April was warmer weather, yardwork, and Easter . . .
On Easter morning I had an overwhelming thought, “What must that 1st Pasqua morning have looked like?” And so I took a short video of what I think that 1st Easter morning might have looked like.
Here in Capestrano on that day the weather was crisp, beautiful, peaceful, serene, and more. In Italy we’d say: INCREDIBILE!
And as I did the 45 second video below, I had a hard time speaking and thinking and wondering if this morning in Capestrano mirrored what that 1st Pasqua morning might have looked like.”
I think it might have looked something like this . . .
We had a sweet time with old friends and new friends, celebrating Pasqua in Raiano.
READY FOR A NEW MONTHLY FEATURE?
Naida’s Fav’s
Naida’s Favorite Photos
We’re starting a new section where each month, Naida will show you her favorite photos from the various locations around our home, around our village, wherever she’s inspired.
They should be pretty spectacular!
NAIDA’S PHOTOS & VIDEOS
NAIDA & SULMONA
We went to Sulmona with our friend Peter. Note the 2000 year old aqueduct, the musicisti rendition of an American favorite, and a jumprope competition.
NAIDA & CATS
Our neighbor has a number of cats and Naida loves photographing them as they do life all around us.
FOXY NAIDA
She won’t like that title (but I’m writing the blog).
Naida did a GREAT JOB (“Ben Fatto” in Italiano) photographing this fox which was at our neighbor’s eating his cat’s food.
If you can open it, here’s a link with these fox photos as a GIF: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipORro34pjY4EXkyGuGIlkir7J7zoBN9RkQ3z-Ed9M2_o3SFq7o0EiUZzzsnV8TbFA?key=OWNIN0NUalEtd0RNZE1vQ3lMS0JaODFzQXloekJB
Rocca Calascio
On the edge of the Fiumi Tirino Valley, also known as the “Valle Tritana” is Rocca Calascio, the highest castle in the Apennines. There are only a half dozen residents and one of them is a woman who has a loom and does incredible work. I know, I have a scarf to prove it.
SERIOUSLY, LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT HERE
STUDY ITALIAN,
YEAH RIGHT!
I forgot how beautiful the views are here. And now that the weather has improved and I can sit outside and practice my Italian, I have another problem.
I DON’T WANNA!
I’d rather enjoy the view, wouldn’t you?
INSPIRATION
I’m alwys amazed at the inspiration which comes to me, from the sources of beauty here.
In particular, the rocks, the rocks in their natural habitat and their use by the artisans here.
ROCK AND MORE ROCK
The rock, the company, the work which the artisans do.
It’s amazing! What more can I say.
The top photo of a step inspiried me to build in my giardino, which you’ll see below.
Li’l Ole Bricklayer, “Me!”
Mark’s Paternal grandfather was a brick layer back in Iran. He, and eventually his grandmother, left Iran in the “19-teens” escaping persecution from the Turks. His great grandmother was martryred for her faith, and it precipitated the move. Her death was memorialized and updated in the novel, “Divided Nation.”
Mark’s rock “stardina” might just make his grandfather proud.
And this was the finished product . . .
ADDITIONAL WORK AROUND THE CASA
Sweet Times with Friends in April (both human and not)
This month, the variety of friends was all over the board . . .
- My great neighbor, Alfredo
- Steve & Gina from Arizona VIA Raiano
- Peter from NYC VIA Capestrano
- And some friends we video’d
But, in all honesty, this month our friends also included . . .
- Weeds (BTW, I showed the pretty ones)
- The cats, as normal
- The moon above the Castle
- And of course, MY FIRST FIG
Ci vediamo, presto,
Mark & Naida
Mark’s Giardino
DEVO NOTES FROM APRIL
These are a few notes I’ve shared with a group of friends
Is HOPE the prayer?
I never tire of Paul’s breadth of meaning in such a small prayer.
POLITICS and prayer.
Not always so easy.
TWO reasons to get into the Word.
Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/GOljMXvZkX0
HIM, always.
A profound recognition and yet, often so contrary to my thoughts.