La Piazza

January 14, 2016

By definition, la piazza is basically the town square. However, there is nothing basic about it. The piazza is the life force of a town. It is its centerpiece, its rhythm....il ritmo. The beauty of the piazza is something that could be set to music, and in fact, when I’m sitting in la piazza, watching both locals and stranieri (tourists) go by, I often find the right tune on my ipod to compliment the moment. There is almost always a pleasant surprise waiting for you in la piazza. See what I stumbled upon in Piazza del Carmine, Firenze in the video below.

But first, I decided to ask a few dear friends, both Italian & American, to share their feelings about the piazza, so that you wouldn’t have to just take my word for it. Their sentiments capture the beauty of the piazza and I am incredibly grateful to them for taking the time to write. Grazie mille!

Here’s what they had to say:

Vincenzo Esposito talks about one of my favorite piazzas in Firenze:

Piazza della Signoria oggi....La piazza e' il luogo di incontro, di spaccio, di divertimento, dove si puo'giocare a calcio da piccoli, dove si ascoltano i concerti da grandi. Dove i ricordi rimangono per sempre e ogni volta che le attraversiamo ritroviamo un po' di noi stessi! Buon Anno!

Piazza della Signoria....Today the square is the place to meet, shop, have fun, where you can play soccer as a child, where you can listen to great concerts as an adult. It is where memories live forever, and every time we cross the square we rediscover a little piece of ourselves! Happy New Year!

Photo credit: Enzo Esposito: Piazza della Signoria, Firenze

Cassandra Santoro from Travel Italian Style

Italians are always talking about la dolce vita & la dolce farniente lifestyle but where does it all come from anyway? This was always my question when I first started to travel Italy over 10 years ago. Then suddenly when I took my first step into the local piazza the answer came to me rather quickly.

The piazza is the town’s pride, the gathering spot, the market location, the place to enjoy a passiaggata or gelato during your free time—this is the heart of any Italian city! This is the place where they gather together to celebrate the pride they have for their village and culture.

All the secrets can be found in this main square and you too can be a part of it, even just by enjoying a few moments in a local cafe where you can sit and watch it all come to life. Italians just do it best and they do it even better in the piazza.

Photo credit: Cassandra Santoro - Festival in the Village of San Vito dei Normanni in Puglia — Photo credit: Cassandra Santoro - Festival in the Village of San Vito dei Normanni in Puglia

Nicholas Coleman from Grove and Vine

Most small Italian villages have a piazza, which is the centerpiece of the community. Antique fairs, art shows, annual celebrations and the finest cups of espresso are enjoyed with friends basking under the warm afternoon glow. My personal favorite is the Piazza Grande in the ancient Etruscan town of Arezzo.

Chiara Bacco from Padua, Italia

The piazza is the perfect place to enjoy a gelato or prendiamo un caffe (have a coffee). In the morning there is usually a market where you can shop for fruits and vegetables that are locally grown.

What I love to do most in the piazza is to meet up with my friends for an aperitivo. It is the highlight of the day, where we come together to catch up, have a cocktail or a Spritz, and decide where the rest of the evening will take us.

My favorite is Piazza dei Signori in my hometown of Padua, Italy.

As promised above, here's a slice of one of my favorite piazza moments in Firenze.

Note: this page can be translated by clicking the "Select Language" arrow, top left of the page. Nota: questa pagina può essere tradotto facendo clic sulla freccia "Select Language", in alto a sinistra della pagina.

My Love for Photography & Italy began with one photo

January 8, 2016

My love for taking photographs began over 20 years ago on my inaugural trip to Italy. Perhaps it was the air, or the architecture, or the vino, or the shift in my vision from being outside my comfort zone and in a foreign land. Maybe it was everything combined. Whatever the source, that first click of the camera, of this fountain in Rome, ignited a desire in my heart to capture the miracle when special moments are created and especially when those moments are in Italy. It was a defining moment that initiated what I now call “Happy Heart Patricia.”

