Hello friends. Many of you are sending texts and emails checking in on me during the European lockdown and asking for updates and photos from the new “homestead” in France. Thank you for your interest and concern. I can assure you, I am doing well. There is no absence of activity on my part, despite Europe’s second-wave of COVID. I find myself in a serene place where I am sorting through a lot of projects and cleaning out the old. There is much work to do around the house (and around my mind). As strange as this sounds, I think the lock-down is an unintentional gift for me, despite the grave reasons that led to the present circumstances. I’m certainly not squandering time.
Although I miss Italia and hoped to be there for Christmas (Natale), I would be far more restricted in my Torino apartment. At least here I have open space and much work to do which keeps me busy. I have decided to stay put for the next few months, and use this time to prepare the house for when guests can visit. My list of friends and family visitors is growing, and I can’t wait to be able to spend time with them and show them this corner of Europe.
So let me tell you a little bit about the environment around me, what I have been up to and why it’s a good place to be during a lockdown.
First of all, I have a lot of privacy and land in a beautiful setting. I only have one neighbor in a large farmhouse up the street from me, which houses three generations of a French family. They have a small animal population and hectares of vineyards surrounding their property. I can’t see their house, but if I listen closely, I can hear their horses whinny during the day or spot the occasional tractor in their vineyards that surround my property.
Upon our first introduction, the senior occupants were able to identify me as, “the one who bought the house from the English people.” They assumed I was also English, until I explained my complicated ethnic profile–American turned Italian turned French transplant.
When I moved into the house, my friend Maurine immediately encouraged me to make some “gardening” adjustments to open up the view to the valley below. I had no idea what type of project I was undertaking, but I agreed with her. It would open up a tremendous view. So, after I finished the painting, I decided to tackle the garden. Again, there is always much work to do when you take on something like that.
I went to the local tractor store and bought the following…hold your shock or applause:
- One Stiga (Swedish-made and Italian owned) tractor. I affectionately refer to her as “Lady Bumblebee” because every gay man needs to give their vehicle a name that sounds like a drag queen. Right now, the “Lady” is the only vehicle I actually own–since I’m still leasing a car every month.
- I bought the Lady a trailer to haul things. Again, you never know when you are going to need to haul something. I can move 250 kilograms of something in that trailer, that’s about 600 pounds of “stuff.” I have found that trailer to be indispensable. Cleaning up this property, requires moving a lot of “stuff.”
- I now own two chainsaws, because one is never enough, right? I operate them with a healthy dose of fear and respect. The last thing I want is to be airlifted off the property due to a chainsaw incident.
- I knew I needed a wood-chipper with all of this garden clean-up I was planning. What I didn’t know was how entertaining a simple wood-chipper could be. It provided hours of stress-reducing fun as Maurine and I chipped for three or four hours a day. Each time we fed-it, we imagined shredding thousands of Trump votes with each tree-branch. (Too soon? I couldn’t resist.)
- I had to buy a leaf-blower. After 30-years in California and seeing how practical they are, it made sense. I am completely surrounded by deciduous trees and it’s autumn. Everyday I am greeted with a never ending display of changing leaves from the several hundred-year old oaks. When the winds blow, a shower of orange, red, and gold drifts down into my yard.
- I have a weed-whacker that also has a “metal brush-cutting disk”. I have no idea how to use the cutting disk. But soon, I’m going to run into something where the normal weed-whacker just isn’t going to cut it. Then I’ll pull out the brush-cutter and the operating manual and figure it out.
My friends in Italia now refer to me as “il contadino” or the farmer. I tell them, “Ma, non sono un contadino. Sono un uomo che sta sperimentando–But I am not a farmer, I am a man that is experimenting.” That is the truth. I’m trying this life on for size, and if it doesn’t fit, I’ll find something else.
Here are some pictures of the house. I’m not very good at remembering to take before pictures, so everything is in its current state. I still want to work on the kitchen quite a bit and the furnishings. Unfortunately, the latest COVID lockdown has limited the availability of most things, but I’m in no hurry. There’s much work to do and the time to do it. I am enjoying it.
So you’re probably wondering about the toad part of the story. It’s one of the more intriguing parts of my arrival here.
The first month I received a nightly visitor. It wasn’t the princely type of visitor..but more on the frog end of the equation. It’s was a toad to be exact. It would arrive at sunset and sit by my front door every night for a few hours. Sometimes it would jump into the entrance, and I’d have to pick the toad up and put it back outside. Sofia was barely interested. She pawed at it one time, the toad croaked, and then she simply ignored its nightly presence. As crazy as this sounds, ( I told you I have a lot of time on my hands) I even would throw the toad bugs to eat. I was curious if it would eat them or not. I’ll spare you the video I have of the bugs being snapped up, but it’s kind of interesting.
