That’s right, I admit it. And I can no longer attribute this ritual to having conversations with my dog (yet I do that too, if you must know ). If I am not writing out my thoughts or using my sketch pad to turn my inner dialogues into visuals, I am chattering away aloud about …
My Dear Friends, Followers, Readers and Former Students, I write this with great affection to thank those of you who have supported my work throughout the years and have valued my existence in the world. I appreciate you more than words can say.As 2024 comes to an end, we tend to reflect on the ups …
To Italians, human interaction is the energy that supports life itself. You could be disagreeing about politics, or about which is the best gelateria. You could be revealing (or not) the family secret to making the best “salsa di pomodoro” (tomato sauce) or comparing memories about the history of your town. No matter the topic, …
Self-care goes beyond simply looking at your reflection in a mirror and telling yourself how much you like yourself, as former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly used to do. Caring for yourself should translate into routine practices designed to foster your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I’m not talking about spending all day obsessing …
It is among the most modest of gravestone inscriptions, stating only: Gino Bartali — July 18,1914- May 5, 2000. This wasn’t to say that Bartali hadn’t won numerous championship medals for his cycling excellence, including the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. Nor was it because this Italian icon hadn’t used his fame and …
What’s there to think about when it comes to enjoying Italian gelato on a hot summer day while traipsing through the bel paese on vacation? Well as it turns out, there are a few tips to consider if you want to savor every drop of this sweet Italian experience. The Italian gelato experience can transport …
I wrote my first book over 20 years ago. When it was published, it seemed everywhere I went people were not only interested in discussing the contents of my book, but also wanted me to coach them on how to write THEIR book. One woman told me she had wanted to write a book for …
For me and for many Italians, February is the month of song. It is the month of the renowned Festival of San Remo, the yearly song competition in that officially began in 1951 in beautiful the coastal city of San Remo in the northwest Italy, known also for its extraordinary 19th century villas, lush tropical gardens, and …
Good communication skills are important for us social beings. We talk to each other for information, mutual support, personal affirmation, and to share laughter and good feelings. A positive conversation can affect the first impression we make on a potential new friend or on an interviewer at a job fair. And yes, first impressions do count. The verbal …
There is no denying that technology has become an important part of contemporary life. Almost everywhere I go people are snapping selfies or walking with their heads buried in their phone. Our smartphones, tablets and computers have provided us with efficient ways to keep to our schedules, find answers to many of life’s “questions”, without thumbing …
The Dolce Vita Lifestyle 