Blog Archives - A Cottage by the Sea

Simple solution to a lost car key

4/27/2018

     Here is the most simple solution to a lost car key problem these days. You don’t just go to Home Depot where they make you a new one for $3 plus. No, yesterday I sat in the spacious lobby/waiting room of my local Toyota dealer waiting for a new key to be programmed for my car, to the tune of $300 plus. The lost key is in my house, somewhere between the garage and kitchen. Or, maybe it’s at the dump.
    I’d been using the spare for the last couple of months, which fine as long as I don’t lose it. Then I am in deep expensive trouble. After having the car towed in (remember, spare key lost) they would have to reprogram from inside (remember, spare key lost), to the tune of $800 plus.
    The cost yesterday included labor, $100 plus per hour, and the key, $100 plus. Obviously this is not a Home Depot key. I get that people have to live, but, when I bought the car I had no choice about this key feature that is all about protecting my car from being stolen. My attitude may be an age thing.
     On the other hand, we drove our last Toyota for fourteen years before delegating it to local trips to the town dump. I certainly don’t want this one stolen. No chance: I feel expensively protected.

Free at home and in Florence

4/21/2018

     After being away I somehow feel obliged to give a little welcome home report. A wonderful trip as usual, and as usual I’m glad to be back. I can’t take a credit for bringing the Italian spring with me, but just maybe I did. Today is the first day over 6O degrees; the forsythia is out. The red hot Red Sox will return home soon from an extraordinary road trip; the Bruins and Celtics lead in their playoffs series; runners crossed the marathon finish line in spite of the rain. Boston is Strong.
     My trip, however, had a different feel to it. Although I have no regrets spending time in Rome, Assisi, and Cortona, I missed my usual two weeks in Florence. Nor do I have any complaints about the monastery where I stayed. However, its location was not quite as central as I like, and I missed the ambiance of an apartment where I could prepare a salad and get into the rhythm of living in the city.
     On the other hand, if it weren’t for my shortened stay, I might never have decided to take advantage the free historical and cultural offerings of Florence. The only entry fee I paid was four euros to see the frescos painted by Fra Angelico’s in the monks’ cells at the Convent of San Marco. I could have spent another five days being Free in Florence.

A few for free in Florence

What is enough?

4/17/2018

     What is enough? A friend told me that every January 1st she chooses a word or phrase to live with for the year. Here in Florence I’ve been thinking about ‘enough’ as my word to embrace. How many cappuccini, views of the Duomo, walks along the Arno, or visits to San Miniato del Monte are enough? Can I be satisfied with these moments and give up planning my next trip? Can I be in the present, right NOW, and know that it is enough? Is it possible that whatever I have right NOW is enough?
    I started writing this in the cemetery surrounding San Miniato. Thousands of mausoleums, statues, and grave stones are there for those living now to remember, although memories are never static, and often not enough. And then, there is a mysterious NOW of the dead person.
    Every morning I give a euro to a man standing outside the café where I come to write. Today I notice that he came in and bought a coffee. Was it enough? I don’t know other than to believe that for him, as with any morning coffee lover, one coffee is better than none.
    What is enough? There is no definitive answer to my question, but in asking it, I become more present to this moment, and that feels like enough. Regardless, enough is enough of a word to live with for the rest of the year.

Orti Pinti, a Community Garden

4/16/2018

Here is a treat for you garden lovers, especially those intrigued with organic gardening. It was just the place to enjoy a sandwich among the trolls and plants on this gorgeous day.

Searching for Solitude in Florence

4/15/2018

    This cottage-by-the-sea blog is about “silence, solitude and simplicity, and for people who sometimes like to be alone.” I chat about what’s On My Mind and when I’m traveling, well, travel is on my mind. Sometimes I post on, Solitary Traveler, which usually features lengthier travel articles. Although the two topics are somewhat interchangeable, I try to keep them separate: On My Mind, for general comments, Solitary Traveler, for travel. Sounds simple and obvious, but it ends up pretty random where I post.
     Today, what’s on my mind is solitude and as a solitary traveler that’s what I’m always searching for. This trip I’m finding the crowds more exhausting than usual. I don’t need to be completely alone, but being in a pack crossing the Ponte Vecchio does me in. Morning and evening will be my times along the Arno.
    Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed a sandwich in the garden of the Casa per Ferie Suore Oblate dell’Assunzione, the peaceful convent where I’m staying. I was completely alone. Blissful. Then I walked to Piazzale M.D. Azeglio to be alone in the presence of walkers and bicyclists, dog owners and friends playing soccer, and with the noises that accompany them. I don’t have to be alone in the garden to feel solitude; I just need space.

