If you like fountains, the gardens at the Villa d'Este, in Tivoli, Italy, are a must-see. The gardens are on the grounds of the former residence of Cardinal Ippolito d'Este. They were built in 1572. Today, this garden is part of the UNESCO world heritage list.
The garden is organized in terraces and steps. Visitors will see numerous fountains, grottos, and ponds. The Neptune fountain, pictured at the top, is the largest and most spectacular fountain. There's also an organ fountain, which, yes, plays organ music with the sounds of the falling water. If you'd like to hear it, the first playing is at 10:30 every day, and then it occurs every two hours.
The garden is open daily from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Admission is 10 euros for adults.
January 7 question: Is there anything in your writing plans for 2026 that you are going to do that you couldn't get done in 2025?
I honestly didn't do much writing in 2025. Mostly it was because of the grieving due to the death of my son. I wrote some in a memoir. Maybe I'll finish that. I will continue marketing my newest book, Happy Birthday to US! which I wrote in 2023 and was published in December. I have a picture book manuscript that I might clean up and see about getting published. I also have some ideas I came up with in 2024. Maybe I'll work on those. This is the year of recovery. To rest and to feel I'm on my feet and can keep marching.
What about you? What are your writing plans for 2026? Anything you need to finish from 2025?
Speaking of Happy Birthday to US! there's a tour going on. If you'd like to have a chance to win an Amazon gift card, visit one of the stops and enter the drawing.




You had a rough year. May this year be a good one!
ReplyDeleteTime to recover. Bubba will always be with you.
ReplyDeleteTime to recover is good. Rest and recovery and discovery are all good places to be. Congratulations on Happy Birthday to US!
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry, your photos are beautiful. I love children's books. I have been having health issues and my heart goes out to you, dear friend. Our health is so important and in fact, the most important thing! Please take good care of yourself and I sent you much love and warm hugs.
ReplyDeleteHang in there. It sounds like you keep moving forward and that's a plus. Maybe a trip to Italy could help (mmm pasta, gelato, and oh yes, gardens). This one in Tivoli sounds fabulous. Good luck on your book - I hope the grocery tour sales are worthwhile. Big hug and take care.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with your year of recovery. You have some great writing goals. I've found picture books to be a nice change of pace from writing adult books, especially if you need something more lighthearted to work on for a little while.
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. You have been on my mind since his death. Perhaps the grief will abate a little during the coming year. I don't know. Several years ago when I was in a lot of pain over something that happened, a therapist told me that when I needed to cry I should cry until I was done crying. So I did. Every time the tears came, no matter where I was, I let them come without shame.
ReplyDeleteSo much love for you,
Janie
Hi Sherry - you certainly had a really sad year and it's good to see you moving on, however slowly, grief is there ... with thoughts. I'm so glad you've got your music, your writing - the memoir seems a good place to bring some sense into your life ... remembering the highs and as Janie mentions ... the tears. That garden must be extraordinary ... so much to see and learn about the 1600s ... while all the fountains look extraordinary. Cheers and sent with thoughts in this New Year - Hilary
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