A Snapshot of Spring in Northern ItalyLike an unkempt bear blinking into the bright spring sun, I see in technicolor; amethyst crocus emerge in muddy fields, uneaten remains of…Aug 20, 2023Aug 20, 2023
Hazelnuts: The Pride of Italy’s Piemonte regionHazelnuts. Nocciole. Achene gold. Hazelnuts are a valuable and revered crop in Piemonte. The orchards have become as ubiquitous as…Aug 17, 2023Aug 17, 2023
She Had Me at Zucchini FlowersAs is typical in bella Italia, there was a long, dramatic story, this one about a favorite white horse who got loose in her husband’s…Aug 12, 2023Aug 12, 2023
Gianduja as SalveGawd, it was a couple of shite Italy days, quite specific to the country, where absolutely nothing clicks; doors closed, offices shut…Aug 9, 2023Aug 9, 2023
A Moka in LiguriaGawd, I hate crowds. But it was Saturday morning and our Airbnb had only an aluminum Moka coffee pot. Anytime I cook anything in aluminum…Aug 3, 2023Aug 3, 2023
Sunday Bliss: Bagels from Madrid?The wife arrived home from a few days of work in Madrid bearing a dozen bagels. Bagels? Are you kidding me? For gawd’s sake, it’s Spain…Aug 3, 2023Aug 3, 2023
Sliced as Thin as My Moral BearingsIt’s 92 degrees, even in the fucking shade, and as humid as a grow house. With summer’s hot breath on my neck, I seldom spark up the stove…Aug 2, 2023Aug 2, 2023
Grown Up Ideas“Nobody likes a mouthy broad.” - Odd advice spilt from the curled lips of a man surrounded by strong women. Maybe that was how my father…Jul 27, 2023Jul 27, 2023
Mendo Mushroom FantasiesBlithely unfamiliar with the “RV lifestyle”, I would have no reason to stop at the campground except for the hand-drawn sign in the window…Jul 8, 2023Jul 8, 2023
