Italian Capers

We decided to attend H's school celebration of Carnevale - yes I know it was in February. Our landlady, Signora Anna, repeatedly told me to let the kids wear their Halloween costumes. We went to the party a couple minutes late as we have learned is the expected protocol. When we walked into the large open room, I immediately noticed a difference between the little Americanas and the other girls.....ALL the Italian girls were dressed like princesses. Most of the Italian boys were dressed like super heros.....I think there was one clown. Our girls were dressed like....yep, dogs. Who let the dogs out? There's the one clown. The main activity for the duration of the party was throwing confetti. After all the confetti was thrown, the kids scooped it all up and threw it over and over and over again. I am still finding bits of confetti around the house. That's the infamous Luigi. For a brief time, he was trying to hold H's hand and kiss her cheek at school. She did no...

Ally: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - al·ly /v. əˈlaɪ; n. ˈælaɪ, əˈlaɪ/ Pronunciation Key -verb, -lied, -ly·ing, noun, plural -lies. –verb (used with object) 1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually fol. by with or to): Russia allied itself to France. 2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship. –verb (used without object) 3. to enter into an alliance; join; unite. –noun 4. a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose: Canada and the United States were allies in World War II. 5. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Origin: 1250–1300; ME alien Not surprisingly, I have been feeding a stray dog for months. This particular dog limps around the village- usually down the middle of the road. (Probably how he got the limp.) White and tan, he reminds me ...

When I was driving to a nearby town yesterday, I saw two dogs playing along the side of the road. They were joyfully celebrating spring- jumping all around and sniffing everything. As I passed them, I realized they weren't dogs. They were two small, brown, hairy, little pigs! They romped in the grass a while longer and then got spooked when a moped whizzed along. They quickly darted back into their farm. Spring has sprung here in Italy, although my laundry sustained some hail damage today! We have been joyfully celebrating spring...minus the sniffing : )