My work features my love for architecture, food, nature, street photography, and most of all, capturing random moments in life that are visually powerful, revealing the beauty and soul of our world.

My desire is for people to be nurtured, inspired and moved by my images. In capturing moments in time, I hope to show that we are all connected in this world and that our similarities outshine our differences.

I invite you to do something that inspires you and makes your heart happy this weekend.

Big Love, PatriciaG

All photos are available in notecards and frameable prints. Just message me and I'll hook you up. Or check out my Etsy Shop for a small sampling. Grazie.

Buon Anno a Tutti! Happy New Year Everyone!

December 30, 2015

Wow I can’t believe a year has already passed. Last year at this time I was celebrating the start of a new year in Firenze, Italy.

My theme, or mantra, for the year was “In Pursuit of Magic & Miracles.” In living with that expectation, I manifested some stellar life moments as well as some serious and pivotal challenges. I have welcomed them all (although some were easier than others) since I know each play a role in my next steps forward.

I like the concept of Magic & Miracles and I’m not ready to let it go just yet, so I’m sticking with it. But it needs an upgrade. Thanks to the experiences of 2015, I am no longer "in pursuit" of Magic & Miracles. I believe in them wholeheartedly now. And so, in this new year of 2016, I stand my ground, with arms open wide, and I “Welcome all Magic & Miracles, in the most perfect way!”

May you and your loved ones have a New Year filled with Magic & Miracles, and may all your dreams come true. Big Love, PatriciaG

For information on Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and, also referred to as Il Duomo, and the Opera del Duomo Museum, check out Il Grande Museo del Duomo. It is comprised of historical riches that are a must see on your visit to Firenze. Your 15 euro ticket includes entry to: the Cathedral, Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of San Giovanni (also newly restored), the Crypt of Santa Reparata and the Opera Museum.

Merry Christmas, Buon Natale from PatriciaG Loves Italy!

December 24, 2015

If you know me, you know that my two loves are New York City and Firenze.

I wanted to share some Christmas pics from both places. I’ve got NYC covered.

I have Firenze pics too, but they're from my trip last year. I wanted to see some sparkly decorations from this year, so I asked my friend and fellow photographer, Claudio Arcuri, to help me out. He took a twirl around the city and sent me these lovely pics. I especially love the bells! Grazie C!

New York...Firenze...wherever you are, I wish you a beautiful celebration filled with love, laughter, great food, and the glow of Christmas Magic. Big Love, PatriciaG

Firenze photo credit: Claudio Arcuri. I am a big fan of Claudio's body of work. His photographs are intense and visually stunning. I invite you to view some more here: Claudio Arcuri.

Magic & Miracles

December 11, 2015

Being in Pursuit of Magic and Miracles, I had the absolute blessing of seeing the lovely Christmas decorations in my beloved Firenze last year.

As I wandered around the city, guided by the twinkling of Christmas lights, the sound of church bells almost always, and the palpable celebration in the air, my inner belief that miracles can happen, and that magic is real exploded.

This past Tuesday, the tree in Piazza del Duomo was lit. As I watched videos of it on social media, I was reminded of my special moments standing under the tree. I visited it quite often, and each time I drank in it’s beauty. It was magical and at times, miraculous. Sharing a video snippet with you.

'Tis the season & I'm wishing you Magic and Miracles at this very moment, and throughout the New Year. Big Love, PatriciaG

Bubbles in Firenze

December 4, 2015

I have to tell you, seeing the social media posts about the Christmas lights in Firenze makes me a little sad, but they also serve as a reminder of my own wonderful experience last year. It was such a magical time to visit this city that I love so much. I am truly grateful that I got to experience the Christmas season in Firenze.

