After spending the first few months of this year with doctors, dentists, accountants, Indian chiefs and candlestick makers, followed by the launch of my third novel, The Ultimate Revenge, the conclusion to “The Simon Trilogy,” Joe and l returned to Italy. The month of March whisked by swiftly as we moved off the small street we had come to call home for the past twelve years and returned back down the hill to the center of Florence.

Finally settled in, sort of, at least with a functioning telephone and internet, I’m once again poised to begin, Redemption: The Aftermath of The Simon Trilogy…and just when you thought I had published the conclusion. However, this time around I’ll be writing from my new office with a different, yet no less beautiful and inspiring, view.

Just tucked inside of the historic wall of this renaissance city, we now inhabit a house with a private garden reminiscent of the countryside we had just left, but outside the gate remains the bustling city. Our new home is larger and required additional furnishing. It was also bare bones when we took possession, replete with wires protruding from ceilings and walls awaiting light fixtures. So Joe once again was not able to escape the dreaded “R” word…renovation is restauro in Italian. And although our changes were mostly cosmetic, they were no less painful and proceeded Italian style, a.k.a. in the fullness of time. The fun only continued as we eked our way through the bureaucracy and organized our utilities, having to sign endless contracts for gas, electric, telephone and cable television and then make arrangements for all to be debited from our bank account…Yes, all communicated in Italian. The alternative would have been to stand in endless lines each month at the post office to pay the bills directly. In Italy, the post office functions as a quasi-bank and bill collector. Fine for Italians, but the American mentality would find it less than efficient.

And while we still have men roaming about finishing the final items on the task list, it has all been worth the wait. Joe however, had to adapt to the “P” words…piano piano (slowly slowly) and pazienza (patience).