I wanted to go back into the misty past to begin our conversation because it’s
to begin our conversation because it’s
to begin our conversation because it’s awfully you and I actually met in the
awfully you and I actually met in the
awfully you and I actually met in the early 1980s when I moved to San
early 1980s when I moved to San
early 1980s when I moved to San Francisco and you were a poet and a
Francisco and you were a poet and a
Francisco and you were a poet and a teacher and a pre Tuscany poet and I
teacher and a pre Tuscany poet and I
teacher and a pre Tuscany poet and I wanted to ask you because at that time
wanted to ask you because at that time
wanted to ask you because at that time you’re already a very accomplished
you’re already a very accomplished
you’re already a very accomplished writer and a very accomplished teacher
writer and a very accomplished teacher
writer and a very accomplished teacher but obviously your life changed
but obviously your life changed
but obviously your life changed somewhere along the way and I wanted to
somewhere along the way and I wanted to
somewhere along the way and I wanted to begin by asking how how Tuscany entered
begin by asking how how Tuscany entered
begin by asking how how Tuscany entered your life and then how under the Tuscan
your life and then how under the Tuscan
your life and then how under the Tuscan Sun entered your life I studied
Sun entered your life I studied
Sun entered your life I studied Renaissance art and Renaissance
Renaissance art and Renaissance
Renaissance art and Renaissance architecture in college and the minute I
architecture in college and the minute I
architecture in college and the minute I got out of college I wanted to go to
got out of college I wanted to go to
got out of college I wanted to go to Italy to see all these places I had
Italy to see all these places I had
Italy to see all these places I had studied so that’s what led me there
studied so that’s what led me there
studied so that’s what led me there initially but the minute I got there I
initially but the minute I got there I
initially but the minute I got there I just absolutely fell for the place and
just absolutely fell for the place and
just absolutely fell for the place and started going back there as often as I
started going back there as often as I
started going back there as often as I could I remember being in Bologna the
could I remember being in Bologna the
could I remember being in Bologna the first morning in Italy and it’s that
first morning in Italy and it’s that
first morning in Italy and it’s that wonderful city with all those beautiful
wonderful city with all those beautiful
wonderful city with all those beautiful arcades and there were people having
arcades and there were people having
arcades and there were people having coffee and laughing and moving around
coffee and laughing and moving around
coffee and laughing and moving around talking to each other and I looked at my
talking to each other and I looked at my
talking to each other and I looked at my husband and said these people are having
husband and said these people are having
husband and said these people are having more fun than we are and that was kind
more fun than we are and that was kind
more fun than we are and that was kind of first realization that Italy has a
of first realization that Italy has a
of first realization that Italy has a kind of vivacity that just drew me very
kind of vivacity that just drew me very
kind of vivacity that just drew me very strongly and I started going there
strongly and I started going there
strongly and I started going there whenever I could I was writing poetry
whenever I could I was writing poetry
whenever I could I was writing poetry forever I that was all I ever intended
forever I that was all I ever intended
forever I that was all I ever intended to write as as I was growing up and
to write as as I was growing up and
to write as as I was growing up and studying in college and I became a
studying in college and I became a
studying in college and I became a teacher at San Francisco State
teacher at San Francisco State
teacher at San Francisco State University and wrote poetry my husband’s
University and wrote poetry my husband’s
University and wrote poetry my husband’s a poet we breathed poetry but when I got
a poet we breathed poetry but when I got
a poet we breathed poetry but when I got to Italy in that house after we bought
to Italy in that house after we bought
to Italy in that house after we bought the house I started writing longer
the house I started writing longer
the house I started writing longer and lines didn’t anymore want to be cut
and lines didn’t anymore want to be cut
and lines didn’t anymore want to be cut at where the line break goes in a poem
at where the line break goes in a poem
at where the line break goes in a poem and started keeping notebooks and it
and started keeping notebooks and it
and started keeping notebooks and it just started expanding and I found
just started expanding and I found
just started expanding and I found myself writing prose I never intended to
myself writing prose I never intended to
myself writing prose I never intended to and I think it’s just mysterious that
and I think it’s just mysterious that
and I think it’s just mysterious that sometimes the rhythms in your brain
sometimes the rhythms in your brain
sometimes the rhythms in your brain change and your genre kind of follows
change and your genre kind of follows
change and your genre kind of follows after that so it wasn’t a conscious
after that so it wasn’t a conscious
after that so it wasn’t a conscious choice but I did start writing prose
choice but I did start writing prose
choice but I did start writing prose because I was writing just out of
because I was writing just out of
because I was writing just out of excitement at living there and learning
excitement at living there and learning
excitement at living there and learning a new language meeting people and it was
a new language meeting people and it was
a new language meeting people and it was very spontaneous and in fact all my
very spontaneous and in fact all my
very spontaneous and in fact all my books about Italy have been just written
books about Italy have been just written
books about Italy have been just written out of spontaneity and fun did the book
out of spontaneity and fun did the book
out of spontaneity and fun did the book come together fairly spontaneously then
come together fairly spontaneously then
come together fairly spontaneously then as as a book and you had a manuscript
as as a book and you had a manuscript
as as a book and you had a manuscript and you sent it off yes it did it was
and you sent it off yes it did it was
and you sent it off yes it did it was very spontaneous and I kind of got it
very spontaneous and I kind of got it
very spontaneous and I kind of got it all together and I sent it off to an
all together and I sent it off to an
all together and I sent it off to an editor at Chronicle Books in San
editor at Chronicle Books in San
editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco and much to my surprise they
Francisco and much to my surprise they
Francisco and much to my surprise they accepted it and it was published they
accepted it and it was published they
accepted it and it was published they expected it to sell kind of like my
expected it to sell kind of like my
expected it to sell kind of like my books of poetry had which was not at all
books of poetry had which was not at all
books of poetry had which was not at all and um it was one of those books that
and um it was one of those books that
and um it was one of those books that had just you know took off on its own
had just you know took off on its own
had just you know took off on its own legs and surprised everyone I’ve been
legs and surprised everyone I’ve been
legs and surprised everyone I’ve been kind of following after it ever since
kind of following after it ever since
kind of following after it ever since when it did start to sell the editor
when it did start to sell the editor
when it did start to sell the editor called me and he said Frances um this
called me and he said Frances um this
called me and he said Frances um this book is really selling we think it’s
