I will thank the Coronavirus for one thing. PIZZA DELIVERY IN UMBERTIDE. Unheard of previously. The pizzeria we call (Degusto) is still delivering. But I keep expecting them to stop now they can have guests and take away. Anyway, tonight I tried another type. Pizza Noci e Pere. Nuts, pears, and Gorgonzola. All my favorite things š.
Pictured. Mine first. Lutherās second. Mmmm. Buon Appitito!
We decided to go out for our first lunch since March! March 11 to be exact.
Yesterday was cool but bright sunshine. We had reservations for two tables of two as they wonāt combine tables. But when we arrived there were two tables together but the seating was at either end with the other seat at the corner putting maximum distance between the couples.
We decided to have his stuzzicheria. A platter, a beautiful array of meats and cheeses. This is Patrickās claim to fame, aside from his wines. He puts a lot of thought into the cheeses, how they go together in a tasting plate. The hams were beautiful. Prosciutto crudo, a cooked pork sliced paper thin, a bresaola, a pancetta. It had been so long since weāve had this we fell on it like ravenous animals!
230,158 positives in Italy. Up JUST 0.1% – 32,877 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,430 positive cases in Umbria. 75 total deaths. Same as yesterday.
1,654,683 cases in the US – 97,974 deaths.
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martedƬ – Ā Today I am announcing that I will stop my daily posts. It was quite the marathon! I posted everyday for 83 days. I want to say, itĀ was a huge benefit for me to write this account. It kept me busy, and grounded, and mostly upbeat. It made me very aware of what was happening around me and in our world. I have a foot in two countries and I care deeply about what is happening in both. To be able to keep a journal of sorts was a privilege, especially during the worst of the crisis here in Italy, an early epicenter. I wanted to give my friends in other countries, who were behind Italy in the curve of the disease, an insight into life under complete and very strict lockdown. It was an unprecedented event ā 60 million people, locked down tight, but then, a global pandemic is an event that, thankfully doesnāt happen often.
I am extremely proud of what we, in Italy, have achieved. By hanging together we have flattened the curve and have controlled this virus as best as it can be controlled. We have had two stages of loosening and life is returning to, not normal, but a new normal. I feel this journal has run its course and done what I had hoped it would do. I appreciate all the comments and kind words from those who followed along on my journey. Ā It was super gratifying to me to know that you found it useful.
Stay tuned for future posts…just not every day! We all have to live with this pandemic for a long time. I hope things continue to improve for Italy, or at least stay steady. For the US, I am still very worried. I donāt feel the virus is under control whatsoever. Ā I urge everyone to use your judgement when going about your lives. You know what that means. š
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Someone asked me what is Feriano after I posted the photos yesterday. I should have explained that. It is the name of a property owned by friends of ours. It is high onĀ a mountain with magnificent views. It has an ancient chapel as part of the house. The Church / house is named for the locality/crossroad, Feriano. Originally, the Church was called Chiesa di San Lorenzo di Feriano.Ā Here are two more pictures.
229,858 positives in Italy. Up 0.2% – 32,785 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,430 positive cases in Umbria. 75 total deaths.
1,643,499 cases in the US – 97,722 deaths.
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LunedƬĀ – Ā Memorial Day in the USA. It is a beautiful day here in Umbria. No clouds in sight. A bit cool but I like that.Ā
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In honor of today, here is a picture of the Florence American Cemetery. Covering 70 acres on the outskirts of Florence, there are 4,401 military dead buried on the grounds. Most of them died in the fighting after the capture of Rome in June 1944. According to the Cemetery and Memorialās website, those buried here make up an astonishing 39 percent of the fallen Fifth Army members originally buried between Rome and the Alps. In addition to the tombstones, visitors can also contemplate the 1,409 names inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing. Whenever a solider is recovered or identified, a bronze rosette is added to their name. I must add this to my list of āmust visitā in Italy.
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Last night I decided on a real American springtime dinner. I fried chicken (!) and I had some beautiful small new potatoes and our first spring peas. Simple and perfect. The potatoes had hardly any skin, it was so thin as to be non existent. Luther shelled the peas. I just made both the potatoes and the peas simply served with butter. I love spring with these super fresh local veggies .
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From my ācousinā Tom and Caroleās beautiful Feriano.
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Enjoy Memorial Day. Remembering today.š
229,327 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 32,735 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,430 positive cases in Umbria. 74 total deaths.
1,613,476 cases in the US – 96,662 deaths.
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Domenica – pretty-ish day today. A little overcast. We will drive out to Calagrana In a few minutes to pick up our meals.
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While out and about yesterday it felt like old times. Only real difference is the masks. At least everyone wears them. And the one-at-a-time rule for stores and businesses. We are happy to see the businesses back. Last night the youngsters were partying like there was no tomorrow. Hope this doesnāt cause too big of a spike.
