Greetings from Tuscany

Buon giorno! My family and I are having a fabulous time eating our way across Italy. For the next few days we are taking in the sights and museums of Florence. I'm stunned by the rich, rich history of this country, but especially taken by the beauty of this region. We were last in Venice, and I had a little epiphany (it's my latest fad). I lost myself for a few minutes in a sidewalk artist's charcoal work. He was patiently working away, teasing chimneys and bricks and towers out of his little black stick, when suddenly I realized that he was surrounded by completed charcoals and painted canvasses. I though how bored he must be sometimes, just showing up and drawing. How monotonous to work and rework the same subjects. Then it hit me. That is true artistry: showing up. I reached a new resolve. I intend to keep showing up to do my craft, even if it is boring and monotonous at times. Hope all of you are well -- I'm off to fresh cappucino. Ciao!

Life is a jumble. I don't know why I have not figured it all out by now. How to plan my eating, how to schedule my days and weeks and months. I just wing my way through it all and get mixed results. Mixed results is a nice way of saying I fall on my face more often than not. Just when I think I am out of 'baby bird' mode, I gain another 3 pounds or I volunteer for something I have no time for and do a sloppy job. Flop, flop, flop. What I really want to say is, I am still trying to find time for writing. And, in true baby bird style, I still believe I will.

I have a conference call in 3 minutes, but I wanted to say 'hi' to you all. Welcome to Bubtrout and Frida. They are from '2006 and beyond' Nightwriters. We should probably email their true identities to everyone so more comfort for all and less mystery.