I wanted to share a special moment with you. I had just landed (December 28th), unpacked and got my apartment set up, and although I was severely jet-lagged and very sleepy, I couldn't resist a twirl around Firenze. This stop in Piazza delle Repubblica actually brought tears to my eyes. It reflected outside what I was feeling inside - so happy to be on this magical journey of play, and adventure, and in expectation of miracles. As I watch it today, as brief as it is, it brings me right to Happy Heart Patricia and inspires me to create more of these moments.

I'm happy to share this with you. I hope it makes your heart smile too. Have a Beautiful Christmas Season.

Big Love,

PatriciaG

We Choose to Skate Through Fear

November 20, 2015

Those of us who live in New York City know that we live on high alert...we do it every day. We have done so since 911. We are aware. We are alert. But we are not afraid. I write this not only for terrorists, but for our fellow Americans, who live on the outskirts, or not even near New York City, yet feel the need to keep sharing posts about terror threats to our home. I can assure you that we New Yorkers do not need you to constantly post and remind us of the world we live in. We live it! Unlike you who only reads about it or sees it on TV. So I thank you in advance for not propagating the fear on our behalf. And to be clear, despite the reality that we live in, we New Yorkers choose to live our lives in fullness, and in celebration, and we skate through any and all fears. We are, after all, f**king New Yorkers yo!! ‪

Burrata Makes Me Want to Sing Opera

November 12, 2015

Burrata (buttered in Italian) is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains both the mozzarella and cream, giving it a soft and delectable texture. There are many recipes and accompaniments for burrata, but for me, the best will always be my first experience: prosciutto, grilled veggies, tomatoes, basil, Tuscan bread and a full bodied red wine. Heaven! Paradiso!

I was first introduced to Burrata at a friend’s Enoteca in San Niccolo, Firenze. I had no idea what it was and didn’t know what to expect. When this plate was set before me, there was so much love and deliciousness built in, that I had an immediate desire to cry and sing opera simultaneously.

And when I cut into the Burrata ever so gently, and the panna (cream) flowed out so beautifully, I do believe that I actually heard angels sing. It was a personal culinary moment that I will never forget and I thought I’d share it with you. Buon appetito!

Big Love and Buon Weekend, PatriciaG

If you feel inspired, please share in the comments section below. I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to pass the blog along. Grazie! Most of my photos are available for sale on my Etsy shop. If you see something on this site that isn't on Etsy, just shoot me an email and I'll make it available. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2015 Patricia Geremia

Don't Just Pop a Pill

November 5, 2015

After several weeks of not feeling quite right, but able to function, the bomb dropped this week. Seems that what started out as a cold, evolved into an infection, which lodged itself in my sinuses. A visit to the doc this week informed me that I had acute sinusitis. Yup. I was thinking allergies, head cold, even (wince) possibly the flu. But nope, it was all in my head - so to speak. Well not exactly, because the infection then traveled to my ear and on to my stomach, causing nausea, and the real gem....vertigo! No wonder I was walking sideways and banging into doors! Who knew?!

Antibiotics were prescribed. I rarely take antibiotics because I think we use them too frivolously in this country, but I know when my body needs them, and I agreed to take them this time. Also prescribed was a steroid called Methylprednisolone. Yea, say that three times fast. I told the doc about my reservations of taking a steroid. She said I should research it first and if I wasn't comfortable I didn't have to take it. Wasn't comfortable? Here's a partial list of what it's used for: arthritis, blood disorders, certain cancers...yes, I repeat, certain cancers, and kidney/intestinal/lung diseases. No mention of sinusitis by the way.

And the side effects? What a lovely array of possibilities. It can compromise your immune system and cause diabetes! Huh? That alone stopped me in my tracks, as it did my sister when I shared this with her, but I read on just for the heck of it: nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, dizziness (hello!), trouble sleeping, appetitie changes, acne, muscle pain, weight loss - now this one had my attention for a minute. The list goes on and on.

