Planning a Themed Staycation with Liz

What to do when you can't go on that vacation you planned? My friend and style/color/wardrobe consultant, Liz Klebba from Closet Play Image, took the idea of a staycation and elevated it with a theme. 

A Capri Staycation!

And why did Liz pick the Italian island of Capri, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Naples, as the springboard for her vacation? The colors. As a style consultant Liz has an eye for color, and the island's colors of  Mediterranean blue, light greens, golds, and splashes of white, inspired her. Here's what she did:

"Packed" by putting together a little travel capsule wardrobe for one week.

Planned the food (think coastal Italian: fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, coffee, wine, and anything with lemons).

Selected some Italian-themed documentaries and movies to watch (to keep the carefree vacation vibe going she went for Roman Holiday and not so much The Godfather).

Organized adventures involving walking and bodies of water (art museums, walks along the canal, a picnic at the lake).

Created a vacation vibe in her home (minimal makeup, patio update, outdoor dining). 

Finally, Liz pulled out some Italian-themed books, mentioning in particular my book, An Ocean, an Airplane, and Two Countries Full of Kisses which is available in hardback, paperback, or kindle. 

During this time of travel restrictions, planning a staycation is a fun way to make the best of things, and picking a theme elevates it to an entirely new level. So don't let the fact that you can't travel keep you from traveling. 

Hugs,

Maria 

P. S. To see all my travels to Italy, check out the La Dolce Vita Travels (Italy) links. 

 

Go Big or Stay Home (a St. Christopher story)

Last July our Jonathan was involved in a wreck on I-75 in downtown Atlanta. Jonathan was not injured, but his old car (a 2000 Hyundai Elantra) was totaled (Oh, What a Day).

We drove to Atlanta to deal with the paperwork and to arrange for the car to be moved from the city tow yard to Pull-A-Part (where we were paid $280 for a pile of scrap metal). Before the Elantra was loaded on the flatbed truck, Timothy and I climbed all over that car looking for the St. Christopher medal (the patron saint of travelers) that Jonathan kept on the dashboard. We couldn't find it anywhere. 

In the meantime, Jonathan definitely needed another car for his summer internship in Atlanta and for grad school in the fall. So the Nonni stepped in and, for a pre-graduation present, helped him finance a brand new 2019 Toyota RAV4. After driving a crappy car that broke down numberous times, Jonathan was proud of his new set of wheels. 

And I bought him another St. Christopher medal ... this one bigger than the one he lost in the wreck. I figured he needed extra protection ;-)

Fast forward eleven months and Jonathan has since graduated and is now working for an accoutning firm in downtown Atlanta. Friday evening he called us with bad news. As he was driving home during a thunderstorm, and when he was just two minutes from his apartment, a tree fell on the top of his car. It didn't happen when he was stopped at a light or stop sign, but as he was driving. He didn't even see it coming. 

It was a miracle he wasn't injured, but his brand new car of less than a year was totaled. 

When I saw photos of his car my heart stopped beating momentarily; this could have turned out so badly, but it didn't, and in light of my son healthy and whole the loss of another car meant nothing. 

But it did mean another round of paperwork, insurance filings, and phone calls. Lots of phone calls. Luckily, Jonathan's insurance is giving him the full replacement value of the car (minus the deductible) and has provided him with a rental car for 30 days. As soon as his insurance check arrives he'll be car shopping ... again. 

And in case you're wondering, the second St. Christopher medal did survive the accident, and Jonathan will put it in his next car.

But I'm wondering ... should I upgrade? Maybe graduate from a medal to a statue he can mount on his dashboard?

With his track record, I'm thinking Jonathan might need it in Atlanta.  

something, nothing at all

i can sing a silly song

of sixpence

or croon a lullaby

ignoring high notes

or really low ones

half mindful of sharps and flats

 

i can dance a dance

of two-step or four-square

with someone

or no one at all

twirling and twisting to a rhythm

or the drumming of my heart

 

i can draw a drawing

with ink on parchment

or do a pencil sketch

color curlicues of flowers

or starry starry nights

with crayola crayons

 

i can weave a tapestry of words

long sentence-threads

climbing and looping

into paragraphs and pages

essays and stories

this poem

 

i can do many things

but no thing well

 

i’m a songbird in my mind

a ballerina in my head

caravaggio stirs my soul

and shakespeare my thoughts

a jill of all trades

master of none

June 2020

*from the files of very bad poetry by bia

Friday Favorites (vol. 2)

A weekly roundup of a few of my favorite things ...

