In Love with France, At Home In Italy

Although I have previously written on the topic of "Taking My New Front Teeth For A Swim," https://franceoritaly.blogspot.com/2013/07/taking-my-new-front-teeth-for-swim.html   this time is different. First of all, those front teeth are not as new as they once were. Further, it's October 20, when most less nutty people consider the swimming season over. But on each of the past three days, I've swum 42 laps. Stubborn about giving up the so-called summer--which, at least here in Umbria, never quite arrived--I'd been holding out for a nice, sunny swimmable day, and these were the diems to carpe. I googled for tips on how to stay warm in cold water, and ended up wearing a funny-looking get-up of a stretched-out bathing suit topped by a tight-fitting French Los Olivades T-shirt with a snug Land's End bathing suit bottom over the whole bit. Although I have previously documented some of my what-Not-to-wear escapades (see "Update On What Not To Wear When Gardenin...

http://franceoritaly.blogspot.it/2011/06/what-not-to-wear-when-gardening-in.html Two summers ago I wrote a little piece about what not to wear when gardening in Umbria. I’ve learned a few things since then. Between laughs, Jim looked up at my latest gardening costume and said, “I need to document this.” So (with apologies to Trinny and Susannah whose great "What Not to Wear" show I miss), here is part of the old post, followed by my a photo from my current get-up: June 2011. “…As I inspect everything more closely—especially the insect kingdom in action—I notice loud buZZing around me that suggests that I, myself, am of intense interest to some killer-sized fauna. I wonder, ‘Why are they so attracted to me?’ When I looked down at my fruity, flowery get-up, I had to laugh:they must be mistaking me for lunch! Trinny and Susannah would never have allowed me to go out gardening in that outfit. BEFORE: The WHAT NOT TO WEAR police were right t...