Celebrating My Birthday Locally

23 May

For the past several years, we have celebrated my birthday at a trattoria in Cortona with Italians and views like this:

©Blogginginitaly.com

This year, we also celebrated my birthday at an Italian trattoria

©Blogginginitaly.com

also with “Italians” and views like this:

©Blogginginitaly.com

Jersey Boys, as you probably know, is the musical story of four Italian dropouts from New Jersey who loved to sing and had a dream. Their road to success wasn’t easy, but in the 60’s, when rock and roll came of age, they ranked 5th as the top recording artists behind The Beatles, The Supremes, Elvis and The Rolling Stones.

For those of you who share my enthusiasm for all things Italian, my posts from Italy will not commence until the fall. With Len moving on from his teaching position (he says he’ll never actually retire!), we now have the opportunity to trade in Italian summer festivals and crowds for the fall harvests and fewer tourists. We are so looking forward to experiencing and sharing our ever unfolding adventure.

In the meantime, we plan to experience much of what Chicago has to offer this summer.

We’ll sip some SHERRY at MARIANNE’S, but definitely not wear SHORT SHORTS or dress like a RAG DOLL; watch the sun rise at DAWN knowing we CAN’T TAKE OUR EYES OFF [IT]; study the SILHOUETTES at the art museum; remember during sad movies that BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY – they just HANG ON or WALK LIKE A MAN; and finally, toast the summer farewell with a rousing BYE, BYE, BABY, BABY GOODBYE as we are WORKING OUR WAY BACK TO YOU, Cortona!

Thanks, Len and Benita for a most memorable evening – OH, WHAT A NIGHT! I think you know WHO LOVES YOU! And many thanks to all who filled my day with birthday wishes.

Ciao,

Judy

Comments 24 Comments
Categories Chicago, Cortona, Cortona Trattoria, Family, Italian History, Italy, My Blog about Italy

24 Responses to “Celebrating My Birthday Locally”

Paula May 23, 2015 at 12:25 PM #

Very nice play on words, Judy!

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 12:43 PM #
  
  Thanks, Paula, Such great music!
  
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jdimetros@casaitaliachicago.org May 23, 2015 at 12:38 PM #

Tantissimi Auguri Giuditta!!!

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 12:43 PM #
  
  Grazie Giovanna!
  
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Deb May 23, 2015 at 12:40 PM #

Sounds like you had the PERFECT birthday – congratulations!

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 12:44 PM #
  
  Veramente!!
  
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Patricia Hughes May 23, 2015 at 12:59 PM #

Wish I had remember without being prompted! Tanti tanti auguri! Un abbraccio forte.

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 1:42 PM #
  
  Patricia, so nice to hear from you. And no worry about the date, so much else to think about! Miss you, XO. Judy
  
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Jean May 23, 2015 at 1:37 PM #

Happy Birthday Judy!

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Charles May 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM #

A Beautiful Happy Birthday Judy to match your smile.
All the Best,
Charles

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Sandy Holswade May 23, 2015 at 2:34 PM #

Happy Birthday! Oh, what a night!

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 2:40 PM #
  
  Are you dancing yet?
  
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blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 2:39 PM #

Thanks so much, Charles.

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John Volpe May 23, 2015 at 5:27 PM #

Judy, happy birthday! Sounds like you had the perfect birthday! Auguri cara Judy! Oh what a night indeed!

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- blogginginitaly May 23, 2015 at 6:59 PM #
  
  Grazie Giovanni, una bella notte veramente!
  
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hilmarcan8@gmail.com May 23, 2015 at 6:46 PM #

Happy Birthday Judy …..all the best to you and Len and congrats to your lovely daughter. Change is good… Enjoy Cortona in the fall!! Lots of love, Gustavo & Hilary

Sent from my iPhone

>

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Elissa Piano Flaska May 24, 2015 at 12:40 PM #

Judy, Love your blog., My hubby and i just got back frm Florence area.. Great balsamic tasting, cooking class this trip and big Tuscan wine tasting.. Did prosecco tasting near Venice Asked my local friend about Crotona and they said it was beautiful! Thought of you next time we will come there! Elissa Piano Flaska(Bill and Tina’s friend)

Elissa Sent from my iPhone

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- blogginginitaly May 24, 2015 at 1:19 PM #
  
  Elissa, so glad you had a wonderful trip. What’s not to love about great food and wine… And yes, do visit Cortona next time…you will not be disappointed! Thanks for letting me know. Judy
  
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alexis maude May 25, 2015 at 12:04 AM #

Happy Birthday. You all look gorgeous. I love you so much!

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- blogginginitaly May 25, 2015 at 12:37 PM #
  
  Thanks and can’t wait to see you! Xo
  
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Jim Simpson May 25, 2015 at 8:39 PM #

Hopefully you will continue to blog from and about Chicago. I really look forward to your posts. Best wishes to both of you!

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- blogginginitaly May 25, 2015 at 9:24 PM #
  
  Thanks Jim, will do!
  
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Benita Garvin June 6, 2015 at 8:43 AM #

I came across your blog somehow. What;s weird is my husband and I are in Europe this summer having sold our home and put everything in storage, and dragged our two toy poodles over here. We started a blog about it (something I never thought I’d do even though I’m a professional writer). I couldn’t get over all the similarities and then I saw the name BENITA. Nobody has Benita spelled with an “e” except me and apparently your Benita! We’re from LA. Sorry we can’t meet for a meal here in Tuscany. Enjoy Chicago.

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- blogginginitaly June 17, 2015 at 9:28 AM #
  
  Thanks, BENITA, you are so right. It was my mother’s name as well. How fun to be doing what you are doing. And congrats on your blog…such a great way to journal your adventures. Ciao, Judy
  
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