Embarking
March 7th, 2010
My book tour travels begin this week. Durham NC, Boston, Atlanta, New York, New Canaan, Portland, Marin County CA, Menlo Park CA, La Jolla CA, Newport Beach CA, Napa, University of GA at Athens, University of FL at Gainesville, Miami, Boston again, Toronto, Minneapolis—these are my stops, probably with a few to add. (See “Tour” on this website for locations and times.) If you are near, I would love to say hello.
Meanwhile, I’m planting fruit trees, dogwoods and roses. I bought four seed packets of corn, several lettuces, basil, borage, hollyhocks, various sunflowers, cosmos and baby’s breath. On breaks from travel, I’ll be visiting nurseries and stuffing my car with bounty for the garden. My apple trees should arrive this week. After such a fierce winter, I have an equally fierce desire for my garden to flourish.
Oh, to be two people. One who goes out into the world and one who stays home and tends a garden.
Where in Toronto will your stop be? It’s not listed.
You go, Frances! I’ve spent the last two days savoring the sunshine and warmth in my own garden, working away. Bliss!! Just got word your new book is on the way–it has been shipped! Can’t wait!
Buon viaggio and Godspeed for a glorious trip. What a lovely adventure, while your heart tends your garden.
I just watched “Under the Tuscan Sun”.
It was a great pleasure, I decided to read the book as well.
Thank you for showing Poles as nice guys (doesn’t happen very often).
I wish you luck
Best regards
Peter
Piotr–My husband is Polish American! Check the Smithsonian Magazine online. I’m sure you can still find the article I wrote on Poland for their September issue, 2009.
I’m excited to read your new book ! Loved the first two & can’t wait for the new one ! Are you comming tio the Houston, TX area at all ?
Natalie–I’m only in the Texas airports this time!
Natalie–I’m only in the Texas airports this time! thanks–Frances
Thanks for writing. The Toronto event is still evolving but it will be at an Italian restaurant, Massimo Capra’s Sopra on April 13. Not sure of time or detail yet but it will be posted asap. Sorry, I’m not lighting in Houston this time!
Almost finished with the new book (dont want to finish it). Thought of you today when my winemaker friend Stefano Illuminati (works in Abruzzo-lives in Marche) brought two packages of freshly made Olive Ascolane straight from his home.
Really enjoying the book, thanks so much for it!
Un abbraccio
@italianwineguy
Portland?!! Might I be lucky enough to learn that you mean the one in Maine? I absolutely love your books and would be thrilled to meet you if this is the case… My fingers are crossed!
Happy travels!
Sara, the other coast! Thanks for asking!
I’m thrilled to hear you have written another memoir. Your books are dear friends of mine – each read dozens of times, and each time, bringing me new joy. My battered copies went to college with me, to Colorado when I left my native Texas, and on more trips and adventures than I can name. Grazie Mille, Mrs. Mayes!
So excited to read your new book!! Your books are so inspiring.
Cara Frances, ho letto con piacere l’uscita del nuovo libro e devo dire che la copertina con la nostra bella piazza ci ha commosso a me e al babbo per la bellezza. Confidiamo di vederVi presto a Cortona. saluti cari ad Ed e buon tour che vedo sara’ molto impegnativo
P.s. Da domani il libro fara’ bella mostra nella nostra vetrina.
Will you be coming to the Washington, DC area? I am so excited about getting your book. I had an email from Amazon saying it had been shipped, right in time for my birthday.
Nancy, not this time. I usually go to Politics and Prose. Click on “TOUR.” Thanks for asking!
I have just returned from Frances Mayes’s first reading of her new book, and can hardly wait to read the remainder of Every Day in Tuscany. Her voice comes through clearly in all of her books but to see and hear her in person adds a new dimension. She is a beautiful, gracious lady with a lovely voice, delightful sense of humor, and an extraordinary mind. She gives us a glimpse into her life with its challenges and accomplishments. I was especially moved to learn of the way changing from the rigors and constraints of poetry to prose was analogous to leaving the constraints of remaining in her first, comfortable environment of south Georgia into a life in the world. Frances Mayes knows how to live and how to write. We are lucky to have her with us.
I am so bummed to know that you were in Durham yesterday. I live in Raleigh and would have loved to stop by and have a chat with you about Italy. Italia is by far my favorite country and I’ve been lucky enough to travel throughout the country. I am going next summer and finally making my way to Tuscany. Italy is so full of culture and great people and amazing views. It is def. the only place (besides Hawaii) that I feel completely at piece at. You are beyond lucky to spend 5-6 months every year in Tuscany. I do wish I could do the same. I did want to ask if you could recommend any Italian music since you do live there. The type of Italian music that you can listen to while you relax and have a glass of wine…the type of music that when you close your eyes, it takes you away to Italy. Thank you so much for your time!
