Sculptural flying clouds

One year ago I visited family in Indiana. Strolling from the plane to the baggage claim, I admired the Weir Cook Terminal at the new Indianapolis International Airport. I thoroughly enjoyed the architecture, the open spaces and the great environment that had been created. It was functional yet beautiful. Nice! Job well done! But above all, I was thrilled to see the artwork that was included at key locations. A commitment to the arts has always been a sign of civility and appreciation. It speaks of broader perspectives—leadership and vision. The Arts bring a much needed reflective quality, a sense of playfulness or a nudge of provocation—while they speak of the unseen currents that animate our lives. Powerful stuff!

"Chrysilis" sculpture by Faust

At that time, despite the beauty of the grand new facility, a controversy was raging. The airport administration wanted to remove the specially designed sculptural centerpiece by the artist James Wille Faust, and replace it with advertising. What? You heard me right. That special location by the main entrance and bank of escalators had been determined (shortly after the commission and installation of the sculpture) to be prime real estate for a giant LED advertising screen that would bring in hundreds of thousands of revenue dollars every year. That fact alone, should scare the bejeezus out of us. Think about it. The power of suggestion on a big screen can encourage us to buy whatever flashes in front of our faces. For that very reason, sponsors are willing to pay a half million dollars for a momentary shot at our subconscious. Now that’s powerful stuff!

New LED art

I walked across the main lobby toward the escalators one year later, curious to see how the tense debate had turned out. Sure enough, there in front of me was that disturbingly bright LED screen flashing its commands, as everyone stared obediently from their captive perch on the moving stairway—parading directly in front of the advertisers’ self-serving agenda. Of course, the beautiful sculpture had been removed (some say during the night) for obvious reasons, and relegated to a dark, unseen storage room, awaiting its fate. Unbelievable!

Another LED masterpiece

Of course, the administration claims a win/win, since they’re interspersing  so-called “electronic art” between the ads in an attempt to console art lovers. But the reality is that the only winners are the administrators who get to fluff-up their budgets and, most importantly, the advertisers who reap the benefits long after the bright lights have dimmed, and their messages are quietly embedded into our deepest desires. It definitely works, and that’s why they’re willing to fork over such big bucks. One thing for sure, they get to be very, very happy, because they’re going to be very, very rich!

The real story!

Oh . . . and by the way . . . you might be interested to know that the screens were conveniently installed just in time for the arrival of the countless Super Bowl fans scheduled to flood into Indianapolis within a week of my departure. My guess is that the value of those flashing messages on that first week in February, is far greater than any of us can even imagine. But, what the heck . . . who needs art, reflection, peace and enlightenment when we can have the chance to follow someone else’s dream . . . all the way to their bank?

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

I sat down at the computer—completely in the moment, and a word unexpectedly popped into my head—spontaneity. “Why not write about that?” I thought.  “Okay!” You are now reading the words that flowed onto the page from that stream of consciousness.

Dylan was his hero

The word spontaneity triggered an image of my friend from 40 years ago, Jed Free. Yes, that’s a real name! I have no idea what ever happened to him, but he was clearly a “free” spirit, so to speak, an unusually independent person, a loner of the n^th degree. He only spoke on rare occasions, and when he did it was in a rather cryptic but meaningful way. Mostly, he just silently shuffled along with shoulders rounded, as if clutching his latest Bob Dylan album to his heart—always looking down in the vicinity of his frayed gray sneakers. I can’t say that I ever really made eye contact with him, but in some strange way, I have to admit that the guy actually changed my life.

True spontaneity

Of the few things I ever heard him say, one short phrase has stayed with me as one of my favorite quotes. In fact, it’s become a bit of a mantra, gaining credibility and substance as the years have passed. One fateful day, Jed muttered under his breath, “Spontaneity is Truth.” I was really impressed and have never forgotten those simple words of wisdom he so casually uttered to no one in particular. And that’s when my world began to change.

