I bit the bullet and put my blog on Slow Trav. Some don't realize that I envision two to three years before I won't be ashamed to invite guests. I mean the place hasn't been lived in for thirty years! I have the rogito and am e-mailing wildly about setting up meetings with the geometra for April 16th. The only thing that is really keeping me sane is everyone's support- and especially that of Zak and Gary who flew in from Australia today (1 March 2004). We met for a four hour dinner at Guastavino which is a glorious space in Manhattan. They are so reassuring about how all will fall into place with the house, that I am nearly prostrate with gratitude. What great friends!

I keep thinking about the day I first explored the town- all on my own- and then called G & Z from the hotel terrace in Bagno Vignoni. Within two weeks I'd signed a compromesso! I was staying in Monticchiello and I remember calling my sister in Australia to say, "I just bought a house in Italy." She was wonderful: "Thank heavens," she said, "if you didn't do it now you'd never do it! And I'll help you any way I can." I am blessed. So now I think about plaster and paint and persiani and a heating system and internet connections. And it's all really going to happen! My women friends from Vigevano and Urbino and my sister from Australia will all be stopping by this spring to nod and say, "Yes, it's happening!"

posted by Joanna @ 3/02/2004 06:42:00 AM