book is really selling we think it’s
book is really selling we think it’s because of the cover
what a charming remark so once the book
what a charming remark so once the book came out and became a runaway sensation
came out and became a runaway sensation
came out and became a runaway sensation was your life turned upside down
was your life turned upside down
was your life turned upside down well it certainly changed a lot I had
well it certainly changed a lot I had
well it certainly changed a lot I had been teaching for 23 years and had been
been teaching for 23 years and had been
been teaching for 23 years and had been kind of squeezing my writing in around
kind of squeezing my writing in around
kind of squeezing my writing in around the edges mostly doing my writing in the
the edges mostly doing my writing in the
the edges mostly doing my writing in the summer and I was chair of the creative
summer and I was chair of the creative
summer and I was chair of the creative writing department at San Francisco
writing department at San Francisco
writing department at San Francisco State we had 35 writers on our creative
State we had 35 writers on our creative
State we had 35 writers on our creative writing faculty it’s very large program
writing faculty it’s very large program
writing faculty it’s very large program and it was definitely one of those
and it was definitely one of those
and it was definitely one of those herding cats
herding cats
herding cats jobs so um it was great to me when I
jobs so um it was great to me when I
jobs so um it was great to me when I could I quit not to put too fine a point
could I quit not to put too fine a point
could I quit not to put too fine a point on it but I really love teaching but I’m
on it but I really love teaching but I’m
on it but I really love teaching but I’m to be able to be a full-time writer was
to be able to be a full-time writer was
to be able to be a full-time writer was such a gift and it took a long time but
such a gift and it took a long time but
such a gift and it took a long time but I just loved having the fun of deciding
I just loved having the fun of deciding
I just loved having the fun of deciding on a project and knowing that I have the
on a project and knowing that I have the
on a project and knowing that I have the time to actually do it and you’ve been
time to actually do it and you’ve been
time to actually do it and you’ve been involved with Tuscany now for for how
involved with Tuscany now for for how
involved with Tuscany now for for how long would you say a long time we bought
long would you say a long time we bought
long would you say a long time we bought the house in 1990 it seems impossible
the house in 1990 it seems impossible
the house in 1990 it seems impossible well just impossible but last summer we
well just impossible but last summer we
well just impossible but last summer we celebrated our 20th anniversary there
celebrated our 20th anniversary there
celebrated our 20th anniversary there and we had many big parties and many big
and we had many big parties and many big
and we had many big parties and many big roasted pigs and celebrations and it
roasted pigs and celebrations and it
roasted pigs and celebrations and it just seems impossible because Tuscany is
just seems impossible because Tuscany is
just seems impossible because Tuscany is still new to me that is what is so
still new to me that is what is so
still new to me that is what is so unpredictable you’d think after 20 years
unpredictable you’d think after 20 years
unpredictable you’d think after 20 years you know a place and you know the land
you know a place and you know the land
you know a place and you know the land like you know the lines in your own palm
like you know the lines in your own palm
like you know the lines in your own palm and you think you you know it but Italy
and you think you you know it but Italy
and you think you you know it but Italy is such a remarkable country maybe it’s
is such a remarkable country maybe it’s
is such a remarkable country maybe it’s because they only unified to put it
because they only unified to put it
because they only unified to put it loosely they haven’t really defined
loosely they haven’t really defined
loosely they haven’t really defined a hundred and fifty years ago but
a hundred and fifty years ago but
a hundred and fifty years ago but because they had such a long history of
because they had such a long history of
because they had such a long history of these small papal States and little
these small papal States and little
these small papal States and little kingdoms everything stayed very
kingdoms everything stayed very
kingdoms everything stayed very individual different dialect different
individual different dialect different
individual different dialect different pasta different artists different
pasta different artists different
pasta different artists different colored stone and it’s still kind of
colored stone and it’s still kind of
colored stone and it’s still kind of like that so even if you’ve been there
like that so even if you’ve been there
like that so even if you’ve been there 20 years you can still go 30 miles and
20 years you can still go 30 miles and
20 years you can still go 30 miles and you’re somewhere you’ve never seen
you’re somewhere you’ve never seen
you’re somewhere you’ve never seen before it’s some little tiny village
before it’s some little tiny village
before it’s some little tiny village that is very intriguing some little hill
that is very intriguing some little hill
that is very intriguing some little hill town and the south you know the north
town and the south you know the north
town and the south you know the north the Veneto all these different places
the Veneto all these different places
the Veneto all these different places it’s if you had five lifetimes you could
it’s if you had five lifetimes you could
it’s if you had five lifetimes you could never know Italy what was it about Italy
never know Italy what was it about Italy
never know Italy what was it about Italy or Tuscany in particular at the
or Tuscany in particular at the
or Tuscany in particular at the beginning of your love affair with it
beginning of your love affair with it
beginning of your love affair with it what was it what are the qualities that
what was it what are the qualities that
what was it what are the qualities that come to your mind that just made you
come to your mind that just made you
come to your mind that just made you fall in love with it
fall in love with it
fall in love with it initially it was the Renaissance I think
initially it was the Renaissance I think
initially it was the Renaissance I think I certainly went there for beardo della
I certainly went there for beardo della
I certainly went there for beardo della francesca and Frangelico and all the
francesca and Frangelico and all the
francesca and Frangelico and all the great Tuscan artists senior le is one of
great Tuscan artists senior le is one of
great Tuscan artists senior le is one of my favorites because he’s a Cortona boy
my favorites because he’s a Cortona boy
my favorites because he’s a Cortona boy so I definitely went Tuscany local boy
so I definitely went Tuscany local boy
so I definitely went Tuscany local boy makes good yes he did went they are
makes good yes he did went they are
makes good yes he did went they are definitely for the art but I’d have to
definitely for the art but I’d have to
definitely for the art but I’d have to say we stayed there for the people
say we stayed there for the people
say we stayed there for the people because in this small town it’s 2,500
because in this small town it’s 2,500
because in this small town it’s 2,500 people within the walls the Etruscan
people within the walls the Etruscan
people within the walls the Etruscan walls of the town it’s an ancient town
walls of the town it’s an ancient town
walls of the town it’s an ancient town oh they’re just 2,500 people but we
oh they’re just 2,500 people but we
oh they’re just 2,500 people but we found such an intense sense of community
found such an intense sense of community
found such an intense sense of community there and I love that feeling of being
there and I love that feeling of being