Socrates - king of logic

Careful thought, whether a pressing issue or a serious decision has always been considered a strength—you know, coming up with a well-organized and logical response? Or, to pause just a moment before answering a question provides a few seconds to consider the implications of what is said, thereby selecting just the right words at just the right time. Most people would probably say being thoughtful in that way is a good thing (in this world of hyper-sensitivities). Important first impressions and knotty problems to solve deserve reflective consideration. Right?  However, if you’re trying to eke out the truth, the thinking path doesn’t necessarily get you there.

A "handy" way to say it

There’s an honesty in something blurted out—not conditioned, preconceived, qualified, sanitized or nuanced—if you respond with the first thing that pops into mind. The “true” inner voice speaks out with transparency. Most of the time, it’s surprising what brilliance and beauty hides behind the well-considered, “politically correct” reply. Unfortunately, our most creative ideas may never even see the light of day because, frankly, we may think too much. So there you have it—a bit of spontaneity in writing, untouched by the spin doctor.

With that burst of open, honest truthfulness, I’m going to take another run at finding my old friend Jed through the internet. If anyone out there happens to know his whereabouts, or the actual source of that wonderful quote, please let me know. I owe whoever said it a debt of gratitude for changing my life (via Jed). My hope is to one day discover a previously unknown philosopher at the other end of that bit of brilliance. But, even if I don’t uncover that deep well of provocative insight, I’ll still continue to make the most of the quote in my everyday life—at least as some incredibly useful free advice!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

According to artist Cornelia Parker, the two opposites are currently merging in the corner of a room in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. She calls it Anti-Mass, and the work of art is currently housed at the de Young Museum, gallery 16, to be exact.

Charred remnants

Recently, when a soulful Southern Baptist Church burned to the ground at the hands of arsonists, Cornelia, with permission, collected and reclaimed the charred timbers of the once-vital wood structure. And then, without permission, she began her magical transformation that would, in her own artistic language, fuse science and religion; mind and heart; tangible and spiritual; grounded and otherworldly; violence and reverence into a powerful image, to lure people out of dualism and at least momentarily, into an awareness of the underlying unity of all things.

And how is this possible, you might ask? The answer: magical transformation and communication beyond words, is what art is all about—and where Cornelia Parker’s universe is centered. In the hands of such a gifted artist, the alchemy takes place.

Levitating mass

Creating her masterful message, she chose to hang the charcoal debris from the ceiling by nearly invisible threads, suspending them as if hovering—defying gravity (anti-mass). What was once solid and earthly starts to rise and float in an ethereal form above the floor. Organizing the charred remnants into the shape of a cube in space, she suggests a ghostly outline of the original church. The word “Mass,” carries the double meaning of the physicality of our world, as well as the ritualistic sacrament at the heart of the Christian faith. Contemplating her sculpture from across the room, it’s possible to slip into that mysterious space where the faith of the stalwart, curiously mingles with, and transcends the violent act of arson. A calming sense of profound forgiveness surrounds her work. In fact, this presence of forgiveness is akin to what we felt amid the rebuilding of the Frauenkirche in Dresden Germany.

Frauenkirche

Art and sculpture aren’t for everyone—we know that. However, the message of transcendence and victory over hatred and destruction hopefully rings true for most of us. Thanks to Cornelia, there’s another voice in the world, reminding us of the infinite power of the unseen, and our collective capacity to shift our focus from hatred to love.

A great message to consider as we step into 2012. In fact, the message is poignant at any time . . . of any year!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

Twenty Paces – Original song and story of forgiveness

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Let the show/snow? begin

California has a reputation. It’s laid back, casual. Beachy. Of course, those of us in northern CA are not beachy, but tell someone that you’re from CA and immediately they say, “Oh, perpetual summer. Beaches. Bay Watch.” In fact, California’s reputation can lead some to think that whatever happens in CA is “lite.”  But we can be a pretty serious lot. Take our holiday decorations, for example. No one in their right mind would want to miss the 1.5 mile winding drive through the Vasona Lake Park. Why? To totally immerse themselves in the very serious lights display. Just tune your radio to the special sounds of the holiday and then sit back and watch the animated story begin as you roll your way into fantasy-land. Experience the erupting volcano in the Dinosaur Den, Santa shooting hoops (a bit weird, we must admit), a pen of playful penguins, blazing cannons, tunnels of light, and a 90-foot winking, twinkling tree. What more could you want as the grand finale to the perfect holiday season with friends and family?

