Posts Tagged ‘alessandro’

Trip to Cancer

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Last year was an awesome year of travel; 22 weeks away from home and on the road!  The sights and tastes of the journey were incredible, awesome, priceless.  From Barnoldswick, England to Pisa, Italy,to Orland, Sweden the adventure far exceeded all expectations. And the people; oh the kindness of Raymond, Alessandro, Gunner and Dieter, Miranda, Giovani, Father Piernino, and many many others.

We returned home with some inklings that all was not normal, so doctor appointments started lining up. Sonagram, pap,biopsy, specialists, waiting, and then the day you have a date with an oncologist. How do you be cheerful as you walk in that door, the one at the very end of that long hallway?

But just like the adventures in Europe, the doctors, nurse-practitioner, staff and volunteers at Scripps-Mercy Hospital, Scripps-Green and RB joined with all my friends and family to hold me up in prayer. Betty and Mary and Andy babysat me after surgery, Donna cooked and Steve e-mailed updates. I was so loved and cared for that fear NEVER had a chance to take hold. Radiation zapped some strength, but not the knowledge that God loved me and had placed me amongst the most wonderful people in the entire world.

I need to get a map with some bright pins to mark all those special destinations I hold in my heart. Just not sure where to put the trip to cancer pin, cause  I don’t want to forget it…it too became a good memory.

Wine Tasting – Will They Kick Us Out Of Tuscany?

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

caparzowineryWhat a great day!  Our awesome driver, Alessandro, picked us up on our doorstep and whisked us off to a day of wineries, meandering, and gorgeous scenery.

We visited the Caparzo Winery for a great, informative tour (with the cutest guy) and tasting!  All of the famous Brunello di Montalcino wines must age a minimum of 5 years and only contain sangovese grosso grapes from the immediate area!  Then we toured the Barbi Winery and indulged again.  We had a mighty fine lunch on their property including an awesome “bread soup,” taglietelle, and sausage with white beans.  We REALLY got winetastinginto this.

We were ferried to Montapulciano and dropped off at the top of the hill-city, so we could meander down.  Another unique, but totally Tuscan outing.  Steve didn’t have to drive and we were escorted via Alessandro’s Mercedes mini-van on rolling hills outlined in cypress and vineyards. Viva ITALIA!