On the kitchen table today… poppies! I happened to see these when I was getting groceries and couldn’t resist picking up a bunch. At once they made me think of being in Abruzzo in spring and seeing the hillsides covered in these flowers growing wild.
I recall thinking how the waving seas of green and red looked so romantic and beautiful; real storybook stuff. And then how, back in Australia, I showed Nonno Anni photos I’d taken of the poppies, thinking he’d comment on their beauty too. Instead, he guffawed and said, ‘Those things. Bloody pests! They’d pop up amongst the crops and we’d have to pull them up by hand.’ I guess it’s different when it’s vital to get that crop grown to survive the next snowy winter.
Having these poppies though is a lovely reminder of when we had some on the kitchen table in Fossa. Each day this week I’ve looked to see what different colour might be emerging from its little pod. They didn’t cost much but often the best things don’t and it’s lovely how these seem to bring joy to the kitchen. Buona giornata! 🧡
Zoë Boccabella 
Just love your writing, as well as your messages, Zoe.
Thank you, Susannna
Thank you for your kind words, Susanna, that’s truly lovely to hear. Much appreciated! Zoe xx
Your comments about Fossa and your life there make me think of my maternal grandparents who were born in Fossa and migrated to the USA as young people, never to return. I often think of living for a few months in Fossa (or nearby) to more closely connect with my family heritage. However, on a recent trip to Italy (three nights in Venice) I sensed some hostility toward my being an American even though I also hold an Italian Passport and speak a little Italian. To be fair, I am light skinned and have a non-Italian surname. During past visits to Italy I have had my Italian heritage questioned because of my appearance.
Have you sensed this hostility toward Americans at all?
Bona giornata,
Glenn
Hello Glenn,
What I can say is that I would very much recommend going to stay in or near Fossa if that’s what you’d like to do and are able to. For me, it was a meaningful experience that changed my life for the better. It is such a special and beautiful place and I definitely (and unexpectedly!) felt a truly strong connection to my relatives and past ancestors who’d lived there. For the most part, I have experienced kindness and generosity during the times I’ve visited and that has far outweighed any little niggles that may come with travels.
Being Australian, I can’t really say regarding your question about the American experience. What I have observed in my travels to many different countries is that the best thing any tourist can do, including myself, is embrace the experience of another culture and just go with the general flow of the ways there while in another country. I’m sorry to hear about your experience in Venice but I wouldn’t let that put you off. Venice has a complex situation with tourism as it has become so popular that this has had quite an effect on the city and way of life for its inhabitants.
Having been to the main tourist sites and the cities, I much prefer going to the smaller towns and quieter country areas in Italy myself. Of course, travel experiences vary for us all due to different factors, however, in saying this, Fossa and the L’Aquila province where your family history is tied to would hopefully be a wonderful experience for you. Tante belle cose, Zoe x