In Love with France, At Home In Italy

Maybe this doesn't even need an explanation. Could these photos of nature's own dryer be enough? Even though our Italian washing machine made by the CANDY company has a glass window on it, I still can't fathom what could be going on in there for the many hours it takes to do a load of laundry. But I'm not going to complain. First, nobody forced me to move to the home of the Slow-Food Movement. Secondly, regardless of what that washer is doing, the clothes come out cleaner than in a speedy American machine. We did take the precaution of buying a machine here that has a so-called Ciclo Rapido/Fast setting. But given all the restrictions of what that fast cycle will and won't do, you can tell that their heart was not in it. Anyone in too much of a hurry can NOT expect to put in a full load of anything. Furthermore, you're not going to get the 1000 giri fast-spin that leaves the clothes nearly dry. And no temperature selecti...

 I am celebrating the new year by changing the sheets—something I confess that I probably do not do often enough. Here in Italy, laundry is always something of a production. Umbria is not just the home of s-l-o-w cooking. Although Italian washing machines do seem to get things cleaner and with less of an impact on the environment and the clothes, they require an investment of time and forethought. Electricity is expensive and not to be taken for granted. Some frugal people only do laundry on the weekend when the rates are lower. I like to do it on a sunny day so I can hang the clothes out to dry, the way I imagine the local contadine do. As I consider things new and fresh, I am reminded of a message I just sent to a new friend who already feels like an old one: Ciao, G Thanks for your delightful message, which is a reminder that it can be nice to grow old here with new friends. Whoever tells you that you are a good writer is right! I'm impressed with your en...