was very teary at first and also laughing – all at the same time. I’m bringing a copy of it home with me and will give the state side family a chance to look at it.

Mikki surprised the local community by having a “celebration” of Franco’s life; after the funeral (and yes Philip they did do “the walk” from the church to the cemetery.) Bruno wasn’t sure he initially could approve but afterwards he thought it was so wonderful that everyone should do it.

Chris called last night – Ernie remains in the hospital and still not eating but Chris finally got the doctor’s to agree not to release him home but put him in a temporary care facility until he is stronger and can care for himself at home.

Aunt Deloris, I hope you’ll continue your calls – both Chris and Mikki love talking to you.

It’s still very warm and muggy here. I’m working on expanding the flower bed just off of the veranda. It extends about a foot and I’m proposing to make it 3’ wide and add lots of perennials – probably starting with lavender as they could survive the hard dry ground. The ground is as hard as a rock but with a little water and a shovel; it can be done. The soil here is like cement. I explained “layering” (newspaper, grass, newspaper, leaves, etc…) to Mikki and she has Adrianno (Franco’s brother) starting to work on her vegetable garden.

Adrianno is living upstairs in The Barn – a lot like Franco, has a smile that makes you want to smile back. Not only does his being here make the parents feel more secure; he’s such a willing worker and has a great relationship with the kids. I’m sure Franco would be pleased.

Signing off for now. Believe we’re off to get a spritz and for Morgan to eat our chips while we drink our spritz.

Together in Summago

It's almost midnight & the house is quiet. Mikki & I are just going to bed. Soon Franco's dog, Jacque, will make her rounds, making sure we're each accounted for. It's been a busy day of visiting, laughing, teasing, somber moments, italian & american mixed up in one sentence.

My day started as I went to start my coffee. Before I could measure the water Linda came in & asked me to have a coffee with her. No problem. I enjoy Linda; besides how to refuse someone who calls you "Cara Becky." We can't speak a word of each other's language but we both enjoy a coffee.

When the girl's got up, we went shopping; stopping at the crypt to leave fresh flowers. I left a little tobacco.

There are many mementos of Franco thru out the house; Giorgia wears his watch, Morgan wears his ring on a chain around her neck. Mikki mentions Franco's name often. They are a family finding their unfamiliar way - together. No doubt these days are surreal to them. I can only imagine; still room is made for me & I feel welcome.

Sunday, we're going to Franco's apartment (about 4 hours away) to pack up his stuff. Good thing I got my international driver's license as we're taking his company car and it's an automatic. Mikki's more accustomed to a standard.

It's hot & sultry here. About 3:00 we drove to the sea, got in & cooled off.

I'm too sleepy to finish - more later. Ciao

leaving Zurich

On board the train - not without confusion! This train will not continue to Milano but instead I'll have to transfer in Arth Godard; what happened to the wonderful Swiss train system??? This has happened several x's these past years. Good thing I have 2 hours in Milano!

I'm leaving a rainy, cool morning in Zurich - Mikki tells me it's still warm at her house but cools by evening.

Well we're off - another adventure starts!

30 mins later-all is well...train was waiting across the track; it was as simple as hop-on-hop-off. Off to Milano, I'm feeling very Native!

3:30 arrived in Milano - lots of cosmetic changes to the station; designer boutiques, Burger King, places to sit but

same old crowded melee on the tracks, passengers trying to get off the trains, new passengers trying to get on - none of Zurich's queues. now that I'm comfortably ensconced in a cafe with an espresso, I can enjoy the show. I may even go look at shops. I can look at the shops because there's not a possibility of me making a purchase. I have my very small suitcase and it's completely full. I had to bring something small that could manage on & off the 3' steps to & from the train. so far, so good.

17:00 Am on the train to Trieste; next stop Portuguaro where MikkI or Kil will meet me. Ciao!