Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 8, 2015| 2 Comments »
It’s been several years since I’ve gone into Chiesa Sant’Agostino to see Francesco Mochi’s masterpiece. I think it is simply stunning. I’d taken pictures illegally before, but now it is allowed.
Set at the end of the church in the nave
Mary not so sure she wants to hear the news
The detail is incredible
Intense
Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 6, 2015| 3 Comments »
Simona Fabrizio is an exceptional private chef and cooking instructor with whom we cook with some of our groups. Her husband Nick Cornish is an exquisite photographer from whom some of our clients get training. They invited us to spend the night at their country home in Allerona. It was a beautiful evening to enjoy on their patio.
Nick is doing photos for promotional materials for a hilltop resort about 15 minutes from their house. He invited us to join him at 5 in the morning to catch the scene in the rising sun. Beautiful! Unfortunately my camera battery died before the morning was out. But I did get some pictures.
Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 5, 2015| 3 Comments »
Federico and Hanna held a special bookmaking class in between two of our weeks. Participants bound the books they made with leather from Federico’s supply for making shoes, purses, wallets, belts, etc. Everyone loved the finished book!
Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 3, 2015| 1 Comment »
W happened upon an open Duomo last night, as it hosted several a cappella groups. Front doors wide open, soft light. Such a treat
Choir singing in San Brizio chapel.
Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 2, 2015| 2 Comments »
Posted in Orvieto Italy on June 1, 2015| 2 Comments »
I went to the edge today, looked out over the countryside, which got me thinking.
You have to stop – stop and look for a period of time in order to really “see.” To appreciate the color, the texture, and pattern of the landscape. To absorb subtlety, contrast, richness and intricacy. To move your eyes over the larger panorama before you understand the relationship of one part to the next. To absorb it so it leaves a permanent impression on memory.
Today, this is so difficult to do. Technology has sped life up. We hardly see the world for the screens in our face. We have, as a result, little peace or serenity. We’re always racing. It’s hard to slow down. It takes stopping, doing nothing, to slow in order to gain quietude.
Even when people travel with us to Italy, a sensuous place that begs to engage all the senses, it’s hard to slow down. It happens, but it takes longer now.
People are coming with their phone connected 24/7. So they are only partly here. When your device is in your pocket, on, it tugs at you. Is hard to just stare at the landscape, to give it the time to allow the nuance to be seen and then marveled at.
What we miss! Serenity. Feeling right with the world. Calm.
Make Haste Slowly 