25 Comments
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Robyn Mixon's avatar

Thank you for this so much. 21 years ago my late husband and I stayed at the Franciscan sisters guest house in Assisi directly across the street from Santa Chiara. It was gorgeous at every point of light and we would look out our window directly at the rose window you sketch. An amazing experience. I have pulled out those photos to remember our wonderful experience. I want to go back.

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Anne Belov's avatar

Ah! I think that is where I stayed! I loved the Franciscan sisters. I was there in 1993, about 32 years ago.

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Robyn Mixon's avatar

I now realize it was !31 years!, not 21.

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Art, colour, beauty are all forms of divinity

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Marji K's avatar

Is that the Pietra Rosa paint behind your words? So charming to have the story details. Never seems to be enough time to capture ALL the beautiful sights does there?

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Susan Miller's avatar

Every time I scan through my email, I stop at yours and open it. I know I'll find a treasure. Your message will carry me through this next tough week and inspire me to breathe and find color. In a short time, I'll sit down and write or I'll apply paint or pen to paper. And I'll create something that makes me smile. Thank you.

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Zoe's avatar

I share your experience in Assisi. I spent 6 days in Assisi, staying at Papa Giovanni Monastery. Yes, I did all the things you are supposed to do, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yet the best part was going to the A. Gallo store where I was able to participate in a paint making demonstration. They are charming and welcoming and now I have watercolors that I personally selected from their large, and amazing collection. If I ever get the chance to return to Italy, I’d go no farther than Assisi.

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Anne Belov's avatar

I remember my first trip to Assisi. We stayed at a former convent, now a guest house (I think it was St Anthony's)which overlooked Santa Chiara. There was a patio with a little parapet like area with chairs that overlooked the cathedral. The first morning there I woke up early before breakfast and got a coffee from the vending machine (surprisingly good) and sat looking out over the Umbrian countryside as the sun came up, the air still cool, the coffee hot.

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Lorene Edwards Forkner's avatar

The unique colors of a place get me every time

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Judith's avatar

That was a sacred place you visited. What a beautiful story.

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Aussie Jo's avatar

This sounds amazing

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The Sawyer's Daughter's avatar

Lovely. Absolutely scrumptious!!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

A beautiful answer to Tia's question. To visit your own basilica and see the colors from which the more popular one is built is to visit it in a more prayerful, intimate way. To touch the waxy surface of the Jerusalem sandstone in Israel brought me a more intimate connection with the builders and the residents. The dust is in their blood and its shelter is their protection ordained by God.

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Douglas Lloyd Peck's avatar

so beautiful

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Lin Celoni's avatar

aaahhhh beautiful. Assisi and Lucca are 2 of my favorite places. And you have just made Assisi more special. I will be back in the Fall and will look carefully at the colors. Thank you.

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Switter’s World's avatar

Getting distracted by what your heart wants to do and what your brain says you must do is one of the perils of travel and exploration. You made the right choice.

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Gayle Mavor's avatar

I love imagining the shop and your interactions and delight as the shop keeper showed you these colours! And then your anticipation of writing and painting this. Thank you Candace!

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Laura Caplan's avatar

Oh I love your colors, your words, your subtle way of telling things. Thank you for so much beauty!!!

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