It is a beautiful, sunny warm day today in Cortona and the valley/mountains! I took a walk alone outside Porta Montanina, near the house. I began to think about these types of days back home in New England, especially Ashburnham & Gardner. I began to think of all I would do if I were there on a day like today....rememeber, I am far from New England, but come along with me on my day trip...
I would sit on the front porch of the Lakehouse quietly admiring the lake and the colors of the trees reflecting on the water from the island and opposite shore...
I would take the boat out for a row, scour the lake for any signs of the loons or ducks and admire the fall colors even more, and the clear waters and the shallow bottom strewn with leaves...
I would hike Mt Watatic and Mt Monadknock. From Watatic I would seek out Upper Naukeag lake and the Lakehouse...
At Monadknock I would park and walk up the old toll road to the summit, stay until just about sunset, then scamper down before dark and before the chill sets in...
I would go to the Hamilton Orchard, pick fresh apples and go inside to browse, but mostly to watch the dough drop into the oil as fresh cider donuts float on the top...a coating of sugar and I am ready to buy a bag and go outside to eat them in the fresh air!
I would drive through Millers Falls to the valley, stopping along the way at farm stands, buy some butternut sqaush, look at the mums, buy some indian corn, and try to find an old barn full of drying tobacco...
I would light the wood stove at the Lakehouse, and prepare a pot of mulled apple cider, then take a mug with me as I walk through the woods to the pool club and enjoy the mirror-like surface of the water while listening to the water as it flows over the dam...
I would walk the beaches of Cape Cod with Mom and Dad, the cool sea air, looking for any signs of whales on the horizon, then a walk through Ptown, a hot coffee, maybe a cup of chowder...
I would visit East Gardner, walk to the old railroad bridge, and hope to see some turkeys, then I would enjoy walking along the old Maple-lined sections of old roadway, leaves beneath my feet...
I would linger at Broadway, walk around the yard covered again with oak leaves, smile at the mums Mom has put in the planters, the withering grape leaves on the old vine, pine needles under the pine tree...then a glance into the well!...Jane and Brayden and Brooklyn would drive into the driveway for a quick visit.
I would visit North Hampton with Dennis, driving there in the old smoky mail truck, laughing, then stopping for a capuccino at La Fiorentina and looking at the odds & ends at Faces...
I would walk around the track at the Mount with Mom, she would walk faster ahead of me, then we would meet again up ahead!...
I would go to Maureen's for an espresso and some dessert she has prepared...
I would meet Mark at the Paramount, we would each have two cheap but delicious hamburgers surrounded by a cast of characters, then laugh together later...
I would meet Kerstin at the Old Mill and have lunch in the lounge over-looking the river and the colorful trees outside, the fire is lit in the fireplace and the place is lively, Chelsea and Pete would show up a bit later...
I would start up the Plymouth, take a drive around Crystal lake and remember playing "taxi" with Jane when the car was in Aunt Katie's garage...
I would pickup fallen apples from the backyard at Broadway and throw them into the brush behind the garage...I would sweep the garage floor and organize a few things...
I would put hay in the wheel barrow and push little Emily and Sawyer around Lane Village...
I would wake up smelling a turkey roasting in Grammy Martha's oven...
That is part of what I would do if I had an Autumn day back home like today, and a lot more!
This is what I got to do today here in Italy, remember the great things I enjoy about Autumn back home. I am with you as you are with me here!