there and I love that feeling of being very grounded in a place and
very grounded in a place and
very grounded in a place and experiencing how life takes place around
experiencing how life takes place around
experiencing how life takes place around a Piazza and you go to the Piazza every
a Piazza and you go to the Piazza every
a Piazza and you go to the Piazza every day you do your shopping around the
day you do your shopping around the
day you do your shopping around the Piazza you have coffee you run into
Piazza you have coffee you run into
Piazza you have coffee you run into everyone you want to see in a few that
everyone you want to see in a few that
everyone you want to see in a few that you don’t
you don’t
you don’t you transact all your business there I
you transact all your business there I
you transact all your business there I think that’s one reason the Internet has
think that’s one reason the Internet has
think that’s one reason the Internet has not really caught on very much in
not really caught on very much in
not really caught on very much in Tuscany is because they have this life
Tuscany is because they have this life
Tuscany is because they have this life in the Piazza so they don’t need to
in the Piazza so they don’t need to
in the Piazza so they don’t need to email anyone they’re going to see them
email anyone they’re going to see them
email anyone they’re going to see them that day and I still love that yeah it’s
that day and I still love that yeah it’s
that day and I still love that yeah it’s in a way kind of nostalgic to me because
in a way kind of nostalgic to me because
in a way kind of nostalgic to me because I grew up in a small town in South
I grew up in a small town in South
I grew up in a small town in South Georgia and lived in a place that had
Georgia and lived in a place that had
Georgia and lived in a place that had that kind of intense sense of community
that kind of intense sense of community
that kind of intense sense of community that town now is almost completely
that town now is almost completely
that town now is almost completely boarded up because the shopping centers
boarded up because the shopping centers
boarded up because the shopping centers have killed the downtown so it doesn’t
have killed the downtown so it doesn’t
have killed the downtown so it doesn’t exist there anymore but it did when I
exist there anymore but it did when I
exist there anymore but it did when I was growing up there and for me that
was growing up there and for me that
was growing up there and for me that I’ve loved a kind of return to that kind
I’ve loved a kind of return to that kind
I’ve loved a kind of return to that kind of connection among neighbors yeah how
of connection among neighbors yeah how
of connection among neighbors yeah how his Cortona or Tuscany changed in the 20
his Cortona or Tuscany changed in the 20
his Cortona or Tuscany changed in the 20 years that you’ve been there that’s a
years that you’ve been there that’s a
years that you’ve been there that’s a good question I thought it would never
good question I thought it would never
good question I thought it would never change for I’d say the first 15 years we
change for I’d say the first 15 years we
change for I’d say the first 15 years we were there it didn’t change and now it
were there it didn’t change and now it
were there it didn’t change and now it started to change pretty rapidly but one
started to change pretty rapidly but one
started to change pretty rapidly but one thing
thing
thing Italy now has a lot of immigrants and
Italy now has a lot of immigrants and
Italy now has a lot of immigrants and they didn’t before it was very
they didn’t before it was very
they didn’t before it was very homogeneous society but the Italians
homogeneous society but the Italians
homogeneous society but the Italians have always been immigrants here
have always been immigrants here
have always been immigrants here Argentina
Argentina
Argentina Somalia Ethiopia a lot of places they
Somalia Ethiopia a lot of places they
Somalia Ethiopia a lot of places they have emigrated but they’ve never had the
have emigrated but they’ve never had the
have emigrated but they’ve never had the immigrants coming there very much and
immigrants coming there very much and
immigrants coming there very much and they have not taken to it that well so
they have not taken to it that well so
they have not taken to it that well so there’s there’s a lot of tension there
there’s there’s a lot of tension there
there’s there’s a lot of tension there is all over the world I mean London
is all over the world I mean London
is all over the world I mean London Paris a lot of places have the same kind
Paris a lot of places have the same kind
Paris a lot of places have the same kind of tension but in a small town you
of tension but in a small town you
of tension but in a small town you experience it very directly
experience it very directly
experience it very directly anytime something goes wrong a house is
anytime something goes wrong a house is
anytime something goes wrong a house is broken into or something it’s immigrant
broken into or something it’s immigrant
broken into or something it’s immigrant you know really so that’s change the
you know really so that’s change the
you know really so that’s change the Internet of course has changed our lives
Internet of course has changed our lives
Internet of course has changed our lives there and I think it’s beginning to
there and I think it’s beginning to
there and I think it’s beginning to change the lives of Italians as well you
change the lives of Italians as well you
change the lives of Italians as well you no longer have
no longer have
no longer have that sense of real fairness that you
that sense of real fairness that you
that sense of real fairness that you used to have when you made two telephone
used to have when you made two telephone
used to have when you made two telephone calls home one summer because they were
calls home one summer because they were
calls home one summer because they were so expensive I mean now you’ve got your
so expensive I mean now you’ve got your
so expensive I mean now you’ve got your little phone and you call anybody the
little phone and you call anybody the
little phone and you call anybody the news is right there you don’t need the
news is right there you don’t need the
news is right there you don’t need the Herald Tribune anymore well it’s kind of
Herald Tribune anymore well it’s kind of
Herald Tribune anymore well it’s kind of sad but a lot of the changes are really
sad but a lot of the changes are really
sad but a lot of the changes are really good local kids are going to
good local kids are going to
good local kids are going to universities more particularly young
universities more particularly young
universities more particularly young women when we first went there it was
women when we first went there it was
women when we first went there it was very unusual for a young woman to go on
very unusual for a young woman to go on
very unusual for a young woman to go on to college but now it’s much more common
to college but now it’s much more common
to college but now it’s much more common almost no one in town spoke English then
almost no one in town spoke English then
almost no one in town spoke English then now quite a few people do there’s a kind
now quite a few people do there’s a kind
now quite a few people do there’s a kind of loss of fairness with that as well
of loss of fairness with that as well
of loss of fairness with that as well but some of the changes are great and
but some of the changes are great and
but some of the changes are great and that would definitely include food and
that would definitely include food and
that would definitely include food and wine the wine explosion in Tuscany has
wine the wine explosion in Tuscany has
wine the wine explosion in Tuscany has exactly parallel the time we’ve been
exactly parallel the time we’ve been
exactly parallel the time we’ve been there Huh What a curious coincidence it
there Huh What a curious coincidence it
there Huh What a curious coincidence it used to be when you went in a trattoria
used to be when you went in a trattoria
used to be when you went in a trattoria the waiter would say Bianco enero black
