Junefinnigan's Weblog

Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World,

“I fancy one of those wide-brimmed Italian hats,” my man announced.  “You know, similar to the guy in the Moretti Beer adverts.” “You mean a Mafia style hat?”  I asked, just to be sure.  “Err, not exactly, but black and wide brimmed.” He mused.  So I set about researching Italian hats and found that Florence had a famous artisan hat-maker called Borsalino.  Now, like Italian hand-made shoes, you cannot buy a hand-crafted hat cheaply.  But what you get is a thing of beauty and of a very high quality and style.  So sometime in April, I might take him into Florence and visit Borsalino at Via Porta Rosso 40, 50123, Firenze. (Florence) Foto Borsalino Website

It will also be an excuse to have lunch at my favourite Gluten Free Ristorante, Quinoa.  website website

Meanwhile, back in the world of politics, there are certain romances going on.  Potential government members are wooing each other and celebrating any agreements with hugs and kisses in The House, and in full view of the cameras.  Mind you, this is Italy, the Italians don’t hide their feelings and are very touchy feely.  But I quite like this, and over the years have found myself becoming more and more that way myself.  However, my English man still prefers to shake hands with Italian men, which they find amusing once they have become good friends.  So back to the forming of a new government; well we are still waiting.  Foto La Repubblica.

On the same subject, a Roman Graffiti artist has painted a mural depicting the two potential leaders, passionately kissing.  You know, a bit like the Gorbachev picture.  Note that Luigi Di Maio, the vertically challenged one on the left, was nominated by the leader of the Five Star Movement for the leadership, as he himself (Grillo) has a police record and could not stand for the position of PM.  So nothing new there.  Matteo Salvini, the portly one on the right, who represents the Northern League and runners-up in the General Election, badly wants the leadership, so this romance may not last long!  Watch this space.  Foto La Repubblica

And what about Exhibitions in Florence?  Now here’s one I must go and see.  A fascinating historical photographic collection of ‘Women in Work’.  So, if you want proof of all the hard work women have successfully completed over the years, this exhibition is for you.  Here in the Chianti countryside, there is still an abundance of male farm workers, however, so many are imported and of course there are thousands of immigrants all desperate for work that again are mainly male.  It is easy to spot an elderly countrywoman, as she is likely be very bent over with gnarled hands.  In small holdings or allotments the elderly can still be seen growing their own fruit and veg, often under the rows of olive trees.  But times have changed, even here in the Tuscan countryside. Foto La Repubblica.

Now, I could not resist showing you this gorgeous feminine Rock Chick look, which I found in La Repubblica newspaper, whilst enjoying my morning coffee in Fiano.  As a rock singer myself, black is my signature colour, but I do love a bit of femininity thrown in too.  I’ve always strongly believed that if you are naturally feminine, you know, dresses, skirts and long hair, why hide it.  Fortunately, I was not a feminist in the sixties, I had no money and could not afford to burn my only bra!  But this did not stop me from being successful in business later on, despite the glass ceiling!  But that’s another story…..  Luisa Spagnoli website

The other thing I read in the paper was about the dangerous state of thousands of mature trees, particularly pines and famiglia trees, here in Tuscany.  They are falling over the roads and their roots are pushing up huge lumps in the tarmac!  It makes me very sad to see many of these trees destined for the chop, but needs must I guess.  Foto La Nazione

But never mind, lets end on a cheerful note.  The sun is shining and our spring/summer resident, Signore Cock Pheasant, is back making a racket so the girlies can hear him.  Last year he bedded down with a hen under our tangley  pomegranate trees, safe from the hunters in the countryside that surrounds our garden.  I hope he finds his amore soon.  Foto J Finnigan.

Well, must get on with the day job, amongst all the other things happening here.  Did you get an invite to my next Rock Concert in June?  No, then email me at june.finnigan@virgin.net

Have a great week.

Salute June x

PS Do visit my official author site at My site