When you're reluctant to be First Lady, you can find yourself off the campaign trail if not the planet.

When you stand a chance of becoming an Italian first lady, everyone has advice.

Sometimes streams (of consciousness, and up against a wall) are part and parcel of a delightful day in the country.

When in doubt, repair the"baby parking" mess and teach English — or try.

Want to know why rural Italians live so long? Start by counting counting the pills.

A wife's love for affluent Australia is offset by an Italian husband who sees shoppers as bored.

When consumer clutter and online complaining gets in the way of birthdays, it's time for a cat with a pencil.

The author is a notorious… Scrooge, which means expect no heat in her precincts.

The Tuscan filming of an episode of "House Hunters International" leads to, um, editorial views from afar.

The author gets messages from strangers pining to live in Tuscany. If only they knew…

Indulge "Rome Holiday" fantasies all you want, but cheeseburgers are coming, and picturesque nonnas won't stop them.