Magical, beautiful Italy and then back to my roots in NY.

So happy hiking in the Dolomites, Italy.

Taking a break from hiking and letting the beauty of the countryside seep into my soul.

Me and the birds in St. Mark's Square, Venice.

Enjoying lovely Venice, the summer that convinced me to leave New York for Italy.

Dinner with Leonardo in Venice, the summer before I moved to Rome--his living there was a big part of the incentive to choose Rome!

The beautiful bouquet Leonardo sent when he couldn't come back a second time.

Outside view of second apartment in Rome. Dark and dangerous.

Outside view of Piazza del Popolo from third apartment in Rome: the mold made me move.

Graduation day receiving my masters diploma in social work from Fordham University.

My last residence in Rome. This one was peaceful, clean and had a beautiful view from my apartment.

Grace in front of Barney Greengrass, her favorite NY deli.

Grace--the lovely lady in glasses and v-neck sweater, gave a luncheon for me to meet her friends at her home in Reston, VA.

In Torino, Italy.

Hiking in Italy.