Newsletter June 2019

On the hot and crowded streets of Firenze
 

Stoic. To be stoic means to be “a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.” I’m not sure why I was looking up the definition but it turned into one of those rabbit holes, so here goes.
 

Turns out there is a whole ancient philosophical school called “Stoicism.” It was founded in Athens in the 3^rd century BC. It sounds kinda cool. It had a logical system – meaning if something is happening in the world or in your life and you can’t do anything about it. Accept it. Don’t act impulsively, act with logic and deduction. That our happiness was dependent on our responses to things not on the external factors themselves. They also believed shopping at Gucci in Florence, and working out, and enjoying a great Brunello with your pear pasta (OMG the dinner at 4 Leoni in Florence!!! To die for.) were fine. Stoics believed in self-control (back to that discipline thing). Well, I didn’t buy much at Gucci.

Others who read or believed or practice what the Stoics taught were Frederick the Great – he rode into battle with some of their works (I assume that means books). George Washington and Thomas Jefferson read works by Stoicism leaders such as Seneca. Briefly, Seneca was a writer, philosopher, rich man, whom ultimately was killed by Nero. His story is just too long, twisted and complicated to go into here. But look it up.

“No person has the power to have everything they want,
but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have,
and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have.”

– Seneca 

Seneca the Younger
(I have no idea who Seneca the Older is this Seneca looks old enough.)
 

Monna Lisa

Had an amazing afternoon with friends and family at Villa Vignamaggio near Greve in Chianti, a bit of a twisty drive from us. The villa built in the 1400s by the Gherardini family. The family is believed (legend?) to be Monna Lisa’s and Leonard discovered her and painted her. True? Maybe. Kenneth Branagh filmed “Much Ado About Nothing” here. Is stunning countryside, a great meal, and fab wine.

Did Monna Lisa gaze out on this view?

Not my best look.
 

For some bizaar reason we grocery shop a lot here. And we sorta like it. There are two grocery stores in town. One is more “communist” Coop, well we call it “communist.” Its actually a consumers’ cooperative and is the largest chain in Italy. The first cooperative was established 1854. You already know not to go on a Sunday, that’s when the mean old ladies will run you over with their carts. Our store is very limited on what they offer but I can get veggie burgers, so I’m good.

Not sure Coco likes Coop

Have you subscribed to Coco’s You Tube channel? Here’s the link:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj2i8cr83ezcPjQ-vEv4ASA

Paris is Always a Good Idea
 

Europe is struck by a record-breaking heat wave. Luckily we had a tripped planned for Paris and we are here now enjoying air conditioning in our rooms. It is sizzling on the streets. Showing the little people the iconic spots, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, crazy French drivers (one got out of his car and lay down on the burning asphalt in his suit inches from our front wheels, because he was mad – long story), the super inspiring Atelier des Lumieres, an immersive, meditative, moving experience of Van Gogh’s art. You are in the dark in this huge warehouse and his paintings surround you (everywhere but the ceiling) projected by hundreds of cameras. The images move, the music soars . . . really inspiring, and a good reminder of an artist who HAD to create, never made money beyond what his brother bought (Family is important too!) but his work lives on.

Photo of the Giant Irises on All the Walls
(Doesn’t do it justice) 

I’m currently writing about Paris for my next book, I am not getting much research done this trip (an excuse to return) but am immersing myself in the places where my characters walked. I apologize for typos, incorrect grammar etc. but I’m truly ON THE GO . . .

Burlesque and Pinup Emojis

If your BOOK CLUB would like me to visit via Skype I’m available on the road or when I’m at home. It’s been fun coming into your homes, sending specialty FAN cocktail recipes before for you all to try. email me at staar@staarlet.com  if you want me to join in on some Fun FAN talking. A questionnaire is available on my website to download for your Book club.

Reading
 

I’m starting every morning off with a big espresso on an antique bed tray so it doesn’t spill and a book. Heaven. I’m trying to switch off between “classic” and anything else that doesn’t force me to look up a million-word definitions. “Something in the Water,” I loved. Its not a classic. Its a beach read. Its good. Read “Pride and Prejudice.” I read one or two more, we’ve got the second “Hunger Games” on audio in the car, Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” in the gym and I’m turning real pages of “Doctor Zhivago.” I love Russian history and once spent about 36 hours in Moscow with two bodyguards that both looked like Lurch (they both looked like Lurch) and were about 6’7”. They were awesome and I wish I could take them home. I couldn’t. Also, I didn’t have a chance to drink vodka, so that’s on my need-to-return-to places.
 
A quick note re “classics,” as I’m listening to “Lord of the Flies” with one of my little people for school. Why is this a classic and can it and “Cather In The Rye” PLEASE be taken off the list of what kids have to read? It does not inspire reading. I could tear my hear out Flies is so boring. My little people love Harry Potter and the Hunger Games! I say whatever inspires them to read, to pick up another book, not some ancient blah blah . . . done.

OKAY HAD TO ADD THIS – The Best book I’ve read so far this summer “The Woman in the Window.” A thriller. You can’t put it down. Go get it before the movie is made.

To be continued . . . gotta hit those hot streets of Paris. Big event at Versailles. Will be writing about it next month.