I'm not going to get into a commentary about our pharmaceutical/medical practices in this country. That would be a dissertation and not a blog. I'm writing this to suggest that you don't just pop a pill in your mouth just because the doctor says so. Read, research and explore other methods. In addition to my own internet research, I turned to two dear & trusted friends, one here in New York City and one in Italia. They gave me some wonderful nuggets to work with. Here's what I did in lieu of steroids: massive amounts of sleep, I mean massive, healing juices & smoothies with extra garlic and ginger, water with lemon, teas, blasts of vitamin-C, saline spray, neti pot, healing meditation, and a big pot of veggie broth. I took every veggie in my fridge and boiled it up in a pot. Then put it in my Vitamix and blended it up. I still had to strain it, so if you don't have a heavy duty blender, I suggest you remove the veggies whole and just drink the broth.

As the broth worked its way through my system, I boiled some water with baking soda, then added eucalyptus essential oil, put a towel over my head and inhaled that sucker in. Ahh, healing from inside and out. Thank you dear ones, grazie cari amici!

I'm not suggesting that people don't take their medicine. I'm just saying to do your own research, know your body, and don't just pop a pill because the doctor prescribed it. Don't get me wrong, I think pharmaceuticals are a good thing and I'm grateful for them, in extreme cases of compromised health. But I also think we overdo it sometimes. My original aha moment on this was several years ago during a stay in Italia. I had a pretty bad headache and the person I was staying with suggested that I lie down with a warm compress on my head. I remarked that in American I'd be offered an Advil, Tylenol, aspirin, etc... Just sayin...

I'm thinking of making a big batch of veggie broth and freezing it to keep it handy for the upcoming season. Feel free to do the same and use any of the other ideas above. Good health to you all and Big Love, PatriciaG

Courtesy of Louise Hay's Positive Affirmation Cards:

Autumn Soup

October 29, 2015

I've always had a love for food. Growing up in a multi-cultural background, and a family who loved to cook & bake, we had a variety of traditional Italian, Polish, Irish and German recipes.

Visits to Italy enhanced my love for sustainable, regional and seasonal cooking, and now working at Eataly continues this food journey that I am on.

In a recent article that I wrote for Eataly's "Hot Topics" Newsletter, I was reminded of a recipe a former co-worker gave me many years ago. I hadn't made it in a while, and so I decided to resurrect it, and I'm happy to share it with you here in the blog today. Start with making a batch of your own homemade chicken soup. While the soup is cooking, scoop out the guts of the pumpkin. You can put the seeds aside for roasting later. The main event here is to cook the soup halfway, then pour it into the pumpkin. Place the filled pumpkin onto a cookie sheet and put it in a 350 degree oven. Baking time will vary on your pumpkin size. As the pumpkin cooks, it will easily glide into the chicken soup with a gentle scoop of your spoon. It is delish! È delizioso! Enjoy!

Happy Autumn everyone. Buon Autunno! Big Love, PatriciaG

New York - Italia Connection

October 24, 2015

I forever endeavor to find connections between my two beloved spots in the world - New York & Italia. Fortunately, I live in a city where cultural events are in abundance and I have the pleasure of attending these events.

Recently, I had the chance to be in a small and intimate setting at the Italian Cultural Institute, featuring Jovanotti. When I think of his tours filling stadiums with tens of thousands of people, and here I sat in a room of approximately 150 people, well it just blows my mind. Being in the aura of this man's genius and beautiful humanity was just beyond words. Most of it was in Italian, and truth be told, I did not understand it all. But I understood more than I thought I would so it's all good. Ma devo studiare!! (for a taste of Jova's music, see video below)

Last week I attended an event at my favorite Italian cultural spot in NYC, Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo. I am there quite frequently as they provide a variety of events: photography exhibitions, book presentations, receptions, movie screenings, theatrical performances and more! Last week's event was a book presentation of Nutella World written by Gigi Padovani, followed by a Nutella Party (yum!) hosted by none other than Eataly. Do you see all the connections here?

I am on a journey of connecting the two worlds that I love most. I am not always sure of how and where it will lead, but I trust that I am being Divinely guided, and that I am always right where I need to be.

