I'd Pick More Daisies

Darlings! I actually just realized that I am not much of a writer and I hate to spend much time behind the computer. BUT I do like the idea of keeping in touch and exchanging recipes, books, movies and experiences through this blog, so I am going to try really hard to do my best to make it work :-). However, my entries will be mostly brief and/or stolen (like the one beneath). I got this from my mother and I decided to read it everytime I am lost in the everyday life of Holland and feel that I am loosing my italian vibes... Maybe you can do the same and hopefully at some point we will pick daisies (or if not, I think olives will do as well) together again! Lots of love from snowy Holland!

ps. Meagan: thanks for the recommandation of the book/movie. It is on my list!
Rose: how does it feel to be back?
Alicia: where are you? How's working life?

I'd Pick More Daisies

If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to

make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would

limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this

trip. I know of very few things I would take

seriously. I would take more trips. I would climb

more mountains, swim more rivers and watch more

sunsets. I would do more walking and looking. I would

eat more ice-cream and less beans. I would have more

actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones. You see, I

am one of those people who lives prophylactically and

sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments; and if I had to do it over

again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to

have nothing else. Just moments, one after another

instead of living so many years ahead each day. I

have been one of those people who never go anywhere

without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle,

a raincoat, aspirin and a parachute. If I had it to

do over again, I would go places, do things and

travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start

barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way

later in the fall. I would play hookey more, I

wouldn't make much good grades except by accident. I

would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more

daisies.

-- Brother Jeremiah

-- By an anonymous friar in a Nebraska monastery,

TRONK!

Ciao my lovely Bellissima TRONKSTERS! I miss you so much! I have been having serious emotions lately about Italia... I heard Ave Maria on the radio the other day and started to cry. Sigh...
Thank you Miss Rosie for starting this lovely blog! I have been thinking about you guys often as I start to readjust to life here. I think a lot about what Italy has taught me, and how I can incorporate those things into my life here. It is sometimes difficult to try to explain to other the experience I had, as I'm sure it is for the two of you. I am so glad that we have each other to chat with, so that we can all keep inspiring each other. Speaking of, I have a book recommendation.

BOOK:
I have a great book to recommend, per our discussion about the function of this blog. It is called Gomorrah, by Roberto Saviano. It is about the mafia in Italy, and the level in which they function. It was recommended to me by the owners of the last farm I was at who were very politically aware and engaged. The book Gamorrah was made into a movie directed by Martin Scorcese, and was nominated for an Academy Award. The book and movie are pretty brutal, but I think they give a deeper understanding of the why italy functions the way it does. This is my recommendation of the quarter!

Welcome, Tronksters

Ciao my lovelies,

This is a space for us to keep in touch and share our adventures in tronktown, aka recipes, food fantasies, recurring dreams, random thoughts, etc. I will start posting food pictures as soon as I get home. Let the tronking begin!