i . am . lying . face . down . on . the . floor . that’s not right my . chin . is . bleeding . I stood up slowly, and saw big red drops on the wood-grain ceramic tiles. that’s not good I walked into the bathroom, got…

The bad news was that we had a potentially sick kitty. The good news was that we already had an appointment to take 4, um, victims to get vaccinations … so we’d be killing 2 birds with 1 stone. An appropriate cat metaphor.

We had rendezvoused with ma petite amie Agat in Rome, and it was her last full day here. For the past three days, we had been showing her the Renaissance and antiquities, guiding her among the non-secular and secular, taking her to eat delicious Roman food. Today we’d wander … …

The Three Musketeers … Agat, David & I … were enjoying our evening in Rome, drinking wine on the rooftop deck at HOTEL MONTE CENCI, after a catholic and Catholic, art-full day at the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Cathedral. …

It was our first afternoon in Rome … on our first post-vaxx trip. Stepping foot into the New Normal … whatever that might be. We had rendezvoused with my BFF Agat to enjoy a few days in the Eternal City, her first visit.

“Let’s meet in Rome. I dare you.” That was Agat’s WhatsApp message. I immediately replied … “Tell me the dates, we’ll be there.” And we were.

That was Domenico’s question as we sat down to dinner at O’ PER BACCO, a lovely trattoria in the Piazza Giotto, on a recent summer evening. “Self,” I thought, “maybe it should be.” My thought bubble continued. I’ll combine it with other meals we’ve eaten here. It’s always good eats…

Part 14 … and final chapter … of THE YEAR OF LIVING COVID-ANGEROUSLY Pilates, then zumba, had re-started … outside. It was GREAT, physically and psychologically. It took a couple of pilates lessons to get my balance back … important for someone who pretends to be a retired ballerina. My…

Part 13 … the penultimate … of THE YEAR OF LIVING COVID-ANGEROUSLY It’s rainy and damp. The garden is getting a slow start … and we wonder what kind of growing season it will be. In France, grape vines have been hurt by recent below freezing temperatures … and we…