Italy Washing Lines + Wishing Wells

When I drive along the country roads of Italy I watch the hills and they look like women, voluptuous women, wearing skin-tight velvet and corduroy dresses to show their beautiful curves. I love the faithful lifestyle... the way the milk joins the coffee in the cup, the same way the beautiful words join for music that a whole nation sways proudly to. It makes me feel safe, as if I could walk with my eyes closed and grope only onto the ropes of consistency to find my way. That civilised apperitivo hour, just at the special time of day when the sun may be going down, making that ageing ochra and stone wall that’s holding together the piazza seem even more magnificent. Just at that time of day I like to sip prosecco with all the others and bite into something small, perhaps an artichoke crostino. It makes me happy, as if a box of inspiration had landed in my lap and I want to hold it forever.