the waiter would say Bianco enero black
the waiter would say Bianco enero black or white and the wine was made by Uncle
or white and the wine was made by Uncle
or white and the wine was made by Uncle Anselmo and that was it now there’s just
Anselmo and that was it now there’s just
Anselmo and that was it now there’s just fabulous Tuscan wine of course and and
fabulous Tuscan wine of course and and
fabulous Tuscan wine of course and and there always was some but hardly anyone
there always was some but hardly anyone
there always was some but hardly anyone drank it because they made their own or
drank it because they made their own or
drank it because they made their own or their uncle made their own but now
their uncle made their own but now
their uncle made their own but now people are very aware of wine and we
people are very aware of wine and we
people are very aware of wine and we have these kind of esoteric wine dinners
have these kind of esoteric wine dinners
have these kind of esoteric wine dinners with top Tuscan wine makers and the food
with top Tuscan wine makers and the food
with top Tuscan wine makers and the food is paired with cheese aged in caves and
is paired with cheese aged in caves and
is paired with cheese aged in caves and lardo Tico anata and there’s just much
lardo Tico anata and there’s just much
lardo Tico anata and there’s just much more of a sophistication around food I
more of a sophistication around food I
more of a sophistication around food I mean the food has always been fabulous
mean the food has always been fabulous
mean the food has always been fabulous and rustic and natural and traditional
and rustic and natural and traditional
and rustic and natural and traditional and it still is but they’re also chefs
and it still is but they’re also chefs
and it still is but they’re also chefs coming in maybe from only
coming in maybe from only
coming in maybe from only five miles away but coming in and you
five miles away but coming in and you
five miles away but coming in and you know adding levels of creativity around
know adding levels of creativity around
know adding levels of creativity around the local ingredients as has happened in
the local ingredients as has happened in
the local ingredients as has happened in so much of America same thing so that’s
so much of America same thing so that’s
so much of America same thing so that’s been a great deal of fun to do witness I
been a great deal of fun to do witness I
been a great deal of fun to do witness I think people are much more aware of what
think people are much more aware of what
think people are much more aware of what they have they’re aware that it’s great
they have they’re aware that it’s great
they have they’re aware that it’s great that the Santana beans are only there
that the Santana beans are only there
that the Santana beans are only there for two weeks and then they’re gone the
for two weeks and then they’re gone the
for two weeks and then they’re gone the asparagus is there in the spring and
asparagus is there in the spring and
asparagus is there in the spring and then it’s gone we don’t have the
then it’s gone we don’t have the
then it’s gone we don’t have the year-round everything the way we have
year-round everything the way we have
year-round everything the way we have here and for instance I go into the
here and for instance I go into the
here and for instance I go into the fruit a the door and I say to anuncio
fruit a the door and I say to anuncio
fruit a the door and I say to anuncio Tina are these pears local and she says
Tina are these pears local and she says
Tina are these pears local and she says no means piace Senora no they’re not
no means piace Senora no they’re not
no means piace Senora no they’re not they’re from castor leona del Lago and I
they’re from castor leona del Lago and I
they’re from castor leona del Lago and I say oh that’s Leone de la go is five
say oh that’s Leone de la go is five
say oh that’s Leone de la go is five miles away so there’s a lot of that
miles away so there’s a lot of that
miles away so there’s a lot of that sense of fun it’s on the local foods and
sense of fun it’s on the local foods and
sense of fun it’s on the local foods and people are still foragers that whole
people are still foragers that whole
people are still foragers that whole tradition of foraging which must go back
tradition of foraging which must go back
tradition of foraging which must go back to the Neolithic Age or whatever is
to the Neolithic Age or whatever is
to the Neolithic Age or whatever is still very active our neighbor sets his
still very active our neighbor sets his
still very active our neighbor sets his alarm clock for midnight and he own
alarm clock for midnight and he own
alarm clock for midnight and he own certain phase of the Moon and he goes
certain phase of the Moon and he goes
certain phase of the Moon and he goes out to Roca DPLA this castle outside
out to Roca DPLA this castle outside
out to Roca DPLA this castle outside town and picks snails off the castle
town and picks snails off the castle
town and picks snails off the castle walls oh and we hunt chestnuts and
walls oh and we hunt chestnuts and
walls oh and we hunt chestnuts and mushrooms people look for wild asparagus
mushrooms people look for wild asparagus
mushrooms people look for wild asparagus all the while feel lettuces there’s
all the while feel lettuces there’s
all the while feel lettuces there’s something very wonderful about that
something very wonderful about that
something very wonderful about that because in a way it connects you to the
because in a way it connects you to the
because in a way it connects you to the land and I think that is one reason the
land and I think that is one reason the
land and I think that is one reason the Tuscans are so at home in time they stay
Tuscans are so at home in time they stay
Tuscans are so at home in time they stay very connected with the land and that
very connected with the land and that
very connected with the land and that foraging is just part of it
reading your books food is such an
reading your books food is such an important part of the experience of
important part of the experience of
important part of the experience of being there and it’s kind of you
being there and it’s kind of you
being there and it’s kind of you celebrate food so wonderfully is there
celebrate food so wonderfully is there
celebrate food so wonderfully is there one meal out of all the meals that
one meal out of all the meals that
one meal out of all the meals that you’ve eaten that just sticks out in
you’ve eaten that just sticks out in
you’ve eaten that just sticks out in your mind is the most amazing feast and
your mind is the most amazing feast and
your mind is the most amazing feast and maybe the first of the eight-hour
maybe the first of the eight-hour
maybe the first of the eight-hour dinners
dinners
dinners because I wasn’t used to those at that
because I wasn’t used to those at that
because I wasn’t used to those at that time I am now but it was a communion not
time I am now but it was a communion not
time I am now but it was a communion not a communion or first commute yeah first
a communion or first commute yeah first
a communion or first commute yeah first communion
communion
communion dinner a friend had for her two boys and
dinner a friend had for her two boys and
dinner a friend had for her two boys and Ed and I were the last ones there they
Ed and I were the last ones there they
Ed and I were the last ones there they had passed around maybe thirty antipasti
had passed around maybe thirty antipasti
had passed around maybe thirty antipasti already there were maybe 150 people
already there were maybe 150 people
already there were maybe 150 people there and then they served two pastas
there and then they served two pastas
there and then they served two pastas that they had made and then several
that they had made and then several
that they had made and then several secondi and we thought the meal was kind
secondi and we thought the meal was kind
secondi and we thought the meal was kind of winding down and we saw four men
of winding down and we saw four men
of winding down and we saw four men coming in the back door holding this
