Memories in Florence (and Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary)

 Jeanette and I traveled to West County Mayo the day after Thanksgiving last year. We discussed our ‘bucket list” and discovered that we both wanted to go to the Tuscany region of Italy. With that, a few days later, he had our tickets to Pisa. 

On Jeanette’s birthday, 9 February, we left for Tuscany to visit Florence and Siena. We flew from Dublin to Pisa, and it was pouring rain when we landed. This was one of those times when a decision didn’t include the “cheap” way to get somewhere. The relief of seeing our driver waiting to take us from Pisa airport to the city centre of Florence (about 90-100 minutes) repeatedly flooded over us. High-five moments. 

 When we stepped out of the car, we started laughing for two reasons—1) what we saw and 2) we couldn’t locate our hotel, though we had been dropped off right in front of it. (For those who have traveled Europe, you’ll know what we mean. Europe is not great on signage. Billboards? Never heard of that. Signs out front? Out front of what? Patron parking areas? What do you mean?)

More importantly, what we immediately saw and felt. This is where we were let out at Piazza di Santa Croce. We had no idea. We gasped and laughed and were in awe. It turns out that Jeanette had been there as a young woman at 17 years old.  

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We spent the next few days in Florence and were enamored by it’s architecture, history, extensive art collections (kicked off the Renaissance here backed by the Medici family who ruled for 60 years) and people. 

We were in complete awe and gave rainy Florence a 10.  While there, I looked up some interesting facts about Florence (credit to https://www.florencetoursitaly.it/blog/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-florence/):

• The Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, took 140 years to complete.
• In 1339, Florence became the first city in Europe to have paved streets. The city paved all its streets with donations from wealthy merchants and banks. So perhaps all roads should lead to Florence, not Rome!
• Florence is the home of gelato.  Yum!
• The Uffizi Gallery has the largest Renaissance art collection in the world. Move over Louvre.
• Florence is the birthplace of the piano.  No way!
• It was the capital city of Italy for a while.
• Gucci, yes, Gucci, was started here in 1921.  (shopping is available at gucci.com.  New Spring 2024 shoulder bags can be ordered starting at $3200 USD)

The photo below is of Michaelangelo's David sculpture. On the same visit mentioned above, Jeanette saw the David when visiting Florence in the late 70's. We've always had a replica of the David since she acquired it as a youth. Now, to see it again after all these years was a beautiful, emotional experience of memories and a flood of feelings. (I've left that video out of the blog.)  😊

When I was a boy, my mother had a coffee table fine art book entitled “Uffizi.”  I remember laying on the floor in our home in California at 7-10 years old and looking at the art in the book. On the cover was a painting of a woman from a work of art known as “La Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli. Standing in front of this great piece with my flood of memories from my childhood thoughts was surreal. I think moments like these helped build an appreciation for the world's fine arts.

A stroll through the neighborhood.  

Just a neighborhood school on a side street with a fading fresco.  Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary...

A priest and his students at Santa Croce the day we were leaving. 

 The perfect place for us to stay.

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Next Week: We’ll share our visit to Siena. Suffice it to say, 

Siena = Exquisite

(Love Tuscany)

"THANK YOU, JANE"

Several weeks ago, Shannon and I had the pleasure of sharing an evening with Guy and Jane from London.  Guy works as the Chief Legal Counsel for the company Shan works for here in Ireland, but in his 'other life', he is a London Barrister. *Guy is also a classically trained pianist and his talent is unmatched. Jane is Guy's wife--equally charming and talented.  We visited over a beautiful meal in an old wine cellar which has been converted into the most charming Spanish  Tapas restaurant--El Celler.  The food was absolutely delicious, but the company was divine.

https://www.opentable.ie/r/el-celler-spanish-tapas-and-wine-bar-blackrock-2

As we visited, Shannon and Guy talked shop, while Jane and I shared our interests in the arts; museums, crafts, painting, writing, and pottery.  We were kindred spirits from the start.  I mentioned to her that I really wanted to take a pottery class and was currently looking for classes near me.  She mentioned to me that she is currently writing and illustrating a book, and she shared some of her drawings with me--which are phenomenal, by-the-way.

After dinner, we walked down the dark allies of the Blackrock Market and made our way out onto the street.  What had only been a drizzle before, was now a full Irish downpour outside.  We quickly said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch.  Guy and Jane ran to the train stop to the left, we ran to the bus stop to the right.  It was a dreary ending to a lovely evening.

Only a few days later, after Guy and Jane had returned to England, I received a link to Pink Moon Crafts, along with this sweet text from Jane:  "This looks like a nice place.  Is it near you? I'm obsessively arty, and this looks like it would be loads of fun.  I like the combination of food and craft and a nice lady in charge.  Great way to meet other people and be convivial.  Let me know how it goes."

https://www.pinkmooncraft.com

I was deeply touched that Jane, in England, would be thinking of me, and trying to help me get connected to an art community in Ireland.  I thanked her and rang the number immediately and left a message for Helen--the nice lady in charge.

