These are stories that generally involve only Cheryl and/or Emerson and are most likely about day-to-day activities. They can be engaging the two of them in a whirlwind tour somewhere, or simply about conversation around the fire. Usually, they will have a more reflective side to them, or a particular lesson learned.
Rolling fog. Watch and wait. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, you have to be ready. There can be nothing more important. Drop everything you’re doing, just let things fall where they are because something very special is about to happen—lasting only minutes at best. I quickly needed to move into position because the fog was rolling in. Usually, it works its magic when no one is watching, so only those alert and ready can actually bathe in its cleansing mist. (more…)
After a long hot day of working on our stuff, we settled into the usual chairs at the old table outside the kitchen door. Dusk was steadily creeping up over the hills, touching our bare feet, cooling us down on the now shady terrace. Shadows deepened within the underside of the grape arbor, as a breeze rustled the white paper napkins held still by our favorite blue-handled utensils. This is the time of day to give up all striving, surrender to the sound of an unknown chatter in the nearby woods and soak it all in—breathe as if to allow insight or the gift of ancient wisdom to arise.
That is how our world was yesterday evening at 9 pm. (more…)
“Check that latest draft message and send it on if you’re ready!”
Morning voices bounce through the hard-surface stairwell with collaborative news. We each sit in front of our own computers on different floors typing away. We are once again reminded how connected this life has become. Most of our e-mails are signed “c and e,” making it difficult to tell where one starts and the other leaves off. This, of course, is a tricky balancing act—how to keep healthy individuality in the midst of significantly integrated lives. But for us, it’s a challenge worth taking given the possibilities. (more…)
The ancient stone structure was tucked into the mountainside—moss covered its roof. The old wooden door had been replaced with an iron grille denying our entry. Curious to see the inside, I inserted my hand into the small square window to the left of the door and snapped a couple of photos. Hopefully, the camera flash would light the inside of the stone cottage and we’d be able to at least visually enter the space. I withdrew my hand from the shadowy recess and pushed the review button. (more…)
They mentioned that they might “breeze in” one day on their way north. Sure enough, on a Sunday afternoon Joan and Erin arrived from Rome. We walked into the train station and there they were, as if we had been planning this rendezvous for years. Stowing their luggage, we made our way through the narrow streets, past the market at San Lorenzo, around the corner to the left, arriving at TrattoriaZà Zà for lunch. We took a table out front in the warm midday air and settled in for a couple of hours. (more…)
The sling chair looked inviting this morning. With a cup of hot tea in hand, I decided to sit down for a few minutes to soak in some warming rays of the morning sun. I settled back onto the cushioned headrest, my hat pulled down to shadow my eyes from the brightness. Within moments, I slipped into a peaceful quiet mood. As my breathing slowed, I drifted more deeply into thoughtlessness. My stillness seemed to be underscored by the comforting drone of bees. (more…)
Sometimes a fork in the road really makes a big difference. Up the hill, just through Galuzzo on the outskirts of Firenze, Florence, we were cruising toward Viale Machiavelli. Caught up in conversation, we simply continued straight up the road instead of taking our normal right jog. Oops! By the time we saw the sign, ZTL, there was no turning back. Oh, those dreaded “zona traffico limitata, limited traffic zones.” No matter how quickly we circled the block to regain our correct route, the damage was already done. (more…)
Over the past 10 years we have used many different approaches—writing, music, art, video, creating a hand-made book, playing our music at coffee shops and now this blog—to tell a tale. Whatever method presented itself, we played with it to see how it could help us better express ourselves—better understand ourselves. We hope our offerings are useful to, and enjoyable by others, but first and foremost, we are simply notating the real experiences of two partnered lives for our own growth & awareness and then offering it to the world . . . that’s all.
It probably would be much easier if our story was just our life alone, in some isolated way. But our lives are all tangled together with those of so many other people. To complicate matters, being in Italy means that there are also cultural tightropes as well. Let us explain. (more…)
This thing we call our “book,” continues to shift and grow. Our first story and video post, “Thumbnail Sketch 1” was May 12, where we enthusiastically announced our intentions with, “Yikes! We’re writing a book.” Our decision to dive into this 10-year story about our ongoing Italian escapade was fairly spontaneous and full of excitement. The energy around it hasn’t diminished, and in fact, has grown considerably. However, the form and content continues to evolve rather dramatically as you will see. (more…)
Cheryl & Emerson
Quality time is undeniably great for relationships. We've discovered that quantity of time can provide that quality. Perhaps it takes Time to Partner.
Quality time is undeniably great for relationships. We've discovered that quantity of time can provide that quality. Perhaps it takes Time to Partner.
Uncommon promise 