coming in the back door holding this
coming in the back door holding this tray it was big enough to hold a human
tray it was big enough to hold a human
tray it was big enough to hold a human being on it and it was the thigh of a
being on it and it was the thigh of a
being on it and it was the thigh of a Val Val de Chiana cow that was so big
Val Val de Chiana cow that was so big
Val Val de Chiana cow that was so big they had had it roasted in a hotel oven
they had had it roasted in a hotel oven
they had had it roasted in a hotel oven in town so then they passed this around
in town so then they passed this around
in town so then they passed this around this wonderful roast roasted beef and
this wonderful roast roasted beef and
this wonderful roast roasted beef and potatoes and then first thing I knew ed
potatoes and then first thing I knew ed
potatoes and then first thing I knew ed was on his feet singing a song he had
was on his feet singing a song he had
was on his feet singing a song he had never heard of with four other men and
never heard of with four other men and
never heard of with four other men and he was feeling really good because two
he was feeling really good because two
he was feeling really good because two women had to ask him if he was in film
and I think we were the first people to
and I think we were the first people to leave we staggered out of there about
leave we staggered out of there about
leave we staggered out of there about eight hours later and I remember at
eight hours later and I remember at
eight hours later and I remember at driving off and he says I just hope
driving off and he says I just hope
driving off and he says I just hope we’re around when those two boys get
we’re around when those two boys get
we’re around when those two boys get married
and when I first started having Italians
and when I first started having Italians over
over
over I remember being thrown because they
I remember being thrown because they
I remember being thrown because they would often turn up with a couple of
would often turn up with a couple of
would often turn up with a couple of extra guests but then I had the table
extra guests but then I had the table
extra guests but then I had the table set for eight or ten or something like
set for eight or ten or something like
set for eight or ten or something like that and they’d say Oh so-and-so was in
that and they’d say Oh so-and-so was in
that and they’d say Oh so-and-so was in town we brought him and I’d think oh
town we brought him and I’d think oh
town we brought him and I’d think oh great I’ve since come to think how
great I’ve since come to think how
great I’ve since come to think how wonderful that is in a way because it
wonderful that is in a way because it
wonderful that is in a way because it just shows how naturally they entertain
just shows how naturally they entertain
just shows how naturally they entertain how they think about food and how they
how they think about food and how they
how they think about food and how they experience the table it’s like put on
experience the table it’s like put on
experience the table it’s like put on another handful of pasta pull up another
another handful of pasta pull up another
another handful of pasta pull up another chair it doesn’t matter if I Benny and
chair it doesn’t matter if I Benny and
chair it doesn’t matter if I Benny and so now when we go places we sometimes
so now when we go places we sometimes
so now when we go places we sometimes take an extra guess right but then it’s
take an extra guess right but then it’s
take an extra guess right but then it’s kind of fun it’s an example to me of how
kind of fun it’s an example to me of how
kind of fun it’s an example to me of how food there is really such a good
food there is really such a good
food there is really such a good reflection of the culture I’ve always
reflection of the culture I’ve always
reflection of the culture I’ve always thought it’s never cold there sometimes
thought it’s never cold there sometimes
thought it’s never cold there sometimes here in the US food is cold and there
here in the US food is cold and there
here in the US food is cold and there for instance I have never heard food
for instance I have never heard food
for instance I have never heard food associated with guilt and I thought that
associated with guilt and I thought that
associated with guilt and I thought that was really a profound difference because
was really a profound difference because
was really a profound difference because I always thought the two words sinful
I always thought the two words sinful
I always thought the two words sinful and dessert went together
and dessert went together
and dessert went together but there i’ve never heard anyone at the
but there i’ve never heard anyone at the
but there i’ve never heard anyone at the table say oh i shouldn’t or that looks
table say oh i shouldn’t or that looks
table say oh i shouldn’t or that looks fattening you know none of that it’s not
fattening you know none of that it’s not
fattening you know none of that it’s not tortured it’s kind of a natural
tortured it’s kind of a natural
tortured it’s kind of a natural phenomenon and i think food is an
phenomenon and i think food is an
phenomenon and i think food is an excellent way to study a culture because
excellent way to study a culture because
excellent way to study a culture because well you know this who’s at the table
well you know this who’s at the table
well you know this who’s at the table how the food get there i’m what are they
how the food get there i’m what are they
how the food get there i’m what are they talking about other than how people bury
talking about other than how people bury
talking about other than how people bury their dead i think what happens at the
their dead i think what happens at the
their dead i think what happens at the table is just such a real way of telling
table is just such a real way of telling
table is just such a real way of telling what the culture is all about yeah has
what the culture is all about yeah has
what the culture is all about yeah has italy changed you yes i wipe my hands a
italy changed you yes i wipe my hands a
italy changed you yes i wipe my hands a lot more than I do
lot more than I do
lot more than I do trying to keep my hands still but I know
trying to keep my hands still but I know
trying to keep my hands still but I know naturally do I remember first going
naturally do I remember first going
naturally do I remember first going there and seeing people step out of the
there and seeing people step out of the
there and seeing people step out of the phone booth because they couldn’t really
phone booth because they couldn’t really
phone booth because they couldn’t really a gesture inspect the punker yeah I
a gesture inspect the punker yeah I
a gesture inspect the punker yeah I think I I mentioned earlier growing up
think I I mentioned earlier growing up
think I I mentioned earlier growing up in a small town in Georgia and I read
in a small town in Georgia and I read
in a small town in Georgia and I read all through high school I was really
all through high school I was really
all through high school I was really concentrating on reading all the Great
concentrating on reading all the Great
concentrating on reading all the Great Southern writers and I think one of the
Southern writers and I think one of the
Southern writers and I think one of the strongest things I ever got from reading
strongest things I ever got from reading
strongest things I ever got from reading them was that sense of place being
them was that sense of place being
them was that sense of place being destiny and place being a shaper of you
destiny and place being a shaper of you
destiny and place being a shaper of you you put yourself down someplace and it
you put yourself down someplace and it
you put yourself down someplace and it starts to change you and I definitely
starts to change you and I definitely
starts to change you and I definitely feel that being Italy in Italy all these
feel that being Italy in Italy all these
feel that being Italy in Italy all these years has changed has changed both of us
years has changed has changed both of us
years has changed has changed both of us I’m kind of a reserved person and I