Since I believe everything has significance, I had to look up the spirit animal meaning for a toad. I was relieved to read the following, “Toads point to change, finding beauty underneath the surface of something not particularly beautiful or the need to hibernate and go inward.” Perhaps it was a reminder for me to use this calm time to find balance and seek the beauty under the surface.
When you sum up the last seven months of life, it makes sense to pause and go inward: trauma from COVID, a fractured relationship, a rather sudden move to France, a nail-biter of an American presidential election and now all of this time on my hands. I have a lot of space where all sorts of processing of thoughts can happen. There’s much work to do and clean-up above and below the surface. I don’t think it ever ends and it’s always there when I make the time to explore it.
I believe the land and the environment are therapists for me now. My father in America always asks me if I’m walking the land. I didn’t understand him at first, but now I do. It’s impossible not to feel special in this space, and it takes the pressure of the need to be somebody or somewhere else. Actually, I’m enjoying the tasks that I am creating to make my environment comfortable, chaos-free and trauma-proof as we head into winter, a more severe COVID outbreak, a chaotic presidential transition and the prospect of spending the holidays differently.
It appears that France and Italia may open up for the last two weeks of December. I’m itching to maybe take a little trip somewhere and see my amici Italiani. The holidays have always been a great time to travel for me. However, this year, it may just be Sofia, Lady Bumblebee, one hibernating toad and me. I’m sure we’ll keep each other busy. We have lots of work to do!
To my friends in America, have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week. Enjoy the time together, even if you have to adjust to something different this year. To my friends around the world, be well and take some time for yourself. Perhaps there’s a lot of work to do in your future as well. Thanks for following The Spaghetti Diaries, and please share on your social page or via email if you think someone else would enjoy following along.
All so beautiful! Thank you for sharing!!! Votre tête doit être une «salade de langue»! Désolé .. mon français est rouillé !!!!!!!! (Your head must be a language salad! Sorry … my French is rusty!! Missing you here but happy knowing you are living such a beautiful experience mi amico.
Oui, j’ai toujours un mélange de français et d’italien dans ma tête. My French is improving. I’m still meeting with my Italian teacher twice a week – but I need to do the same for français now. It’s actually very similar until you get to pronunciation – then all bets are off! Thank you my dear friend..your French isn’t bad :). Perhaps you need to give me a lesson on: Vous, vue, vu, vieux, vulve, and veut.
Miss you as well..be well and enjoy the holiday week.
Oh Lord, my visions of you with a chainsaw! I love that you have your project house! That has always been good medicine and outlet for you. I am happy you are surrounded by friends, new and old. I hope you are able to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends; you always loved doing so. Have fun, watch the chainsaw and wood chipper!
Thank you my dear friend! Yes..you would be proud of me – safety goggles, gloves, and sheer terror! The house is a great thing to occupy my time and keep me focused on building new! I’m doing meal deliveries on Thanksgiving – then probably coming home to study French or Italian 🙂 Oh you would enjoy that wood chipper as well! Reminds me of a certain soccer ball incident…LOL Sending love to you!
Lucca, What a fabulous property for you and Sophia! The farming tools and equipment definetly may define you as a farmer in training (FIT) mister! We can see you working the land and making the property yours!!!! And one more thang..everyone has a name but the toad hmmmm…..??? what’s up with that…
Be safe and enjoy your new home… you deserve all that it has and will bring you!
Sending hugs and love from US of A…
PS so glad the Trump reign of chaos and terror is almost behind us….
I love it…a FIT! I hope to plant a substantial garden in the spring, and already have plans in the works. We’ll see if there’s a green thumb on these hands of mine. I think the toad’s name is going to be a symbol… “The Toad formerly known as Prince.” LOL – or perhaps, the “Toad soon to be knows as a Prince”. I’m not sure which one is more appropriate.
Tell Gina I know a great tractor sales guy in Napa..in case she is interested..I could see that for you both! LOL. Big hugs and yes..let’s sweep this mess out in January and start again. ❤️🤗
Hey Handsome!
I think there could be a “Luke in France” calendar created, with pictures of you and each of the assets you mentioned above and Sofia! Perfect Christmas gift for all! 😀
On a serious note, your land and home are beautiful and I know they are enjoying your caring attention!
The Roberts miss you and are sending you holiday love and hugs! ❤️🤗
Stay well my friend!😘
Thank you darling! Great idea…oh there could be some great photos. I cannot to see you and Roger here – and yes, Lady Bumblebee is waiting for a spin from you! I think you would love this part of the world. I miss you all and hope life can find us a path back together again soon! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving..give Roger, Cindy, and Liliana a big hug for me! Forever in my heart..all of you will be. ❤️🤗
I couldn’t think of a better place for you to be doing exactly what you’re doing with these beautiful creatures. Of course, your writing pulls one in and you feel like you are living this fairytale with you. Once again, thank you for taking me along on the ride.