As of June 3 Italy is open again to cross border travel from other EU countries. Not the US though. We, who are here, can travel freely within Italy. There is plenty to see that we havenāt yet seen. I was talking to a friend who mentioned she hadnāt realized how much of her time was spent traveling, researching and planning travel, anticipating travel, etc. For myself, I am trying to make some day trip plans. But I am having trouble getting started. Why? This is my question…I donāt know. I just canāt seem to take that first step. Luther has a significant birthday in July I need to plan something for that. He wants to go to the beach town with 2 really good restaurants. Not sure Iām up for that yet.
We had our big trip planned for Germany end of July and first part of August. We had found pet/house sitters for this trip from Nova Scotia. They had taken a year off and were traveling Europe. A mix of Airbnbs, working holidays, house sitting etc. Started in Portugal. Then went to, and through Spain. Got locked down in the Dordogne in France. Finally just got loose. They are supposed to head to another part of France and then Italy. I donāt know whether our trip will happen so we will have to let them know as soon as we do. Iām sure they can find a place to stay in Italy cheaply. But they had also hinted they wouldnāt be coming anyway, so we will see.
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As promised yesterday…photos…Here is Rocky. Studying the water…
Rocky. Toe in the water.
Finally, drinking the water.
The olives are amazing this year! This means a huge harvest may be coming this November. I will be ready to go the distance and help. Look at the flowers! Now, Iām told only 3 or 4 olives come from each cluster, but this still means a LOT of olives.
Poppies along the road to Calagrana. š„°
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Buona domenica a tutti! š Stay safe!
228,658 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 32,616 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,429 positive cases in Umbria. 74 total deaths.
1,590,349 cases in the US – 95,495 deaths.
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Sabato – Another bright sunny day. And itās market day!
But I get ahead of myself. We got out for our first Spritz yesterday at Bar Mary. They have big new tables. Really big. Lots of space between people. The piazza was hopping. Almost like old times except for the masks. After our drinks we had our Friday night pizzas and later in the evening I took a picture outside. I could hear a babble of voices. Many young people. Some staying apart, most (but not all) wore masks.
So, back to Market day. I made a point of getting out at about 8:30, after the vendors 8am set up. Specifically to get eggs. Rats. Missed out. Only one stand has them. I guess I need to go out even earlier! But I did buy fresh asparagus, the first new peas!! And some pretty red onions, some new carrots and a cucumber, also the first of summer. It cost 7ā¬.
After my early morning foray we had errands to run. First the, ever needed, cat liter. Seems we need it more than we should but we have this one cat, Rocky, who has fixated on the bathroom sink. We have to run the water for him and he sits very still and studies it until it stills. He is completely engrossed by it. After a bit, he steps in it, it is shallow. And swishes it around. Then drinks copiously. Which in turn, makes him pee…copiously…which in turn means we need a LOT of litter. A day in the life! I will have to get a photo of him at the sink.
After the pet store we went to the Green Thumb…Pollice Verde…which has all manner of stuff. We were looking for plants. A tip from my friend Angela told me they had an array of hot pepper plants. And sure enough! They did! So we donāt have to drive all the way to Citta di Castello anymore. We got two, a jalapeƱo, and a habanero. We improbably ran into friends from Montone there, buying big terracotta planter boxes.
We passed by the Eurospin market and were amazed that the line went across the parking lot. Hoping against hope our Coop grocery wouldnāt have a line, we stopped. We saw parking places, and even two carts! So we went in. No line. First time weāve shopped together in almost 3 months. I will say, they are definitely NOT social distancing in there. They are letting too many in at a time. Everyone had to wear a mask though, thank goodness. We saw Gary, and our Montone friends again! Hah! So, we managed to get the shopping done and headed home.
While out we drove past the new Carrefour market. We are all so excited about it opening…on Wednesday! They are stocking it now. Sign is up outside. Canāt wait to check it out.
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One pretty picture for you…
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Happy Memorial Day weekend. Please observe it safely. We have a holiday on (a week from this Tuesday) too, Day of the Republic, June 2. š
228,006 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 32,486 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,429 positive cases in Umbria. 74 total deaths.
1,562,714 cases in the US – 93,863 deaths.
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Friday – Another bright sunny day. We just finished our Italian lessons. Last night we didnāt go for Aperitivo. I would have said Aperitivi (plural of Aperitivo) but I was corrected by my teacher. If four people go out for drinks, it is Aperitivo. As in we go out for lunch (Pranzo). Not lunches. Or dinner (cena). Not dinners. I just automatically assumed four drinks are plural…duh…what do I know. So tonight for sure!š¹š¹
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From The Guardian ā Nine top scientists who advised Barack Obama in the White House are warning that the US has just three months to rebuild its national stockpile of emergency medical supplies or risk further drastic shortages of testing kits and protective gear should coronavirus strike again in the fall.
