We had three glorious days in this beautiful part of the coast-line area of Italy. The name of the area is because there are 5 villages that make up the region, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterossa. We stayed in Vernazza. You may be wondering if we had a travel agent or were part of a group? We were on our own and Cathy takes credit for most of the research on the areas and which village was the best to stay in and use as a hub. There was a local train that went back and forth between the villages, so it was easy to get to each one of them. Our room was small as expected because these little villages do not have places to stay such as a Marriot or Hyatt or any other brand name resort. These villages have small, boutique, family-owned places to stay. Our hotel only had six rooms and a small restaurant. No pool, exercise room, spa or conference facilities. It was perfect.

The eye roll, you know the eye roll I’m referring to. You have given it and more than likely received it. It is usually given after a relative has made a remark or comment about their political, religious, or world belief and you can’t believe they’re sharing those views at the Thanksgiving Day table. You may have rolled your eyes for that reason, or because a relative won’t stop talking about an embarrassing story from your childhood, or maybe they keep complaining about the food you spent days preparing for them. We all have gone through it; it’s what Thanksgiving is all about! More importantly, it’s about everyone being present.

Halloween is merely an appetizer leading to the main courses of the holiday season. From mid-November through New Year’s Day, the last two months of the year are nothing short of a blitzkrieg. Hampered by COVID fears the past two years, the holidays seem to be back in full force and here in the Morrone household we have a full calendar. We’ll have late night parties for the adults, brunches with the kids and will get plenty of family, friends and food (& drink). Stir in some travel, out of town houseguests and holiday shopping and I’m anticipating a January holiday hangover to rival the worst Sunday mornings in college.