by Dianne Hales | Nov 30, 2021 | Christmas in Italy, culture, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, Religion, saints, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In some parts of Italy the feast of San Nicola, patron saint of Bari, ushers in the Christmas season with the giving of gifts on the eve or morning of December 6, his onomastico (name day). Although many stories of San Nicola’ s life may be mythical, he did inspire...
by Dianne Hales | Nov 9, 2021 | art, art history, Bernini, Books, books on Italy, culture, Italian language, Italy, Language, Roman history, Rome, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
Rome, the dome-capped city of gushing fountains, monumental staircases and sunlit piazzas, owes much of its seductive beauty to Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680. Over his long career Bernini emerged as the Michelangelo of his time, a master sculptor, architect,...
by Dianne Hales | Aug 31, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Sayings and expressions, Tuscany, Web/Tech, Weblogs
In the ancient Roman calendar, the year began in March. September, the seventh month, took its name from the Latin septem. During this pivotal month, the hours of sunlight diminish and those of darkness increase. As an Italian proverb puts it, in settembre, la notte...
by Dianne Hales | Aug 24, 2021 | books on Italy, Capri, history, Italian, Italian folklore, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Sayings and expressions, summer in Italy, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
One summer night on the island of Capri some friends told us to meet them at a popular restaurant at precisely 9:35 p.m. When we arrived at the bustling eatery, they escorted us away from the crowded main dining room to a quiet alcove and insisted that Bob and I take...
by Dianne Hales | Aug 18, 2021 | Books, books on Italy, Italian language, Italian words and expressions, Italy, Language, learning Italian, Sayings and expressions, summer in Italy, Travel, Web/Tech, Weblogs
il dolce far niente by Jody Paglia Goode This guest blog by an Italophile in Des Moines is one of the most popular posts I’ve ever run. I’m re-publishing it to savor as the end of summer approaches. Buona lettura! (Enjoy the read!) A few years ago...
