"Ambling About In Umbria"

I've just spent five days in Umbria with husband, son R, future daughterinlaw K.

We stayed in this lovely old farm house between Florence and Rome.

The countryside is gorgeous, the hilltop towns are magical.

We have relaxed and ambled and read and drunk and eaten ( oh yes, we've eaten...)

We are already planning a return..

PS. While in Italy, I read " Digging to America" by Anne Tyler.

It's a wonderful study of family; it paints a portrait of its complex relationships, countless celebrations, the ties of siblings, the love of parents, the loss of our loved ones. It introduces inlaws, ( and occassionally, outlaws) shows us the irresistible joy of family, the aching tensions, loyalties, jealousies, the untold delights...it's ALL there.

AND it's also a social and cultural commentary on life in modern day America.

But to me it was principally an accurate and astute word painting.... a picture of the frailty of family, and above all, its beautiful strength.