Notices by Gail Parenti (gparenti@mstdn.social)

Our friend just sent us this shot of a hare chowing down on our grapes. We don't plan to harvest them this year, so Dolce GaBunny is welcome to them! #Umbria

Good morning, ewe!😍 #Scotland

When the sheep come to join you for happy hour. #Scotland

Another beautiful day on the #IsleOfSkye. We haven't ventured far the past couple of days. We're content to stay close and just enjoy the views ~ waves arms all around ~ from everywhere.

We did get some nice shots on our trip to the Fairy Pools yesterday. It was one of those precious spectacularly sunny days. #IsleOfSkye #WaterfallWednesday

It's time for the trip back to our alternate universe. We've actually had an incredibly productive 3 weeks in many ways. We've had several puzzle pieces shift into place which should make our lives easier going forward. We've both had medical visits that gave us reassurance and some answers for treatment in the future. We've probably spent 5-6 hours on the phone with banks and airlines, but at least we didn't get charged international rates! I got my iPhone battery replaced, yay! 1/3

After the jet lag, we got plenty of rest. Our hilltop hermitage in Italy is peaceful, but I can't say that it is always restful. There's always something to do, and living in a foreign language adds a layer of stress that's hard to explain. It's nice to go to sleep not trying to figure out how to say what you need to say to get through the next day. We avoided 3 weeks of intense heat in #Umbria. Even though Miami is wicked hot, we are equipped for it, and we were actually very comfortable. 2/3

Perhaps most importantly, my RFL realized that coming back to Miami in the dead of summer wasn't the end of the world. After all, the ease of traveling to and from Italy and easy access to our medical professionals were the two biggest reasons for choosing this place for the next chapter. And I realized that I'm not ready to live here full time, as much as I love it. I'm ready to get back to Italy. 3/3

A funny (well, now it's funny) thing happened the other day. The RFL wanted to drive his little toy car and we needed to pick up some things at the grocery store. He got his things and went out to the car. I got my things, checked out and headed out to meet him. Well it started pouring. I was heading to the car and was almost there when he tore out! I was hollering and cussing and flapping my arms chasing after him, when I saw a highly amused lady standing there waiting for her ride. 😂 1/2

Today is the 14th anniversary of the start of our #SplitHappens adventure: when the cops showed up at our hotel and informed us that an order had been entered compelling us to leave Italy! Well, rule-follower me thought it was the end of the world! But it turned out to be a gigantic gift from the universe: the chance to spend 90 days exploring Croatia.

I set aside an hour this morning to complete and return our ballots for the August primary. I've never taken the opportunity to vote from oversees more seriously than I did today, knowing how precarious it is. #IVoted

Yesterday we had another Green Acres moment. You know when the ignorant city dweller shows just how ignorant he is? I remember years ago when we planted our first garden. We went to the mill to buy our plants and the amused cashier shouted for all the farmers to hear: "Twenty-four zucchini!" We obviously knew nothing about - well, anything - and our embarrassment grew over the summer, along with our zucchini. #Umbria 1/3

Reason 495 why I love #Italy: the fearless little girl in glasses (5? 6?) who wants to meet you on your way into the local country pizzeria. She lives in the house across the street and is with her parents who are pruning their abundant roses in the cool of the evening. When you come back out after dinner and call her by name to say goodnight, she enlists her mom to walk her across the street to deliver one perfect rose.

250 years? It feels like that's how long it's been since Trump rode down that stupid escalator. The only thing I'm celebrating is that he won't be there forever, and that someday - hopefully sooner rather than later - we can get down to the business of fixing what he has broken. #USPol

#SilentSunday

Reason 492 why I love Italy: I picked up the medication I take every six months at the pharmacy, where they gave me a 12€ discount because they feel bad that I don't have insurance. My neighbor the doctor came up to give me the injection, after which we enjoyed a visit over a glass of wine under the gazebo on a splendid afternoon.

Is it possible for an entire country to implode from cringe? #USPol

My friend gave me some silvery white thread and I am loving working it into my stars on my Stardust piece. I explained to her that it seems all of my work includes bits and bobs from other people, like my sisters and grandmother. Now she's woven in as well. I also realized this morning that my #Embroidery is the only place in my life where I afford myself the grace to make mistakes. I just keep going and work over, around, or through them. That made me happy.

@thomasfuchs Thank you for this. I have been on an allergy-palooza for the past 9 months, so this was both timely and helpful.

Happy birthday to my sweet Mama who turns 89 today. I feel content that Buddy is there to look after her while I'm away. 😻 #CatsOfMastodon