I’ve often wondered, with this age of technology, where will my online stories and photos end up? Oh, not next year, or even 10 years from now, but off in the future when a grandchild might be interested. I was lucky that my grandfather, Alex, took time to write letters, and even more fortunate that his wife and daughter took care to keep them.
Over many years since childhood, I failed to complete many of the journals and scrapbooks that I had purchased. I, like so many, still have a large bin of photos in storage, and many, many stories that rely on memory.
But that changed with my blog. Without actually understanding what I was launching in 2011, I embarked on a “journaling journey” that would forever capture my thoughts, adventures and photos, and really change my life. It began as a personal journal, for family members and a few friends, to follow Len’s and my first “three-week alone” trip to Cortona.
I never could have imagined all that I would gain from my writing – unknown family history, unknown relatives, reacquaintance with long-lost friends, incredible new friendships, unexpected invitations, and so on, as well as the joy of being able to “revisit” each and every event or place that touched our lives in the last six years. In addition, I never could have imagined how many others would come along for the adventure. Since 2011, 0ver 25,000 people from more than 100 countries have visited blogginginitaly!
For Christmas, I surprised Len with hard copy books of our adventures, one per year. Each has a custom front and back cover, a dedication page, and the blogs from that entire year. We need only flip open a page at random to relive a wonderful experience, photos included!
©Blogginginitaly.com Front covers 2011-2015
©Blogginginitaly.com Back covers 2011 -2015
And now I know that as long as there’s a bookshelf, my stories will have a home, regardless of how technology might change in the future.
Thanks to all who have joined us on our journey. I’ve loved your comments and the opportunity to share our adventures with you. And yes, there’s more in store for 2017, including planting the next garden. Can we grow an even larger tomato in 2017????
Happy New Year, may it be filled with good health, and may we each, in some way, contribute to a kinder, gentler, more tolerant and more peaceful world.
Happy New Year! Tanti Auguri di Buon Anno!
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Happy New Year Len & Judy. Will be back in our usual digs the end of October again. Hope to see you again in Cortona.
Al & Jean
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And same to you and Al!
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Lovely, Judy. Such an accomplishment! Buon Anno! Sandra 💕
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks and same to you!
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Buon Anno to you and Len❤ Have so enjoyed your blog and our times together. May happiness and health be yours in 2017. Looking forward to Cortona in the fall!
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Thanks and same to and Rodger!
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Thank you for sharing your lives in Cortona with all of us. Our hopes for you and Len’s happiest, healthiest, and most loving years so far, Barbara and Ron
Sent from my iPhone
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My pleasure! And best to you, Ron, and family!
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Happy New Year🍾🎉🍷
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And the same to you and Julia!
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What a good idea and a lovely present. Great to talk to you earlier. Tanti auguri di nuovo! Xx
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He really loves them. So good to talk today and each share news. Happy New Year! Xoxo
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Happy New Year, Judy. I have enjoyed your blog and hope you’ll continue. You’ve helped connect the dots on our family search as well.
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As you have done with us! Happy New Year to all of you!
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Aloha Judy,
Mahalo Nui Loa for all the beautiful stories, I treasure your words.
I wish you & Leonard a very healthy and happy 2017 and beyond.
May you be blessed,
Charles on island
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Thanks, Charles, and the very best to you!
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Have a wonderful 2017…some of it in lovely Italy.
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Thanks and definitely! Same to you.
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Thank you for the update.
Your blogs have added a positive dimension
for 2016 which I will be looking forward to
in 2017.
Happy New Year!
________________________________
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Thanks, Royce, glad to have you along and enjoy your comments. Happy New Year from all of us!
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Very nice story – I like your idea of the memory books. Buon anno!
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Thanks! And Anno to you as well!
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I completely understand what you said on many levels. I don’t think I am the kinds to keep resolutions, so when I started blogging I had no idea too I was maintaining a diary. Love your memory books btw..Buon Anno e Auguri!
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Just read your post about your similar blogging sentiments…sent you a comment there. Auguri for 2017!
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Grazie 🙂 Il check it out
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Where did you send cara? Unable to see?
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Judy, I look forward to each new post! When Marty and I were in Cortona last May and I certainly thought of you! We had a fabulous lunch with our Italian Friends Happy New Year🎉 Elissa Flaska ( friends if Tina and Bills)
Elissa Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Elissa, sorry we missed you…Happy New Year to you and Marty!
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