I’m supposed to be packing but instead doing lots of other important last minute things. Like checking the weather in Italy. I was very curious because last year at this time we were knee-deep in snow there in Umbria. The good news is that it should be a bit more seasonal this year with temps of about 50 degrees there every day next week. After what we’ve been getting here in Maine this winter, 50 sounds positively tropical. Can’t wait to get there.
Speaking of Americans in Italy right now: how about New England’s own Bode Miller in Bormio! He is rocking the World Cups with his wild rides down their mountains.
Somehow, I think I can expect to see a lot more about Bode’s World Cups than the Patriots’ Super Bowls. I don’t believe even the legendary New England Patriots will make much of a splash there in Italy next weekend, win or lose. Not on the radar screen. I remember last year at this time having a heck of a time finding any newspaper with any detail at all. Web, yes.
Next message will be from the other side of the pond.
See you in Italy,
Stew
You’ve all seen the travel posters with the headline “Sunny Italy,” and it may be sunny in Italy in the winter, but it can also be “Snowy Italy”. As you can see from this photo last Feb. But! As I always say when people ask about the winter “how bad can it be in a place with palm trees?” Yes, the snow can come and make a mess for a couple of days, but then it is over, it all melts and everyone gets back to what they were doing before it came. 
I am counting the days. Can’t wait. As they say in Italy “non vedo l’ora.” My intent is to do a daily blog of the trip. We’ll see how this experiment works out. Have digi camera will travel. Flying into Firenze and working my way down to Umbria. Coming around the last corner when our house first reveals itself never ceases to thrill. Surprises us with a big dose of “welcome home” every time. The photo here is what I’m leaving behind in snowy Maine.