Acknowledgments

I wish to thank Lucia Carenini: without her this website would have remained a vague fantasy.  We were mere acquaintances when she agreed many years ago to create a website for my content.  Since then Lucia has become a dear friend–kind and generous, funny and fun, enormously talented, professionally exacting.  Her whole-hearted dedication to this project is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received, and I owe her an incalculable debt.  Grazie infinite, cara Lucia!     

Thanks to RS, who urged me to start writing about life outside USA “before all the strange, wonderful stuff gets to be normal,” and to everyone who read those irregular missives from various faraway places since 2011 and encouraged me to continue writing.  

Grateful appreciation to the early readers of this website, who found time to read, assess, and contribute valuable ideas.  Agostina, Anna, Becca, Edie, Jane, Janet, Joel, Julie, Paola, Rebekah, Rick, Silvia, and Stefano: the site is already better for your insights.  You gave me a lot to think about, and I hope to continue clarifying and improving the reader experience with your suggestions.

Finally, thanks to Jim Wile, eternal optimist and one-man pep squad, for encouraging me to prioritize writing and leave the laundry, for enjoying leftovers for supper, for always standing ready to prop me up when I doubt myself.  You are my favorite person.