~1~ Travel Journals

I've written before about my love affair with travel journals (The Travel Journal: Interacting with the Travel Experience). Yesterday, I read through my travel journal from our trip to Italy last September. What was especially fun was reading through a few receipts I kept: the affogato al caffe at the famous Marchesi (historic pastry shop in Milano), the two pair of shoes from a little shop in Santa Margherita, the book about Otzi the Iceman from the Archeological Museum in Bolzano, the pizzeria in Stresa where a group of us sat for several hours laughing. 

~2~ Online Classes

When the pandemic began, art lecturer and tour guide extraordinaire Alexandra Lawrence of Explore Florence began hosting a series of conversations entitled Forma Sideris. So far I've attendeded: Napoli Unveiled, Caravaggio, Boundless Joy (on Santa Chiara), Dante and the Birth of Pugatory, and Petrarch + the Italian Culture. A conversation on Raphael is next. 

What does Forma Sideris mean? Here is Alexandra in her own words: 

In the 17th century, Pope Sixtus V wanted to welcome pilgrims to Rome in a systematic but beautiful way. He undertook a redesign of the city’s urban spaces by creating a route in the shape of a many-pointed star whose emanating rays would guide visitors to the most important sites in Rome. In Latin, the concept was referred to as Roma in forma sideris (Rome in the shape of a star) and can still be understood today by noticing the placement of obelisks in the city’s most important piazzas. 

For me, the idea of forma sideris and the shape of the star illustrate my multi-faceted interests and my approach to illuminating the history, art and culture of this wondrous country.

~3~ Things that make me smile

Earlier this week Timothy was downstairs eating breakfast when I walked by his room and saw this: his clothes laid out for work. It's very similar to how he packs for a trip ;-)

~4~ Photos of book titles

Two months ago our Book Club read Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell. NONE of us liked the book (in fact, we hated it) but the author is from Augusta and it did inspire a lively discussion. But really, even the Augusta Chronicle agrees with us. In 2018 they published an article about the author entitled: The Author We Love to Hate. 

Anyway, a few days before book club meeting we were driving in south Augusta and saw a street sign for the real Tobacco Road (the name refers to the road toabacco farmers used to get their crops from the fiels down to the Saannah River where it was then shipped to other ports). I made Joe stop so I could take a photo. Anything for Book Club ... 

~5~ Perspective is important

A Conversation with My Son about Systemic Racism

Today I sat down with my son to watch a video entitled Race in America. 

As a family, during this time of unrest we have watched the nightly news and read the editorials in Sunday's paper. We have talked about the issues of race and racism. From early childhood we have taught our children the importance of inclusivity and to not judge a person by the color of his/her skin. We've educated our sons. 

In school, they studied the Civil Rights Movement, Jim Crow, and the Freedom Riders. They wrote reports on the Civil War and Rosa Parks. Together we stood in front of the eternal flame at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s tomb in Atlanta, visited Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, and saw photos of "The Little Rock Nine" escorted to school by the National Guard. Last year we visited the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama, where we added our names to the Wall of Tolerance, and we visited the Greyhound Bus Station, one of the stops for the Freedom Riders. We visited the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the place where the Montgomery Bus Boycott was organized and where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor.

So yes, we've educated our sons. And yet, visiting all these historical sites and learning about the sacrifices and struggles does not mean that the sacrifices and struggles are over. These past few weeks have shown us this.

Which is why we sat down to watch this video. Because it explains the causes of racism in a linear fashion leading up to the present day. Because it brings up compelling points to consider. Because it's a sobering reminder of the harsh reality that systemic racism is a way of life for many Americans.

We also talked about my work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. During training, not only did we study the problem of racism and discrimination in the court and foster care systems, but we also discussed bias--which is especially problematic because someone may deny having a personal prejudice while, at the same time, harbor deep-seated biases of which they may not even be aware. Furthermore, having now been to court several times in my work as a CASA, my son and I talked of the complexities of race in the judicial system. 

There is no denying that the subject of racisim and discrimination is very complicated, and scary, and overwhelming. But these issues need to be faced. 

They need to be acknowledged. 

And we need to dig deep to be part of the solution. 

