Lots of FERMA PORTA! Door Stops

Saturday, Sabato, July 27

Last evening was alight with Italians and lots of other nationalities ambling the piazza and promenade- making their passagiata ( stroll) with the Mercattino. White tents with white lights and the buzz of folks trying to sell their wares, and passersby wanting a piece of the action.

I take my stroll early in the evening.... before dinner, just as the market is being set up. I found one of my favorite stalls, a collectibles table run by Walter (pronounced VAHL TAIR). I have been buying from him each week for the past month. Always the same kind of thing: FERMA PORTA. Door-stops. Not really door stops- usually an OLD IRON IRON. Weighty, and useful as a door stop. I have them in a variety of colors: rust, black with gold, silver with gold, and more rust. I have been on a MISSION:

Italians love doors in  houses. NO OPEN CONCEPT. The walls are thick and to dismantle old homes for an open concept is not something embraced. Doors. Always GLASS-SEE THROUGH doors for the bathrooms! What is THAT ABOUT? It would be the ONE room that I wouldn't want a transparent door.
The other GLASS DOORS are to the BEDROOMS. Really? I must say that I think they have it backwards. But, what do I know, I am just a silly American interloping in someone else's country. I counted my doors and WINDOWS, because they open and close like doors. With the windows and doors open: the breezes dance ever so wonderfully through the rooms, cooling it perfectly and making it refreshingly lovely. I am an American. I keep my windows and doors open. Italians close their doors and shutters to keep it cool. I need my light: so that is never a tactic I would use. But, the other day- an Italian friend commented that "You have all your windows open!" That was a novel concept and noticed.

I counted: In the Penthouse Mansardo apartment there are 13 doors. 13 door-stops. 13 FERMA  PORTA
In the Sogno Terazze apartment there are 23 doors and 18 windows. That is 41 door-stops. 41 FERMA PORTA! A whopping total of 54 ferma porta. A veritable mission, I would say!

The day and bright and sunny and warm. FA CALDO : "I am hot" is the PRONOUNCEMENT from the Italians. When summer was yet to arrived, they would complain and ask where is ESTATE (summer)
Now that summer is here, they complain "FA CALDO" I am hot! It is a ritual, as it is repeated summer after summer. I am currently responding to those claims "It is summer, after all" (E estate). I walked into the piazza and had my favorite LATTE MACCHIATO: a shot of expresso in a tall glass with the rest filled up with FROTHED MILK. How I like my froth.

I am starting to wrap those things which will go home to Carlyle, George and me back to the states. They are dozens of photos which were in the old NIDO SEGRETO. I am clearing out these two houses, so it is easier to take care of. Perging happens. Photos taken throughout their lifetime... and I want them to have them. So,
I am back into 'bubble wrap' and saran wrap and tape. Again.

Cheers for a great Saturday,
Judy