On a random ride on the metro system, I happened to be in a car with a live accordion player and started taping but without showing the musician because I wasn’t sure it was ok to video him. I was rewarded with a figure (man? woman?) who jumped on the car at the last second, all dressed in silver foil? Qui sait?

But my favorite thing about this short but powerful little clip is the sanguine face on the hooded figure in the mask. His face says to me “I have seen everything. This doesn’t phase me.”

What do you think he’s saying?

Run, don’t walk, to read this excellent whodunit. The Maid by Nita Prose. You’ve never read a book like this one before. Now, go!

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is an incredible book that every woman and every man who loves a woman should read. When it ended, I felt bereft. I’d lost a soulmate.

Spectacular Things. Very good book! Fresh perspective, fascinating story.

My Brilliant Career by Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, aka Miles Franklin, published in 1901. Set in Australia, a fabulous and unusual coming of age story.

She’s fun and so is her book!

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand. Perfect summer read!

Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch. I don’t know how I could have missed reading this novel years ago, since it is heavily involved with a story about a painting stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book, but it continued and continued and I lost the plot. While this isn’t a ringing endorsement, I did like the book.

J.D. Salinger, a Life, by K. Slawenski. An interesting read about an author I enjoy.

The Nude by C. Michelle Lindley. I liked it mainly because its about an art historian and a work of art. Good but not great, imho.

Happy reading! Stacks of books left to read!

I’m spending lots of time and energy working on my Youtube and Instagram accounts. If you are interested, you might head over to one or both of them and see what’s going on. Youtube channel is Get back Lauretta! and Instagram account is Laurettagetback.

I got totally caught in the rain yesterday during sporadic thunderstorms. Wish I had caught the thunder on the video, but I was a little slow and completely drenched!

Buona domenica a tutti voi!

How very picturesque is this shot?

Just to the right of the church of San Miniato al Monte is this busy little shop, selling products produced (supposedly) by the monks of the Benedictine order for whom this church is home.

You may buy rosaries and other related religious jewelry items such as charms, some books, some inlaid marble items echoing the patterns of the church exterior.

You may also buy a range of skin care products and soaps–potions and lotions–as well as hand-painted ceramics bearing the name of the church, which are good for souvenirs as it will help you recall where you bought an item in years to come.

You may buy honeys and jams, vinegars and liqueurs.

Also some biscotti are available.

It’s a lovely way to end your visit to this remarkable place!

It’s the crypt and it’s is the only part of the church not currently under scaffolding. When I arrived at the basilica recently, the crypt was cordoned off, but the kind man who was overseeing the spaces that day let me enter. Thank you, most kind signore!

The only part not scaffolded

Below, we approaching the high altar of the crypt which is composed of an antique tomb which is said to hold the sacred bones of Saint Minias.

A study of the tops of the antique columns in all of the crypts of important (and the lesser ones too) churches in Italy would be a fun scavenger hunt to make. They are one of my favorite parts of any visit.

Any glance at the skyline of Florence will highlight this tall gothic campanile or bell tower. In this shot of the front entrance to the abbey, you see the arising tower.

Below are my recent shots of the tower from inside the open air courtyard.

Here’s an AI summary of the Badia:

And the next 2 pix are of the English description of the Badia from signs within the complex. This place, little in size but vast in historical significance, is seldom visited by tourists even though it’s in the heart of the city historic center.

Stepping inside this edifice on any summer day will offer respite from the heat and throngs of tourists, but also inspire ruminations on the history of the city and the significance of the church.