Ahh! The twinkle lights.

How did this simple tradition turn into such a big production? What happened? Perhaps we should credit the electrifying of Christmas to Thomas Edison, as the inventor of the lightbulb. Or perhaps the entire country of Germany, where decorating for the holidays supposedly originated. Or maybe even the court and whims of Queen Victoria herself (she could probably take the heat). They’ve all been implicated as possible instigators. It seems that over the last several centuries we’ve all become infatuated with those tiny electric light bulbs known as “twinkle, mini or fairy lights,” depending on where you live. In any case, they’re used the world around in religious cultures and have even become a secularized ritual for others, because, well—maybe we all want just a little “lightness” to rebalance our everyday lives. We’re not satisfied until we’ve turned the great outdoors into our own little make-believe fairy tale vignettes. Of course, in true California fashion, Vasona‘s display boasts the use of more LED lights as a way of “greening” the show.

Not what we had in mind

So we decided to go see for ourselves what all the fuss was about. After 13 years in the neighborhood, the Vasona Lake festivities beckoned us: it was about time we ventured out to “see the light.” So on Sunday, Christmas night, the four of us boarded our fantasy touring-car (Honda Element) and drove the arduous 15 minute, non-snow-covered trail, to the park. The incredible line of cars alone told us we were in for a once-in-a-lifetime treat. The excitement was definitely building. Unfortunately, after idling in traffic for over 20 minutes, we came upon the sign stating that our destination was only a mere 45 minutes away. Given that we hadn’t allocated our entire evening to this surely-worthwhile event, (and the fact that we were dangerously low on gas) we decided to bail and try again after the Christmas hoopla had died down a bit.

Explosion of light

We were so excited that we made it back into the never-ending line of cars the very next night, intending to tough it out no matter what. But since Christmas was officially over, within 30 minutes, we were inside the park, face-to-face (or bumper-to-bumper) with the spectacle. We all had a great time as we sang along with the old Christmas standards (thanks to 104.1 on the car radio) while snapping pics and videos from both sides of the car—hanging out of the windows when necessary for the perfect shot. There were also a few good belly laughs at Santa shooting hoops, which you might expect. That grand tour of the lights is something we probably won’t do again for 10 years or so, but without a doubt, we were glad to have done it once.

California—land of the unexpected!

But the high”light” (We’re allowed at least one celebratory pun, right?) of the evening was undoubtably the rumbling volcano and the roaring dinosaurs section. Though not quite your everyday Christmas fare, it was fun, with some family members mimicking the roar of the dinosaurs long after the fun was over. This year in particular, northern California is enjoying a rather balmy winter. There’s not a hint or even the suggestion of snow, not even rain. The evening was perfect. We wagon-trained our way through the park and then were reminded to turn our headlights back on before venturing out into the “real world,” onto the “real road.” Living in the Bay Area is wonderful—lite, in some ways. The drive through Vasona Park’s Light Fantasy was definitely a reminder for us to remember to play a little, and stay light-hearted. Seriously, lighten up!!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Brandi

According to the classic story of the Velveteen Rabbit, becoming REAL is everything in life. And if that story has a thread of truth in it, then Brandi Carlile is well on her way. At 30-something she has talent and insight beyond her years, as anyone who listens to her storytelling can attest. We enjoy her music and have been trying to catch one of her concerts for years, but we were never in the same place at the same time—that is, until last Tuesday.

Long awaited

She performed at the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, CA—that laid-back quintessential beach town. The place welcomed her with open arms: a sold out show! She said during the performance that she really likes that place. Why? Because it’s REAL (just like her). Located outside the old town center, the Rio lines a busy street in a rather nondescript area along with many other curious home-grown shops, stretching as far as you can see. The theater has been there for quite a while and so all of the locals know it well. At one point during the show Brandi looked around the venue and said how much she liked the renovations that they’d been doing over the years. “Lookin’ good!” she said in a peppy conversational tone.

