Love – 30

Two players, one net, and a racket–
so the opera’s defining moment opens.

Later on joined by a Jerry Lewis clone,
soon in amorous quest of fair Drosilla.

Nothing in the game of love is fair,
of course. Only just tryingly funny.

Between a Headline and a Rumor

There is a story making the rounds
in our little town. About a spat,
it would fall flat if repeated here
or bear the brunt of those unheard.

A Poster, Puzzling Mightily

Sought hither and, once translated, then yon.

Working By Hand (On an Old City Wall)

More New Treats

Beside our usual fare–cappuccino per due,
uno cornetto per me, e uno veneziano per lei

a kind chocolatier has placed more new treats:

These morsels are so good that after the market
we return to the scene of the crime for some more.

Food for Thought

From our peaceful terrazzo just before cena:

The homemade pizza, I must have thought,
was worth all the calories but not the pixels.

Picture a store-bought crust, slices of provolone
and pear, with caramelized onions and store-grated
formaggio mozzarella–all roasted with care. Once
it’s out of the oven, top with gorgonzola e rucola,
olio d’oliva e aceto balsamico
, and you’re there.
Only don’t forget the salt, Rebecca has to remind.

Following an Italian Rule of Thumb

No snacks without fruit of the grape

A Morning in the Gallery

For the extended tour of the art and the studio
in Rome, check out Rafael Vanegas’ website here.

Such a Sad Sad Story: Where to Begin With the Opera Last Night?

Outside Teatro Caio Melissa, where more than one of us is Google translating the text?
Or inside the house, finally, where the plastic upstages the lips?


Or in the intricate details of the next morning’s enlightening review?