Years ago, my friend and I went to see a movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, and it changed our lives forever, in an unbelievable rather profound way. It has been an unexpected lovely surprise really, one that still continues to mold part of the journey in life for each of us! The beautiful story that unfolded first right before our eyes led us to then read the beautifully written memoir, Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, whose life and gorgeous writing was the inspiration and basis for this film, as we came to find out. No wonder a movie was made from her magnificent, sensuous writing! The richness and flavor put into her writing enveloped all of the senses, taking us along on a journey unlike no other, cultivating an inspiring love for Italy along the way with its history, architecture, gardens, food, wine, art, and culture. It also redirected our own lives with newfound optimism, empowerment, sense of adventure, and quest for chasing our dreams...living life to the fullest! In a sense, Under the Tuscan Sun has been a beacon of hope for the future, a nudge to chase our dreams and create just what we want in life, whatever that may be! Frances Mayes continues to inspire...
The world has learned so much from Frances Mayes with her adventurous spirit and zest for living life to the fullest. Frances has said, "Every trip is a journey of self discovery." It is with her adventurous spirit and her remarkable journey, that we are reminded of the beauty that can be found when we look for it! Her book and the movie are so very special and have touched so many in such an extraordinary way. The rich, meaningful perspective gained from Frances is something that stays with you. She has given the world such a a gift, to envision how beautiful everything can be, as she so eloquently portrays through her writing, capturing the joy of the unexpected magic. Frances has said, "You don't have to know what you're looking for, you just have to look." One of the most important things that she does for us is she shows us that beauty is always in the making,...whether we can see it right then or not! Teaching us to let the light in and look for happiness, even in the most difficult of times, she does this in such a masterful way led with such incredible writing skills, leading us not only through her journey, exploration and discoveries in life, but she leaves us thinking about our own as well!
In Under the Tuscan Sun, she not only goes through self-transformation, but definitely transforms us along the way. Although the book and movie are different in parts, they both leave one yearning for more, giving new life to the soul that delights the senses, awakening a new sense of adventure, and a special quest to make our journey just as dreamy and remarkable as we want it to be in life! When asked the question by one interviewer named Bishop, "Should we dream our dreams and have them too?" Frances replied, "Yes, well said." That makes me smile! What we have learned from her, perhaps about living and how we want our own lives to be, along with taking chances and following our dreams, is priceless! Life is not always easy and sometimes there will be challenges. For example, there is a great deal of challenge when mending a broken heart, while at the same time keeping it open for the world and the people around you. She has helped us see that, "Opening our hearts and minds to new experiences is the key to living an extraordinary life," as she shows us that through her beautiful writing. "There is magic in the world, if only we open ourselves up to it," says Frances. She has inspired so many individuals to set forth on their own journeys of self-discovery and exploration. She remarks, "The choice of place is the choice of something you crave." Also she notes, "The houses that are important to us are the ones that allow us to dream in peace." Through her writing, we come to a realization that there is definitely a spiritual power of a place to nurture and transform us. She has shared something very personal with us through Under the Tuscan Sun, as well as in the many other phenomenal books that she has so soulfully written! It is no small wonder why this book stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for two and a half years! Frances has said, "A single moment can change your entire perspective." Well, Under the Tuscan Sun, both her book and the movie, have done that for me,...as well as for so many I am sure! It is truly the gift of a remarkable author to write in a way that touches one's soul!
Life is what you create it to be...just as we have seen Frances do! "Bramasole," was the large, neglected two hundred year old Tuscan farmhouse nestled in five overgrown acres that Frances bought in Italy that started all of this...where she wrote her famous memoir! When she found it, she realized it was what she had been searching for! Oh, the unexpected magic that came from this place, as it was being renovated and brought back to its glory! The name means to yearn for the sun, to seek brighter days, and much happiness. It is the mark of a brilliant, extraordinary writer and human...when one changes you for the better, when one opens your mind to new things and new adventures, when one reminds you of all the grand possibilities in life, when one helps you take more chances and create a new vision for the future! Under the Tuscan Sun is about a woman taking a risk and doing something out of the plan, without expectation. That is sometimes much easier said than done...to step out of your comfort zone and do something out of the plan! In her writing of Under the Tuscan Sun, she helps us see that life can be resplendent and she says, "It may perhaps even include a new lover, perhaps even a new country, and maybe even a new- old- home!" So, an important note- not only can we recover from difficult things, whatever they may be, but we can absolutely learn to thrive again through opening our hearts and minds to new experiences. We can create the future that we want! We can chase our dreams...and have them come true...just as Frances did!
When Frances saw Bramasole, she said that it was love at first sight for her and she immediately felt an irresistible urge to buy the property, not even knowing what the inside was like yet! Feeling the deep history there of those that came before her, was very enchanting to her! Seeing it that first time when she looked up at the windows, she knew exactly where her study would be and it was like she almost instantly felt at home! Who knows why we fall in love with certain properties and why certain places speak to our soul, especially when they need a lot of work, but she says, "When you find your house it is instinctive." Many believe there are usually several signs that accompany this thought! Lucky for us, out of that instant infatuation, several signs, and the courage to take a chance,...have come three incredible, hugely popular memoirs that are really special indeed. Her love affair with Italy and her sense of adventure, combined with her important concept of home have been woven throughout her work ever since.