Speak to Me Sunday: Dangling Hangers and Empty Drawers

Friday afternoon I was cleaning out the boys' room. Now that the two older boys are officially on their own, it was time to put that space in order and officially convert it into a nice guest bedroom.

So I purchased large bins and got to work tackling the bookcase, desk, closet, and even under the beds. I categorized, purged, and stored. There was a flurry of texts going back and forth: Does this still fit? Do you want to keep your 5th grade rec leage football troophy? Is there any reason to hold on to all these empty dvd cases? Do you remember this?

(Sidenote: a pair of antique cherry twin beds with a nightstand are for sale)

At the end of the day I sat on one of the beds comtemplating the empty bookcases, hangers, and drawers. We moved into our house on May 22, 1998 and from the very beginning the two older boys shared a room. Being only 22 months apart in age, they grew up as brothers and best friends with a shared love of Lego, Pokemon battles, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and strategy boardgames. 

I remembered one of the few times they had an argument and how, when it escalated, we separated them by putting them to bed in different rooms. Later, a ferocious thunderstorm with crashing thunder and roaring wind caused them to come running into our bedroom. Jonathan didn't want to sleep alone because it was too scary; Nicholas said the back bedroom was making funny noises. 

So we tucked them into their own beds--in the room they shared--and as we were walking out we heard them whispering "I'm sorry" to each other. 

It was a sweet memory, one which provided a stark contrast to the dangling hangers and empty drawers, but it put me on that slippery slope of wondering if we had done enough, gave enough, prepared enough. 

Then I looked at a stack of college textbooks on Jonathan's desk, all from his college accounting classes. Starting on the bottom, every book shored up the next one, like stepping stones going up and up until the top four books--study guides for each of the four sections of the CPA exam. Every book below those top four books taught, molded, and prepared Jonathan for that exact moment of when, at the end of grad school, he took (and passed) each exam. 

Strangely enough, the stack of books gave me comfort. Wasn't parenthood like that? A series of steps in which we teach, mold, and prepare? Steps that are not always steady, or sure, and that aren't always defined, or pretty, but with faith, grace, and fortitude we muster on, clinging to the hope that when we finally release them our children will fly? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that faith was taking that first step when you can't see the staircase, but I think every step is a first step. Every moment. Every day. Calling us to walk by faith and not by sight. 

So despite the emptiness of the room, and never mind the dangling hangers and empty drawers, I knew it was all good. 

All of it. 

Friday Favorites (vol. 1)

~1~ Supporting Local Business

The pandemic has been detrimental to the catering industry, and this is especially true in our area with the cancellation of the Masters Golf Tournament. But Jennifer Shuford of Tastefully Yours Catering has opened a pop-up shop where you can purchase ready-to-go meal kits, casseroles, summer salads, and desserts. A few years ago Jennifer catered our parents' 50th wedding anniversary and the food was amazing. She also traveled with us to Italy this past September. 

Yesterday Joe and I stopped by Jennifer's pop-up shop and purchased two tomato pies and two individual peach cobblers.

I know what we're having for lunch today. 

~2~ Art that Conveys what I Feel

I've mentioned before artist Martina Heiduczek from Martina Illustrates who has been sharing some beautiful images during this worldwide pandemic. This one in particular speaks to me. Being stuck at home makes me feel as if the tides of circumstance and the rhythm of routine have taken over, which makes me really, really miss being able to travel. 

~3~ Purse Organizers

I love a good tote. I love the space, look, feel, and versatility. But I also want the contents of the tote to be organized, which can be hard to accomplish with a tote where everything is thrown in willy-nilly. Which is why I like inserts. I have two: a beige one which coordinates with many of my totes, and the red one is for my Louis Vuitton Nerverfull tote. I purchased both on Amazon. 

~4~ Costco Finds

Both these are delicious but I warn you: don't eat them straight out of the bag. Because you won't stop. Portion control will go out the window. 

~5~ Beach Shoes

Who doesn't love a comfortable, casual beach slide? Who doesn't like a fun fipflop? Found these at Target. Both are comfortable, stylish, waterproof, and can be worn with with a bathing suit or a maxi dress. Perfect for the beach. 

Ready, Set, Plan for the Go

Exactly five years ago today we traveled to the island of Capri. Here are all the modes of transportation we used that day: bus, hydrofoil, motor launch (for an optional tour to see the Faraglione), funicular, and 12-minute chairlift (to Anacapri -- the top of the world). The order was reversed at the end of the day.

