Issue #7 "Italy Fever E-Notes" by Darlene Marwitz 05.31.01

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ITALYFEVER.COM: The Italy Lover's Pre- and Post-Travel Online Companion
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IN THIS ISSUE:

- - - LIVING LA DOLCE VITA
- - - FOOD AND DRINK
- - - HOME AND GARDEN
- - - BOOKS AND MOVIES
- - - MUSIC AND OPERA
- - - TRAVEL AND TIDBITS

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LIVING LA DOLCE VITA: "Texas-Italia"

My recent explorations into oil and watercolor painting have strengthened my love of the land-in Texas and in Italy-and my desire to capture the landscapes of both on canvas. As I paint, I'm reminded of the reasons why I was first attracted to Italy more than ten years ago: 1) my love of Italian architecture (the birthplace of historic preservation studies), and 2) my instant rapport with small towns (and even smaller villages) and campagna locations in Italy-places that reminded me of my own experiences in small-town Texas, the rural memories of my youth.

The first "old house" I ever knew anything about was built by my great-great grandparents, of hand-hewn limestone in the late 1870s (modern by Italian standards!), and it was located within a mile of the house where I grew up. This "old" stone house was no longer in the family and already vacant and dilapidated by the time I first passed through its doors, but it fascinated me as a child. I will always contribute my love of architecture to this very structure.

My love of land is even easier to understand. Farming and ranching and an appreciation for nature is in my blood-a legacy inherited from both sides of my family. I will always love the beauty of the Texas landscape, from Central to West Texas in particular where the land is framed by big open skies. Strangely, perhaps, my passion for Texas' undulating panorama is the same tie that connects me to the rolling hills of Tuscany and Umbria, as well as other regions of Italy. The campagna of Italy has always reminded me of Texas, land dear to my heart since childhood.

I grew up outside a small Texas town called Evant (population 425) in Coryell county, in the heart of the state, a place where two mom-and-pop food stores (Flach's Grocery and Inabinet's Grocery) sustained our tiny town square. Mr. Flach on the West side and Mr. Inabinet on the North side of the square sliced big chunks of cheese from their butcher cases, yellow slabs of cheddar that they wrapped in butcher paper. Delicious at room temperature, our "rat" cheese as we called it was the perfect antipasto, an after-school snack that held me and my brothers until dinnertime on hundreds of occasions. The butcher case held more savory offerings too, especially ones suited for the picnic basket: summer sausage and bologna ("balonie") plus another processed meat we called "pickle loaf." [NOTE: It was many years later when I finally learned that our crude version of balogna was based on a genuine sausage from Bologna, Italy, a salume known as mortadella made of ground cooked pork with pieces of white lard and pistachios.] As a child, however, I never knew our "balonie sandwiches" (at least in name) had anything to do with Italy!

Three mom-and-pop cafes also dotted our little town: Jim and Deana's Cafe, The El Rancho Cafe, and Ona's Cafe. On a first-name basis, these family businesses supplied the locals (and a few travelers) with hamburgers, chicken-fried steak, and all the pie and ice cream cones we could hope for. They prepared indigenous fresh food for us in much the same way that small bars continue to offer fresh daily meals throughout Italy-on an intimate level, everyone knowing everyone else.

Likewise, Evant's "dimestore," bank, drugstore, dry goods and hardware stores also nurtured my bias and appreciation of small-town living. And my lifelong interest in furnishings and antiques may very well be the result of regular visits to Evant's only antique shop when I was young, Bernice's Antiques (Bernice Ford). Yes, she's still there! Sadly, however, most of these small family businesses no longer exist. They've been drowned by the offerings of big chains such as HEB Grocery and Wal-Mart. Or the children of these businesses have moved on instead of following in the footsteps of their parents. Still, there's hope. Recent studies in the United States show a surge of interest in country living, dreams of living a simpler life. "Viva la dolce vita," I say to Italy lovers. "Let's boost the trend-by supporting small local businesses whenever you can!"

Ciao,
Darlene

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FOOD AND DRINK:

Cookbook: Often I'm drawn to cookbooks that take me on a journey, collections that foster armchair travel. Public Television host David Rocco caught my attention recently with his companion volume to a television series called Avventura. Our local cable TV service doesn't include Rocco's cooking show, but hopefully his program is familiar to a few of my readers. Avventura: Journeys in Ialian Cuisine (2000) covers twenty-six exciting and delightful destinations via color photographs, historical insights, and delicious cuisine--from Lago di Garda to Viterbo.

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A new TV cooking show debuts on Sunday, June 3! Italian Cooking & Living premiered with its first magazine issue (April-May) and is now kicking off with a companion television show, hosted by Paolo Villoresi. So far, according to the magazine and show's Web site (http://www.italiancookingandliving.com), the program is only offered in the NY metro area, NJ, and in eastern PA, though you might want to take a sneak peek at the video clip that's available online. Hopefully, this program will eventually get picked up on a national level.

Speaking of cooking shows on TV! I finally caught my first episode of the updated Cucina Amore, starring Houston-based Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola-owners and co-owners of numerous Carrabba's Italian Grill restaurants-sporting their Texas twang and sidekick humor. Originally hosted by Nick Stellino, the newest version of Cucina Amore started running April 7 on PBS across America. You can check Carrabba's Web site (http://www.carrabba.com) for existing and forthcoming restaurant locations in 15 states (the original location is on Kirby Lane in Houston) or check the show's Web site for programming details (http://www.cucinaamore.com).