Rio - Santa Cruz

Brandi lit up the stage, wearing blue jeans and a Boy Scout shirt. There was no formal introduction, absolutely no fanfare. She was alone . . . no band members followed her onto the stage. It was just her and a few guitars. Since she rarely works solo, we felt privileged to have been included in the audience. She sang her heart out, interspersing songs with off-the-cuff stories and an occasional sip from her bottle of water perched on the stool next to two flickering candles.

She said the evening was really about the talking and not so much about the music. That’s it. After each song, she Frisbee-d the guitar pick into the audience. The crowd cheered. She invited us to sing along, and then complimented our sound. She had an “aw shucks” attitude, repeating, “Thanks Guys!” when we thunderously applauded (which was quite often). Before we knew it, two hours passed as if only minutes. At 11:00 pm, after a 4-song encore, she bowed graciously, waved and walked away just as quietly as she had entered. What a treat! Her guitar work was flawless and her voice? Well, what can you say about such an incredible voice except, “INCREDIBLE!”

Winding through the Santa Cruz mountains on the late-night drive home, we talked about the concert. We were moved. Changed. We had just had that rare honor of witnessing someone REAL.

Velveteen Rabbit

Being REAL isn’t something that you plan. It’s what’s left after all of the pretense, pre-conceived notions, and the  glitz and glamour fall away. It’s held in the tone of voice and the inflections that are “of the moment.” It’s hidden beneath the subtle words, “By the way . . .” or the off-hand comment, “That reminds me . . .” These are casual, yet meaningful phrases.  Tuesday night, Brandi allowed us to step into her life for a short visit. Like the Velveteen Rabbit, she was loved by all who attended, as evidenced by the rousing response. But it works both ways, because, in Brandi’s own lyrics, “The stories don’t mean anything, unless you’ve got someone to tell them to.”  For us, her openness was inspiring, beautiful, sincere and moving. But above all else, she was just plain REAL.

And as we all learned in the beautiful story of the Velveteen Rabbit, “Once you are REAL you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Floating?

One of our favorite morning walks in California takes us through the gardens of the beautiful Villa Montalvo Center for the Arts. You never know what you might find around each wooded turn because they’re constantly changing the outdoor sculptures, providing that element of surprise. One day we found an artist constructing a fairly large house out of sticks. Another time we came upon a new fortress in the front yard made entirely from stacks of paper (even more interesting after it rained). Then there were the strange heavy, unexplained floating objects. And let’s not forget the creepy giant cocoons the size of a small car, we found laying by the path up the hill. But today, our  sculpture hunt was a little more challenging—like up in a tree!

High rise apartment building

Sure enough, there on the trunk of the enormous old tree in the front garden was a curious collection of birdhouses. Starting at about 15 feet up, they huddled close together like a bunch of baby birds in a nest. Clumped smack-dab next to each other as if they were part of a really bad bird-housing development. However, before you become distracted by the apparent clutter, hear me out. The crowding began to thin as the wood huts elegantly wound their way up and around that massive trunk. Seen in the broader view, it looked more like a graceful wing, or an elegant flock of birds in flight.

Spiraling around!

Or, perhaps it was like a curious spiraling wood bird-resort of sorts, where everybody (each bird that is) has their own little front door-hole and a killer view with plenty of space in their own private apartment. As we walked further around the tree, the idea started to grow on us, and we liked it a lot. Not a bad life for a bird in their retirement years—nice weather year round with no need to fly south for the winter. Phew! What a relief that would be.

Soaring upward!

What intrigued us the most was how the timber village slowly swirled around the majestic pine, spiraling up and up as if taking flight. It was quite engaging and thought-provoking as we paused to contemplate the sculpture’s possible meaning. We have no idea what the artist’s inspiration was, and it really doesn’t matter. After all, art (using the term broadly) is trying to speak of that which is beyond words. Beyond concrete thought. It conjures up different feelings and responses from all of us, as each one sees it differently. Each moved in their own unique way. Perfect! In fact, if we pay close attention, the personal interpretations provide clues about what’s really going on within us at that very moment.

