It is the depths of winter in Michigan. There is ample snow and ice for the building of forts and skating, skiing and gazing at the beauty of a snowy forest in the moonlight. Half of the parking spots in the city are gone and there’s no way to really know how long it will take to get to work. Who doesn’t love soggy shoes and all the joys of a winter wonderland?  This is when the Eternal City of Rome and the Tuscan villages that we love so much grow insistent in their whispers to our hearts. Schedules are consulted. When is the last performance? When is the beginning of the summer intensive program? When are the special publications sent to print? When would we have to be back?

Dates are picked. The search has begun for an apartment in Rome. In all the years of visiting Italy we have only a few hours of Roman memories. It is time to get to know the city that so much of what we are and what we believe in, was born in. It only makes sense that it would eventually become our destination, all roads lead one there don’t they?

Somewhere between the train station and the Colosseum, 3rd floor with a loft bedroom, a little kitchen and a place to sit and write postcards at the end of the day. The pictures promise a perfect home base.  Should we book it? I think we should, it sounds great. So I should then? Yes, I think so. Ok, I’ll book it then…

Friends have been contacted for accommodations in Tuscany and the little streets of our village home away from home are growing nearer.

There are flights to book and cars to rent and … the Michigan winter is getting a little prettier, a little shorter  and just a little easier to enjoy.