22. So....right before the flood.. .. we went to Italy!

Cortona particularly. Heaven. Walked on a 45 degree angle most all the time and often more. The views were fantastic and provided great fodder for watercolor painting. Fabulous art, music and food. Oh my. Our host Roberto Ghezzi was so fun. Can't wait to go back and spend time with him and his fabulous wife Rebecca! https://www.cortonainternational.com/ We easily traversed Tuscany (including Arezzo, Pisa, Florence and Lake Trasimeno) and Rome via the fabulous Italian trains. We made sure not to try and do too much...but to do each activity as fully as possible! We met wonderfully warm people (Italian and American), reacquainted with old friends from the University of Georgia days (Rick Johnson), networked with artists (Clare Stokolosa https://www.facebook.com/clarestokolosaartist, even hooked up with my favorite Richmond VA realtor Chris Small! Fell in love with truffles and futurist artist Signorelli. Bought the biggest bottle of gin ever. Drank bathtub prosecco (fabulous). Ate olive oil gelato. Made and drank incredible espresso. Oh my gosh...olive oil is my favorite. not so much the chestnuts. We are planning a return asap!