Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Florence holds us with a glittering eye; there’s a charm cast round us, and we can’t get away”.

That wonderful Ferragamo summer at the Tuscan seaside led to an encounter with an ascentric Florentine who “collected” Americans. I was lounging outside trying to read James Joyce’ Ulysses, when I heard someone calling my name. A tall, corpulent, barefoot Italian with a Daliesque mustache appeared on the lawn like a dog hunting truffles. He had lots of houses and lots of time, but mostly lots of patience. The seaside was a welcome retreat as Florence was intense for American girls. We were exotic to young Italians and it was a bit overwhelming. This eccentric nobleman was primarily interested in adding to his collection and his unassailable confidence allowed for platonic relationships. Perfetto.. It was then that my Tuscan half was born, more than 35 years ago.

I now consider Florence my adopted city, albeit part time. Folded in the world of the “collector” I was able to see and live Tuscany all these years, and share it with my sons. Last fall, with help from the collector, Julia (my tech support) and I were able to enter the palazzo where My Brilliant Friend (HBO) was filmed, and after connecting with two Tuscan finalists of MasterChef Italia (Sky), my friends suggested I write about my Florentine life and finally finish a project I’ve had on the shelf.