Viaggiare in Italia: Afterword

It's now Monday morning. We are home. The grass is tall, but a bit too wet to mow. Maybe this afternoon. Our fig tree is still ripening, so we did not lose our spring crop. The roof was not blown off the house.

Our travel went remarkably well. We were always on time or early. Barely any turbulence or unwanted surprise. Several wonderful surprises.

There were no bad meals and many fine meals. Only one day of rain, seven days of bright sun. Our "free" hotel rooms were much better than we would have otherwise reserved. Because airfare and lodging were paid with points, we otherwise traveled as if we were wealthy.

Travel can open the mind to new possibilities. Previously unrecognized options seem, at least for awhile, both fantastic and entirely realistic. Today Jeannie and I will purchase lavender, rosemary, and zinnias. This evening we will have wine, cheese, and olives on our deck.

We are in our late fifties. I have had, depending on how you count, six or seven careers. I will probably have at least two more before I die. I expect my current career will begin to end in the next two years or so. I need to move toward the next horizon even while this ending plays out.

It would be great to create an opportunity to allow for more of what we've experienced the last ten days. We will try.