"Off track" in Cortona, Italy

". . .it is only by going off track

that you get to know the country. . ."
- - E.M. Forster

I didn't go to Italy exactly to get to know the country. I went to take a week-long workshop with Michael deMeng, but what a pleasant surprise the setting was!And how I grew! My quads grew somewhat I think just by being in the hill town of Cortona, where everything is either a steep uphill climb or a careful downhill stroll. . . but, I also grew through the teaching of Michael deMeng.Our opening night reception was held at Il Pozzo. Ivan displays a delightful gallery of artwork, and the centuries-old history of Cortona is in evidence in his shop as well. If you go to Cortona, you simply must stop by Il Pozzo (translated means "the well"), and within the gallery, you will find the remains of an Etruscan well, that Ivan unearthed while looking for more height to his shop.Monday was dedicated to a field trip. Our first stop was a pottery shop, where we watched the clay go from the wheel . . . to the painter.Our trip through this process was explained by Carlos.Ah, yes. Carlos . . .Reluctantly, we moved on to an olive farm where we had a delicious lunch with primarily olive oil as an ingredient -- the fruit of their efforts.And then wine-tasting in Umbria. A terrific day!

Our next day was spent at a huge flea market to gather materials for our project with Michael deMeng. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures during that gathering, but it was amazing.

View from our workspace.

The next four days were spent in a delightful room at the Oasi Hotel making our Alchemist's Books. Some people completed multiple projects, but I was wrapped up in my one and only book.We were a wonderfully compatible group of fourteen.And there was even dancing!

My book: