It's a four day weekend!  Yesterday was Immaculate Conception Day or some such foolishness, but it gives me days off so I don't care.  It is pretty funny though when considering how much Italans go on about the separation of Church and State here.  Every Tom, Dick and Harry is a Saint and gets his day, many of them are National Holidays.  Speaking of senseless, last Sunday I voted for the first time here.  It was for the referendum that would have streamlined the government, reducing the number of seats in the two houses and cutting all sorts of other waste. (Italy has about 950 parliamentary members to our 535, with a forth of the population).  It didn't pass.  Why would it?  It makes sense.  I give up.  I'm still on no news mode though snippets do sneak in.  They are all terrifying so I'm going to keep this up as long as I can.

GP and I took MIL out to lunch.  Monday is her Saint's Day (Patron Saints are more celebrated than birthdays), so we went for a drive in the country and to a lovely restaurant in the wine region.  I was gluttonous and ate and drank too much and now feel like crap.  At what age will I achieve self-control I ask you!!??  I spent all day on the sofa reading and doing online crossword puzzles.  I am a bum.  Tomorrow I'll make up for it by being very productive!   My bed is calling me....I must obey....  xxoo me