Platonic Diversions

Greetings from Mondovì: White Flowers

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 8 May Forget everything I wrote earlier about getting accustomed to leaving the house with protective gear.  I feel the way one does around the end of January–weary of arming myself against a harsh environment every time…

Greetings from Mondovì: Fase 2

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 2 May Here we live slowly, synched to daylight and the weather (and the recycling schedule, but that is a topic for another day).  Our bedroom windows face east so we are up early.  Coffee, then breakfast,…

Greetings from Mondovì: If you love Italy

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 23 April The numbers still mount in Italy: more than 25,000 are dead.  In the United States almost twice that number have died, but eight state governments have yet to issue a general stay-at-home order.  Beaches are…

Greetings from Mondovì: Sun and Rain

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 13 April A grim milestone this evening: 20,000 Italians have died from COVID-19.  Five hundred sixty-six died today, which is 135 more than yesterday.  The numbers roll out day after day until they begin to lose all…

Greetings from Mondovì: Pasquetta

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 13 April Today is Pasquetta, “little Easter.” In Italy, the day after the holiest day of the Christian calendar is also a national holiday, traditionally a day to relax after the emotional rigors of solemn church vigils…

Greetings from Mondovì: Venturing Out

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 3 April This morning I started my little Fiat for the first time since 19 March and went shopping for necessities.  I went armed with a mask, several pairs of disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes,…

Greetings from Mondovì: A Safe Distance

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LESLIE MCBRIDE WILE 31 March 2020 When a social welfare state doesn’t seem like such a bad idea: when the Protezione Civile delivers a washable, protective face mask to your post box—gratis. When you live in a country that prioritizes quality of…