Yesterday I left Firenze (boo hoo... definitely not enough time-but hopefully will be able to return again soon)...  but no tears fell for too long before I arrived at Monte Poni, my friend Dierdre's amazing villa outside Panzano & Greve in Chianti... I spent a couple hours yesterday just sitting at my computer (working just a little) staring out the door at the rolling hillsides and beautiful villas.

I awoke at La Gaia (Nadia's parents rental villa) to birds singing and the golden sunshine.  We then hopped on the back of her scooter (man I love that thing) and went around the city, walking to old streets, getting coffee...  and fixing my camera...  my lens dropped and needed a little "medical" attention.. (photographers beware a few of the pics may cause your stomach to turn... it HURT to watch them pound away  at my lens with a chisel... glass flying everywhere..it al ended up okay though.. pheww).  we then met D for a lovely lunch ... on our way out of town I made her stop at my FAVORITE place in Florence ... its just up from Piazzale Michaelangelo (away from the tourists)... there is a bench I used to sit on, write in my journal and think about life...  it is the most amazing... peaceful view of the city...