So . . . I guess that means that I’m either pondering the idea of selling everything and living the simple life in a small wood retirement village off the beaten path—or, perhaps I’m sensing the energetic rush of spiraling up and up as I see myself fly into the higher reaches of nature—out into a profound oneness with all of creation. Wow! That’s a lot to think about. On the other hand, maybe our little discovery today is urging me to simply continue walking back home, to sit in that patch of sun in the back yard by the tree, sipping some hot tea while I watch the birds flit about.

Yeah . . . I’m pretty sure that’s it!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Beauty around every bend

The autostrada is well maintained and a great way to see the country. It’s a fascinating system of well-designed roads, bridges and tunnels (the Italians are masters at burrowing through the mountains and spanning valleys). But, in addition, they have another feature that makes them even more interesting—the Autogrill. Anyone who’s ever made road trips in Italy can attest to the fact that these roadside restaurants/service stations are unusual and interesting places, to say the least. At regular intervals, the familiar and friendly pit stops offer just about anything you might need to freshen up a bit or make your trip safer and more memorable. Maybe, in their strangely diverse gift shops, you could even buy a surprise for the friends that you’re going to visit. On the simple side of things, the caffè is always the perfect “pick-me-up.” But, they’ll also have a variety of pizzas by the slice, right out of the oven, and will warm up any of the yummy panini, sandwiches that your little heart desires.

The roads lead the way

On our last excursion, we discovered something new and exciting at the Autogrill. Italians are of course, known for their flair and style. Italian design is unparalled. Well, at the Autogrill, that design and innovation has taken a new twist: in an effort to “go green” they’ve designed new parking structures. “So what?” you might ask. Well, they’re pretty cool, because the structures provide shade over parked cars WHILE generating electricity—solar panels everywhere! And of course, following the guidelines of classic Italian design, the look is pretty snazzy. What else would you expect from the Italian mind? Though the innovative hi-tech covers are not yet installed at every location, quite a few have popped up. What a pleasant surprise. Impressive!

Reflecting a progressive culture

Now, you might wonder if they could be mostly for show. You could even secretly question whether or not they’re even connected to anything—it’s possible. Although if they’re really being used properly, there are definitely enough of them to make a serious dent in the energy consumption of those hundreds of roadside oases scattered throughout the country. But one thing for sure—whether they’re using electricity, gas or solar energy, your caffè and panino will be awaiting your arrival at the Autogrill, always reflecting an authentic and energetic Italian style—extra hot!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Also known as K2

While visiting the famous and beautiful coastal towns of Portofino, Rapallo and Santa Margherita, we discovered that the main attraction for us was the restaurant, K2 (Rocco e i Suoi Fratelli, Rocco and his brothers). Here the brothers Costanzo charm your socks off, and give you a first-class lesson in following dreams and values. Our first dinner was a magical evening that made the visit not only fun, but memorable—perhaps even life-changing.

The party had just begun

They were booked to the rafters on Sunday evening. We had casually asked Elisabetta at the hotel for a recommendation and she didn’t hesitate: K2. But without a reservation, there was nothing to do but wait. Rocco immediately appeared and insisted that we relax with a drink “on the house,” along with a few scrumptuous hors d’oeuvres they whipped up as a little extra bonus just for us. By the time we got to our table, we were already fully engaged in the lively atmosphere. Everybody seemed to be having fun, including the table of 10 girls and 1 guy celebrating a birthday. What a lucky guy!

Blerina (front) and Emma

We were seated only an arm’s length away from the celebration and within minutes we were talking and laughing with a young Albanian woman, Blerina. She quickly pointed out and then introduced us to Emma—the 16 year old birthday celebrant. After some time, they handed Emma a large gift-wrapped box! Wow! What a gift! Then as the paper and ribbon fell away, she discovered another box inside, and  then another, and then another. We all joined in the laughter and fun as she finally made her way to the special gift from her friends. As if we were at a long-awaited family reunion, I snapped pics right and left. They were all so beautiful, bright and energetic, it sparked renewed hope for the future.

Then Rocco appeared at our table to chat a bit. He explained that he and his brothers feel like they’re helping take care of  those kids—part of the extended family of sorts. They feel a sense of responsibility to help them have fun but also be safe during their lively, impressionable years. He definitely got our attention with his honesty and sincerity. A great way to start!

