Category Archives: Art and Culture

Born To Run

My pal theater boy somehow scores tickets to Bruce Springsteen on Broadway. Magic, sleight of hand and surprise are just a few of his many gifts. We arrive rumpled and in need of a recharge. It is not quite noon. … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Documentary Film, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, New York City, Off-the-beaten-track, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mediterranean Mother Lode

In Sicily I often wonder, “Where are the women?” Sometimes it seems they’re behind closed doors, as men stroll the streets in affectionate pairs and groups. At last, we find the mother lode of Sicilian women in Catania at the … Continue reading

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Festa!

Here in Sicily, whatever the season and no matter where you are, there is a festival gearing up somewhere. Lucky for us, our little city of Noto is no exception. Every town has a patron saint — Palermo has Santa Rosalia, … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Festivals, Holiday Travel, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Magnifici Mosaici

In case you think all we do here is eat and drink, you are only half right. Here are images from a day among the astonishing mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, in the very small town of Piazza … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Sicily | Tagged | 2 Comments

ChoccOfficina Noto

This sun-drenched sleepy corner of Sicily is our home for a month. When we’re not pinching ourselves, we walk the ancient streets at a leisurely pace. We live here and are not in a hurry. We have coffee, dawdle over books, … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Chocolate, Farm-to-Table, Food and Wine, Holiday Travel, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dreaming of a Red Christmas

I arrive to a grim, gray and blizzardy Manhattan. I am longing to see RED. I trot to Museum of American Folk Art‘s exhibition of bright geometric quilts created by recuperating soldiers from wool uniforms — cleverly named, “War and … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, Holiday Travel, New York City, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pacific Northwest: Bainbridge Island & Port Townsend

We ferry across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island, home of Lone Pine Farm & Studio and a long-awaited and highly touted Pino’s pizza from Via Rosa — both worth the wait. Art on the Farm Our island adventure begins at … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Blues Festival, Farm-to-Table, Festivals, Food and Wine, Music, Travel, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Simmering in Seattle

Left-coast at last! The speedy light rail rockets us downtown to the sprawling waterfront by 11:30 — just in time for lunch with La Rachel at pastificio Il Corvo.“You’re in for a treat,” La Rachel says. As always, she is … Continue reading

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Santa Fe: Riders of the Purple Sage

Theater Boy is summons me to Santa Fe where it’s dusty and weathered, hot and beautiful.When I arrive, my eyes are scorched — in a great way. I discover that purple sage is very real.  Maybe there are real cowboys, … Continue reading

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Revolutionary Road: Western Mass

I’m invited for a weekend in the Berkshires. The lure of Tanglewood, museums, theater, tastings, and progressive politics is so compelling that I welcome the hellish drive. John Pizzarelli’s jazzy Radio Deluxe helps the hours and miles be-bop and fly. … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Food and Wine, Music, New England Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel | 1 Comment