These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Even though guests ask me so often what my favorite things are, I am always at a loss for a good answer! My favorites in Italy, in Europe? No, they say, my favorites in Umbria. For a second, I am relieved. After all, how hard of a question is that – I’ve lived here for over 40 years! What about my 20 years of Tuesdays (please stay-tuned for an imminent entry entitled My 20 Years of Tuesdays)? My mind is flooded with images, sensations, memories, and emotions which race by on fast-forward as I attempt to assemble and produce a mental list. Guests, surely anticipating something overwhelming from Mary, the Insider , wait in silence as I make a supreme – but fruitless – effort. The pause lingers – grows heavy – becomes uncomfortable – makes me feel inadequate. While my conjured up mental and jumbled list is rich, the things and places are not necessarily my favorites!
Just the other day during a leisure lunch with delightful Cooking Class guests, the dreaded question was asked again! I am never prepared for it (I certainly should be). The same awkward pause, weighty silence, the same uncomfortable feeling of inadequacy, the same quickly assembled mental list of many things and places came to my mind...but they were not necessarily my favorites.
Why in the world should this question be so hard to answer? Why in the world can I never come up with an intelligent, well-informed answer to share with those who are hoping for my answer? I don’t know the answer to that question either – it seems I really am clueless and inadequate. SO…I have promised myself that I WILL ponder this question during the lazy days of August and that I WILL come up with a list of a Few of My Favorite Things!
I wish I were clever enough to put them to music (remember the wonderful tune and words from The Sound of Music?). I hope you won’t give up on me – please stay tuned – check back often for THE LIST. It might just include some of your favorites, as well. In the meantime, I would love to know what some of your favorite things in Umbria are!
By the way, “Inadequacy” . Now – that is another topic that fascinates me. What triggers feelings of inadequacy? Do we all suffer from feelings of inadequacy? I’ll think about that also during these lazy summer days! Please check back to see if I do any better with that question!
-Mary
Mary, born and raised in California, graduated from the University of California. While studying art history in Italy, she met and married Maurizio. Mary is in charge of Reservations, enjoys sharing her unique expat perspective and her 40 years of acquired Italian culinary skills with guests.
4 comments
Mary,
First let me begin by saying that I cannot imagine you, of all people, feeling inadequate on any level! You are one of the most amazing people I know . Perhaps you feel at loss over your “few favorite things” because Umbria has far too many “favorites” to narrow it down to a chosen “few”. I’ve only been in Umbria several times over as many years and I can say, without a doubt that Genius Loci is my MOST favorite of all things in Umbria (biased I’m sure – but I am being most sincere). When one is surrounded by such beauty on a daily basis, how can there only be a “few favorite things”?
Personally speaking, I’ve experienced magnificent sunrises, sunsets, rainbows after a mid-afternoon rain shower, exquisite food, people, towns, flowers, ancient structures, simple sunflowers, the Gaite, etc., etc. In a few brief moments, my head is already swimming with vivid memories – each one amazing in and of itself.
Mary, my dear friend, you have quite the daunting task in front of you to come with a “few favorite things”.
I envision many conversations during my visit to discuss these “few favorite things” as well as feelings of inadequacy.
I love the blog and the photos you post. Can’t wait to continue our conversations!
Be well my dear friend! XXOOXX
You are such a dear, such a true friend. Your kind words of support and encouragement mean so much to me. I also look forward to exciting conversations on an array of topics with you and Dan. Can’t wait. THANKS for stopping by my blog so often and for leaving your always interesting and wonderful comments.
Mary, I cannot wait to see a list of some of your favourite things, because I think that it will be fascinating.
That said, I certainly understand how difficult such a task is – I suspect so much of what you value is intangible; how certain beautiful sights make you feel, and move you emotionally. How much love and joy you take from the beauty of Umbria.
How can you quantify that, and put it in a list? When I think of Umbria, for example, my mind rushes to the patio at Genius Loci, the views across the valley and most of all, the sense of peace and the feeling of coming home that rises in me.
Also, I cannot wait to hear more about your 20 Years of Tuesdays — it sounds brilliant!
I am working on the list – a daunting task indeed!