Giovanni, Giannino and Rocco

Sensing there was a story begging to be told, I asked if he and his brothers could pause long enough to gather around for a few pictures. “Certo, Sure!” he replied, and within minutes they were all smiles—each one nicer than the other.

Over the course of our 3-hour dinner, we had various conversations with Rocco, exchanging views of soccer, politics, Prime Minister Berlusconi‘s recent resignation and impressions of the US. Wandering through the diverse topics, we picked up the consistent thread of values—respect, hard work, responsibility and family.

Hi-tech Rocco with his phone in one hand, iPad in the other

Toward the end of our meal, we offered to send Bierina the link to this story. Cheryl handed over her iPad and Bierina typed in her address. As if called, Rocco came over, toting his own tablet. He declared that he couldn’t get along without it. He even bought a second one for the restaurant so friends  and customers could use them when they drop in for a drink or dinner. We were amazed at how technically savvy they were.

As we shared stories about Apple, Rocco mentioned his new book. That’s right, a BOOK. It would be published within the next couple of weeks and he promised to mail us a copy. Of course, we offered to buy the book, but he insisted on sending it to the States as a gift. Incredible! It seems that he’s written about 20 books for his own enjoyment over the years, and a friend encouraged him to begin publishing, saying that his stories were really good and needed to be heard. What a great friend!

Rapallo—a great place to begin again

As we stepped through the door, even though it was midnight we were all jazzed up by the K2 experience, and couldn’t stop talking about it. Somewhere within the music, the kids, the philosophy, the brothers and the great food, there was a story about real people who care deeply and make a difference. It’s a story about taking big risks, moving from the Sicilian homeland to the Ligurian coast to create a fresh start. It’s a tale of bold dreams built on timeless values and family spirit. But also, it’s a story about different people and cultures sitting down at the table together—finding common ground and kindred spirits

Happy sweet 16 Emma!

Perhaps we all celebrated a birthday of sorts on that November evening at K2. It was one of those experiences that left us a little more grounded and centered, and at the same time more spirited and enthusiastic. Thanks to the brothers Costanzo!

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Take a swig

A quarter cup of what, you ask? OLIVE OIL. Signor’ Martini actually drinks it—in addition to what he typically drizzles over every meal, every day of his life. In ancient Greece, Homer called it liquid gold because of the countless benefits: heart, skin, medicines, rituals and much more. You name it. And that doesn’t even count the spiritual boost that comes from harvesting the olives by hand. It’s truly a meditation. Somehow, the gift of longevity is linked to the magic and mystery of the albero olivo, olive tree as far back as double digit centuries. Evidence like that is hard to ignore or deny.

Harvesting health

We’ve written about oil and the process of harvesting a few times before. Why not, when it’s such an important part of Italian life and culture. During the month of November, the oil harvest is THE topic of conversation. Well, it’s that time again and this autumn has been very, very good to us. In spite of a dry summer, our beautiful little olive trees didn’t let us down. Like magic, those tiny little green, maroon and black gems have been transformed into Homer’s liquid gold once again, and we’re extremely grateful.

The real thing

Taking what might appear to be an unnecessary risk, living on the edge, we just had to take a picture for you. They say it’s best to keep it out of direct light, but we’re not worried. Here you can see the morning light embracing a fresh new bottle of oil. At 7 pm last night we picked up our harvest from Giacomo‘s cantina, cellar. Imagine, little nuggets of fruit pressed into a rich, opaque, green magic potion. That one-liter bottle will be gone before any harmful sunlight has a chance to reach the center of that golden elixir. In fact, we’ll probably eat lunch a little early, just so we can drizzle it over pasta . . . or bread . . . or  salad . . . or whatever.

To your health!

Today’s story is short because the oil speaks for itself. Take it directly from the Italian nonno e nonna, grandfather and grandmother. You don’t necessarily have to start drinking oil from your Nalgene bottle throughout the day, but it wouldn’t hurt to treat your body to the wonders of one of Nature’s remedies for all that ails you—simply drizzle it over your favorite foods. After all, who wouldn’t take a drink from the fountain of youth?  Well, today may be your lucky day. Drink up and be hearty! May you be healthy, happy and as beautiful as a Tuscan flower.