In my mind, all those modes of transportation to get from Point A to Point B are symbolic of the entire trip in that it was the first time my sister and I organized a group trip to Italy with the responsibility of getting 23 women from Point A (the U.S.) to Point B (Italy). It took a leap of faith.

That trip was so successful we took a second group to Italy (this time with 32 women) just this past September (2019).

And you know what? I’ve been in touch with my contacts and another trip is in the works because once travel resumes I will be ready. It may not be this year, but soon. 

Paying it Forward (and Backward) (and Every Direction)

This morning I decided to stop at Starbucks. It was mid-morning, so there were only three cars: Car #1 was at the window, Car #2 (a police car) was next, and then Car #3 (me).

As Car #1 drove away I wished I could have been IN FRONT of the police car because I would have paid for his order to show a little appreciation for those who go out of their way to help others in crisis.

When Car #2 (the police car) drove away I pulled up to the window.

"There's no charge," said the Starbucks employee. "The friendly police officer paid for your order. The car in front paid for his, so he wanted to pay for yours. It's a happy day."

How about that? Three complete strangers in a Starbucks drive-thru had the SAME EXACT THOUGHT to do something kind for a stranger. 

Despite everything going on lately, there is hope. 

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, 

and the roots spring up and make new trees. 

~Amelia Earhart

Be kind whenever possible.

It is always possible.

Dalai Lama

Vacation Quotes: The Things We Say

We just returned from a family vacation on St. Simons Island (our first time) where we rented "a compound" which comprised of three houses (the Big House, a medium house, and a small beach cottage), a pool, a beach volleyball court, and a small playground. It was the perfect setup for four families (16 people) and the perfect opportunity to record the funny things people said ...

"They come in through the tiniest openings, but when you open the window and door to let them out they get all confused." ~Timothy, while attempting to shoo an insect out of the car

"I'm going to build a desert temple." ~our nephew, which made us all laugh because he didn't say "sand castle" but "desert temple"; he really, really likes Minecraft 

"You need assertiveness training!" my sister-in-law to me during Trivial Pursuit, after the 4th time I allowed my teammates talk me out of a correct answer which resulted in us giving the WRONG answer  

"My butt is inflated." ~the youngest in the group who had an air pocket trapped in the seat of his swim trunks while swimming in the pool

"I love you. You're the best. What's for dessert?" ~another nephew, trying to sweet-talk his way into a treat

"You know, you're actually pretty good." ~Timothy to me, after we played a rousing game of beach volleyball; his attempt to NOT sound so surprised by this fact was unsuccessful.

"There's a giant turtle in the pool!" ~the nephews, and there was

"Okay. I need my reading glasses." ~Nonno, after the third round of Catch Phrase when he kept getting caught by the buzzer because he took too long to read the word prompt

"Zoom, zoom." ~Nonna, the sound effect she makes for EVERYTHING during Catch Phrase

"What time is dinner?" ~everyone, every night

"There's a shark!" ~my sister, standing in knee-deep water; and she wasn't kidding

Family Beach Vacation: St. Simons Island

Nonno playing bocce with three of his grandsons

What I love: Little Free Libraries, crashing waves,

lighthouses, oceanside wildflowers

What I love: giant oak trees and churches with steeples

and peekaboo holes in ancient stone walls. 

What I love: spirit trees, beach sunsets, gnarly oak trees,

and pathways of tiny pebbles that take you to magical places.

Una passeggiata con le parole

passeggiata: a stroll/walk     parole: words

Speak to Me Sunday: TruthandLove

A few months ago we attended Mass at St. James Catholic Church in Madison, Georgia.

The church was tiny, with maybe 75 parishioners in attendance, most of them retired. Timothy was the youngest one there, and Joe and I might have been, too.

But the priest from that tiny church packed quite a punch with his homily on truth and love. Before his homily I thought of truth and love as two separate concepts, but now I see how important it is to live them as one -- truthandlove. While he spoke within the context of our faith, I think his words hold meaning to all areas of our life, whether we're in school, work, home, the sports arena, or even the political one.

Here are some quotes from his homily, and I love how there is an underlying theme of balance and moderation ...

"Christ calls us to live in truth and love. Not truth or love. Not truth over here and love over there. But truth and love. Together. Like the vine and the branches."

"Those who live truth to the extreme point fingers at others and accuse them of being wrong or tell them they're going to hell. This isn't love."