As a highly accomplished writer, Frances Mayes has written over twenty books, which include her incredible memoirs and several splendid novels, numerous poetry books, along with a few cookbooks and travel books, as she is also a food and travel writer. Among these, her memoir entitled A Year in the World: Journey of A Passionate Traveller immediately debuted as a New York Times bestseller. In 2020, she published Always Italy, which was about her journey to twenty regions in Italy, which went on to win Gold for Best Travel Book by the North American Travel Journalists Association. Most recently, in 2023, her scrumptious Pasta Veloce cookbook was published! Under the Tuscan Sun though remains her most popular, as she not only re-invented her life but also her career by restoring that farmhouse in Italy and chronicling her transition. What a skillful way she has put the great architecture into her writing, letting you "feel" the home and its history. She has made the landscape vividly come to life, where you can picture yourself there as you read. She is a delight to the senses with her love of cooking and wine. She makes us fall in love with Italian cooking, and she shows us the beauty and flavor of simple dishes with high quality ingredients being the key, which the Italians have so artfully mastered. As notably mentioned before, Under the Tuscan Sun remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than two and a half years! As for the movie, that outstanding book was the basis for being made into a classic film starring Diane Lane, who received a Golden Globe nod for her fantastic portrayal of Frances Mayes. The five of her very personal books about Tuscany are about taking chances, living in Italy, renovating an old villa there, the Italian pleasures of food, cooking, wine, gardens, and "the great Italian life." These books have been translated into more than fifty languages and have also become international bestsellers. Her fabulous novel, "Women in Sunlight" is in pre-production as a film now, which no doubt will be hugely successful! Yes, that yearning for the sun, for brighter days, and that important quest of seeking to be your happiest in life...wherever that may be- is something Frances Mayes skillfully brings us through her magnificent writing!
Frances and her poet husband Ed, divide their time each year between North Carolina and Tuscany, also continuing to travel and explore other places. "Every trip is a journey about going inside yourself," Frances states. Also she adds, "We travel, originally, to lose ourselves, and we travel, next, to find ourselves." She says that as she has moved on from different, previous homes,...each of these sanctuaries has remained with her and informed the next. She talks about how places can shape you. Frances would say, "Never say forever, because you don't know what's coming, and the events coming toward you may shape you in ways that you don't have any anticipation for." As for her Italian home called Bramasole that she currently resides in, she notes that... "This place continues to speak to me in a voice that no place else ever has"...even remarking that "the cypress trees are like exclamation points on the landscape!" We each seek different inspiration in life for various reasons. Many times when we are on a quest, it leads to something else unexpected, perhaps a new discovery, or a fabulous new direction in life! One of the things I love so much about her books is that she helps renew our great sense of adventure!
Frances and Ed continue to stay busy while in Cortona part of the year with some interesting projects. A great deal of time is spent producing very high quality olive oil from the many trees in the olive grove on their property. I think it is so great that she is a female entrepreneur with her Bramasole Olive Oil! This is what makes Italian food some of the most flavorful and delicious in the world! Most Italians would agree that it is important to cook with the freshest ingredients and with the freshest, high quality extra virgin olive oil, just like Frances and Ed produce! As well as overseeing her olive oil business, Frances also has been busy writing a new intriguing book, entitled "A Great Marriage" coming out soon on August 13, 2024. She says, "A Great Marriage is an elusive thing that only a few know the secret to"...(and she is probably right!) This book is a look into the complexities of love from several generations. Frances will be on a book signing tour soon, so be sure to look for her at special locations on the west coast, as well as the east coast to get your very special signed copy!
Before long, one of these days, I will delight in another trip to Europe being sure to stop in Tuscany on a quest to see the beautiful town of Cortona that she now calls home! Oh, it would be so lovely to have a glass of wine with Frances, once again to thank her for being with me in words and spirit all these years that just continue to bring magic and touch my life in extraordinary ways...a truly remarkable, unexpected, special gift to me, as well as perhaps to so many! That would be a bucket list moment for sure! What an inspiring, extraordinary person she is...sharing her extraordinary journey in life through her extraordinary writing with the world! Under the Tuscan Sun has been a special favorite for me throughout the years. Thank you so much Frances for allowing me to write this article. I must say that I cried tears of joy upon hearing the special, very meaningful response from you! Thank you for such inspiration with your outstanding writing, which also resulted in the great classic movie that has a special place in our hearts as well! May we all learn not to be afraid to live life to the fullest and to chase those dreams-as nothing ventured, nothing gained! May we all learn to take a risk or chances in life, as that allows for doors to the "extraordinary" to perhaps open. Wishing for you, "lots and lots of ladybugs" along your journey in life...along with lots of sunlight, wonderful bright days, and much happiness! For now, I will say, "See you in the piazza." which is goodbye for now, but also a way of looking forward to the future! (It is also the name of one of her books!) ..."Cheers Frances! Here's to you and Tuscany, adventure and home, and a passionate perspective in life...with beauty always, always, always in the making!...We, at WILD HORSE BOOTS, thank you for sharing your extraordinary journey in such a remarkable, memorable way!" -Rebecca
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