Did you see the article about Tuscany in the Sunday, March 7 New York Times travel section? It’s awesome……
Will you be touring any where near Michigan? I’d love to get a chance to see you!
Miriam–I won’t be in Michigan this time. Sorry! Frances
When will you be in Gainesville, fl.? I will drive from Clearwater if I can find out when you will be there.
Margaret–My date in Gainesville at the University of Florida is 31 March. Click on “tour” on my website for details. Thanks–Frances
Frances, what can I say? I immensely adore you! Under The Tuscan Sun,has inspired me to eventually retire abroad (Marbella, Spain) and I wrote my first short story. Its a short biography about my infamous grandfather, a Jazz musician,and self made millionare in Seattle Washington. I have so many questions for you, and I would love to send you a copy of my book. To me, your opinion is pertinent. I would love to meet you, if your tour travels into the Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia area, please let me know. I wish you Wine, Spirit, and Love.
Yolonda
frances – when are you in boston – i’ll zip over if i can – love, cd
I’m sorry you won’t be coming to Pgh, PA. I love your books, and I dream of living a imilar life someday. Thank you for your inspiration
Ciao Frances! I am also a lover of Italy and all things Italian. So much so that I am looking for advice on learning Italian. Do you have any suggestions you could pass along? There are plenty of online resources plus Rosetta Stone, etc. Did you attend any language schools?
Geoff Heriot
I read two of your earlier books and am planning to get your new one. I travelled to Germany for the first time in 1997 at the age of 39. I fell in love with the language and the people. I returned to college later to study German, earning both BA and MA degrees in German. Now I am studying Russian. I go to Germany for about two – three weeks every year. I have also been to Italy, Ukraine, Poland France, etc., etc. My goal as I approach retirement age is to divide my time (with my wife) between Germany and the US. How much time do you spend in Italy each year? How did you do it? Foreign languages and international cuisine have become passions for me. Thanks for your recipes and good luck with your latest book.
Randall, good luck with this big decision. We spend 4-6 months a year in Tuscany, depending on what’s going on in the U.S. Before we quit teaching, we were here mostly in the summer and during semester breaks. Now we just get over here as often and for as long as we can. The sweet life! Frances
P.S. I am travelling with my oldest son in May to Budapest. We are going to travel from there to Frankfurt, making stops in Vienna, Regensburg, Heidelberg and Freiburg.
Is that Portland Maine or Portland Oregon?? Nothing in Washington or Seattle area?? I’m about 2 1/2 hours from Seattle. Would love to see you! Oh well maybe some other time! I love your books and can’t wait to read the new one! I can picture everything you describe in your books so vividly and dream of one day visiting Tuscany in particular! Have a great tour!
Alanna
I am so sad that I missed seeing you in New York City this week! I very much enjoy meeting and speaking with authors whose books I treasure. I am in the midst of reading A Year in the World, in preparation for a trip to Portugal (with a side jaunt to Seville) in May. I am putting together the itinerary for the “Portu-gals,” using your book to guide many of the must-sees and must-dos. I love how your writing makes places so vivid and compelling.
Hope to catch you next time you’re in the Big Apple!
Hello Frances, When we were in Cortona, we had a picnic in the city park before our walk out to see Bramasole. I noticed an enchanting statue of a Cherub and took a photo of it. When we got home I noticed that it is on page 1 of your book “In Tuscany”. Can you tell me its’ origins? Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment you have given me thru reading your books.
Theresa, it’s not old by Italian standards–probably 19th century and anonymous. Charming though! Frances
Dear Frances, I`m from Croatia and often go to Italy. I adore your books because they allways make me dream. I wish you best and hope you will write more and more books.Best regards,Andreja.
please settle a friendly argument…I bet a friend that Ed changed his last name to mayes..I could swear that he is from Minnesota and has (had) a Norweigan last name? please e-mail the correct answer. thanks, Jackie
Ciao Jacqueline, yes, Ed is an enlightened man. He took Mayes when we married instead of me taking Kleinschmidt, which had been changed from the Polish Klesmet in the late 1800’s. One of those wars when Germany overtook Poland. In Italy when he said his name, the reply was always “A terrible thing.” Now we’ve been to Poland and loved it and I wonder if he’s like to change to Klesmet. But it’s too much confusion! Frances
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!