Big Love, PatriciaG

For more information on these two great places, check out their websites below. And message me if you'd ever like to join me at one of their events.

Casa Italiano Zerilli-Marimo

Italian Cultural Institute of New York

Reflections

October 17, 2015

Hi All/Ciao a Tutti,

It's been a couple of weeks since I've written the blog. Truth is, I haven't been up to it. I've been in some deep introspection, which tends to bring some sadness. After my self-imposed pity party, I found that reflection soon followed. I've been reflecting big time on where I've been, where I am now, and most of all, where I am going. I tend to get silent when I am in these stages of life. But if I work through it, the silence always leads to inspiration and awakening. Tough but doable.

One thing I've noticed about myself is that I tend to be drawn to photographing reflections when I am in this space. There is something intriguing about them. They reach out to me, and beckon me to capture them in time, as a reminder to awaken my creative self. Normally I might just walk by, but when I am in this space I know the healing and the knowing will be there.

It's not just about taking the photo and getting the shot. In looking for the shot, the reflection, I find myself viewing my immediate world differently. I see it from different angles, sideways and upside down, which leads me to see my past, present and future outside the proverbial box...my comfort zone.

It inspires me in a way that opens my heart and stops the mental chatter that can be so damaging. This helps me to move through it and beyond it. I guess it's why I love to travel so much, especially to my beloved Italia. I am forced to see everything outside my comfort zone and I live completely in reflection and being aware.

So I guess the key here is to try to stay in this mindset and live outside that proverbial box.

In finding my way back to writing this blog, I am prompted to share some of my reflections from my two favorite cities with you. I hope they inspire you, as they do me, to ask the question - What do you see in your reflections?

Big Love,

PatriciaG

If you'd like to, please share in the comments section below. I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to pass the blog along. Grazie! Most of my photos are available for sale on my Etsy shop. If you see something on this site that isn't on Etsy, just shoot me an email and I'll make it available. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2015 Patricia Geremia

Jubilance

September 27, 2015

This past Friday, I found myself in the midst of a sea of people of every age, race, background, religious affiliation, sexual preference and even atheists. I almost hesitate to mention this because it wasn't important at all. We were all there to be witness to a moment in history and to be blessed by the presence of a man who humbly and lovingly brings us all together in Peace.

Originally my intention was to write so much more; to address the controversy as well as the celebration. In the end i’ve decided not to give the controversy any credence. I decided to emulate this man and celebrate the magnitude of the moment.

There was a brief moment where I stopped photographing and just drank it all in and it was beautiful. It seemed to be going in slow motion. Jubilance is the word that comes to mind. How one man can move so many, well it brought tears to us all. In the end, it is, and always will be, just about Peace and Love.

I brought everyone with me on Friday. All of my loved ones...All of you. Therefore, as I have been blessed, well then, so have you been blessed. Big Love, PatriciaG

"We are asked to summon the courage and the intelligence to resolve today's many geopolitical and economic crises. Even in the developed world, the effects of unjust structures and actions are all too apparent. Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples. We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good."

If you feel inspired, please share in the comments section below. I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to pass the blog along. Grazie! Most of my photos are available for sale on my Etsy shop. If you see something on this site that isn't on Etsy, just shoot me an email and I'll make it available. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2015 Patricia Geremia

Legacy in Waves

September 18, 2015

Having New York City beaches extended one more week was an absolute delight. I had the chance to venture to Rockaway one more time - yay! - to swim in the waves, bask in the sun, and revisit the place where 4 generations of my family have enjoyed their summers. What an absolute treat, and the blessing is not lost on me.

As I did my mermaid twirls in the waves, I marveled at how well my grandfather taught me how to "read" the waves. Whether to dive under, or jump over, or let them carry me to shore in a flurry of twists and turns in the bubbly surf. The memory and the beauty of it all brought real tears to my eyes. Not tears of sadness, but of gratitude in the memory of a family's love, of summers past when we all rode these waves together, and of my present summer, and how I continue the legacy of swimming at Rockaway.