"Those who live love to the extreme keep the truth buried. They embrace the idea -- popular in today's society -- that love means getting along and doing or saying anything to keep everyone happy. They become afraid to speak the truth for fear of offending anyone. This isn't truth."

"Although it will cause a reaction, both good and bad, practice truth and love as one -- love the truth, but live it with love."

truthandlove

The Un-Finished Sentence

Too often I have heard people say, “We live in a great country; it’s not perfect, but …”

And they leave it at that. An unfinished sentence.

But what? It’s not perfect, but we just ignore that un-perfect part? But we choose not to acknowledge certain issues? But it’s not happening to me so it’s not important?

It’s not perfect, but what can you do?

Then, some people become defensive, offended even, when the imperfect parts are brought to the forefront.

Well, there is so much in our perfect world, our perfect country, our perfect city, and our perfect neighborhoods that is imperfect.

Pope Francis has said he prefers a Church which is bruised and dirty from having been out on the streets; that we need to come out of our comfort zones – leave our schools, churches and homes – and go out to confront illness, poverty, racism, ignorance, injustice; in other words, all those elements of humanity which are messy. All those things which make people not experiencing them, uncomfortable. Offended, even.

But how—from the comforts of our schools, our churches, and our homes—can we address all these things? 

It is not so hard; as with most things, it begins by standing on what is good, opening our eyes to the not so good, and making changes right here in our schools, our churches and our homes. And during the process—by making it about others and not about us—in big matters and in small, in political arenas and in sporting ones, the good has the potential to become even better.

So, fill in the blank with whatever is your circumstance (city, school, church, home, family, government) and finish the sentence: It’s a great country; it’s not perfect, but … but there’s room for improvement; but we need to make some changes; but we can be better. 

Finish the sentence. And it starts from there.

The 4-ingredient Dessert

In the midst of these confusing times, let me offer you a little simplicity. Turn off the television, close that laptop, and go sit on your back deck or front porch with a slice of Lemonade Ice Cream Pie. Just four basic ingredients for a perfect blending of not too tart and not too sweet. An uncomplicated treat for this topsy turvy world. 

You're welcome ;-)

LEMONADE ICE CREAM PIE (makes 2 pies)

Two 6-oz ready-made pie crusts, graham cracker or shortbread

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 tub (16 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. Place crusts in freezer.
2. Put softened ice cream, lemonade concentrate, and 3/4 of the whipped topping into a large bowl. Stir until blended.
3. Spread mixture in each pie crust.
4. Top each with remaining whipped topping.
5. Cover and place in freezer.

*garnish with fresh blueberries and/or sliced strawberries.

A Holistic View: The Good, Bad, Beautiful, and Ugly

It may seem paradoxical (maybe even comical) to be reading The Book of Joy during a global pandemic. And racial unrest. And political divide. And ... I could go on. Where is the joy? 

But then I read the following quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu. 

"It is also good to recognize--speaking from our struggle against apartheid--how incredibly noble people are. You know human beings are basically good. You know that's where we have to start. That everything else is an aberration ...the fundamental thing about humanity, about humankind, about people, is that they are good, they were made for good, and they really want to be good."

He went on to say that we must keep a more holistic view. Yes, terrible things happen; yes, there is so much doom and gloom. But we must have a sense of proportion and a wider perspective. This doesn't mean sugar-coating events or looking at the world through rose-colored glasses; instead, we must look with honest eyes at the whole. 

And in doing so, we won't feel despair but hope. NOT optimism (which depends on feelings) but HOPE (which is based on the firm ground of conviction).

As I am typing this, I am trying to think of ways to apply the Archbishop's quote on a practical level--to right here and now while I enjoy my morning cappuccino. What can I do? Like the Archbishop, I fundamentally believe that people are good, were made for good, and really want to be good. But I also acknowledge that the goodness can sometimes be hard to see. 

Then I read another quote from the Archbisop: Despair turns us inward. Hope sends us into the arms of others.

So that's where I will start. With hope. Out in the world. To stand in the face of the bad, but celebrate the good; to witness the ugly, but bring forth the beautiful.

To open my eyes and see the world holistically and honestly, and still choose hope. 

To choose hope is to step firmly forward 

into the howling wind,  

baring one's chest to the elements, 

knowing that, in time, 

the storm will pass. 

 

~Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Book of Joy