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music – Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch In Tuscany

Thread, string—whatever

We like to play a little game called Follow That Thread. It’s really simple and great fun because we never quite know where things are going. It’s also good exercise for slowing down, paying attention and trusting the process. It leads to the most curious things, but to make it work, judgment has to be suspended—accepting whatever shows-up. It feels like wandering through back streets and alleys to discover new places and things.

Here’s an example of a thread I followed a couple of weeks ago.

Glossy metal interpretation of the Italian flag

One early morning we awoke to a crisp fall breeze gently blowing through the open window. I glanced out over pink and gray striped clouds layered across the dimly lit Tuscan sky—a typical autumn day. While standing at the front window, I noticed something different in the neighbors’ parcheggio, covered parking. They were apparently hosting a guest who had parked a white car alongside their two Fiat Pandas. What a sight—three identical Pandas lined up like the stripes of an Italian flag—red, green and white. How strange! Synchronicity? Coincidence? Hmm.

The Duomo

The sight of the 3 vehicles caused me to pause and reflect  for a moment. My mind wandered through the meanings and imagery of the familiar flag. It, of course, represents the pride of Italian heritage: the red stripe stands for strength, passion, and bravery; the white band symbolizes peace and honesty; and the green represents hope, love, and joy—and faith. Speaking of faith . . . that thought led me to ponder the centuries-old influences of the Roman Catholic Church on the culture here. Immediately, my mind flashed to images of the Duomo, The Florence Cathedral.

Then, I remembered that it was November 1st, a very important holiday in Italy: Ogni Santi, All Saints’ Day. The night before was “All Saints’ Evening or All Hallows’ Evening,” which over time has been transformed into Hallows’ Evening . . . and finally Hallow e’en. For a few minutes I reminisced about when I was a kid celebrating Halloween in the US. Maybe the tradition of trick or treating is motivated by some candy maker. All I know is that it was the chance to be ghoulish and frightening.

Suddenly I felt compelled to sit down at the computer and “surf the net.” Following the idea of hauntings, I stumbled onto a rather spooky video performance by Dr. Ralph Stanley singing: O Death – 2008, which really ooked me out. From the first video, I then found a second unusual clip, probably 40 years old, with Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell singing The Long Black Veil. Both clips were appropriately disturbing—perfect!

Joni

We’ve always enjoyed Joni Mitchell’s songs, so I instinctively followed that thread to a video of her playing piano and singing Woodstock (which she wrote without ever setting foot on the farm). I got a bit dreamy as I listened to her swirling voice reweave that story for me once again. When I came out of my swoon, I focused my eyes again on the screen. There was Joni with Graham Nash. One click more took me to  a photo of her sitting next to young David Crosby. They were old friends . . . we were old friends through their music, so many years ago.

Crosby and Nash

Then suddenly, while peering into the photos, I remembered that we had bought tickets for a concert—featuring, none other than Nash and Crosby. We thought it was somewhat curious that a concert would be scheduled for All Saints’ Day. But sure enough, on that very night, they were to appear in Florence’s wonderful historic theater, Teatro Verdi. Strange that I would stumble upon the pictures of Joni Mitchell with the two of them. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

So, what does this particular thread-following mean? I have no idea. Maybe it’s odd that I saw the Italian flag in 3 small cars. But I did. Thoughts are like dominoes—when one tumbles, it sets up the others. Strange sequence? Who knows? All it takes is a little interest and some imagination. Running down the road of fantasy and chance usually results in some pretty fascinating connections. I think Freud called it “free-association,” the passing of thoughts without reservation. Or was that Carl Jung’s phrase? See how Follow That Thread works?

Pay close attention!

That little sequence renewed my interest in our silly game. We never really know what fascinating discoveries, associations or relationships await us at the next click of a computer mouse, or pausing on a random thought—to slightly tug on that invisible string that somehow connects us all.

You may also enjoy visiting our other websites:

The Journey – The Ride of a Lifetime

The UP Side Lowdown by Cheryl

Uncommon Promise Story, Music and Art

New Music—Virtual CD

Uncommon Promise Video Channel

In Touch in Tuscany