HOME AND GARDEN:

Tip: Italian movie posters make perfect Italy-loving artwork for the home or office. Older posters and ones depicting the most popular movies are, needless to say, the most expensive, but searching for a good deal is fun. There's plenty of cheap reproductions and reprints as well. Locally-owned video stores, other than franchises, often sell their posters once a movie outlives its "new release" status. Or browse http://www.allposters.com to get started. Posters for Life is Beautiful and La Dolce Vita are two of my favorites.

BOOKS AND MOVIES:

Non-Fiction: In Maremma: Life and a House in Southern Tuscany (2001) is David Leavitt and Mark Mitchell's collaboration on fixing up an abandoned, late-1950s farmhouse (purchased in 1997) not far from Grosseto. In Maremma recounts not only their home improvements but also their experiences with colorful characters and festivals, and as with most Italo-memoirs, there's ample food discussion. Chapter by chapter, the book flows like a series of essays and my only complaint is that I wanted to read more details, more personal stories. If anything, this book is too skinny!

Non-Fiction: If you're looking for a saucy memoir that reads like fiction then here's a new title. An Italian Affair (2001) by Laura Fraser is both travelogue and candid love story. Fraser's personal saga of old and new love is sensual in both matters of the heart and in physical descriptions of the land where she travels. The second-person nature of the writing was distracting to me ("you" this and "you" that), but my own desire to visit Italian islands is stronger than ever upon finishing off this book in two evenings.

Non-Fiction: You can't go wrong with this excellent book (also available in audio). I recommended this title when I wrote Italy Fever, but it's time to mention it again! Michael J. Gelb, promoter of mind-mapping techniques is the author of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day (1998) and the How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci Workbook (1999). His hand-on suggestions are thought-provoking and many of you will enjoy the "da Vinci experience."

Movie: I recently rented an Italian movie video called Il Testimone dello Sposo, or The Best Man (1997; Italian w/subtitles). Though this movie never received good reviews, I found it charming in its own way. Billed as a romantic comedy, the movie's best parts are the depictions of the wedding and associated activities that take place on December 31, 1899, the religious wedding customs of Italy, c.1900. You can probably guess the storyline: bride falls for best man, but still, it's fun to watch as long as your not looking for the quality of Cinema Paradiso or Il Postino!

MUSIC AND OPERA:

While I can't say that I was a huge fan of Perry (Pierino) Como, I still mourn his death (1912-2001). Como's variety show is one of my earliest television memories from childhood. A few tunes will always remind me of the "TV singer" with Italian roots in the Abruzzi-even though as a child I didn't know Como was Italian-American: "Catch a Falling Star," "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," and more recently familiar to me, "Papa Loves Mambo." For more information you can search the music category in Yahoo to locate numerous Web pages dedicated to Como.

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Pavarotti celebrates the 40th anniversary of his first staged performance with a new recording called Luciano Pavarotti: Live Recital (2001). The CD includes all-time favorite songs and arias by familiar composers: Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, Donizetti, plus Tosti. You can visit the Maestro's Web site at http://www.lucianopavarotti.it.

TRAVEL AND TIDBITS:

Interested in sailing with me on a Windstar cruise, Rome around to Venice?

During the week of October 20-27, I've been invited as a guest lecturer aboard Windstar Cruise's "Wind Star" sailing vessel where I'm sure to be talking about home and garden issues regarding the Italian villa. I'm also planning to offer a mini watercolor workshop and painting demonstrations-for times when we're out to sea!

Then, I'll participate in "a week at a villa" program (October 27-November 3)-at the handsome Villa Sorga, south of Verona-where fellow Italy lovers will savor northern Italy via fine wine and local cuisine and architectural expeditions-Palladian villas to visit!

For more information on either of these programs please contact Harold Partain at Voyagers in Dallas, (800) 335-2339. Harold knows Italy from tip to toe and his passion for Italy will inspire you!

Tip: Create for your wall a "mind map" of places you'd like to visit in Italy, or a map of Italian moments you desire to experience. Draw a circle in the middle of a piece of poster board and write "Italy" inside and then draw spokes or rays from this center circle that reach out to all the places you want to go in Italy (or moments you wish to experience). Fill in and circle each of these destinations or "goals" at the end of the spokes or rays, and then continue with more new ideas. Your mind map will continue to grow, allowing you to explore new offshoots so to speak, but everything you jot down will also lead you back to your central focus: Italy. [NOTE: See Non-Fiction books above for more information on Michael J. Gelb, a champion of mind-mapping techniques.]

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Parting Words: Following one's passion IS possible, even at home, one tiny "Italianized" step every day.

Buon Viaggio,
Darlene Marwitz

P. S. If you're experiencing difficulty with the links in this newsletter, please check to see if your browser is set to receive HTML. About half of you are receiving activated links (in blue) and half of you are not-sorry about that!

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Questions, comments, suggestions, or corrections?
Please send e-mail to darlene@italyfever.com. I welcome ideas for making this a better newsletter for Italy lovers seeking la dolce vita all year long!

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ITALY FEVER E-NOTES
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