Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy, sunshine in my eyes can make me cry, sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.
Thanks John Denver.
Ciao,
Judy
Walking Italy
1 AugThis week, I won a prize called the Italy Badge. What is that, you might wonder…
For Christmas, Benita bought me a Fitbit Zip™, one those step counting devices. I had trouble with it at first, even trading in a few of them until we realized some came with a wrong battery. But a few months into 2015, I started keeping it with me on a pretty regular basis. Just pop it in my pocket, or hook it onto a piece of clothing, and it records my daily steps, also translated into miles.
©Blogginginitaly.com
10,000 steps is a suggested goal, and as you can see, I have logged over 13K today so far. Not really hard to do.
But then I got this motivational email from Fitbit:
Of all the countries I could have “walked”, they sure picked the right one to motivate me. In addition, I had no idea that mainland Italy is 763 miles in length, as the crow flies.
According to Nations Encyclopedia:
The boot-shaped Italian mainland extends into the Mediterranean Sea with a length of 1,185 km (736 mi) SE-NW and a width of 381 km (237 mi) NE-SW.
Photo by: cirex
And to think that this year’s Italy trip hasn’t even begun! With Fitbit in my pocket, it will be fun to see just how many times we walk Italy, while actually being in Italy, on our upcoming trip.
Until my next badge,
Ciao,
Judy
Chicago Riverwalk
23 Jul
After seven long weeks of scaffolding and plastic, our house is finally ours again free of dust and workers and with most of the furniture back in place. Finally, I can return to my writing. With perfect weather beckoning us outdoors, we decided to visit the newly expanded Chicago Riverwalk. Spanning from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street, the areas is an incredible pedestrian walkway located along the Chicago River.
©Blogginginitaly.com
As a walking venue, it is the perfect location to marvel at some of Chicago’s most beautiful architecture, with the sun dancing off the reflections in the glass buildings.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
The River is open to commercial and private boats. You can take a water taxi or an architectural tour, or just watch as they glide past.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Should you feel a bit adventurous, and have strong arms, rent a kayak.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Restaurants dot the shore, most offering al fresco dining…
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or order take out which can be enjoyed in a variety of seating venues.
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No shortage of interesting landscaping here, with trees even planted in the cement stairs to eventually provide more shaded areas.
©Blogginginitaly.com
There is a Vietnam Memorial along the River at State and Wabash, which was built in 2005. The Vietnam Memorial Plaza, consisting of a terraced lawn, a waterfall and a central pool, is one of the nation’s largest Vietnam memorials outside of D.C.
The most interesting thing to me was the marriage of old and new. When the city first announced they would develop walkways along the river, I wondered how, as each section was bordered by enormous bridge structures.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Well, leave it to the clever architects to design walkways that expand out into the river and under and around the impediments.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Not only are there walkways, but they have mirrored arched canopies that reflect the glistening water.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Here we are doing a selfie looking up at the mirrored canopy.
©Blogginginitaly.com
So whether you have lived in Chicago forever, or are visiting for a few days, you just might want to add the Chicago Riverwalk to your TO DO list. You won’t be disappointed!
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
An Adventure in Self-Discovery
19 JunPeople often ask Len and me why we return to Italy each year. The food, the culture, the art, the people, the history? What is it that continues to draw us to the same place?
Perhaps the writer, D.H. Lawrence, expressed our sentiments best:
“For us to go to Italy and to penetrate into Italy
is like a most fascinating act of self-discovery.”
How very true. Returning to the same place, year after lovely year, is what allows us to experience Italy in a way a casual tourist simply cannot. For us, it’s a dream come true, a goal realized.
©Blogginginitaly.com
And no, that’s not our house, but it is one of our favorite Cortona views.
Till next we meet…
2011, First Summer in Cortona ©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
Chicago Champions!
15 JunBlackhawks win the Stanley Cup!
Captain Jonathan Toews Hoisting the Cup
2015 Stanley Cup Champs
Congratulations from a proud and happy city!
Ciao,
Judy
Celebrating My Birthday Locally
23 MayFor the past several years, we have celebrated my birthday at a trattoria in Cortona with Italians and views like this:
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
This year, we also celebrated my birthday at an Italian trattoria
©Blogginginitaly.com
©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.
©Blogginginitaly.com
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
Happy Mother’s Day and Congratulations!
10 MayOn this Mother’s Day,
I am especially grateful for the two Benita’s in my life:
And my Daughter Benita!
How proud I am
and how proud Nana would have been of her namesake!
Benita Gingerella, Cum Laude!
To my Mother, and the other wonderful Mothers
I am fortunate to know and love,
Happy Mother’s Day!
Buona festa della mamma!
And Congratulations to my Benita,
who makes this day so special for me!
Ciao,
Judy
Feast of the Italian Liberation
24 AprFesta della Liberazione – April 25th – a day dedicated to celebrating Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation during World War II.
If you happen to be in Italy and hear a great deal of noise overhead, it is probably the Frecce Tricolori or the Three Color Arrows. Or if you hear a lot of music and cheer, you may just find yourself in the middle of a parade! In either case, a great cause for celebration.
Rivolto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Italiano: Frecce Tricolori all’Air Show di Falconara Marittima, Ancona, Italy. (Wikipedia)
I migliori auguri – my very best wishes – to my Italian friends…we raise a toast to you and your freedom!
Ciao,
Judy
Buon Compleanno, Leonardo!
15 AprOn April 15, 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born in a small Tuscan village called Anchiano. He was a true polymath, a person whose expertise spanned a significant number of subject areas. Today, we celebrate this genius’ life as a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, musician, inventor, mathematician, anatomist, botanist, geologist, cartographer and writer.
Presumed Self Portrait
Da Vinci was the illegitimate child of Caterina, a domestic servant, and Sir Piero da Vinci, owner of the house where da Vinci was born. Today, the house is a museum where visitors are welcomed by da Vinci himself, well almost, as his life-sized hologram greets visitors and shares information about his life. In nearby Vinci, one can visit the www.museoleonardiano.it, which, according it its website, “is one of the most extensive and most original collections, providing critical knowledge of Leonardo in his historical context and in that of late Middle Ages and Renaissance.”
Among Da Vinci’s most famous works is the Vitruvian Man.
Luc Viatour / http://www.Lucnix.be
This drawing, combining art and science, depicts a man in two superimposed positions. The picture represents da Vinci’s attempt to relate man to nature as he believed the human body was analogous to the workings of the universe. The drawing also contains notes based on the work of the architect Vitruvius. The original is kept in Venice in the Gallerie dell’ Accademia and made available to the public occasionally.
Another intriguing work of da Vinci is the Mona Lisa. On display at the Louvre in Paris, this painting is considered one of the most famous in the world.
©Blogginginitaly.com
In 1503, Francesco del Giocondo commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint a portrait of his wife, Lisa, age 24. It is believed it took him about four years to complete due to other projects. Da Vinci, however, feeling the painting was unfinished, never delivered it to Francesco nor did he get paid for his work; it is undated and unsigned.
Another iconic painting of da Vinci’s is The Last Supper, in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.
The Last Supper
While many of Da Vinci’s works still exist, many more were lost over the years. Yet his notebooks containing sketches and scientific diagrams, as well as his thoughts on the nature of painting, provide continuing and immeasurable contributions to both art and science.
Happy Birthday #563 , Leonardo!
You graced this earth for 67 short years, but your brilliance will shine forever.
Ciao,
Judy
Buona Pasqua
5 AprWishing you blessings
of the Easter Season
and the joys of springtime.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 