I’m kind of a reserved person and I
I’m kind of a reserved person and I found myself I’m much much more I’m
found myself I’m much much more I’m
found myself I’m much much more I’m extroverted there and I think Edie has
extroverted there and I think Edie has
extroverted there and I think Edie has to I think I’m the whole sense of the
to I think I’m the whole sense of the
to I think I’m the whole sense of the open door has influenced us quite a bit
open door has influenced us quite a bit
open door has influenced us quite a bit our house there is very at home in the
our house there is very at home in the
our house there is very at home in the landscape when I first saw it I thought
landscape when I first saw it I thought
landscape when I first saw it I thought if I lived in that house I could be at
if I lived in that house I could be at
if I lived in that house I could be at home there too there no screens on the
home there too there no screens on the
home there too there no screens on the doors are open the windows are open the
doors are open the windows are open the
doors are open the windows are open the butterflies go in one window and out the
butterflies go in one window and out the
butterflies go in one window and out the other the neighborhood cats run through
other the neighborhood cats run through
other the neighborhood cats run through the house it’s kind of the house is open
the house it’s kind of the house is open
the house it’s kind of the house is open and therefore the mind and that has
and therefore the mind and that has
and therefore the mind and that has influenced me quite a bit I think it’s
influenced me quite a bit I think it’s
influenced me quite a bit I think it’s opened up my writing quite a bit it gave
opened up my writing quite a bit it gave
opened up my writing quite a bit it gave me the confidence to try to write a
me the confidence to try to write a
me the confidence to try to write a novel which I had never quite had the
novel which I had never quite had the
novel which I had never quite had the nerve to do because I was so intimidated
nerve to do because I was so intimidated
nerve to do because I was so intimidated by the great southern novelist but
by the great southern novelist but
by the great southern novelist but finally after being in Italy and having
finally after being in Italy and having
finally after being in Italy and having had the ease of writing these Tuscan
had the ease of writing these Tuscan
had the ease of writing these Tuscan books I decided to try to write a
books I decided to try to write a
books I decided to try to write a southern novel and I it was hard I it
southern novel and I it was hard I it
southern novel and I it was hard I it was one of the hardest things I’ve done
was one of the hardest things I’ve done
was one of the hardest things I’ve done in writing but I I did I did write the
in writing but I I did I did write the
in writing but I I did I did write the novel but I do feel that being in Italy
novel but I do feel that being in Italy
novel but I do feel that being in Italy has been a wonderful place to be a
has been a wonderful place to be a
has been a wonderful place to be a writer there’s something about living in
writer there’s something about living in
writer there’s something about living in beauty the landscape is beautiful art is
beauty the landscape is beautiful art is
beauty the landscape is beautiful art is taken for granted you grow up bouncing
taken for granted you grow up bouncing
taken for granted you grow up bouncing your ball against the Orvieto Cathedral
your ball against the Orvieto Cathedral
your ball against the Orvieto Cathedral and it’s different somehow
and it’s different somehow
and it’s different somehow beauty is just something that is part of
beauty is just something that is part of
beauty is just something that is part of their breathing history is such a big
their breathing history is such a big
their breathing history is such a big part of Italy for you there’s art
part of Italy for you there’s art
part of Italy for you there’s art there’s people there’s food can you talk
there’s people there’s food can you talk
there’s people there’s food can you talk a little bit about the different sense
a little bit about the different sense
a little bit about the different sense of history that you get when you’re when
of history that you get when you’re when
of history that you get when you’re when you’re in Italy there’s a different
you’re in Italy there’s a different
you’re in Italy there’s a different sense of time I said earlier Tuscans are
sense of time I said earlier Tuscans are
sense of time I said earlier Tuscans are at home in town I think it’s because
at home in town I think it’s because
at home in town I think it’s because they have so much time behind them and
they have so much time behind them and
they have so much time behind them and they don’t have that kind of sense of
they don’t have that kind of sense of
they don’t have that kind of sense of that life is a kind of frantic thing to
that life is a kind of frantic thing to
that life is a kind of frantic thing to master it’s more like time as a river
master it’s more like time as a river
master it’s more like time as a river and you’re in it so I love that sense of
and you’re in it so I love that sense of
and you’re in it so I love that sense of time there I’m down at the bottom of our
time there I’m down at the bottom of our
time there I’m down at the bottom of our hill Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217
hill Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217
hill Hannibal defeated the Romans in 217 BC
BC
BC and sometimes you go to dinner at
and sometimes you go to dinner at
and sometimes you go to dinner at somebody’s house and they’re talking
somebody’s house and they’re talking
somebody’s house and they’re talking about Hannibal you know whether he came
about Hannibal you know whether he came
about Hannibal you know whether he came from the south or whether he came this
from the south or whether he came this
from the south or whether he came this way and whether he had lost his eye by
way and whether he had lost his eye by
way and whether he had lost his eye by then and you think Hannibal could walk
then and you think Hannibal could walk
then and you think Hannibal could walk in the door they being from the south
in the door they being from the south
in the door they being from the south I’m used to the War Between the States
I’m used to the War Between the States
I’m used to the War Between the States being present and your dead grandmother
being present and your dead grandmother
being present and your dead grandmother could walk in the door but Hannibal so
could walk in the door but Hannibal so
could walk in the door but Hannibal so they do have this really long sense of
they do have this really long sense of
they do have this really long sense of time and our little town was one of the
time and our little town was one of the
time and our little town was one of the 12 original etruscan cities so the town
12 original etruscan cities so the town
12 original etruscan cities so the town walls are from 800 BC and there’s an
walls are from 800 BC and there’s an
walls are from 800 BC and there’s an Etruscan wall above our house and then
Etruscan wall above our house and then
Etruscan wall above our house and then there’s a Medici wall and then down
there’s a Medici wall and then down
there’s a Medici wall and then down below where Hannibal drove the Romans
below where Hannibal drove the Romans
below where Hannibal drove the Romans into Lake Trasimene oh so you you live
into Lake Trasimene oh so you you live
into Lake Trasimene oh so you you live in layers of time you conscious of it
in layers of time you conscious of it
in layers of time you conscious of it because of the landscape and the
because of the landscape and the
because of the landscape and the landscape is still so similar to the
landscape is still so similar to the
landscape is still so similar to the backgrounds in those Renaissance
backgrounds in those Renaissance
backgrounds in those Renaissance paintings that you feel like I there’s a
paintings that you feel like I there’s a
paintings that you feel like I there’s a continuum of time that you’re in so you
