Comments on: That Summer in Sicily, by Marlena de Blasi

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:54:39 +0000

I consumed all her books; they struck such a chord with me. I had thrown caution to the winds and with five children and two large dogs, set sail for Franco’s Spain in the early 70’s where I ran a small pension on the beach where we served breakfast, a four course lunch and three course dinner each and every day to all our customers, I wrote a book about those times, but was unsuccessful at getting it published. Then, 11 years ago I left everything I loved behind….for love.
I just got home and wrote about my trip
The Confederate Rose.

“The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight.
The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention “

From “The Artists Way” Julia Cameron.

Getting home for me is leaving ‘home’ to come “home”

Having been in a place where everyone around you is your child, their spouse or a grandchild, where each one wants to hug you or stroke your cheek, listen to you tell stories, to kiss you, love you and smile the word ‘Nana’ or ‘Mum’ to you.
It is just enchanting, possibly more so because of the ephemeral nature of such trips.

Homecomings are reflective times, a freshly corked fat green glass jar of recent memories, sometimes skewed and distorted at three in the morning by jet lag.

I cooked fragrant soup, loving the preparation. I baked a fresh batch of bread, kneading away any residual sadness, but joy for my eyes was provided by my friends Joza and Art.
They gave me the very first of their Confederate Rose blossoms. Plucked from the very top of the bush, I bore the blossom home and into a tiny specimen vase on my kitchen counter.
The pure white frothy blossom with translucent petals resembled a priceless christening gown or a brides dream.
I watched the barely perceptual change until some hours had elapsed and the blossom was now a grandchild’s pink ballet tutu.
As the day drew to a close it finally became a deep fuchsia evening gown of spectacular design.

Short-lived like my trip, that blossom made me pay attention and so delighted me.
I’m home.

Barbara
Autumn 2008

By: MADALENE CUGLIETTA

MADALENE CUGLIETTA — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:32:22 +0000

Pauline, I have read numerous book about traveling and living in Italy, and I have begun my own in fact. I just read a Thousand Days in Tuscany and I am mesmerized by the “soul” of the writer, of Fernando and Barlozzo. The author is very introspective and expresses her connection with the earth and the people of San Casciano dei Bagni with the same passion that she creates her culinary morsels. The writing is exquisite and makes the reader feel like a person participating within the storyline. Bravissimo!

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:51:33 +0000

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780345481092&view=auqa

Hi again Pauline, I found another older interview that I hadn’t read before.

I am still looking for the one I mentioned earlier. It was about the guided tours and a group of Americans who spent Thanksgiving with her and Fernando - it was so interesting. I’ll let you know if I find it.

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:10:30 +0000

Marlena de Blasi is preparing to resume hosting her guided tours in the Italian autumn.

Contact information can be obtained at http://www.meetyouinitaly.com

By: Colleen

Colleen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:42:23 +0000

Great post, Pauline! I really liked “A Thousand Days in Venice,” but wasn’t crazy about the Tuscany book. I got the feeling that she had a “big” personality, and would be hard to live with. (As much as I enjoyed reading about her life!) It sounds like you had a nice conversation with her!