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Today, I attended my first (but certainly not my last) pottery class with Helen.  I don't know what I expected, but it was nothing I ever could have imagined!  Shannon dropped me off in front of a lovely 19th century building, and I wondered if I was in the right place.  I climbed the stairs and used the Lion-Head door knocker, took a step back, and waited.  Helen opened the door, wearing a brown craft apron, and welcomed me into her beautiful home. 

I felt like I was stepping into another dimension.  Even the walls of Helen's home seemed to welcome me in.  It quite literally took my breath away.  As if on cue, a beautiful black Cocker Spaniel rubbed up against my legs and dropped his ball at my feet.  I was a bit tongue tied as my eyes scanned the halls, ceilings, and decor. I felt as if I were Alice in my own Wonderland when she cried out, "Curiouser and curiouser!” - (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).  Me too, Alice.  Me too!

My conversation with Helen was easy and comfortable.  It seemed as though we already knew each other.  Ah, another kindred spirit, I thought to myself.  How did Jane know?  It was like we were just catching up with each other after a long separation.  We talked about our families, our lives in Ireland, religion, and our love for animals--all within the first few minutes.  

Helen gave me a quick tour of her lovely home, which also doubles as her art studio. I was truly  awestruck.  Each room looked like it was straight out of an Interior Design Magazine. "STUNNING!" I kept saying. "This is absolutely stunning!"

We made our way to the kitchen where we would hand-build our clay pinch pots. Helen was prepared, and the clay was sitting on the table with the clay tool and water.  She fixed us both a warm cup of herbal tea while we continued chatting away, getting to know each other.  We sat across from one-another and I tried to copy what she was doing with her ball of clay.  At one point, Ozzie, the Cocker Spaniel, came into the room and put his paws on the bench beside me.  I spoke to him, and he took that as an invitation to get a little closer.  He sniffed my face and then my hands.  He licked the clay from the back of my hands while I tried to build a pot.  "Did you practice this with him?" I asked Helen.  "Because if the clay doesn't make me want to come back, Ozzie surely will."  We both laughed as Ozzie made himself comfortable on the table beside us--occasionally lifting his head to inspect our work.

We lost ourselves in clay and conversation for the next three hours.  Alexa was playing some amazing artist (I forget her name) in the background, which added to the ambience of the experience.  We shared stories of humanity and miracles, families and friends, and we both decided that 'love' really is the answer to every problem in life.

I don't know how it happened, but between our talking and creating, our three hour workshop was finished in the blink of an eye.  I gathered the pieces I had made, put on my coat, and said my good-byes until the next time.  As we stood in the front garden just inside the gate, we embraced as new friends.  As we hugged, Helen raised her head to the sky and shouted, "THANK YOU, JANE!" ~ 

I second that!

* Guy's Piano Performance:

https://youtu.be/NPgBn93n2AA?si=XAIzNWePMLixmsYe

ME AND IKEA ARE BEST FRIENDS!!!

 This one deserves a post of it's own!  

We ordered this unit back in October when we first arrived in Ireland, knowing that we would need more dresser space than what had been provided in our turn-key apartment.  When it arrived (in two huge boxes), we set it in the guest room and waited for the perfect Saturday to tackle this project together--only that perfect Saturday never came.  This island always has a way of luring us out into the countryside to see what awaits outside the city limits.  

As the weeks progressed, my belongings continued to pile on the chairs and in the corner.  So one day, I decided to open the boxes and give it in a shot.  Upon opening (actually ripping) the first box, it was evident that the wrong dresser had been sent.  Plus, it clearly said it was a job for TWO MEN, and I knew I wasn't qualified.  So I taped it all back together and set the box back in the guest room.  

I finally called IKEA to come and retrieve the dresser and give us our refund 'because they sent the wrong item'!  They checked their records and informed me that they had, indeed, sent the right order.  They very kindly walked me through opening the 2nd box, and WA-LAH, it was all there.  They didn't even make me feel stupid---bless their hearts!

I thought to myself, Can one woman do the job of two men? (Don't answer that ladies!).  I felt up for the challenge, and I was confident I could put it together in one day if I started early.  So once Shannon left for work, I pulled everything out of the boxes and organized everything so it would go smoothly.  I thought I would get a good start on it and then get dressed for the day.  Well, that didn't really go as planned.  Nine hours later when Shannon walked in the door,  **I was still in my pajamas, hair tied on top of my head, and the dresser looked like this...

**Don't even think about asking for a photo of what I looked like.  Yes, I have one.

Needless to say, I didn't finish it in a day.  I didn't finish it in two days.  The important thing is, I did finish it!  After three months, 42 phone calls to IKEA, 858 bolts/screws, 2 trips to the hardware store, and a ton of sweat and tears, WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WHITE DRESSER!  And I have to say, I've never been more proud of anything I've accomplished in my life--save birthing 7 perfect humans.  

            TA-DA

And this is how IKEA became my new best friend!