Off to bella Italia

Look for updates from time-to-time. First stop: London for a 6 hour layover before connecting to Milan. Once there, I'll blog if I can find a computer and can stay awake. I'm hoping to see Da Vinci's last supper...I'm packing my paints and pencils, a new journal and new pen. Oh, and about 4000 pounds of clothes. When I arrive, I'll expect to find the few things I took out are the very items I could use.

Here's a little "tune" a friend sent as a send-off. All together now--

by Robert Louis Stevenson

I

THE VAGABOND

(To an air of Schubert)

GIVE to me the life I love,

Let the lave go by me,

Give the jolly heaven above

And the byway nigh me.

Bed in the bush with stars to see,

Bread I dip in the river -

There's the life for a man like me,

There's the life for ever.

Let the blow fall soon or late,

Let what will be o'er me;

Give the face of earth around

And the road before me.

Wealth I seek not, hope nor love,

Nor a friend to know me;

All I seek, the heaven above

And the road below me.

Or let autumn fall on me

Where afield I linger,

Silencing the bird on tree,

Biting the blue finger.

White as meal the frosty field -

Warm the fireside haven -

Not to autumn will I yield,

Not to winter even!

Let the blow fall soon or late,

Let what will be o'er me;

Give the face of earth around,

And the road before me.

Wealth I ask not, hope nor love,

Nor a friend to know me;

All I ask, the heaven above

And the road below me.

Ciao!