The Milanese Man Purse
Two "fashion" trends persist for men around here: orange-colored pants and the Milanese "man purse", a sleeker, chic-er version of the multi-pocketed, safari vest. U.S. travel outfitters sell them...
Tall Corn and an Alpine Arc
The corn stalks are more than knee-high. The rapeseed has been harvested and the poppies cut along with it. Workers are driving tractors along the canal, using flail-choppers to cut the meter-high...
Memorial Day
This day was not set aside to mark the beginning of barbeque season. Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those that have given their lives while in service to their country… OUR country....
300-Year-Old Pages
Another day at the Antiques Market along the Naviglio Grande. Summer is in full swing and tourists have found this hot spot. It's "the" place to be on the last Sunday of the month for anyone wanting...
Striped Hat and a Red Violin
I liked his smile. I liked his black and white striped hat and the color of his violin. I liked his playing. So I smiled back and pitched some money in his box. He smiled again.
Clean Streets
12:20 a.m. Why go to bed when they're just outside my bedroom window pressure washing the streets and sidewalks? (At 12:20 in the morning!? Hey! They're early tonight! It's usually at quarter to...
Young Legs
While riding the subway this morning heading into town, the train came to a stop and an elder man got on. I was pleased when a young woman offered him her seat, but he declined it. He and I were...
Nino: A Contemporary Master
It was another sunny afternoon and a good time to go to the Piazza del Duomo to wander around. I hadn't known that there was a sidewalk art sale going on. Much of the work was very mediocre, as if...
Early Bird and a Late Night Girl
It is 4:14 a.m. No. I haven't gone to bed yet but the first bird just sang! I could say I'm in the throes of jet lag, but really it was the seduction of a book given to me by my friend Anne and her...
Make Like a Sculpture
What to do when the temperature is in the 80s on a Saturday afternoon, post jet-lag? Go for a bike ride with a cyclist friend, start along the canal, ride through the farmland to a little lake, get...
Inter Milan Won!
The whole city is going CRAZY! Inter Milan won the soccer Champions League final against Bayern Munich and the neighbors have been screaming. I hear car horns honking, whistles blowing and a general...
Lullaby
Seven in the evening after a mid-80s day. My french doors are open and I hear a music box playing "Lullaby and Goodnight..." with that classic, shallow sound of the child's music maker. Where is it...