OK then. Plenty of time if people get on it right away. It would be very good to avoid the mistakes made previously at the beginning of the Pandemic. No excuses.
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I have had a pepper plant fatality. It must have happened during the rain storm. Broke right off at the base. Now I need two more since I had not gotten my JalapeƱo yet. Letās turn our attention to the upcoming weekend. It is supposed to be beautiful. We have errands to do. Groceries and cat litter. Maybe peppers to buy. And two new small pots. Oh, and dirt!
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Todays soup. Chicken with pozole and cilantro.
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Be safe everyone and have a nice weekend! š
227,364 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 32,330 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,427 positive cases in Umbria. 74 total deaths.
1,541,110 cases in the US – 92,712 deaths.
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Thursday – Brilliant, blue sky after the cleansing rain of yesterday. Ā Cool and breezy. Vera is here cleaning our apartment. I made a pot of duck stock this morning. I will use it to make a soup. I have just noticed the cilantro is trying to bloom. I need to use it or lose it, and since it is so rare here I donāt want to waste it. So I think a chicken and lime with hominy soup would be tasty. Nice and spicy! I have one last bag of hominy left.š¢
Not a lot going on, we got an email for our (maybe) upcoming cruise in late November. They say it is going to happen. I will wait until the last minute to commit to it. Which will be in August.
This evening I think we will go down for our first spritz. How fun! I will take a picture.
Everywhere the poppies are blooming. They are one of my favorite flowers and there is nothing prettier than Umbria in May when whole fields are abloom with red.
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Stay safe ! š
225,435 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 31,908 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,424 positive cases in Umbria. 73 total deaths. Two new cases, zero additional deaths.
1,528,661 cases in the US – 91,938 deaths.
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Wednesday, Market day ā pouring rain all night and all day. I didnāt need any produce or fish so I didnāt brave the nasty weather. I suppose this rain is good for all the crops. On Sunday, on our way to Calagrana, we observed workers planting the tiny tobacco seedlings. They are maybe an inch tall. And it has to be completely hand done. So labor intensive. I guess this rain is good for the baby tobaccos.
Otherwise all is tranquile in Umbertide. We missed out on the first spritz outing with friends on Monday. It was my choice. Too many of us. Made me uncomfortable. And truth be told, I am loyal to my good friends at Bar Mary so going to the āotherā bar would have been strange. Especially our first time. Not that I have any issue with the āotherā bar, just a loyalty thing… We plan to go out as soon as the weather gets nicer. And we will invite our friends to join us. I know they feel kind of the way we do about ātheirā Cafe Centrale. It is a funny little phenom.Ā
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Roses continue in Jillās garden…š With notes from Jill beneath the pictures.
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Signing off for now… as always, be careful. š
225,435 positives in Italy. Up 0.3% – 31,908 total deaths since beginning of the outbreak.
There are 1,424 positive cases in Umbria. 73 total deaths. Two new cases, zero additional deaths.
1,496,509 cases in the US – 89,874 deaths.
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I enjoyed this article from The NY Times...I excerpted it…
Life in NYC felt pretty normal in early March…in hindsight, we know that the coronavirus was then sweeping across the city. Deaths peaked in early April. And the typical time from contraction to death is from three to five weeks ā which suggests early March was near the peak for transmission.
Over the next couple of weeks, itās going to be important to keep this recent history in mind. Without mass testing ā and the United States is not doing mass testing ā there is a lag before a virus outbreak becomes apparent. Most people who develop symptoms donāt do so for at least five days, and sometimes longer. The worst symptoms usually take almost three weeks to appear.
With more parts of the U.S. starting to reopen, many people will be tempted to look at the data this week and start proclaiming victory over the virus. But this weekās data wonāt tell us much. It will instead reflect the reality from early May and late April, when much of the country was still on lockdown.
āThe data are always two or three weeks old,ā Ezekiel Emanuel of the University of Pennsylvania told me. āAnd we have a hard time understanding that things are different from what weāre looking at.ā Crystal Watson of Johns Hopkins University told The Associated Press that we wouldnāt really know how reopening had affected the virusās spread for five to six weeks.
Itās possible that the reopenings wonāt cause the outbreaks that many epidemiologists fear ā because many people will still stay home, or because they will venture out cautiously, or because the virus may spread more slowly in warmer air. But itās also possible that the country will find itself suffering through a new wave of outbreaks in June.
Either way, Iād encourage you not to leap to premature conclusions.
And all of the above will pertain to all countries trying to reopen, including Italy. Caution and care is advised.
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This morning I took a walk early along the river. Cool morning air, few people out.
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Enjoy your day! š