Restlessness and Tuscany

Do you ever get restless? Just restless, precipitated by nothing in particular? And, if so, what do you do about it?

It could be that I’m restless…Could be that I look forward to shaking myself up at some point. You know I’ve been living on a writing grant, which is wonderful, but the thing about writing grants is that to draw the money out as long as possible, you gotta live, well, like a starving artist or something.

I don’t like that term, “starving artist.” Sounds like I’m being pretentious and martyred at the same time. I’m not; it’s just a phrase and by using it most will understand what I’m getting at: I’m living on a strict budget to further a creative goal.

This is fine, but I’m restless. Since my trip to Italy one year ago — who loves Italy? raise your hands! — I’ve led a quiet life. A year of writing mixed with procrastination, a few highs, a few lows, but mostly even keel despite how it may seem to my readers. (I deposit my more dramatic moments on this blog because, let’s face it, they’re more fun to write!)

Here are photos from Italy since I’m thinking about that trip and future trips. Restlessness, be gone!

In Florence, gotta get your touristy cathedral and statuary shots in…

  Santa Maria Novella 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Il Duomo in the background

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the kind of photos I snap for potential writing fodder…people, details, unusual stuff, typical stuff…

Hanging in a bistro window

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Italy’s oldest wine festival 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A shrine to the Virgin in an olive grove

                   

                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italian grandmother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily life within ancient buildings

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but definitely not least, the highlight of the three-week trip: One week in a rental castle(!) at the invitation of a fellow writer for her big 5-0. Fun! (And thanks once again to Stacy and Ron!)

Castello di Magona.
Check it out here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hostess with the mostest,
talented musician as well as writer. 

0 comments on “Restlessness and Tuscany

  • Lisa,
    What a wonderful memory you have evoked – actually, several! We did have fun, didn’t we? It was such a joy to celebrate in Italy with all my friends and assorted family. We were thrilled you were a part of it, and ever since you and I met in Maui so many years ago in Elizabeth George’s retreat class, you have been a special part of my life. Thank you so much for posting these pictures. As always, they are beautiful and really represent what a phenomenal photographer you are.

    Let’s get together soon! I miss you!
    Stacy

    Reply
  • Stacy!

    My photography doesn’t hold a candle to yours, dearie! (Can’t wait to see them someday, now that I’m thinking about it.)

    I would love to travel somewhere, meet up, do something, anything — still wishing you lived on my coast!

    Cheers, Lisa

    Reply
  • Writer, photographer and world traveler? Damn, you’ve got it goin’ on! Love the pics despite the frustrated wanderlust they stir up. I’ll have to turn, as always, to books. Any favorite Italy-centric novels you love?

    Reply
  • Aah, Italy-centric novels. Hmm. Umberto Eco pops into my head, top of the list.

    On a less high-falutin’, but still worthwhile, note: The Savage Garden by Mark Mills. Read it earlier this year. A literary mystery, very atmospheric, that takes place in Tuscany (definitely brought it back to life for me). To whet your interest:

    “A romantic and gracefully executed literary puzzle.” –New York Times Book Review

    “A murder puzzle wrapped around a literary deconstruction grounded in a perceptive study of seduction and survival. Sublime.”
    –Kirkus Reviews (starred)

    Literary stylings AND plot!! Weren’t we just talking about that?

    By the way, your Oregon shot on your blog gets me thinking that a temporary cure for my restlessness might be to hole up there for a few days!

    Reply

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