Il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing)

"Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar,
but the best improve with age."

Pope John XXII

What's a man to do when he isn't playing golf, strumming a guitar or fixing things? Here are just a few of Jim's Italian activities.

The coffee culture is big over here. One thing that should be remembered - un caffe is priced accordingly; standing and drinking it at the counter cost you the least. If you sit at a table inside it will cost a little more,and if you sit outside the cost jumps again.

Whether in a hilltown or in the countryside, hiking is always a good choice for Jim. Here he is playing King of the Mountain. You climb it, you pee on it and it's yours.

Sightseeing - any day, any way. On the way to Deruta, (where they hand paint all those gorgeous ceramics) we couldn't pass up a good photo op. Those drop-dead red grape leaves were pretty to see from any curve on that country road.


Sometimes il dolce far niente grabs hold and one just has to surrender to it. Wine at lunch can enhance this effect.

Carry on, Jim!

Your trooper, Susan