September 12, 2013
I found Giovanna baking in the sun like the lizards on the wall behind her.
A heliotropic flower, her face turned sunward.“You want to photograph me?”
“Ma perche?” (She pronounced it pee-kay, like Sicilians do.)
Born and raised right here. In this very spot. An entire life in a sleepy stone town, never stepping off the isle she calls home.
***
and what a story she has to tell x
beautiful images and a great character I love how she is soaking up the sun x
Ciao, Lisa. Tutto bene???
I guess she’s cooked
it’s time I looked
and there sat Giovanna
in the sun’s glare
she wore a smile you could see for a mile
and she said please don’t stand in front of my chair.
JANN she’s been out there for two weeks.
Ha! Dennis, thanks for the chuckle! I needed that. Yes, no time to blog because Giovanna’s been keeping me busy. 🙂
Such depth Jann. I am happy for her and envy just a little the simplicity and richness of a life lived intensely in one place. That sense of truly being where you belong eludes me still and yet I know it’s out there. Your photos are an incredibly beautiful mirror. Thank you!!!! xox
Janine, you’re always soooooo sweet. Thank you. Here’s to you “belonging” in the real near future.
I didn’t get to your site till this morning, but what a pleasure to see this
Lady in BW. The appreciation of the sun is in all cultures and races and
sexes. She is timeless.
Ciao Vicki, thanks for stopping by. You know I always appreciate your visits and comments. Grazie mille.
Love her!!! GREAT shots!!
Thank you Lucinda. xxxx
Giovanna is a woman after my own heart! And given I spent the past two months baking in the sun, I know why she appears to love it! Love the intensity and drama black and white brings to these shots, Jann. Some day you must share just how you charm these lovely people to pose for you! Hugs! 🙂
Bella, sounds like you and Giovanna would get along like peas in a pod. Hope you loved your time in Spain! xxxx
Wonderful. Was reading all the posts above and at the same time thinking, “it can’t possible be THAT cold in Sicily already!!” Its not even that cold HERE yet! Then saw your remarks about it being so warm…whew! I was so afraid my dreamy vision of Sicily was about to be shattered, so glad it wasn’t. Someday…someday…..
Hope all is well with you xoxox
Cathy, great to hear from you! I can guarantee that Sicily’s not cold, unless you come Dec-Feb, and sometimes in late fall there’s a very cold rain. xxxxx Hope someday soon to see you on these shores. 🙂
Love, love, LOVE the life and style of Giovanna! Great photos, Jann, as always.
Thank you Susan. So great to hear from you, as always. What’s new with Serafina??
I love you successful you are, Jann, in getting strangers to pose for you! I bet this woman knows everything and everyone on the island!
I don’t know what it is about Sicilians, Debbie, but they’re sure more willing to pose than, say, New Yorkers. 🙂
—What a story she must be able to tell. Do you know anything else about her?
Jann, you capture the soul.
Each time I come here, I get the urge to write a poem.
LOVE Love Love. Have a nice weekend, Dear. Xxxxx
Kim, I must go back and interview her some more. I’ll need an interpreter, though. She speaks only Sicilian, and mine is not good. 🙂 LOVE LOVE LOVE back to you. xxx
The last one is my favorite. Wonderful!
Ciao Natalie & grazie!
Wow, Jann!!! I can feel the sun through her. Love your words, “sleepy stone town” xx
Thank you Narelle. Glad the Sicilian sun spread a little warmth to winter Down Under.
Ciao Jann, This photo of Giovanna baking in the Sun, is the proof of the simple pleasure’s of life that just keep giving us to enjoy.
Brava Giovanna, for sharing your Sun with us. As usual, Jann your the best.
John, you are my blog’s official cheerleader. Grazie mille.
People going crazy to “see the world” and here sits someone satisfied in her life. The stories she could tell!
Yes, I’ve met many Sicilian elders who never had the urge to get off the island… Different story with the youngsters. Thank you, Nan, for stopping by. xxxxx
I should take a lesson from her to tame my wanderlust. Thanks for stopping by, Nan! xxx
It seems that by looking at what she wears, it is wintertime but Sicily is a place the sun never leaves the Sicillians..or is it the way old people wear thick and warm clothes even in summer to protect themselves from too much heat…? Take care , Jann…!
Cemal,I don’t know. Maybe she just likes to feel like she’s in a sauna??? Or maybe she felt like she was coming down with a cold? Or maybe there was a slight breeze? (Sicilians don’t like air….) xxxxx Hope you’re well
Such character! And look at all those layers of woolly vestments. What need to go anywhere when Paradise is one’s natural habitat?
Ha–yes those woolly vestments! I was dying of the heat when I took this photo, and there she was all layered up and soaking in the sun. Thanks for dropping by Lynne. (Are you taking a blog break??)
You have captured the best of Sicily so many times.
The people. She could be my neighbor in Cianciana.
So glad you stopped by, Anasthasia. Hope Cianciana is treating you well!!! xxxx
Ahh the virtues of black and white herewith displayed.
JANE
For some reason, B&W often seems to fit Sicily. Thank for this comment, Jane!
love that face + great photo. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Thank you Peggy! xxxx