continuum of time that you’re in so you
continuum of time that you’re in so you feel less eye less crushed by time but
feel less eye less crushed by time but
feel less eye less crushed by time but more in it yeah at the same time they’re
more in it yeah at the same time they’re
more in it yeah at the same time they’re very contemporary people they’re not
very contemporary people they’re not
very contemporary people they’re not living in the past in any way but there
living in the past in any way but there
living in the past in any way but there they are in those old houses in Cortona
they are in those old houses in Cortona
they are in those old houses in Cortona many of them have Renaissance facades
many of them have Renaissance facades
many of them have Renaissance facades and then you go in them and they’re all
and then you go in them and they’re all
and then you go in them and they’re all these little medieval rabbit warren type
these little medieval rabbit warren type
these little medieval rabbit warren type rooms and they didn’t feel it necessary
rooms and they didn’t feel it necessary
rooms and they didn’t feel it necessary to tear those down and build something
to tear those down and build something
to tear those down and build something else they’re still in them in time I
else they’re still in them in time I
else they’re still in them in time I think if you died in the plague and you
think if you died in the plague and you
think if you died in the plague and you came back to Cortona today you could
came back to Cortona today you could
came back to Cortona today you could still find your house
that’s a great sentence I’m not sure the
that’s a great sentence I’m not sure the tourist brochures have to reposition
tourist brochures have to reposition
tourist brochures have to reposition that a little bit all of this makes me
that a little bit all of this makes me
that a little bit all of this makes me think about your relationship with
think about your relationship with
think about your relationship with bramasole too and just how it’s a
bramasole too and just how it’s a
bramasole too and just how it’s a character it’s a human a living
character it’s a human a living
character it’s a human a living breathing presence in your life can you
breathing presence in your life can you
breathing presence in your life can you talk a little bit I mentioned the house
talk a little bit I mentioned the house
talk a little bit I mentioned the house is very at home in the landscape but
is very at home in the landscape but
is very at home in the landscape but it’s a it’s a house like you dream of
it’s a it’s a house like you dream of
it’s a it’s a house like you dream of not that it’s a dream house in terms of
not that it’s a dream house in terms of
not that it’s a dream house in terms of amenities because it’s not but it’s got
amenities because it’s not but it’s got
amenities because it’s not but it’s got this smeary apricot rose gold facade and
this smeary apricot rose gold facade and
this smeary apricot rose gold facade and it looks out over valley and it just
it looks out over valley and it just
it looks out over valley and it just looks like a house in a dream so I think
looks like a house in a dream so I think
looks like a house in a dream so I think it’s Bachelard who says the house should
it’s Bachelard who says the house should
it’s Bachelard who says the house should protect the dreamer and we feel
protect the dreamer and we feel
protect the dreamer and we feel protected as dreamers in the house
protected as dreamers in the house
protected as dreamers in the house however five years ago we weren’t
however five years ago we weren’t
however five years ago we weren’t protected enough that we didn’t do
protected enough that we didn’t do
protected enough that we didn’t do something incredibly crazy which was to
something incredibly crazy which was to
something incredibly crazy which was to buy another house in the mountains
buy another house in the mountains
buy another house in the mountains outside Cortona we were out picking
outside Cortona we were out picking
outside Cortona we were out picking blackberries one day and we saw this
blackberries one day and we saw this
blackberries one day and we saw this little stone cottage in the distance and
little stone cottage in the distance and
little stone cottage in the distance and we thought it was like Little Red Riding
we thought it was like Little Red Riding
we thought it was like Little Red Riding Hood’s house or something and we
Hood’s house or something and we
Hood’s house or something and we scrambled over the nettles and
scrambled over the nettles and
scrambled over the nettles and blackberries to it and first thing we
blackberries to it and first thing we
blackberries to it and first thing we know we had bought it first thing we did
know we had bought it first thing we did
know we had bought it first thing we did restore the house and now we are crazy
restore the house and now we are crazy
restore the house and now we are crazy enough to have two houses in the same
enough to have two houses in the same
enough to have two houses in the same place eventually we’ll have to sell it
place eventually we’ll have to sell it
place eventually we’ll have to sell it but we can’t bear to right now right you
but we can’t bear to right now right you
but we can’t bear to right now right you fell in love with another house we did
fell in love with another house we did
fell in love with another house we did it was also that we fell in love with
it was also that we fell in love with
it was also that we fell in love with another aspect of Tuscany because this
another aspect of Tuscany because this
another aspect of Tuscany because this is in the mountains and the mountain
is in the mountains and the mountain
is in the mountains and the mountain people are independent they’re fierce
people are independent they’re fierce
people are independent they’re fierce and you definitely out there don’t get
and you definitely out there don’t get
and you definitely out there don’t get the sense that you’re in Renaissance
the sense that you’re in Renaissance
the sense that you’re in Renaissance Tuscany not you know it’s not really
Tuscany not you know it’s not really
Tuscany not you know it’s not really Tuscany as we knew it it’s kind of an
Tuscany as we knew it it’s kind of an
Tuscany as we knew it it’s kind of an older biotic pool of the land
older biotic pool of the land
older biotic pool of the land we’ve met some really amazing characters
we’ve met some really amazing characters
we’ve met some really amazing characters out in the hills and it’s been such an
out in the hills and it’s been such an
out in the hills and it’s been such an expansion of our knowledge of what the
expansion of our knowledge of what the
expansion of our knowledge of what the place is like and in the restoration we
place is like and in the restoration we
place is like and in the restoration we found two pieces of a Roman aqueduct and
found two pieces of a Roman aqueduct and
found two pieces of a Roman aqueduct and there’s a ruling of a medieval monastery
there’s a ruling of a medieval monastery
there’s a ruling of a medieval monastery out in the forest it’s a chestnut forest
out in the forest it’s a chestnut forest
out in the forest it’s a chestnut forest and so it’s this really ancient
and so it’s this really ancient
and so it’s this really ancient connection there’s an Etruscan spring
connection there’s an Etruscan spring
connection there’s an Etruscan spring the stones are broken down but our house
the stones are broken down but our house
the stones are broken down but our house was built by the followers of Saint
was built by the followers of Saint
was built by the followers of Saint Francis of Assisi so it’s been there for
Francis of Assisi so it’s been there for
Francis of Assisi so it’s been there for eight hundred years and it’s a really an
eight hundred years and it’s a really an
eight hundred years and it’s a really an amazing place it kind of exudes peace
amazing place it kind of exudes peace
amazing place it kind of exudes peace and I think it’s from those followers
and I think it’s from those followers
and I think it’s from those followers who lived in caves on that mountainside
who lived in caves on that mountainside
who lived in caves on that mountainside as they followed Saint Francis in his
as they followed Saint Francis in his
as they followed Saint Francis in his travels he spent a winter in Cortona at
travels he spent a winter in Cortona at
travels he spent a winter in Cortona at a monastery called hla
a monastery called hla
a monastery called hla and his followers built three or four
and his followers built three or four
and his followers built three or four houses and that’s one of them that’s
houses and that’s one of them that’s
houses and that’s one of them that’s partly why it’s so hard to let it go
partly why it’s so hard to let it go
partly why it’s so hard to let it go because it’s such a piece of the
because it’s such a piece of the
because it’s such a piece of the patrimony and it was abandoned forever I
patrimony and it was abandoned forever I
patrimony and it was abandoned forever I was just about to abandon do you ever
was just about to abandon do you ever
was just about to abandon do you ever feel like Alice in Wonderland
feel like Alice in Wonderland
feel like Alice in Wonderland you just sort of plopped through a
you just sort of plopped through a
you just sort of plopped through a rabbit hole and landed in Tuscany and
rabbit hole and landed in Tuscany and
rabbit hole and landed in Tuscany and your life was changed like that in a way
your life was changed like that in a way
your life was changed like that in a way I do but I also feel like I’m I kind of
I do but I also feel like I’m I kind of
I do but I also feel like I’m I kind of made my luck well you know I feel like
made my luck well you know I feel like
made my luck well you know I feel like I’m everybody told me it was crazy thing
I’m everybody told me it was crazy thing
I’m everybody told me it was crazy thing to do and you shouldn’t do that anytime
to do and you shouldn’t do that anytime
to do and you shouldn’t do that anytime anybody ever said should to me that was
anybody ever said should to me that was
anybody ever said should to me that was bad things say because I start thinking
bad things say because I start thinking
bad things say because I start thinking about why I should when they say
about why I should when they say
about why I should when they say shouldn’t I start thinking about why I
shouldn’t I start thinking about why I
shouldn’t I start thinking about why I should but um it was a lot of work – you
should but um it was a lot of work – you
should but um it was a lot of work – you know restoring the houses and it was a
know restoring the houses and it was a
know restoring the houses and it was a risk so I don’t feel like it just kind
risk so I don’t feel like it just kind
risk so I don’t feel like it just kind of miraculously happened to me I feel
of miraculously happened to me I feel
of miraculously happened to me I feel like I kind of
like I kind of
like I kind of I made it happen yeah it which brings up
I made it happen yeah it which brings up
I made it happen yeah it which brings up one of the things I love about your
one of the things I love about your
one of the things I love about your writing is it’s so beautiful and on a
writing is it’s so beautiful and on a
writing is it’s so beautiful and on a certain level you read it and you think
certain level you read it and you think
certain level you read it and you think what a parody sickle life you have you
what a parody sickle life you have you
what a parody sickle life you have you get up in the morning and you pick
get up in the morning and you pick
get up in the morning and you pick something in the garden and that becomes
something in the garden and that becomes
something in the garden and that becomes your meal and but you also talk about
your meal and but you also talk about
your meal and but you also talk about you know death and hardship and
you know death and hardship and
you know death and hardship and deprivation and challenges you you don’t
deprivation and challenges you you don’t
deprivation and challenges you you don’t at all shirk talking about the really
at all shirk talking about the really
at all shirk talking about the really the difficult parts of life there too
the difficult parts of life there too
the difficult parts of life there too was was that ever a challenge for you to
was was that ever a challenge for you to
was was that ever a challenge for you to confront the tough things as well as the
confront the tough things as well as the
confront the tough things as well as the beautiful things I wrote poetry for so
beautiful things I wrote poetry for so
beautiful things I wrote poetry for so many years and I I think when I look
many years and I I think when I look
many years and I I think when I look back at a lot of my poetry it was quite
back at a lot of my poetry it was quite
back at a lot of my poetry it was quite dark and I think something about being
dark and I think something about being
dark and I think something about being in Italy in a way turned me more towards
in Italy in a way turned me more towards
in Italy in a way turned me more towards a light do you ever feel the weight of
a light do you ever feel the weight of
a light do you ever feel the weight of under the Tuscan Sun on your shoulders
under the Tuscan Sun on your shoulders
under the Tuscan Sun on your shoulders so that when you set out to write
so that when you set out to write
so that when you set out to write something new you’re afraid it’s going
something new you’re afraid it’s going
something new you’re afraid it’s going to be measured against that phenomenal
to be measured against that phenomenal
to be measured against that phenomenal success and does that have any kind of a
success and does that have any kind of a
success and does that have any kind of a affect on you I think when a some a book
affect on you I think when a some a book
affect on you I think when a some a book like that happens you can’t expect it to
like that happens you can’t expect it to
like that happens you can’t expect it to happen again you know you stand out in
happen again you know you stand out in
happen again you know you stand out in the field your whole life and lightning
the field your whole life and lightning
the field your whole life and lightning strikes you once and that’s that’s kind
strikes you once and that’s that’s kind
strikes you once and that’s that’s kind of the way I think about it I think of
of the way I think about it I think of
of the way I think about it I think of my writing projects as wonderful places
my writing projects as wonderful places
my writing projects as wonderful places out in front of me that I can explore
out in front of me that I can explore
out in front of me that I can explore what I’m interested in right then and I
what I’m interested in right then and I
what I’m interested in right then and I don’t really mind what happens to the
don’t really mind what happens to the
don’t really mind what happens to the books I feel incredibly lucky that my
books I feel incredibly lucky that my
books I feel incredibly lucky that my books have you know found their way in
books have you know found their way in
books have you know found their way in the world but it’s not really why I
the world but it’s not really why I
the world but it’s not really why I write and I think almost any writer
write and I think almost any writer
write and I think almost any writer would you agree once you face the blank
would you agree once you face the blank
would you agree once you face the blank page it’s like you’ve never really
page it’s like you’ve never really
page it’s like you’ve never really written anything before so I’m I don’t
written anything before so I’m I don’t
written anything before so I’m I don’t really expect another under the Tuscan
really expect another under the Tuscan
really expect another under the Tuscan Sun but I’m I’ve had such great luck
Sun but I’m I’ve had such great luck
Sun but I’m I’ve had such great luck writing in Italy
writing in Italy
writing in Italy Italy’s given me seven books so that’s
Italy’s given me seven books so that’s
Italy’s given me seven books so that’s that’s great
”
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