When I drove away from the hospital, I noticed my windshield was coated in dust. At first, I assumed it came from traffic nearby, but it didn’t make much sense since it had just rained. When I got home, I saw a strange layer of pink and red spots mixed with fine sand covering the entire car. I had no idea what it was. Not wanting to deal with cleaning it right away, I ended up leaving it like that for a few days.

In my life, I’ve known a few people who have struggled with and passed away from mesothelioma. At the time, I wasn’t very informed about the disease, but after Gianni was diagnosed with the rare PML leukemia, I became more interested in learning about mesothelioma as well. It is also a rare condition, with approximately 3,000 cases each year in the United States, 400 in Canada, and about 2,000 in Italy.

National Carbonara Day is celebrated every year worldwide on April 6th and honors one of Italy’s most iconic pasta dishes, Spaghetti alla Carbonara. LET’S ENJOY A GOOD SPAGHETTI CARBONARA TODAY TO CELEBRATE IT!

Easter is the most ancient and significant celebration in Christianity, honoring the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. This belief, recorded in the New Testament, forms the foundation of Christian faith and symbolizes victory over death and the promise of new life.  Christian denominations include Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox, United Presbyterian and some Reformed traditions.

Holy Friday—more commonly known as Good Friday—is a Christian holy day that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Christian denominations include Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox, United Presbyterian and some Reformed traditions.

The United Nations officially established the observance in 2012, and the first celebration took place in 2013. Held every year on March 20, the day is now recognized worldwide, with countries, communities, and organizations promoting activities that encourage positivity, kindness, and mental well‑being.

As we grow older, we start to notice the quiet changes in our reflection. The face that once felt so familiar is changing.  Fine lines appear around the eyes and small creases settle near the mouth.  Wrinkles, the signs of aging, remind us that time has been moving and that life has been happening.  Every wrinkle tells our story!

Gianduia or Gianduja is a traditional Italian chocolate that originated near Turin in the Piedmont region. In 1806, Napoleon’s Continental System restricted British goods from entering European ports under French control, leading to a shortage of cocoa. To adapt, local chocolatiers began mixing chocolate with finely ground regional hazelnuts, giving rise to Gianduia.

Whenever we head into the city, we take the train to Milano, arriving at Centrale station. From there, we hop on the metro to the Duomo, which is always our starting point when we visit Milan. We never miss the chance to pause, admire the breathtaking cathedral, and snap a selfie — it’s a ritual that never loses its magic. Then comes our next stop, just a short five-minute walk away: the Milan Starbucks… and not just any Starbucks.

Reaching my 1500th blog post feels both surreal and deeply gratifying. What began as a small corner of the internet has grown into a living, breathing space filled with ideas, experiences, lessons, and stories. Over time, this website has evolved into more than just a platform — it has become a reflection of curiosity, creativity, and a genuine passion for sharing meaningful content and to remind everyone to “Live life well always, because we only have one!”

Each year on February 17, people around the globe observe Random Acts of Kindness Day. This meaningful day invites us to offer kindness freely, without looking for recognition or reward. It celebrates sharing love, joy, and compassion through simple, unexpected gestures.

Friday the 13th has long held a peculiar grip on the human imagination, blending superstition, history, psychology, and pop culture into a single date that many people still approach with caution or curiosity.  The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is a fusion of two older fears: the unease around Fridays and the suspicion of the number 13.

World Radio Day, observed annually on 13 February, celebrates radio’s role as a vital and trustworthy means of communication. The date commemorates the founding of United Nations Radio in 1946. UNESCO designated 13 February as World Radio Day in 2011, and the United Nations General Assembly formally endorsed the observance in 2012. 

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok video of Castle / del Castello We had a wonderful time exploring Ivrea with our friends; Walt and Karen who were visiting from Canada and Franco who lives in Vercelli. Information on Ivrea Sights Ivrea Castle, locally known as Castello di Ivrea , is a medieval fortress located in the historic center of Ivrea, a town in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The castle was constructed in 1358 by Amadeus VI of Savoy, often called “th

Yeah, its Nutella Day! Let's crack open a jar and slather that deliciousness of chocolate and hazelnuts on whatever we like. Of course, if you are allergic to hazelnuts like my brother Vince, then stay away. Here is the story behind Nutella....

Most of us have a special someone who is currently fighting cancer, has fought it in the past, or has been personally affected by it. Thanks to incredible advances in science, research, and technology, the landscape of cancer treatment has changed dramatically, with more cancers now being treatable than ever before. With World Cancer Day taking place tomorrow, I’m sharing how this important day began and evolved over the years.

Having blood work done in Canada is a little different from the experience in Italy, so I wanted to share those differences to give you an understanding of healthcare practices in Italy.  This spreadsheet identifies the steps required for a blood test in both Canada and Italy. 

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   International Day of Education is celebrated annually on January 24 and was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 to emphasize the essential role education plays in advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights.  The resolution was co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other member states, demonstrating a collective international commitment to transformative learning.    The day acknowledges education as a basic human

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   The Olympic Torch came through Arona on January 14, 2026, and Chris my son-in-law @ chrisevans.film took these photos and video.   La Torcia Olimpica è passata da Arona il 14 gennaio 2026 e Chris, mio genero, @ chrisevans.film , ha scattato queste foto e questi video.    TikTok video - Olympic Torch in Arona / Torcia Olimpica ad Arona Photos / Foto   Winter Olympics The Winter Olympic Games are an international sporting event dedicated to sno

Scorri a basso per l’Italiano   TikTok Interview video with Gianni - TikTok Intervista video con Gianni YouTube Interview video with Gianni - YouTube Intervista video con Gianni Transcription of video - Trascrizione del video I’m here today to interview my husband, Gianni, and to reflect on the one-year anniversary of his bone marrow transplant—a blessing we’re deeply grateful for. Oggi sono qui per intervistare mio marito Gianni e per riflettere sul primo anniversario de