Red Room Where the Writers Are

The dream now: a small cottage in a Tuscan village with the freedom to write all day with the inspiring backdrop of Italy behind me, my husband returning from his teaching duties with his arms full of wine and fresh Italian bread.

 The reality where the dream was born: Tuscany, Italy. 

The date: 2007...a trip several years in the making. My father, a good friend, and a tour group of eclectic people headed up by a lovely Italian woman. We find ourselves in a remote area of Tuscany where a small farmhouse stands. Inside it holds  a secret. This isn't just any cottage, this is a winery. 

Our special treat tonight is to enjoy a fine dinner paired with seven different wines! A wine tasting, to be exact, but once the vino starts to flow we forget to taste and instead begin doing shots of wine followed up by grappo...the closest thing to lighter fluid one would ever taste.

Tuscany itself is rolling hills, grand colors pulled from God's palette. One of my favorite places in Italy and it was a last minute side trip. I'd imagined going away with Rome as my favored spot but Tuscany won my love with grand memories and glorious sights, sounds, and of course taste.

 La Dolce Vita!