Comment from Frank Malley

Exceptional

Autumn Delights" describes, in the positive voice of an admirer, a place that seems dreamlike and too good to be true; I infer that it is in Italy, where places like this improbably still do exist. I am not a great traveler but I once traveled with three others from Milan to a village further south. This small trip in a car provided me with unforgettable images both human and natural.

 Comment Written 01-May-2022

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reply by the author on 01-May-2022

Ciao!

Italy is full of gems waiting to be discovered just around the corner.. one would need more than one life time to see it all.

Our foods cheeses, hams,salamis, wines and regional dishes are delicious.
...but then we are an ancient population, once even a great empire : ROMA

America is beautiful too... it has everything : mountains, lakes deserts , forests and a wide range of wildlife.

I feel bad , I just wanted you to read my work ...instead you are showering me with six star reviews. I feel full of verve now.

Thank you so much , take care!

Comment from Manh C Dang

Exceptional

Oh how beautiful, both the writing and the land in autumn you describe! I visited Forence once as tourist.
Valtellina sounds, at least, just as beautiful. Congratulations on the win! Very well-deserved indeed.

 Comment Written 02-Oct-2020

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reply by the author on 02-Oct-2020

️Ciao Manh!

Firenze is certainly a beautiful place full of history , architecture and art ..

Valtellina is situated at the foot of the Italian Alps .. and it is certainly blessed by the gods.

The land is generous and I hope one day you will ️come and see its wonders. I forgot to mention the lakes in my essay and the ski resorts

I'm glad you found my narrative interesting and worthy of that extra shiny star ..

Thank you!

Copy and paste and enjoy!

https://www.valtellina.it/en/10-lakes-must-see

reply by Manh C Dang on 02-Oct-2020

I looked at the website you attached. How stunning are the lakes! Yes, I would love to visit this place someday. Thank you again, Tempeste! Please stay safe and be well!
Manh

reply by the author on 02-Oct-2020

I am glad the link worked .. ( smile)

All the best to you and you family too!

️Ciao!

Comment from Markie Doczi

Excellent

Congratulations on your win! Yours was the only one I really enjoyed in the contest, and if i had to get beaten I'm glad it was you :)

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2020

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reply by the author on 29-Sep-2020

Thank you Markie ( smile)

I also enjoyed your entry which I voted for early in the competition .

Why???

Cause you speak of two things I love .. Working the land and photography.

I have a very close family friend who has quite a bit of land and he grows lots of vegies and even grapes ..

I give a hand also making their home made wine ..

There is much satisfaction like you wrote ..

I love watching the tomatoes grow and eating a couple at a time directly off the plant ..so juicy and refreshing in Summer... And the smell.. heaven

I enjoy digging up the potatoes enough for the entire winter .. It's like being on a treasure hunt.

Cabbages, pumpkin .. Beans ...salads like ... ️La cicoria ... I love the bitter taste.

Finely chopped and left to soak in the oil and vinegar ( and a pinch of salt ) dressing ..

The other thing you mention is photograph ..

This is something I am fascinated with .. I'm alway taking pics since I bought my first iPhone 5 years ago ..a spider's web .. an autumn leaf .. tree trunks

Nature is a great subject ..

What do you photograph ..

reply by Markie Doczi on 29-Sep-2020

I was disappointed to come in last but I appreciate your vote!

I learned a lot as this year's was my first garden, and have high hopes for next year's.

I love to photograph dewy spiderwebs, flowers, my husband's dog (which I don't even like) sitting in a daisy field... lots of pictures of my nieces, of which I have seven! I love black and whites.

reply by the author on 29-Sep-2020

I have scored last without even a vote a couple of times ..it's never nice but ...

I confess , it hurts more when an average entry instead makes the podium and in your heart you know yours is better.

I 'm a fan of black & white films .. I find the drama stands out more than in coloured films.

Also Italy and europe have some really beautiful films of that period.

Black and white photos are great too .. I wonder if I can set my iPhone to take black and one pics too??

I 'm not good with all the techno babble ..

reply by Markie Doczi on 30-Sep-2020

You definitely can! I have an android app I wouldn't know how to walk you through it, but you can Google anything. Just put the words 'how to' in front of your question and it'll bring up a tutorial video.
I like some black and white movies, though I think the only ones I own are Casablanca and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Comment from writer723

Excellent

I very much enjoyed reading your story about your favorite season. The descriptions caught my attention and drew me in. I learned some new things about cooking and it sounded delicious. I liked the way you shared about the deer and the scenery. The vivid details made me feel like I was there amidst it all. Very nicely written.

 Comment Written 28-Sep-2020

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reply by the author on 29-Sep-2020

Living in the countryside, I get to cherish moments that are unknown to a city dweller...my country also has a very rich cuisine besides pasta, lasagna and pizza..

If you go to internet you will find how to make polenta and pizzoccheri step by step... these mouth-watering dishes are easy to make.

Thank you for the kind review!

Comment from Tessa Kay

Excellent

This story made me hungry. All the lovely food. Nice how you captured the tastes, sounds, and sights of autumn. It's not my favourite season, but you make it sound lovely.

Afew things I noted:
I search for chestnuts to roast and precious clumps of porcini to make rich , creamy risotti.. - Yum!

the sun becomes shyer by the day - I love this expression. Nice.

I start to ward off the dampness and to retrieve my jumpers, flannel pyjamas, and bed socks packed neatly away in boxes, last Spring. - might sound stronger without the 'start'

forward to Autumn 's colours,(comma) sounds, smells,(comma) and tastes.

All the best in the competition. :)

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2020

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reply by the author on 27-Sep-2020

Thank you for the kind review and for the grammar tips.

Glad you enjoyed the esssy!

I hope you will try to cook polenta and pizzocchieri soon.

️Ciao!

Comment from CrystieCookie999

Exceptional

Six stars for lovely content! I enjoyed reading this essay very much. I only noticed two tiny things: check spelling of Autumn in line: The land is very generous in Autumn as I saw m and n reversed. Also, I think you mean buckwheat and not wheat buck. And now I am craving a taste of the foods you mentioned

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2020

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reply by the author on 27-Sep-2020

Thank you for the lovely review and that extra shiny star ..

I am so glad you enjoyed the read .. I love to share the beauty of my country with others .

I added just now the closing paragraph.

Thank you for pointing out the grammar errors .. I will edit..

And buon appetito !