by Dianne Hales | Jul 7, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, Italian language, Italy, Language, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
A guest post by Donna Keel Armer I wrote my autobiography in the second grade. It was the same year my mom bestowed upon me a wondrous red fake-leather diary with lock and key. Every day I filled its pages. But gradually I learned it was easier to perform to everyone...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 30, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, Italian language, Italy, Language, Sayings and expressions, Social behavior, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
The editors at Outwit Trade recently asked an array of language learners and experts “What is the best way to learn a foreign language?” Among the creative suggestions: Watch an episode of a TV show like Friends in English and pick out the phrases...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 23, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, Fellini, Film, history, Italian language, Italian movies, Italy, Language, movies, Social behavior, Travel, Weblogs, wine
In a business built on dreams, Federico Fellini, born a century ago, may have been the biggest dreamer of all. As a boy in Rimini, he kept a sketch pad by his bed so he could record his vivid fantasies. His lifelong passion was transforming his visions into stories...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 16, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, culture, Fathers Day, Florence, history, Italian language, Italy, Language, Sayings and expressions, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In Italy La Festa del Papà falls on March 19, the feast of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph), the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. Joseph not only supports fathers but also looks after orphans, unwed mothers, the needy and the homeless. In the United States we...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 9, 2020 | art, art history, Books, books on Italy, coronavirus, culture, Italian language, Italy, Language, Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, Renaissance, Travel, Tuscany, Web/Tech, Weblogs, women
Leonardo’s muse, Mona (Madame) Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, was born 541 years ago on June 15, 1479. Few art works have experienced more adventures—and misadventures—in and out of the frame. The Florentine matron has shed her stately robes and appeared in...
by Dianne Hales | Jun 2, 2020 | Books, books on Italy, Health, history, Italian language, Italy, Language, literature, Renaissance, Social behavior, Travel, Tuscany, Web/Tech, Weblogs
The Medici, the dynasty that governed Renaissance Florence, blazed into the 21st century in a three-part series, now streaming on Netflix. While many dispute its historical accuracy, the lavish production captures the seize-the-day spirit of the age. Certainly...
