​Weathering the Storm with the WP#201

I woke up this morning and the sun was gone (thank you BOSTON), no it was definitely there, but what was unusual for me was seeing temperatures below freezing. Yes, the thermometer said 30 F (-1 C) and in my time here, it has not been below freezing. In fact, the temperature today here in Rome is will be perhaps 49 F (9 C). Yesterday, for the first time, I felt cold when I went outside, but who am I to complain when I hear about temperatures in my former places of residence where the lows are very much minus temps, hovering around 0 F (-17 C) and colder in the Twin Cities, perhaps a little warmer on the eastern seaboard. Anyway, this is probably due to my acclimating to my new environment. I have gotten away without wearing a very heavy and warm coat when I go out, but that is because I don’t have one. At least not here. It is still in storage awaiting the shipping across the pond, so I layer up when I go out, and that works. ​

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Of course, it is mid-January and is expected to be colder, even here, but I know that the temperatures will begin to warm as we approach our first anniversary in February and my memory of meeting Rosa almost 5 years ago on that warm February day, where the temperatures were in the 60’s. I don’t go out often, but more so now, especially in the later afternoon and evening, as the English classes are starting up after the long Christmas holiday season that went all the way through Epiphany, so coming into the school yesterday was rather strange, but it did not take long to get into the groove again. What is nice is that I have a new private student, so two regulars and many others who are doing their encounters every so many weeks. In the end, it is time to balance the trip planning and the teaching of English, and the lull of the holidays is over, so I am extremely busy and hey, there are only 2 months left of winter and here it will be easier to handle versus my time in the Midwest and New England. ​

As an aside, as I subscribed to Paramount and Peacock, watched some of the American Football playoffs, this past weekend and also heard the result of the Vikings – Rams game and was, not necessarily disappointed, as perhaps the outcome was inevitable. Given how the Vikings played against Detroit the week before and what the Rams had to do for this week’s game, the outcome could be expected. Not that the Vikings did not have a good season, overall, but with the wildfires in the Los Angeles area and the country focused on that ongoing tragedy, the player’s minds were on that for sure, and had an added incentive to play for their fans, many, I am sure that were impacted by the fires, especially since they could not play a true home game. In any case, there is 60 years of futility with the Vikings. Yes, they went to the Super Bowl 4 times back in the 70’s, but along with their 4 appearances, came away with 0 wins. To surpass that, only the Buffalo Bills made it to 4 consecutive Super Bowls and came away with a goose egg. Could this be their year? Lots of interesting storylines going into this week’s divisional playoff round.

Who knows, but Rosa and I will be watching the Super Bowl somewhere, maybe even the Hard Rock in Rome if they have a Super Bowl party of sorts. Last year, we watched at the Hard Rock in Pittsburgh. It will be a very busy February I am sure, but right now, the focus is getting through January with all the projects going on and even the additions to the condo, which we expected to be completed this month. Not yet, but I am learning how quickly things move in this country. Slow, slower, slowest, but this is home, and I am here to stay. On any other fronts for now, life is moving along. It is normal everyday life and we have gotten into our routines, which are not exciting, by any stretch, but maybe that is part of the lull of life and this time of year, after the hectic nature of the extended holidays they take here.

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In any case, looking out my window every morning from my desk and seeing the lack of leaves on the trees, the parrots flying around, and other birds, or the cormorants at the man-made lake which I pass twice a week to go to my private lesson and just enjoying the simple things, a cappuccino here, a cornetto there and a homemade meal each and every night. We even made menudo (or I did) as we both like tripe (trippa) in Italian.  I love menudo and every time I went to San Rafael to visit Kenn, we would go on a Saturday or Sunday, to have it and it is a very labor-intensive dish to make and also, because tripe takes hours to become tender, it was only on the menu on the weekends. I have to say that Italy does have their version and it includes tomato sauce, imagine that. Rosa, of course, being Italian, loves her version better, but I had to try, and it was alright for a first attempt. I am not sure if I will try again and if I can find a true Mexican restaurant here in Rome, maybe it will be on the menu. Especially since I could not find all the ingredients but found hot dried peppers and they cleaned out the sinuses very well, they were so intense. ​

Trippa alla romana

Mexican Muendo

I had also binge watched some shows like Yellowstone and Cross, late night, when I could not get to sleep, and liked it so much, I bought the books written by James Patterson. Most of my books, before I left America were sold or given away, and some destroyed in the flood, including a signed copy of Lou Gramm’s book, “Jukebox Hero” when I met him many years ago at the Minnesota State Fair, so I am building a small library, so I will have things to read when I hit the road on the trains across this country and continent moving forward, once I have my residency here and can travel again outside the borders. Reminder to all citizens of non-visa requiring countries like the US and Canada, etc., that visa waivers will be required, so be prepared and you can check this out on my website on the Resources page. 
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Lastly, I do want to send my thoughts and prayers to the people of Los Angeles and wish only the best. Even though I live in Rome, I still am an American and as such, feel for those who have suffered this unfortunate situation. It would be nice to think that we can get through life unscathed, be it a natural disaster, a family situation, war, or anything else that is not a positive, and we have all been through some sort of tragedy in our lives, so this is a common shared emotion of the human condition. They say that what does not kill us, makes us stronger in the long run, but at the moment of the tragedy, all we can think about is why me, or what do I do next. I don’t have the answers, but for those affected by this latest disaster, take one day at a time because trying to take it all in will only make things worse as no human is strong enough to handle everything all at once. And remember, each of you is not an island and there is support there in your local areas and beyond, so one step at a time as you try to return back to some sense of normalcy. 

On that note, stay warm, safe, happy, and healthy as we all go through the winter months, short days and spring is just around the corner. At least think that. At least there is no snow on the ground here, but I heard there had been some in Napoli last week. I don’t miss a meter (3 feet) of snow on the ground and winter boots, here, really do not exist and it will warm up to modest temperatures again soon. Thank you as always for your support of our crazy little world in which Rosa and I live. We truly appreciate it. Maybe something exciting will happen this coming week to share, but if not, until next musings.