As I was swept up in the emotion of my last 2015 swim at Rockaway, I boarded the A train to journey home. I chose a window seat that would afford me a view of the setting sun. I thought that would be my poetic moment, until I happened to look down, and saw what someone had randomly scribbled on the window sill of the A Train.

Buon Fine Settimana/Have a Great Weekend! Big Love, PatriciaG

The Tomatoes Are In!

September 4, 2015

It's tomato season at the farmer's market! I love this time of year when we reap the benefits of summer's harvest. There is nothing like a homegrown tomato - the taste, the texture, the nostalgia. I have a little bit of farmer in me. My Dad and I would keep a garden every summer. In addition to tomatoes, we grew cucumbers, peppers, green beans, strawberries and more. So when I bite into a fresh tomato, it provides more than just taste, but a deliciousness of the heart.

I can't grow my own tomatoes these days, although I did try one year and had quite a nice cherry tomato plant going on my Manhattan fire escape; if I may say so myself. Alas, FDNY showed up and reminded me that it is a "fire escape" not a veranda. Fair enough...but I digress.

Allora, luckily I have the farmer's market nearby in Union Square, and I ventured over there last weekend. I had a hard time choosing with all of summer's fruits and veggies bursting with color and the promise of salads, sandwiches, sautes, smoothies, gravies and sauces. Sharing some of my 'harvest' with you with a reminder to eat local whenever possible.

For a list of farmer's markets in your area, check out: Local Harvest

Buon Appetito/Buon Fine Settimana/Have a Great Weekend!

Big Love, PatriciaG

New to Me - Lemon Verbena

August 28, 2015

A woman was carrying a huge bunch of Lemon Verbena. It smelled so absolutely delicious that I just had to comment. I didn't even know what it was, as I've never seen, smelled, cooked with this delightful herb before. She was so excited at my excitement that she handed me a bunch. And she gave me two easy ways to use it:

Steep the leaves in hot water to enhance the aroma and herbal properties, creating a relaxing & calming tea.
Place lemon verbena in a vodka bottle; cover and shake to evenly distribute. Infuse for 5 days. Boom - you have a delish end of the summer cocktail.

Hmmm - which one shall I choose?

Try something new this weekend - an herb, a fruit or veggie, or even a random conversation. It's these brief moments in time, when you cross paths with someone special, that can create a light and a sparkle, and invite something new into your life.

Buon Fine Settimana Peeps/Have a Great Weekend! Big Love, PatriciaG

Yes, I Am A Mermaid

August 21, 2015

Ciao a Tutti,

Just a quick stop in to share some of my ocean moments. I feel so fortunate to have the ocean close enough to visit when I need my mermaid fix.

Yes, my secret is out. I Am A Mermaid!

Buon Weekend Tutti! Have loads of fun and enjoy the rest of summer.

Big Love, PatriciaG

If you feel inspired to share, please do so in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you. And feel free to pass the blog along. Grazie! Most of my photos are available for sale on my Etsy shop. If you see something on this site that isn't on Etsy, just shoot me an email and I'll make it available. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2015 Patricia Geremia

Grazie Firenze

August 13, 2015

Ciao Tutti, I had something else planned for the blog today, but it involves video, and it's taking a little longer than planned.

And since today is my day off, and I want to go to il mare, and since Firenze 'begins to beckon,' I thought I'd revisit this blog that I wrote in February, in her honor and with much gratitude. (plus it's a nice glimpse of winter - my other love)

I hope you don't mind revisiting along with me. Happy Friday/Buon Weekend. Big Love, PatriciaG

And be sure to cue the music...

