PARTING SHOTS

A LONG GOOD-BYE

On our last days in Italy all we wanted was to make the most of our time with friends. JoHannah would be off to meet up with her family in England. Erik and Laura would be taking a leisurely and winding drive back to Dordrecht and we'd be heading to Spain. It was all bittersweet; leaving the pool, the amazing meals and most of all Stefania, Alessandro and their family.

But the sun will continue to set reflected on the rippling waters of the pool

The Maxfield Parrish skies will repeat their beauty over and over again until we are drawn back to sit with a glass of wine and smile at our good fortune.

We'll miss the long white tables set with the rustic charm of a Tuscan home.

And the food...created with ingenuity and affection. Stefania always outdoes herself, adding a bit of her heart in the dishes that come from her kitchen.

We'll all grow old together and enjoy every minute with memories of time well spent and visions of what we've experienced always etched in our minds.

Simple lunches poolside will fill books of easy meal preparation with new recipes we've collected and shared.

The umbrella smiles of a group of friends will always provide shade from the harshest of times.

It may be a while before we'll once again climb the dirt and rutted road up the two kilometers from Buonconvento to Armena. The view of pencil cypresses lined up on rolling hills will have to remain until we come back.

The colors of Tuscany will continue to burst and never fade.

The canopy of umbrella cypresses lite as if painted by the late afternoon sun will live on awaiting our return.

Until then my dreams will continue to be filled with the anticipation of the gates of Armena slowly opening to allow us entry into the Saracini's welcoming hospitality once again and that will have to suffice for now.