Sogni di Sicilia

After a sleepless night and a tragic morning, we drove to Adrano just to get outside our heads. I asked Elena to recommend a wine that pairs well with scorched patria . Mariella and Vincenzo had a nice lunch of braised rabbit and antique grain bread, along with a wine di Cazzo -- The Dick -- as a joker. They knew we needed a laugh. They took care of us. We went comatose the rest of the day. Today, grieve. Then, we must help those who will be hurt by this tragic outcome. And it clinches the fact we need an escape place. The fall of the American Empire has begun. And it's the voters who are to blame. My kids reached out. Friends reached out. This wonderful family reached out. But losing my country still hurts like hell. Vincenzo had wine "of the dick" for us for lunch today. Sicilian School buses Smells wonderful  Shave and a haircut, few euros  

Today, off to another walled city: Siena! By far, my favorite. The entire town is drenched in beauty. Having posted our travel intentions on Facebook for this day, our friends Cara and Stefano weighed in, saying they're within a half hour's drive. They are renovating a house in Montelcino, overlooking the Valle d'Orcia. Here are views from their house: We planned to time it so we could meet for lunch. But first, a peek around town. Again; mostly photos and captions. I couldn't keep up with daily blog posts! Siena's important feature, other than it's beauty, is that it's the birthplace of Italy's female patron saint, who is also my onomastic saint, Santa Caterina. I noticed that her symbol, the giglio (lily/fleur-de-lis), is the same as San Giuseppe's. It's one of my favorite flowers; I think it's serendipitous that we have a yard full of them. "Our" flower! Siena's city walls; truly reminiscent of the color 'Burnt Siena'