Enjoy the beauty of this season and the ever-changing trees. It was always my favorite time of year in Portland – the richness of the red, orange and gold leaves!
Happy Thanksgiving from afar my friend. We do have so much to be thankful for, especially after the last vote count! Sending you all my love!
I agree wholeheartedly, life eventually gently place you where you need to be at this point in life. I’m very fortunate it found this place. I imagine Portland looks a lot like here right now, with those amazing colors throughout the Willamette River Valley. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Fenja and the family! Yes, there is much to be thankful for this year: to be here, to be a witness to all that has changed and to have friends like you. Forever grateful..❤ ❤
Similarities with our COVID experience. My husband and I had decided to leave USA behind and travel, first to Costa Rica. Then we went to the Caribbean Isl of Roatan. It took us six months to fly away from COVID/Roatan as we had adopted a French Poodle, Colette, and there were no flights off the Isla with a pet. Ended up chartering a flight to Ft Lauderdale and buying a home in NC. Plans were to keep traveling but COVID put us in our piece of heaven and we are walking our land and enjoying each day. Owning land is life giving for dreams and exercise. Robins and Cardinals…..redbone coonhound also! Live each day, simply and happy. Congrats to us all.
Holly, what a wonderful adventure…and good for Colette! She has some wonderful parents. Enjoy that piece of heaven, for it is here on earth. You just need to see it! Owning land and having the space to breathe is a gift that I am so grateful for during these times. Yes..a hearty congratulations on finding your piece of heaven..and for me finding mine. ❤
Stay well Lou and the view through your window is breathtaking! Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
Thank you Sue! I have to pause every morning to admire it. Today it’s covered with a low-layer of fog on the ground and the sun breaking through. There is frost on the leaves and grass (brrrr!), but a sunny clear day ahead! You have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love.
I looked back at some of your blogs over the last months. It’s funny to see the changes(for the good). Life stretches us in so many ways. Life has certainly pulled on me many times but your words of wisdom always give me hope. I will miss you so much this Holiday season. You always brighten the room that your in and my rooms will be a little dimmer this year.
Sorella, thank you for acknowledging all of the changes. Yes, they are good – but they always feel like stretching into a new outfit..a bit uncomfortable and strange at first, and then eventually the seams give way and your body finds its space. I will miss you and the kids this Christmas, but it will make the next one even more special! Let’s keep burning bright on both sides of the Atlantic. Love you!
Dear Luke, your words and photos are a such wonderful gift for us all this Thanksgiving, wherever your extended fam is marking it. Yes, at last I feel we have sunny uplands in sight. Paris is pretty with foliage, and cheesy (English,natch) festive tunesa re playing in Monoprix. I’ll be home alone (and determined to squeeze a Christmas tree into my chambre de bonne) . On Thursday I will be vicariously toasting you and your menagerie, and smiling at the new language of your country life – um, weed-whacker en francais?! love and belly rub for Sofia and Salut to your change-inspiring princeling!
Christine, thank you my dear friend. The spirit of “thanks-giving” is alive and well – and what a year to pause and reflect on all that we should be thankful for..first of all, I’m here. When so many have lost so much this year, it seems like that is a very good place to start. I’m thankful for the friends of my past, and all of those that have joined me along the way – such as you! What a gift! I do think there is sun in our future..and the clouds are clearly. You must have a tree in your chambre de bonne…I insist! I look forward to the day we can toast again – I may find myself in Paris for the new year. Vin et frites sont au menu!
Luke, love that your the “Lord of the Manor” now! 🤴 what a beautiful place to be able to quarantine in. Do you need bulbs or such to plant now for the spring? Enjoy your Thanksgiving! We’re having a unique one as well as it’s only the 2 of us and we’re newly pescatarian. 🐟🦀🦞🦑
Thank you Toni! Yes..I’m feeling a bit ‘lord-like’ on Walton’s Mountain..here in southwest France. It’s really a great place to confine. In fact, I think I feel more freedom than I have in a long time being here. Funny you should mention bulbs, I am on the hunt for giant white calla lily bulbs..long story, but I’m putting a memorial garden in here. Darin always liked those flowers – and I think this is the place to have a place to honor his affection for them. I did find some from Amazon UK..they should be here any day. It’s a difficult time of the year to find them. I have a feeling they will do well here. Congratulations on being a fellow pescatarian..I did that and never looked back. It’s a great way to treat your body and the Earth 🙂 Be well..enjoy your time in the Keys..and keep me posted on your journey to the Pacific Northwest! Sending much love to you! Happy Thanksgiving.