Living in Color

August 7, 2015

From time to time, and for various reasons, I like to revisit this blog. (originally written September 2013) Today, my revisit is a celebration of all the work I've done to get to this colorful place. It wasn't always this way. My second reason is that some friends have recently lost their Mothers and I thought this might be helpful for them to work through the grey. Thanks for allowing me the revisit, and the reminder, that Mom always loved to see me living in beautiful, bright hues of color.

I’m not quite sure of the moment it happened. Maybe it wasn’t a moment in itself. Maybe it was putting one foot in front of the other in baby step fashion to create some semblance of life. Maybe it was in the allowing myself to live in grey tones since January; not forcing myself to be in anything other than total grief, which led to my living in total grey.

Had you asked me all along I would have just said that I was living somewhere in the midst of pain and numb - fluctuating back and forth at times, but more often living simultaneously in both. How can one be in pain and numb at the same time? Good question and one that I cannot answer. I can only vouch for the fact that it is possible. I’m not sure where in the body they both sit exactly. At times it felt in the heart, others in the solar plexus, existing in the view between my tears which didn’t evade me during my waking moments or in my dreams when I slept. Truthfully they were in every cell of my being. I would wake up and everything: my apartment, food, being outdoors, coffee, people, my insides, my outsides - it was all grey. I put one foot in front of the other in baby step fashion. I agonizingly awaited for time to pass so that the pain would subside just enough for me to be able to inhale. It was all grey....life was all grey. When you love with such intensity you are bound to exist in grey. You are a shadow of yourself within the loss.

And then there was a moment. Colors started filtering through, dissipating the grey.

Did I just laugh a hearty laugh? Birds are chirping outside my window again. Had they left for winter and recently returned? Or is it that my ears have reopened to their beautiful song? My body is also healing physically after lots of work with chiropractor, physical therapy, meditation and prayer.

I’ve returned to smiling at people on the street, and performing random acts of kindness, wanting to be in the community and living life fully once again. I have made the switch from despair and am living back in gratitude, for all things great and small. I am dreaming of spending time in Italy again, taking photos, being of service to others, laughing and loving. I am trying something new and out of my comfort zone and am learning how to paint. My very first painting is of one of my photos taken of a tree in Central Park. I call it “Wisdom” because it symbolizes such grace and strength. Grace and strength put you back on the path to living in color.

The explosion of colors has continued with the deliciousness of swimming in Mom’s pool again.

I see the blue of Mom’s eyes in her pool as I do my watery dance of front, back and side strokes and flipping underneath the surface like the mermaid that I am. Gliding through the velvety water provides such freedom and peace.

I am so grateful to my mother for creating such a cozy, loving and heartwarming place for all of us to share. I honor her, and remember her, and love her in every swim that I take. She used to look out and say “I can’t believe this is all mine,” so happy to have the dream come true of giving her kids the gift of this sacred space. And how she loved to share her gift with everyone else, her welcoming arms always open to all.

I remember how she’d sit on the swing in past summers and watch me frolicking in the pool in delight. I feel her. She is with me. She guides, consoles, encourages, and cheers me on. I always said Mom was my biggest cheerleader. Sometimes the cheers come in little whispers and other times they are huge outbursts of applause in full color. Yes, the colors are coming back. Not all day every day...but more often than the grey.

I smile more when I think of you Mom. The crying has gotten less. Not gone completely, but not every waking moment any more. And in that is the beauty...the grey can be beautiful too - because it reminds us of how special that love was, how important that person was to our existence. It is this painful because it was so wonderful. There is peace somewhere in there for me. I am grateful for the grey and I hold your essence in my heart and that brings a multitude of colors that are absorbed by every cell in my body.

I write this not only for myself, but for others who need no explanation of the co-existence of the numb and the pain. We hold a special solidarity in living in the grey. I want you to know it’s ok to be grey. Stay in it for as long as you need. Trust that the colors are coming. I promise you that they do come. All of a sudden something will trigger them. For me, it was the blue of Mom's eyes that came forth first and now the entire spectrum of the rainbow is starting to appear.

