And then Venice Happened…
The day ended with spaghetti. An impromptu dinner at my Dutch neighbors. I’d seen Edourdo in the morning en route to buy flowers and he asked after the boys. “I haven’t seen them for ages!” I say. But my life works that way. I think of someone & they appear. I have certain kind of magic. Meanwhile Marly arrives from Amsterdam. She’s here to sign her contract for her new apartment - she’s moving here. She comes with me to the American & International Women’s Club Outing at Museo Palazzo Mocenigo which gives way to Prosecco. “Why do you live in VenIce?” Barbara, our president, asks. I’m the VP. “She chose us.” I say, “Venice is a lady. A lady decides who she lets in.” I lean in, “It’s widely known that foreign women have always ruled Venice.” The ladies nod in agreement. Casati. Peggy, Singer. Countess Gozzi. “To ruling the city” I toast. “To VenIce.” Laura responds. I explain my Thoreau Theory - everyone steps to the rhythm they hear - and that we who live in Venice hear a certain beat. “The beat of her heart.” Constance says.
As we toast again my phone buzzes. Katinka describes these moments as #andthenvenicehappened @mrclintsmith had arrived from New York so I go from drinks to drinks. We go to @harrysbar_theoriginal We are given the corner seat. I explain the significance. You never sit upstairs at Harrys. We get to know each other. The odd reality of my job is I’m often traveling with strangers. Clint is not a stranger. I’ve known him - the public figure - for nearly a decade but I am excited to know the person. I tell him about the 1st time we met. He has no reason to remember but I do because he was exceedingly kind. I’m reminded what they say. People will always remember how you made them feel. I suggest going to @hotelmetropolevenezia where we are greeted warmly by Alessandro. He asks after my babies - my kittens are famous. As we leave, I realize I gave Marly my apartment keys. “Come to Ronald & Matthijs” she says. And as I arrive Ronald puts spaghetti into a boiling pot & Matthijs hits Spotify. He knows I like country music. The lyrics tumble out onto the Grand Canal. “Country roads Take me home. To the place. I belong.” It’s not West Virginia, but its home.
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