Cortona Italy - October 20, 2014, Monday

Bloggers, Stevie Gillman and Julie Wooley  Hard at Work.  

So last night, I worked for several hours on this blog.  Started out slowly ... kind of had writers block.  Even though we'd had a fantastic day, I couldn't get my mind started with the first line.  When suddenly, the words came to me and I wrote an exceptional piece - albeit, self proclaimed.   Just as I was proofing the blog and getting ready to publish, the entire story, photos and all disappeared into the "black hole."  A bloggers worst nightmare.  Thus the apology that was posted last night.  I will attempt to duplicate the clever words of last night before breakfast this morning without the assist of wine.   Hot tea with lemon does not inspire me as much, but it sure is a good place to start.

Here's what happened Monday.  We got up ...  ate ... and even though it's Monday,  ... it was church day for us.  We set off for Assisi, a small city with a varied background dating back to 1000 BC.  

Assisi has survived several religious and political changes as well as the Black Plague of 1348.  

What really put Assisi on the map was St. Francis.  Born in Assisi, Francis, the son of a wealthy silk merchant became a soldier and while being held prisoner, had a vision and came back to Assisi, gave up all of his belongings and founded the Franciscan order.  He also enabled Clare to establish the Order of Poor Ladies, later called "Poor Clares" after St. Clare.  

We began our church tour with the Basilica of Santa Maria del Angeli, known as a church within a church because of the original  tiny chapel nestled inside the huge sanctuary    

We had a "confession session" at a multi-confessional booth, which I surmise must be used for either large groups or folks wanting a quick "drop in" confessional experience.  The girls felt the urge to purge.  I have to confess ... I'm not in the photo, rather behind the camera.  (DISCLAIMER:  This blog is NOT intended to be sacrilegious, and I apologize if I've offended anyone who takes this more seriously than an Arkansas Southern Baptist gal who knows very little about Catholicism.)  

The next church was St. Clare's.  Built of beautiful pink and white marble, the cathedral stands proudly at the entrance to the old fortress city and is the final resting place for St. Clare.  

After St. Clare's we checked out St. Francis's birthplace which has been converted into a tiny chapel.  

No windows, only stone walls and floors and a door.  At the time, it was almost stable like and was likened to the birth of Christ.  Interesting note, St. Francis received "stigmata," the gift of the five wounds of Christ shortly before his death in October 1226.

Finally, it was time for the grande finale of churches in Assisi, the Basilica of St. Francis.  Perched at the highest point of the ancient city, this church consists of two sanctuaries, adorned with the usual Catholic frescoes, arches and pews.  

The arched ceiling of the upstairs sanctuary is painted a beautiful blue with gold stars.

After we were sufficiently "churched out," we set off to Solomeo for a visit to a factory and store known for their beautiful Italian Cashmere, Brunello Cucinelli.  

This is something we had all been looking forward to ... a little retail therapy.  We shopped and shopped and then got our sticker shocked asses out of there!! $740.00 for a scarf!  Really??  I don't think so.

After shopping, we worked up an appetite and since there were NO restaurants in Solomeo, we set off to Passignano for lunch at Lo Spinker, a beautiful waterfront spot on Sul Trasimeno.  

Our driver, Stefan, whom we've come to love like a son, phoned ahead for a reservation.  The only part of his phone call that we understood was "Five American Women."  The owner, Franco took excellent care of us, recommending a local Umbrian wine and his favorite Tuscan dishes.  Mary Ann and Jan ordered pasta with lobster.  Franco brought the lobster table side so we could check him out.  That was the last we saw of the lobster.   When the lobster dish arrived, the lobster was MIA.  We decided that we should try to fix Stevie up with Franco, (a handsome Italian lover).  We weren't necessarily looking for Mr. Right, rather Mr. Right NOW!  But after the lobster went missing, we decided he wasn't worthy of our dear friend, Stevie.

Copious "selfies" later, we loaded up again and headed for home by way of Cortona to do a little shopping.  We needed kleenex and wine.  Can't figure out why the wine is always gone.  I think one of St. Francis's wolves must stop by during the night and take it away.  

Back at the villa, Lucia was preparing a fabulous meal for us while we had cocktails and marveled at the breathtaking sunset.  Lucia is an incredible chef with a stunning smile that could rival the sunshine.  

We have had the opportunity to meet two of her equally beautiful daughters, Vittoria and Ginevra, and her sister, who assisted in the kitchen.  Francesco is delightful also and as I was asking Lucia how to spell her children's names, Francesco read this blog and was quick to point out that SHE was in fact the fantastic chef ... NOT Lucia.  A little sisterly rivalry.

After a fabulous dinner, lots of wine and laughter we were off to bed.  Everyone except for me.  I was clicking away on my computer trying to retrieve my missing blog from the depths of the bloggers black hole.  Today, at breakfast, I've tried to recreate the writings of last night.  I hope I haven't missed anything important.  Be sure to check for Tuesday's adventures.