Monday, June 14, 2021

Jail Break



Annamaria on Monday


After months and months in solitary confinement, I have been venturing out more and more over the past several weeks.  I have even managed to cross a couple of nearby rivers. I have also been facing some challenges that have lead to accommodations in my (ahem) accommodations:



This, above is what my formerly comfortable workspace now looks like.  The empty space will soon (I pray) be occupied by an ergonomically designed adjustable desk and a chair that promise to allow me to type for more than a few minutes at a time.  In the meanwhile, I am taking Stan's advice and working standing up.  Sort of. 

As the God of Irony dictates, not long after I have finally arranged my digs to allow me to to work comfortably, I will be leaving.




Yes, look-out world, here I come.

As Brother Jeff announced here on Saturday, the mystery writing and reading tribe will be gathering in New Orleans in late August, the first Bouchercon conference in nearly two years.  The warmth of our reunion will be the only NOLA temperature ever to challenge the heat of August.  




Then, shortly afterwards I will be heading to my country house (it's in the country of Italy). I apologize.  I gloat.  I understand full well what a lucky woman I am.

While there, I am hoping to take some side trips from my beloved Florence. I have developed a yen to revisit the province of Lazio, the part north of Rome.  I have been there once before. There are beautiful, fascinating things to see, off the usual tourist routes.

Here'a little taste of what I hope to revisit.

Caprarola and the Villa Farnese.



It was built in 15th century to show how powerful Cardinal Farnese really was.  I would imagine it worked.  It is filled with gorgeous frescos, eg.this ceiling.



The medieval town of Civita di Bagnoregio.  These remains of a Medieval walled town are astonishing to visit.



Of course, there will also be the usual delights.  As I said, I understand how very, very lucky I am.     

 








16 comments:

  1. I feel I should congratulate you on your parole, Annamaria! I'm so pleased to hear you are able to travel again. Lawton is currently in Italy until the end of July. Give him a wave as you pass. Sorry I won't be joining you in NOLA this time :(

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  2. Oh, Zoe, we will miss you in New Orleans. (Unless there is a hurricane, in which case we will envy your decision.) I am hoping that Lawton and I will be able to resume our annual regular meeting for dinner in Florence on the 29th of December. If the microscopic enemy allows, I will be going back. Wanna come?

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  3. Looking forward to see you in New Orleans. I'm glad you are going to Florence.

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    1. Oh, hooray!, Dru Ann! I am so happy you will be there. Hopefully, as with our gatherings of the NYC tribe, you will be one of the first people I see.

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  4. I'll be at the Bouchercon as well. They've put me on not one, but TWO panels, one of which I'm the moderator (gulp) which I've never done before.

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    1. Wonderful! We will have—at least as far as the Sunshine Noir MIE contingent goes, a great showing!
      Jeff, Stan, and I will be happy to give you pointers on how keep your panelists in line. I have still not worked out how to stymie the person who raises a hand to ask a question and then delivers a long diatribe without a question mark in sight. Stan? Jeff? Any advice?

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    2. Just tell EvKa to "sit" and he'll listen. Only kidding, EvKa would never do that.

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    3. Kwei, you'll handle it beautifully. Even without a taser.

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    4. Hey, now, cowboy, rein in that stallion. Were I in the audience, I'd be short and sweet (okay, tall and to the point): "AmA! Sono io!" Alas, no NOLA for me.

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  5. I will be there too! Look forward to catch up with old friends. My panel has the title: Noir: How Noir Deals with Poverty, Wealth, Capitalism, and Other Forms of Markets. Help.

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    1. How about bringing up the disparity in income for writers of Noir vs thriller writers as a possible reason why Noir writers characterize the poor as wholesome and innocent and the rich as villains?

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  6. No, no, no, Sis. You've got it all wrong. It's how unbelievably lucky we all are to have you in the family!!!

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  7. I visited Civita di Bagnoregio on a roundabout drive back to Perugia from Orvieto. It's an impressive site. Wear good walking shoes.
    See you in NOLA, Pat.

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    1. Wow! It’s such an out of the way place. I don’t know any other travelers who have found it but us.

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  8. Have a great time at Bouchercon, and then in Florence. I am envious. Not only is it a gorgeous city with beautiful art everywhere. But you had to throw in a photo of those pastries!

    Hope to read about Bouchercon and see photos of your travels to Italy.

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