LA LEVATRICE – THE MIDWIFE

LA LEVATRICE – THE MIDWIFE

I am very grateful to Monica for reading La Levatrice by Bibbiana Cau, published by Nord

The author, who has a rather unusual name, is making her literary debut, but above all she has worked for many years as a midwife.

In my opinion, this aspect emerges loud and clear from the book, not so much because of her knowledge of the subject, but because of her sensitive view of the value of life.

The surname, on the other hand, takes us straight to Sardinia, transporting us back in time but also into the precious and spontaneous nature, rich in characteristic scents, flowers, and plants.

La Levatrice shows us the side of war that no one ever wants to show.

La Levatrice also shows us the condition of women and the contrast between opposing and antagonistic positions composed of ambivalence made up of dark sides and a thirst for justice at the same time.

The sad common denominator: the obstacles that women, each within their own generation, encounter every time they fight to break out of the confines to which they are relegated.

I congratulate the author because this book is shocking, some passages are very harsh, although darkness can never fall on the power of true and pure love.

There are many reflections that I still hold in my thoughts.

If you have read it, or will read it, I would love to hear your impressions.

Meanwhile, speaking of obstetrics, what have you been told about your birth?

I’m homemade 🙂 you know…

LJUBLJANA COFFEE AND DRAGONS

LJUBLJANA COFFEE AND DRAGONS

Many thanks to Tomislav Takač: the photos he sent me show his first coffee of the year and his trip to Ljubljana.

The coffee in the image below the title is accompanied by a characteristic dessert: Kremšnita – Cream cake. Did you know it? It looks very inviting 😉

I always enjoy talking about the first coffee of the year, but, despite all our hopes and repeated good wishes, 2026 has brought us immense sadness.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop thinking about it and I feel like I have a wasp’s nest in my head.

For this reason, I thank Tomislav once again: your coffee photos are always a great gift to me, and his give me the opportunity to discover almost completely unknown places through very interesting images.

Here are a few, starting with Subotica:

Coffee van with Santa Claus

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

Christmas tree at the Folk Theatre

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

Have you ever seen a “kiosk” like this?

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

Tomislav tells us that “kiosks” are usually red, white, or yellow, and that the green one is “new.”

Literally kiosk

It is an iconic element of typical Central and Eastern European architecture, ‘modernist’ modules designed to be integrated and at the same time to simplify direct sales.

Design works created in 1966 by Slovenian architect Saša J. Mächtig, identified with the initials K67, which are particularly characteristic of the former Yugoslavia, also exhibited at MoMA.

Speaking of art, Tomislav Takač‘s first coffee  bodes well: the new version of his comic strip will be published in the British magazine Schlock in February.
Congratulations!

Tomislav tells us that espresso usually costs Eur 2.50, but in one café it cost Eur 2.20.

On Lake Bled, he found a restaurant that serves Turkish coffee for Eur 3.

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

Doesn’t the castle immediately make you think of a fairy tale or an adventure?

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Some examples of truly unique architecture in Ljubljana are very interesting, such as the building that houses the cooperative bank, built in 1921

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and the Art Nouveau palace designed by Emil Medvescek.

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

The Dragon Bridge:

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The green dragon is the symbol of Ljubljana: from a monster, as it was initially depicted, the dragon gradually transformed into the protector of the city, embodying power, courage, and wisdom.

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

The legend dates back to Jason and the Argonauts. Who can tell me this story?

LJUBLJANA CAFFÈ E DRAGHI

Once again, we find ourselves reflecting on the concept of monsters and how real monsters appear to be not very scary, “normal”… although we could open a wide debate on what is “normal.”

Monsters exist, but they are too few in number to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are the common men, the functionaries ready to believe and to act without asking questions.”
Primo Levi

How and where did you have your first coffee?

THE PROPHECY

THE PROPHECY

La Profezia (The Prophecy) by Andrea Francavilla: the last book I read thanks to Manuale di Mari

Andrea Francavilla  is also the author of Racconti nani non democristiani (Non-Christian Dwarf Stories),  do you remember them?

La Profezia takes us into a completely different world: Sodom and Gomorrah.

The story is inspired by events recounted in the Holy Scriptures, within which the writer outlines his characters, giving them very specific characteristics that represent various and multifaceted aspects of human nature.

Andrea Francavilla describes himself as a careful observer of the people he meets and, above all, of their emotions.

At the end of this historical novel, beyond the aspects strictly related to an ancient period, the reader finds themselves reflecting on how the boundaries of the human soul are blurred and at times even ambivalent, revolving around the axis of one’s own convictions.

After reading the extract, my first impression was clear with regard to the vision of a specific character.

However, Andrea Francavilla replied by writing “depending on who is reading…”

This is the key.

The book shows us how good and evil coexist.

Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Bob Dylan

And what are your thoughts? Old or young?

If I say Prophecy, what do you think of?

DINING IN A BUBBLE

DINING IN A BUBBLE

Dining in a bubble: you can try this experience in Arona on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Have you ever been there?

We took advantage of the beautiful weather last weekend to take a lovely walk along the lakefront, made even more beautiful by the Christmas lights.

In Piazza del Popolo, through the arch of light, we found ourselves in front of these bubbles that create a magical atmosphere.

Do you remember when we talked about Bubble Hotels

In Arona, in Novara district,  you can find Bubble Restaurants.

The Municipality of Arona defines them as iconic, spectacular bubbles as part of a project to deseasonalize tourism.

These illuminated and heated installations allow restaurants to keep their outdoor seating areas open even in winter.

I would say that the goal has been achieved: the idea of dining in a bubble under the stars, surrounded by Christmas lights and natural scenery, is truly evocative.

An ice skating rink completes the enchantment.

Every detail is handled with elegance and restraint.

Cenare in una bolla

And for those looking for last-minute gift ideas, there is the option of giving vouchers  for dinner in a bubble… on the lake, under the stars

MASSIMO PAINTED MY SHOES

MASSIMO PAINTED MY SHOES

Massimo  painted my shoes

Do you like them?

I love them.

It was a wonderful and very welcome surprise

The sun and moon will be with me every step of the way.

Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.
Thomas Mann

Before human beings possessed fire or tools or language, the moon had been their ally. It would calm people’s fears now and then by illuminating the dark world …
Haruki Murakami

Have you ever seen shoes decorated like this?
Have you ever seen decorated shoes in general?

I’ve noticed laces customized in various ways, but never painted shoes.

I find Converse to be particularly comfortable and versatile shoes. Do you wear them too?

As you know, I’m addicted to white shirts, and they go naturally with jeans, but in this case, it’s perhaps a shame not to let your imagination run wild. What do you think?

Any advice?

Speaking of Vitaincasa outfits, the pink side of life, with your taste in suggesting outfits for the Fashion Alphabet column, feel free to make suggestions 🙂

In the meantime, I want to repeat: THANK YOU Massimo.

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