Girasole/ Sunflower.... Turn to the Sun.

   Hmm girasole, which is Italian. It quite literally means turn to the sun. But in everyday life, it means Sunflower. But I want to suggest the notion behind girasole in it's simple literal sense. To turn to the sun is to turn your whole self, barring nothing, to the light which nurtures us and helps us to fulfill our potential and full growth. And when basking in this fullness of light, we bloom in full glory with effortless beauty. Isn't this what we strive for? Whoa!  Umm yes, but we didn't know it! The product is so beautiful and attractive to us all, yes? This is why looking out onto a field of sunflowers is so awe inspiring!

          In looking at life's daily plans. Our labors of necessity and of love, I have noticed across many cultures that which is so common. In speaking with so many new friends here in Val D'Orcia, some native others from other countries, I am humbled by their words, reminded though across so many different cultures how similar we all are. Delightful! How we have common issues globally to conquer and then to make progress. The earth needs to glow again. We all are equipped to naturally turn to the sun.

          We have had the pleasure of meeting a vivacious, expressive, native, Italian opera singer, Livio and his talented musician/ performer wife, Jurine, while we have stayed here in Val D'Orcia. They reside in Holland but are here on Holiday. They have invited us to visit Holland in the future, a blessing. We exchanged much conversation about world events and more importantly, the effects of the human imprint on the future of our planet, physically and creatively. How an abandonment and lack of respect for culture, arts and love for antiquity can be the epitome of societal disaster. We went on to discuss political and capitalistic activity which has supported anti-human causes, like GMOs. Mind you, this is not my usual conversation, usually I speak of architecture, language, gardening, & cooking.  All this heavy conversation spoken on a patio, in front of an 18 th century villa, eating homemade delectable croissants and sweet homemade marmalades of fig and of peach with artisan cheeses and meats, fresh chocolate or peach tortes, punctuated with a steamy cappuccino while a Tuscan breeze blows over the hill to keep us cool and content. WOW! A dream. But the reality of it all is it is quite humbling. We have the power, as humans to illuminate our future. To make it bright, for lack of better cliché. We also have the ability to make our futures quite dark and dead. Our choice.

Walter our host and accomplished Chef at Fattoria La Palazzina

                                                    Truly food for thought!