Friday, July 19, 2013

I am beginning to relax..... as I didn't write yesterday. Shame on me for not having the attention span to follow my commitment to myself to write every day. It may be the first since I started writing a week ago, but I assure you it will not be the last.

My yesterday. It was a great day: a bit lazy, a  bit productive and a bit social. A good mix, really- in living life. I slept in late, and awoke a bit 'foggy'. Not wanting to awaken.... I was greeted by a breezy morning: perfect for being under light covers in a four-poster bed overlooking Lake Como.

Carlo arrived. He is the husband of my cleaning lady. He is like a surrogate husband: when the electricity goes off, I call him and ask for "HELP". He is my handyman and my voice on the telephone when I need to get something done: electricity in my home, gas in my home, my dryer doesn't work.... etc... He knows the details of that vocabulary and in a country where MEN still reign, it is good to have a male voice at the end of the telephone.

At any rate: a dryer was bought in April. I worked for two days. I just got it back yesterday.... and guess what? Each time I go to turn it on: all the electricity in the house goes gaput!

I hate this dryer. I should be such a luxury and has been nothing but aggravation. Small, but annoying details
that can fill in the small moments. It takes energy. Of course, the lady who sold it, says she has nothing to do with it. It is the 'service provider' who is in charge. Guess what? He says that he has 'nothing to do with getting a new machine" Gotta love Italian back-speak.

I went to get my bikes from the bike-repair dude, 20 minutes away. My dear friend offered to take me. Of course, in the morning while in my nightgown.... he drives by, as all of Menaggio drives by my terraces: and he honks. I have no privacy or anonymity. I love the intimacy. I hate the fact that I am so exposed. It is the top and bottom of life: the ying and yang. At any rate: I picked up the two bikes, purchased in HOLLAND in 1982! They were a 6th anniversary gift.... and I couldn't part with them. I used to live 155 steps UP, and never used the bikes in 17 years that they have been here. Now: on ground level: the bikes will be enjoyed. They are great, and now ANTIQUE arts of bicycle work.

I met some gal friends.... and we drank from 7:00pm along the main walking street of Menaggio: talking, smoking fine VOGUE cigarettes in VIOLA and GOURMET in packs of 10, tiny and very feminine.... and chatted. The world walked in front of us. Life is great. We went back to my home for a chat and a view of the lake. It was divine.

Woke up this morning expecting to go to a TERME -thermal spa about 2 hours from here. First, I would take a boat to the other side of the lake, then my Italian sister was to meet me. Tiziana is my Italian sister of the heart. She is the first woman I met here on the lake 27 years ago. She is beautiful: inside and out. She has the aura of an angel and I am blessed to be her sister. Albeit, American..Tizi has a 93 year old uncle who has no kids and no one. Tizi bathes him, cleans him, feeds him, cleans the house ( HER HOME where he lives- separate from where she lives) She called this morning in tears and saying she "can't do it any more". She has no support system. This is not the USA where, if wanted- help is available. This is a country where you see 50 year olds 'hand in hand' with their parents every day, taking a walk - a passegiata'...Or, you see a twenty something with their nona. Or you see a 12 year old with their bis nona ( great grandma) It is expected that is what you do: you take care of your elders. It is as natural as puberty and is as expected. It is part of the Italian fabric. And so, NO TERME today . NO HOLIDAY with Tizi , even for a day.

Today is Friday. Went to the bank and paid bills in cash to some local vendors: who allow you to take items and pay WHENEVER. It is a very person, face to face transaction. No digital numbers involved. Had a prosecco with a new friend who invited me to a LOCAL Festa tomorrow night in a town 2 KM from here.
It is like going from Siesta Key Village to the South Bridge. Towns are marked differently.... as 2 KM by foot a thousand years ago was another world. So, I will be part of salsicce, polenta and local music tomorrow.

Have a great week end
SMILES, as always
Judy