Winter Arrives in Northern Italy

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 Buon Giorno

Bridge from 1100

Winter arrived yesterday with a dusting of snow, and we are projected to have more than a week of  cloudy skies.  Even though the weather experts have predicted this, the sun just broke through to bring out the birds to dine in our feeder.  Right now two doves are shoulder to shoulder porking out, while once in awhile looking up to see if danger is coming.  I think they are making up for yesterday where it was too cold to make a visit.

The virus continues to rise here in Italy, although a bit slower.  We are being told that during the holiday we will not be allowed to leave our municipality.  The are still working on the details on this rule, which should be finalized by tomorrow.  Life goes on here, as I have reported, everyone still wearing masks, and doing it correctly I might add.  I see people wearing them while driving.  I would hate to wear a mask all day at work, they are a pain, and get bothersome as I am sure you know.


I wanted to show you an old bridge we have in our village of Due Carrare.  It was built in the 1100's, and was used up until a few years ago, now being replaced by a stronger one right next to it.  The people who built it did a  fine job,  it lasting so long.  They added seats for people to sit and rest while enjoying a view of the canal below.  It makes a nice touch.  


One would hardly ever know this bridge exists, there is no big sign announcing it, pointing out its historical significance.  I know that if this bridge existed in the states, there would be a huge sign, parking lot, ticket booth, a hot dog /taco stand, two old farmers selling bad olive oil, several gardeners selling bio vegetables,  a few craft artists and a motel nearby.  That is how America works.  There are so many old structures here that people don't stop and consider much.  

In our village we have homes that were built in the 1100's still be used.  There is a canal that turns a waterwheel, and they used to have two of the wheels that were used to grind grain sitting out at another bridge.  Someone removed them, obviously realizing the market value I suppose.  

There is a television show in the US that has two guys who drive around America finding old stuff in garages, attics and basements.  They make deals to buy things they will sell later.  They collect cars, motorcycles, art, signs and more.  They are known as Mike and Frank, and they have been to Italy twice to buy cars and motorcycles, etc.  I watched those shows and laughed as they got taken to the cleaners by slick dealers here.  The Italian dealers here who collect things are not your country bumpkins, they are smart and know the prices and values of items people collect.  

I mention these two characters because on one of their shows they were asked to find some grain grinding wheels like we have here in our village.  Or had!  The person asking them was the original Star Trek's Captain Kirk, William Shatner.  They eventually found some wheels, brought them to Shatner's new home and presented them on the show.  Those wheels were quite expensive.  Maybe someone here watched that show and removed the wheels.  Maybe our mayor knows, I will have to ask him if I see him soon.  Or whenever the virus is finished!  

I usually spend my mornings in my painting studio working on some watercolor paintings.  I try to stay busy while we all hope for an end to this terrible world wide situation.  Here are some of my latest efforts.

A Rainy British Setting


A Blend of Slovenia & Greece
several photos used

A Castle in Slovenia


We just had a power loss here, for only 3 min. but somehow it froze my blog work and it is only possible to continue with centered text.  Sorry.

Therefore, I will show this final photo from the Jimmy Dore Show on youtube I frequently watch.  The topic:  cars in line to receive food because the people have no funds to buy food.  Where is this?   America, the richest nation that has ever existed in history.  All this while their government politicians are about to take another vacation after doing nothing but argue.  Their heads are in the sand.  Shameful



Ciao.














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