And when I breathe in, I can also breathe out, and trust is back..trust that I will be ok because I am my mother’s daughter and she is my biggest cheerleader, and she cheers me on from an angel’s perch and sends me colors of love and light.

I am my mother’s daughter and I am living in full color.

Big Love,

PatriciaG

Losing Weight Starts in Your Head

July 31, 2015

Hi All/Ciao Tutti,

I just did the 3-day Military Diet. I needed something to get me on the other side of the plateau that I've been hanging out in. You know that place? Up one pound, down two. Down two, up three. Mamma mia, it can be frustrating!

I like to do these once in awhile, not so much for the drastic weight loss, cos truth be told, you can easily gain it back once you return to eating your "regular" way, plus these diets tend to be geared towards dropping water weight. Anyhoo, so why did I do it? I did it to watch my thoughts and habits, and look for signs of where I need to improve.

With my food intake being limited, I noticed how much more I savored each bite, each morsel. I wasn't shoveling the food mindlessly into my mouth; which I sometimes tend to do. Also, I noticed how my mind is always thinking of food to buy. For example, I didn't realize until now that each time I'm leaving Eataly I think to myself "should I get some prosciutto? What about that olive bread that I love? And those cannoli's...oh how I love those cannoli's." Crazy balls!

Now there is nothing wrong with these foods. In fact, I can have them all, but moderation is the key my friends. Also, eating seasonally, listening to & feeling what my body needs is important. I learned this during my visits to Italy. Ask any Italian for Ribollita in the summer and watch what happens! Living in America, especially New York, where we can pretty much get anything we want, when we want it, is not necessarily a good thing. Our bodies are meant to function with the seasons. And non-GMO, organic, locally grown food is always the best choice. Except of course that prosciutto from Italia...ahh if prosciutto was a man I would marry him! But I digress.

So yeah, this all sounds great, but how do I put it into practice. Well my friends, I have the answer and it's not what you'd expect. In fact it's quite simple. It all begins and ends in your head. Yup. I can have all the willpower, diet plans and exercise regiments in the world, but if I use excuses, they turn into beliefs that's it hard or impossible to lose weight, and guess what? That's exactly what happens. Conversely, if I believe I'm going to lose weight...You got it...I do!

So this 3-day Military Diet experiment provided me with a quick drop of 4 pounds. Granted, not as much as if I was in my 20's, but it's 4 freakin pounds people! That's pretty good. The real gift it gave me was getting me back on track with that light inside that wants to be healthy and feel good and look good. It's gotten me back to knowing and believing that I can lose weight easily and healthily. And it reminded me of a mantra I used while walking the streets of Firenze. "Thank you for the easy and healthy weight loss!" I said it a cazillion times a day and I do it here as I stroll the streets of NYC.

I hope my sharing this helps you if you are trying to lose or gain weight, or to just be healthier. Believe that you can do it, and see it already in your mind's eye. And while you're doing all of this, it's really important that you love yourself. A lot!! If you beat yourself up and say horrible things in your head, you are never....I repeat....never going to lose weight! We are so much more than just our physical selves, yet we wrap our whole lives around what's looking back at us in the mirror.

I don't mean to be preachy here, and by all means, I do not claim to be a nutritionist or an expert. I just know what works for me and wanted to share in case it helps you. I know the woes of being overweight and battling with it. But it doesn't have to be a battle. It can be simple. So, I challenge you to start today by saying as many times as possible in the day, "Thank you for the easy and healthy weight loss. I love you (insert name here)" Just try it. What do you have to lose? wink

Happy/Buon Weekend and Big Love, PatriciaG

Message me if you'd like a copy of the 3-day Military Diet. If you feel inspired to share, please do so in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you. And feel free to pass the blog along. Grazie! Most of my photos are available for sale on my Etsy shop. If you see something on this site that isn't on Etsy, just shoot me an email and I'll make it available. All rights reserved. ©Copyright 2015 Patricia Geremia