But first I had coffee, turned on the computer for a quick check of emails, then replied to WhatsApp messages… And when I went outside the snow was gone.Figure this: I can’t leave the house by law, I haven’t seen snow in a couple of years, the gods deliver some to my door, I have…

Day 7 was my first down day. I spent most of it tackling the refund requests for cancelled bookings; consulting with accountant, lawyer, union representative, bank director; reading statistics and graphics about the pandemic.14 hours in the same room, at the same table, on the same chair, with the same concerns and worries: my family…

Just yesterday I was listening to a song by a very young Riccardo Cocciante called: “the smell of fresh bread”. Original title: “l’odore del pane”.( Note there is no need for FRESCO in the title, as Italian bread is ONLY fresh). Here it is (The melody shows its age, but the lyrics are still good)…

Right. But how privileged? – VIEWS. We sit on top of a villa that sits on top of a village that sits on top of a hill that overlooks Florence and the Arno Valley: we see 360 degrees. When one can’t go anywhere, seeing everywhere is a huge compensation.That must be why people with reduced…

The USA has blocked all traveling to and from Italy.What an eye opener!“In a time where certain discriminating policies are spreading worldwide with nostalgic references to our despicable recent history..Here comes a virus to remind us– in a short flash – that we can become the discriminated, the segregated, those rejected at the borders, those…

DAY 3 Our Prime Minister has announced new restrictive measures for EVERYONE’S SAKE. That means DON’T LEAVE HOME. Not even for a stroll, with the assumption that most people live in the crowded cities, and if everyone left home just for a quick stroll, streets would be crowded and contamination would continue. Teenagers are the…

written March 15th 2020 9AM ish: I wonder how many automatic actions we perform at certain times and not others, because we just have to, or simply because we have learned it is more appropriate. I break from that, now that I can, and follow my natural inclination: like waking up with the sound of…

written March 14th 2010 DAY 1 8:00am: Wake up call from the hospital, a cheerful female voice is asking me if the visit scheduled for today is urgent, or if it’s just a check up. As it is the latter, she suggests we reschedule, and offers new dates, with a choice of time. This is…

No school, no work, no guests, no social life, no sport. The official Italian hashtag for the COVID19 emergency is: #iostoacasa: #imstayinghome. Our family of 4 (Marco, 60 in a few days; Majla (me), 56 this summer; Eva, 22 on summer solstice and Giotto, who will be an adult next September) are going to retreat for the…