Life is good.

I just returned from visiting my daughter, Alex, who is studying in Florence, and the trip was everything I could have hoped for and more. Joined by my husband and our younger daughter, we soaked up as much fun and family time as we could manage in six days- AND we were still talking at the end. 

We stayed at the very beautiful Grand Hotel Baglioni and loved that it was conveniently located near an Internet Cafe and a dessert stand that stayed open late to sell big, toasted waffles dripping with melted, chocolate Nutella (do not even ask how many points they were). Naturally we were in great spirits because we were exploring all that Firenze had to offer- the bakeries, the gelato stands, the restaurants and cafes and especially the espresso bars (in Italy there is no such thing as a bad cappuccino).  By noon we were ready for some sightseeing.

It was easy getting started, given that Alex’s backyard is the Piazze della Signoria, where the replica of David stands (can’t wait until she brings her children here one day and says, “Look. This is where Mommy lived. Watch out for the low flying pigeons.”). From there she took us to see her school, which requires walking right past Chanel, Gucci and dozens of designer shops (I tried convincing her they were museums, not stores). She also zips past the Duomo like it’s a big Dunkin Donuts!

How we enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells, all while having to stay on high alert because Taryn was so busy shooting pictures, she was always one step away from being run over by a speeding scooter or bus (only in Italy are traffic lanes and traffic lights merely suggestions).

When you travel with a photographer, you do see things from a different perspective. Taryn’s favorite shots were the candids of Florentine families- the adorable babies especially. We stopped dozens of times for her to capture smiles, tears, kids in costumes and mothers arguing with their children to watch where they were walking (same in every country). Along the way we were reminded that Alex was fast becoming a native. Any time we showed interest in buying something at a market stand (OMG the leather!!!!), she started negotiating in words they understood: student discount or else. It was also great to be guided by someone who spoke our language (how do you say, we need frequent bathroom and coffee breaks?)

On one of the days we ventured by TrenItalia to Milan to see the Last Supper (funny, even for a painting about food you need a reservation, lol) and to the National Museum of Science and Technology museum. It was an incredible treat to see Da Vinci’s other paintings (the original Mona Lisa) and his endless inventions. Unfortunately we spent the better part of the day getting lost and frustrated  and almost didn’t make it back because of confusion over train schedules. But once we were back safe and sound, we called it a great day. Truly, our fifteen-minute appointment to stand before the Last Supper left an indelible impression.

Back in Florence, we toured the Academia to see the David with Alex’s museum class, which we throughly enjoyed (although the room with all of the plaster molds looked like the setting for a birthday party at Plaster Fun Craft). From there we went on to the Bigallo to see more of Da Vinci’s brilliant designs and inventions (did you know that he came up with the idea for the first air bag?) and of course, gazed out at the scenic Ponte Vecchio. We also enjoyed spending time with Jackie, Alex’s roommate from Boston, and a few other friends who joined us for dinner. If there was a Target, we would have made that run, too!

The days were a blur of on-the-go fun and enlightenment,  but mostly it was a joy to see how first hand how a child who once ate nothing but Cheerios and bagels, who forever whined about being hot, tired or bored, who insisted that any place without an Applebees was not worth visiting, was now embracing  a foreign city and lovingly calling it home.

Truly, it is every parent’s dream to discover that their daughter is independent, capable, courageous and a very good sport! Alex kept making personal maps (a right at the Duomo, a left at the Farmacia) so that we could find her apartment or our hotel, and not once did she roll her eyes and yell, “OMG! Would you please pay attention?”

Now that we are home, Taryn’s wonderful pictures are giving us a chance to relive the experience. Fortunately, she didn’t take any of our long, long flights. Those we will try to forget. Coach is another word for hell!

February has been very very good to me. I have had the extreme pleasure of presiding over two great book events, participating in a really fun video chat and hearing from readers all over the country who are discovering my brand of humor and loving it! Trust me. Nothing makes an author happier than to hear kind and encouraging words from avid readers who believe in you and anxiously await your next book.

Yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with a local Hadassah chapter that gathered to talk about books, motherhood, writing careers, kids, college, camp- nice ladies all of them and they were so supportive of my work. Thank you especially to Betty who pulled me aside to say that she loved Dear Neighbor and couldn’t remember the last time she got so engrossed in a book that she had to lock herself in the bathroom. “My kids thought I had a bad virus because I wouldn’t come out.” Best compliment ever!

Last week I was delighted to moderate a discussion with a book club that has been meeting for years and has read everything from the classics to best sellers to obscure titles that not even their librarians were familiar with. A comic novel like Dear Neighbor was a switch for them and some were not so sure they’d enjoy. Imagine their surprise and my excitment when they raved that they couldn’t remember the last time they had so much fun and were shocked that they laughed the whole way through. Did I kvell? Of course!

I I was also so happy that the group generously donated new pajamas and books for my pet charity, The Pajama Program . If you don’t know about this important foundation, please check out their web site and learn how your book club or organization can get involved. www.pajamaprogram.org

Also last week I did a one-on-one with the delightful and witty Debbe Taylor, co-founder of www.workingmomonline.com This is a fantastically smart and amusing site that totally focuses on motherhood and humor, so it was right up my ally. Deb and I did two little chats via OOVOO, and I hope you watch and enjoy.