How do I even start this post? Such a mix of thoughts and feelings….We are safe at the moment and healthy. We thank so many friends from the US and elsewhere who have reached out to us, sending prayers, positive thoughts and messages. And it is our fervent prayer that you are all safe and healthy as well.

But if not only safe and healthy, what will become of us during this time? We are not on the front-lines, as so many are; medical staff, volunteers, police, and more, pouring out their dedication and risking their lives every day to save others. The numbers of cases are real here in Italy. No matter what others may wish to discount for whatever reason, most of what you have been reading on the internet about these tragic times here are real. I would like to share our personal experiences during this sad, tragic but reflective time.

For John and I, living in our very quiet village here in the Frentani Mountains of southern Abruzzo… central Italy, we do not have firsthand experience with the human life tragedy that has been unfolding in the northern part of our country. We track the news and escalating numbers of positive cases and deaths through government and news sites. There are many cases in our region and one case has been documented here in Roccaspinalveti. Hopefully that person is on the mend and his family is also well. But mostly, we are only directly affected by the quarantine decrees and the unsettling feeling that we, too, will have neighbors, friends and ourselves physically affected by the virus.

So, what are we actually doing and what is required of us. It is the same throughout Italy now and we all must follow these decrees. Self-isolation is the only way to get the numbers down. The decrees do get updated frequently as this world event is shifting. Right now, we are all home isolated. We stay at our home and property unless we need groceries, medical attention or prescriptions. Only one person per family may drive up to town center to buy necessities. The shops here are very small, so for most, it’s just one person in the shop at a time and the rest must queue outside. Leaving the municipality of Rocca requires pretty much an emergency.

For me personally, it’s not a difficult stretch to stay at home…..except for my daily hike or trek. (Believe me, I’m going nuts without them.) I’m somewhat of a loner, though living here in gregarious Italy has helped me come out of the ‘woods’ so to speak. I actually have some friends that aren’t dog people. Pre-virus, you would find me most days, taking a trek around the area or a hike up a mountain, sometimes with John or a friend, but mostly by myself. It has always been a way for me to center my self, flush out any toxic thoughts and reset myself. Otherwise I’m at home. Well, not exactly. We do like to sight-see and we love to eat out, especially at our favorite local trattoria, but sadly all restaurants and bars are closed with the restrictions and drives around on hold.

So now we’re in ‘virus time’…. I’m a voracious reader since childhood. Gosh, is my life all about escapism? 😉 So I read a few books at the same time, juggling true or fictional crime with some lighter fare. Since I grew up in an Italian-American family with the nap tradition firmly in place, it was an easy transition to life here. And now that we have a lot of ‘down time’, naps are a shoo-in…. right after lunch. And you can be certain that Romeo reminds me that it is time…

Romeo and I will head out to the backyard for some playtime and again, some time to clear the head and get some much-needed Vitamin D. With most people obeying the self-isolation restrictions, the wild animals are starting to emerge from their cover and enter more urban areas. I did see a wild boar in broad daylight in our olive grove a few weeks back and then just this morning! Normally, they are nocturnal in our area. And my friend up the road saw a wolf traipsing down the street …. again broad daylight.

John has been working on some ‘honey-do’ projects around the house, as well as splitting firewood for our kitchen fireplace. He also has been cooking some delicious dishes, but I only indulge on the weekends. 😉 Are we getting on each other nerves? You bet!! Normal.. I would think for many couples. So we take a timeout from each other and find a quiet place inside or outside to decompress. Thankfully, Romeo doesn’t like a lot of drama in the house, so we try to behave because of him.

Am I scared or worried? Of course. I worry for myself, John, family and friends. But then I have to remind myself that worry is useless. It can change nothing. All we can do is following the regulations, enjoy some home-centered activities, take supplements, eat healthy, exercise, video chat with family and friends and pray a lot.

A friend of mine from the UK came over to her holiday home here in Rocca, just before the lockdown. Little did she know that she would not be returning home anytime soon. Her husband had to work and couldn’t take the ‘vacation’ with her. She is alone in her home here, unable to visit anyone. Tough times but she is making the best of it.

We were supposed to visit the US to see family and friends. Obviously, that got postponed. We have no idea if we will be able to get back there anytime soon. Very sad but thankful for video chats… But it is not even close to hugging your daughter in person. We also had a large family meal planned with my cousins in San Salvo. That has been postponed until….? Difficult times, but we are the lucky ones right now. So many families have lost loved ones throughout the country .

We’re trying to stay upbeat, laugh at each other, play outside as being indoors is definitely rough on mind and body, and we make certain Romeo gets exercise each day. And below… John always remains silly… Good for him!

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Earlier in this post, I mentioned that it was a reflective time. As hiking is on hold for a while, I find myself at the rear of our home most days. Here there are views that are calming and reassuring. I can push the worries away, pray some and just be infinitely thankful for what John and I have at this moment. Here are a few moments from this morning, pre-dawn after a spring snow. Thank you again for reaching out to us over that past few weeks. It means the world to John and I, and Romeo thanks you as well.

Stay calm, stay home, stay healthy. Enjoy this time with yourselves and with your family. The world will definitely be different when it heals and this all passes. We will most likely be a little different as well. Sending love from Italy… John and Helene