Paris Was Rebuilt: How Baron Haussmann Created the Metropolis We Know Today

In my mind’s eye, throughout my lifetime, I’ve seen images like the one below. A priest (or higher rank, sorry, I’m not Catholic and don’t know), walking through a town or village, on his way from his church? to see a parishioner? Who knows these details?!

But, the God’s honest truth is that in 4 1/2 years I’ve been living in Italy this time, and in all my visits to the country before that, I have never witnessed this scene before today. Where are all the church staff anyway? I’ve seen, over the years, a handful of Franciscan monks, but only a handful. I’ve seen 10 fold nuns, many of them Asian or African, over the years. It always entertains me when I see a nun walking down the street looking at her cellphone. I always think, does she have a direct line to the Almighty?

So, when I saw this man walking in the Borgo of Ognissanti in Firenze, I had to whip out my phone and capture his image. Who knows when I’ll see something like this again.

In the meantime, it satisfies one of my fantasies of life in Italy.

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There are rumors afloat that Tuscany is going into lockdown again on Monday, March 21. OMG, I hope not.

I’ve been whinging about being in the Orange Zone for weeks; haven’t been able to leave the Florence city limits. I may soon not be able to leave my house without an authorization form and a very good reason. No more walks across Florence for my pleasure, no more Cascine forays. When will this end? Summertime, I imagine.

So, let’s enjoy what I saw yesterday! Because springtime beauty is all around me.

And, up next, a little white magnolia action in the beauty department:

It occurred to me yesterday on my walk that I take the view below for granted. There was a time in my life when the just the idea of cypress trees and umbrella pines, never mind a bright blue sky, filled me with longing for Italy. And now, here I am, able to enjoy it daily. Count your blessings!

And, how’s this view below? A short walk from my house, I am in the hills below Fiesole, enjoying an unchanged for centuries vista of classic Tuscan countryside.

And lastly, the wisteria vine near my house is getting closer everyday to putting on its sublime lilac-colored show. Here is how the racemes are shaping up in March.

I always feel better after a long walk. Especially through all of this everyday beauty in Tuscany.

Well, I suppose Brass Age Florence would be more correct. You know I have an ongoing thing with door knocks and other doorway accoutrements here. Here is my latest collection.

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I might have mentioned this before, but I am frustrated with the Covid pandemic. Who isn’t? In Italy we are still more or less locked down. It isn’t the red zone lock down, during which we can’t leave our homes without a good reason and a document.

But we are in the next zone, the orange zone. We can go out, but we can’t leave town. Fines are heavy for any one who does, and they are strict.

I’ve been criss-crossing Florence for months now. I feel like I know almost every nook and cranny.

The garden behind the Archaeological Museum frustrates me in particular this week. Look at this early beautiful springtime tableau! These are the only daffodils and other spring-blooming bulbs I’ve seen flowering in Florence and they, along with the pink and the white magnolia trees, are behind bars. Florence doesn’t have (m)any gardens planted with spring bulbs as you would see in the UK or the USA.

My pictures look fulsome, but they were taken by holding my phone between the bars. Imagine that!

Springtime behind bars! Ugh! I am so frustrated!

Wouldn’t it be lovely to be welcomed home here? Villa Montefonte means Mountain Source in English. Ahhhh.

Just wandering around the city, design elements jump out at me. I never tire of them! Grazie mille, Italia!

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Walking along the very long Via dei Serragli for the umpteenth time, I spotted a tabernacle overhead that I’d not seen before. How often do I say that? About every day.

But what caught my eye to begin with was the simple white marble square inserted in a modestly decorative panel, incised with the date of 1839. That stopped me in my tracks and I looked up.

Keep your eyes open! You will see something new every time!

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My nasturtiums over-wintered all on their own and have begun their 2021 blooming season! Along with this purple anemone. Despite cooler temps this weekend, spring is in the air!