A YEAR

Well, it’s been almost three months since I last posted. And, it’s been a year since I moved into my apartment in Poppi. A lot has changed in this year. I’ve made a few friends, some German, some Italian, an American family who lives in Florence and a British couple Vicki and I met in Venice that I’ve been keeping in touch with. My Italian is improving. I wish I could say by leaps and bounds but in honesty it’s more like in inches!

My walnut harvesting has begun again! I ran out in the spring of the ones I picked last year so I’m glad I can replenish. When the dogs and I walk we are always near blackberry bushes so that has become my daily treat. I eat as we walk!

As you can see, I also bring them home to eat here.

My garden is finished now for the most part. I’ve picked the last of the tomatoes, kale and onions. I still have a good bit of lettuce that I’m picking and eating. It’s now time to plane the fall crop. Carrots, broccoli, spinach, more kale, and snap peas. Unfortunately, my blueberries bushes (after yielding only a little more than a pint of berries) succumbed to the scorching sun and heat. I know that I’ve lost 2 of the bushes but the others seem to be holding on. They’re not much more than sticks at the moment but I’m hoping spring will see them revive. I’m considering putting up a small portable greenhouse somewhere next spring to start seeds a bit earlier. In the meantime, I’m still growing basil, chives and mint in the house.

I went to a concert by myself in Florence, well really in Pratolino, in July. I had 2nd row seats at the Il Volo concert which was amazing. I’ve been following this trio for almost 10 years now so it was a real treat the experience them in person. My ticket included a tour of the Medici Gardens (incredible!) and dinner under the night sky. I had a great time even though I was by myself.

I’ve noticed that the walking route the dogs and I have taken for the last year seems to be becoming a bit harder to manage, both for me and Henry and Polly. I’ll be turning 75 in January and they’re already 7. I can’t believe how fast the time has gone. We’ll see how the walks go when it cools off. It’s still in the 80’s and 90’s here during the day right now. Maybe cooler weather will make it more manageable.

My landlord sent his son over with some fresh picked figs the other day, and my German neighbor generously shares the figs off her trees with me too. They are so good!

For those of you in Spain reading this – I found a Chinese shop! Can’t tell you how exciting that was and I’m becoming a regular customer there. You all know what I mean!

I don’t think I have anything more of note to add right now. I’ll try to keep you up to date on the rest of my “gathering”, although at the moment there are no rocks in my future!