Intimate moments with nature (from Glory moments)

With my dog Charlie I go for walks in solitary places surrounded by nature; our little escape from routine walks in the neighbourhood. He always goes ahead of me and even when we stop or sit down, he has his back to me, perhaps because he feels protected and quiet this way; this allows me to observe what attracts his attention, giving me intimate moments with nature.

Little snack in Rome (from "Dangerous work in Rome", Glory moments)

Roman "phone" supplì

We arrived at the trattoria at 3pm with a lion's hunger; the place was very cosy, with slightly dimmed lighting. We were met by a pretty brunette waitress, and the Architect immediately took the floor and asked her with a mischievous smile if we were still in time for lunch.

The roles  were now reversed: the Waitress had become the Architect and the Architect  the inquiring Entrepreneur: “Listen Miss, would you kindly tell us the absolutely typical dishes you have, from starters to dessert? My collaborator has never been here in Rome (lie!) and I would like him to taste your delicacies!”.

“Yes, then… ”, replied the Waitress, “we can bring you crostini di sugo, mixed sliced meats and supplì as starters, then spaghetti alla carbonara or spaghetti alla matriciana; abbacchio alla scottadito with artichokes alla Giudìa and roast potatoes as main course; for dessert sour cherry tart, wine ring-shaped cakes, ricotta cake and the classic profitterol, tiramisù and panna cotta with caramel”.

“Great, great” muttered the Architect “and excuse me, what would supplì be, I don't really remember well!”.

“They are breaded and fried rice
balls filled with cheese similar to mozzarella; you'll enjoy eating them because as soon as they are opened and steaming hot they will form a long string like the ones on the vintage telephones!”.

“Then bring us these supplì right away with a fresh Frascati (white wine) and then, with the first courses, a fuller-bodied red, also fine house!”.

From there on it was a succession of courses, laughter, jokes to the waitress but above all comments on the morning business meeting and my “essential role” as collaborator!

Energy flows

Someone refers to quantum physics, someone talks about synchronism and someone refers to ancient eastern philosophies; different ways to explain something that each of us, perhaps at different moments in lives, feels. When we try our hand at something creative it is as if we draw directly from this primordial energy, leaving our ego astonished, that is, that mountain of superstructures that we carry on our shoulders. 

What do you think about it? 

6 Australians and Glory moments: author's presentation

6 Australians, published in October 2020, recounts the magical bond between a teenager from a village in southern Tuscany and the Australian band INXS, led by the charismatic and beloved Michael Hutchence. It's a journey of just over ten years (from 1986 to 1997) into the wonders of memory, music, history, geology and beautiful landscapes.

"Slowly but surely, that diary I’d started from scratch turned into something more complex.
Youth memories started unraveling and instances of joy, laughter, friendship, camaraderie and love came to light".

Glory moments, published in June 2023,  maintains the narrative characteristics of 6 Australians: the opportunity to arrange old drawings and photographs triggers a process of focusing on the past, and the memory of loved ones, amusing stories, impressions and the connection to legendary figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Gilles Villeneuve and Michael Hutchence resurface. 

"When, among the thousands of images you glimpse on the horizon, one calls out to you and captures your attention, there is the unveiling of the truth: you can understand your nature, the reason for your choices in life and enjoy that sense of fullness that makes you happy".