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!