Another gorgeous day. We don’t seem to run out of them. The heat will come, but the morning’s just glorious.

More boats out on the lake early today, with a single sail boat gliding among the motors, quiet as the swans that do their own glide along the shore.

We squeeze in some Zentangle—dragon is the word—with the Vano clan all joining in. Honestly, all are so cool, so unique. While they—with Kayla, Kat, Jason and Griffin—have to rush off to catch the ferry to Como, I spend some solo Zen time giving my dragon some color here and there.

Then it’s off to the writing nook.

Early afternoon, and I come down. BW’s reading in the living room; Lauren’s in the kitchen making drinks. I make one, too, before I wander out to say hi to Logan and Colt. While they lounge by the pool, I go in and get a sample of left-over chicken and a peach to take out to the patio, and BW joins with his own lunch-time snack.

I can now personally attest, Hot Chicks is good chicken.

Time for my book, basking, book. As I read,  the sun beams like a laser, the heat rises until, a couple hours in, I retreat indoors for a bit. Then refreshed, it’s back outside, along with BW. Sit in the shade, watch the boats. He spots the ferry, and the Como adventurers have returned.

Lots of fun had across the lake. A ride on the funicular the first order of business. I would have to be unconscious or at gunpoint to get on it—and gunpoint is questionable. But they all loved it. The views, amazing, the ride surprisingly smooth, the height, awesome.

They had time to wander Como, have lunch, wander before catching the returning ferry. Kayla’s pleased she didn’t have motion issues with the ferry as she wasn’t sure how her system would handle it. She tells me how a couple Spanish girls seek her help on directions—in Spanish. While she has high school Spanish, it’s not enough.

She calls on Cely, who’s fluent, and Cely helps the lost and baffled travelers. A good deed for the day, multi-lingual style.

Inside the villa, the others take some more time with their Zen dragons, adding finishing touches.

Down, down the steps, through the gates and into Torno. More pictures as the sun continues to beam. Past the always busy Bar Italiano and on to our hotel restaurant with its lovely awning covered terrace and beautiful views.

I want a bottle of local red for the adults at the table, and leave that to our helpful server. He choses very well. Mmm, bread! Fizzy water or still? More pictures as Lauren contorts herself backwards to try to get everyone in.

Time to get ready for what we’re calling our fancy dinner. And don’t we all look pretty? But Griffin outclasses us all in his summer blue suit and gold bow tie. This calls for a group picture with the magic app.

The sun dips behind the mountains. The temps drop; the light softens. And here’s the food, just as pretty as we are. And delicious. Pasta and fish and steak and creamy rice. We are a variety, though I’m surprise Logan (give me beef!) orders the trout.

And no one goes hungry. Still, dessert must be enjoyed. While there’s also a variety at the table, I think the crème brûlée with raspberries won the percentage. It was a champ with me.

We stroll back. The crescent moon slips across the sky, and seems to shimmer there with a single star keeping it company. Some stop at Bar Italiano for gelato. I don’t know how they do it. It’s up, up, up the stone steps, through the gates. And home again.

JR and Griffin get here first, and the good-hearted JR helps Griffin into his pjs before the rest of us arrive. Our youngest is very tired, and ready for bed.

I sit outside awhile with Kayla, talking about the day. Then the youngers start a game of Uno in the dining room. I believe I’m ready for pjs.

In them I step out for a few minutes—really few—to admire the moon. Imagine my shock when I step back in and find literally dozens of mosquitos on the bed. Dozens. Eek! I slap, pound, slap. If I don’t get them first, they’ll devour me in my sleep. It takes awhile, and a lot of eeks, but once the bed’s clear, I go on the hunt.

Now it’s slap them on the walls, more as they land again on the bed. Try to count what’s left, slap, slam, pound. Holy shit!!! Slap, pound, hunt. It must’ve taken close to an hour to vanquish them.

I expect I missed a couple or more, but was not eaten alive as I slept. So I won.

This morning as I sit outside to write this, the marlins pay their morning visit, fly around over my head. Where were you last night during the mosquito wars?

All’s quiet on the lake, and I appreciate the light breeze that blows fresh.

Joe’s going to make his family specialty breakfast of Italian eggs before Kayla and JR drive them to the train station in  Como. I’ll go down and say caio and buono viaggio before I hit the gym in case I miss the actual departure.

It’s been fun having them, and I know they’re going to have great times and fun adventures as they travel on.

The clock tower’s already chimed. I’m a little behind this morning due to mosquito wars. Time to get going on the day.

Nora

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