Projected benefit payments for my early retirement have come in and it looks as though I'll be able to live fairly comfortably on what I'll be getting- even some years before I can apply for my social security benefits.

My mood at work is pretty good- now that I know I'm outta there!!! And only nine months from now! Oh, happy day!

Wonderful neighbors stopped by at the garden gate to introduce themselves and welcome me to the village. They moved up from Roma three years ago and are delighted to see the lights on in Il Loggino after so long. So we'll be ex-city people together.

The morning after my sister and her crew arrived, Jo and I drove Antonello to the train station in Buonconvento. He was off to Sardinia before heading over to Australia. I hope he's back in the autumn to strip the paint off the doors and window frames in the house. Huge job!

Jo is my sister's neighbor in Australia and, along with her husband, a great friend of ours. I love how she makes me notice things I've already started taking for granted in Italy- like the shadows of the persiani or the cats awaiting their next meal at a particular storefront location.

Ester and Paolo had us all over for a buffet at the tower and we were treated to a private concert of Ester's favorite arias. Her voice would not be out of place at the Met!

At three the next morning when we were all abed, there was hauntingly beautiful music being played and sung beneath our windows- Castiglione d'Orcia's traditional way of welcoming in the month of May. Magical.

We all went to Bagno Vignoni (where we ran into my new friend at her store) and then to a lovely meal at Boccon di Vino in Montalcino.

The whole crew gave me the next day to myself while they went exploring in Pienza and then we met Gary and Zak at I Poggioli in Buonconvento for a seafood tasting menu that was another spectacular (and inexpensive) production by Guido, Gaby and Maria Angela.

Jo stayed with me the following day and the family went off to Firenze and points north (my nephew gets the whirlwind cultural indoctrination tour.) Jo and I scouted the restaurant at Castiglioncello for Sunday's SlowTrav GTG and then went to Sant'Antimo and then for lunch in Montalcino. Gary, Zak and Peter came over for the afternoon and we all drank a lot.

The next night Jo and I went to Chiusure for dinner and a slumber party followed by a day trip to Lucca for lunch at La Cecca, a Lucchese garden spot with wonderful food just south of town, and then a shopping and bar spree followed by another overnight with Gary and Zak. Jo's husband Brian is worried.

On Friday, my cousin and her husband came to Il Loggino and my sister, brother-in-law and nephew arrived back from Venice after a race down the autostrada. Family reunion.

On Saturday, the men were enthralled by the Mille Miglia passing through Buonconvento, and then we did a quick tour of Siena before going to the Comune di Bagnaia, the eco-farm where my great group of friends live near Sovicille. We checked on the pigs and the cattle and the cheese-making, before joining everyone for dinner. Lots of laughter and good conversation. A few English speakers there, including some WOOFers, for the family to relate to. I was so happy to see all my old friends!

posted by Joanna @ 5/28/2004 12:27:00 AM