This morning I was back at the Café Red in the Felletrini bookstore on the Piazza della Republica. For years I’ve been coming here mid-mornings to write and fuel up on a cappuccino and brioche. Nothing much has changed. Folks are writing, reading, chatting with friends, and attending study groups.

Outside the old men continue to take over the tables for their morning socializing. I recognized a few of them from years past. All this makes me another one of the anonymous individuals that feels at home here.

Morning walk in Florence

4/13/2018

Ah, the early morning in Florence, especially on a sunny day. Life is vibrant. Vendors are replenishing tourist supplies of water, wine and gelati; artist are setting up stalls to sell their paintings; street repairs continue.
I took one of my favorite routes through the Piazza della Signoria, along the Arno, over the Ponte Vecchio, pass the Plazzo Pitti to my go-to early morning writing bar. A perfect way to start my day.
When I leave here I have no idea where I’ll wander. That is one of the benefits of solitary travel.

First Florence walk

4/13/2018

Florence is crowded. I knew it would be, but being on the streets with everyone doesn’t come close to reality. I don’t mind the crowds.. I want to be here, and so do others.
tTomorrow I’ll get out at 7Pm and walk the streets while many are sleeping. But for today, there is a slide show of my first wander about my favorite city. Hmm, I did do a very good job photographing the crowds.

Rain in Cortona

4/12/2018

This morning I took an hour’s train ride from Assisi to Cortona, one of the most beautiful hill towns in Italy. By early afternoon I was off to visit Sanctuary of St. Margherita at the summit of the town. The climb was a physical reminder that a hill town is just that, a town on a hill, and steep one to be sure. The weather was cloudy but I had no need of an umbrella. I entered the church.

     When I stepped out of the church forty-five minutes later, low and behold, I needed an umbrella. It was pouring and my only protection was my windbreaker. What to do? I stood there. Two youngish monks came out and got into a car that came by to pick them up. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they offered me a ride down the hill?”But off they went and there I stood. Figuring that I might as well start on down.
     But wait, out came an oldish monk. We agreed that the rain wouldn’t let up anytime soon. Then he asked if I had an umbrella. “Wait here, I will get one for you,” and off he went, to return a few minutes later with a sturdy, silver one. No problema that I can’t return it.
      I thanked him, and I stepped out. As I headed down the hill (remember steep). I wondered how often he has the opportunity to do a random act of kindness. Happy to oblige. Tomorrow I will leave the umbrella at the hotel for some pilgrim who needs it with the next rainfall.

Basilica of St. Francis--'no photo'

4/11/2018

     So much to do, so little time, even while embracing silence, solitude, and simplicity here in Assisi. We pilgrims, tourists, nuns, and monks pass each other by, and honor the peace that this Umbrian hill town begs us to embrace.
     Energy is hard to describe or explain, but when it is intense, be it positive or negative, we can say, “Yes, I feel it.” So true in Assisi. The spirit of THE GOOD is palpable.
    It starts right at the Basilica of San Francis. No photography allowed: not in the upper church with Giotto’s frescoes of the life of St. Francis’s, nor in the lower church with the works of Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Cimabue and Giotto, nor in the crypt where people sit and pray in front of Saint Francis’s tomb.
     We become pilgrims as we cross the threshold, and although I have no pictures to post, I am very grateful for the gift of peace that the sign ‘no photo’ offers me.
     Instead, please enjoy with me some views of the basilica from my guesthouse window

Vatican Museum: Day Two

4/7/2018

I spent the morning at the Vatican Museum. I had reserved a ticket and audio guide on line while still in the states. A must. Bus 492 from Argentina left me at Bastioni di Michelangelo, and from there I followed the crowds and signs to the entry. Once inside,modern organization, efficiency, and technology took over and I started walking, and walking, and walking.
My specific destinations: the Pinacoteca (gallery of medieval and renaissance paintings), the Borgia apartments, and the Sistine Chapel (no photography). Along the way there was so much more to take in, including a generous display of contemporary art. This museum is not stuck in the past.
Please take a little walk with me. I confess that I did more looking than picture taking.