BW gets a glimpse of a little yellow tractor disappearing into a thick swath of cypress on the western hill. CSM’s in there somewhere.
Post work out, I hear the squeals and cheers of racing. Today’s track is around the dining room table with competitors Kayla and Griffin. It’s pretty sweet to watch my oldest and youngest play. Before long, I’m drafted onto the field.
At one point Kayla tells him she needs a break and sits. Oh, the sad! No whining, no vocal objection. He simply hangs his head in a moment of mourning silence before I distract him back into the race with just me.
It’s a hot—triple digits hot—hang out Sunday. BW does some droning, Jason’s checking on his house—big rain storm back home. There’s racing and videoing, a new puzzle to puzzle, hide and seeking, Mario Carting and Mario Partying.

Danger Guy dangers himself off the game room sofa onto the tile floor. A hug and Mommy stroking’s all he needs before he’s back in business with a new game. Crash The Nana—with pillows. I execute many dramatic fake falls which pleases him.

Cooking starts to happen. Scrub and quarter potatoes with a sharp knife—thanks, Kat—figure out conversion for oven temp—thanks, Jason—gather herbs, mince garlic, grind some pepper, slide big ass pan in the oven.

BW’s drafted to make a salad, Kayla a cheese board. Kat will handle the broccoli. Jason’s assigned to make some fries—we have frozen—for Danger Guy. And we discover, unlike at home, these won’t cook in the oven—translation from package instruction says fry in oil. An attempt to subvert this with the oven fails. We have sunflower oil, so Jason fries, Kat steams (the broccoli), Kayla creates, BW tosses. I stir up potatoes, slice some bread, some tomatoes—add fresh basil, pepper and olive oil there.

And indoor meal tonight due to heat and bugs. And it’s all more than fine. A lovely family Sunday dinner in Tuscany. After which BW makes cappuccino and the gang cleans up.

It’s pool time. Out of the blasting afternoon sun, an evening swim sounds good. Knowing the water temp won’t meet my standards, I will observe and document. Kayla’s reaction doesn’t surprise, but she eventually inches herself in.


We examine the room near the pool—another bedroom we didn’t need, but haven’t looked over. BW finds one of my In Death books inside. Nice.

As the sun goes down, so does the heat. It’s breezy with it, so very, very pleasant.

Bedtime—but I place a couple puzzle pieces first.
Today, Danger Guy stays with Nana and Grandda while his parents and cousin adventure off to Pisa. BW and I have been there, done that, so we’ll give Griffin a day of adventuring at home. I hope Danger Guy takes it easy on his nana’s heart rate.
Chain Saw Man’s busy, and some bird calls out—a hoarse call, like it has a cold. Not a cloud in the pale blue morning sky.
I’m going to see about getting a short work out in before I step up for Nana duty.
Nora
I’m with you all about staying in with it’s hot outside.
Wishing you a quiet day home with DM. I’m sure he will keep you young 😉😉
Again, impressive adventures in the kitchen. Looks good. How cool to find one of your books there! Now that’s a legacy!
The house is beginning to feel familiar, but I sense a bit of longing for home at this point. Such a group of troopers!
Happy to you all are enjoying Italy, but don’t stop in the usual places only! The north has many beautiful places to discover, not to mention San Daniele del Friuli and its famous prosciutto, Trieste with the amazing Miramare castle and only a couple of hours from Venice. Have read all your books, some 4 or 5 times and love them all. If you ever need to proof-read your Italian references, I’m ready and available!!
I think what I enjoy most about you, Nora, is your love and loyalty to those in your circle(s). You make your family and your closest friends feel loved and treasured. It’s clear you adore your “dil”, your son, the hubs and the grands. And that you carved out time on this family trip to remember your friends with gifts for the holidays shows you think of them even when not with them – that’s love and loyalty.
All of us should be so blessed to share such treasures.
Safe travels, happy racing, and may you embrace the joy of those Tuscan sunsets.