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Playing Bocce in the Summertime

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One summer afternoon, a few years ago, family and friends gathered for lunch in the garden during one of my visits. Afterwards, the children headed down to the very neglected bocce court and I followed with my camera.

These are Greta (my niece) and her friends Ahmed, Sara and Sabrina as they play an impromptu game of bocce. I let them play and just snapped away, capturing these candid images I hope you will enjoy.

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When my brothers and I were children, and well into our twenties, the bocce court was lovingly and carefully maintained by my dad, and mini home-made tournaments were held throughout the summer. Several of my dad’s and uncle’s friends were always eager to play, especially because my aunt and my mom provided them with scrumptious edibles every time. Sandwiches, ice cream and chilled beer were the very least. More often then not there would be an actual dinner party before the game, with dessert and mosquitoes after. Oh yes, the mosquitoes!

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Above and below: Sara ready to strike some points while her sister Sabrina watches.

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My dad used to lead one team, and my uncle Mario the other. They were both good players, so the energy of the games was always high and fun to witness. We watched, learned, teased, sometimes refereed, and the dogs would help along. At least, they thought they were helping.

Come fall, the court became the perfect receptacle for a humongous pile of colorful leaves, and I still don’t know who had more fun with it: us or the dogs. I wouldn’t mind having one of those piles right now so I could show my dogs how much fun it is to jump into one.

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Above: my niece Greta showing her game.

Below: Ahmed ready for his game.

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The summer games continued for many years, then slowly dwindled, even if the dinner parties didn’t. Then my uncle Mario suffered a major stroke. He survived it by sheer willpower, and slowly managed to reclaim a decent quality of life, but his mobility and speech had suffered severely. There would still be dinner parties and various gatherings, though not quite as many or as large, but no more bocce games for him. My dad kept the court for a while longer and also played a few times with the usual friends, but without their main adversary the heart had gone out of the game. Maintaining a bocce court is a lot of work, and eventually he let it go.

The happy memories are still all there, though, and they were revived on this day when the children went down to play, even on a dirty and uneven court covered in broken branches and leaves.

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4 comments
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  • Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella09/25/2014 - 1:21 am

    Gorgeous photos Monica! They have such a lovely vintage feel to them 😀ReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz09/25/2014 - 1:18 pm

      Thank you, Lorraine! When I edit portraits, I allow the images to tell me which style of editing suits best, then I play around a bit until I get what looks just right. This almost b&w with a touch of blue-brown tones was perfect for this set. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Linda10/03/2014 - 8:54 am

    You’ve captured the beautiful essence of these precious children. Wonderful. I love the subtle colors of the photos.
    LindaReplyCancel

    • Monica Schwartz10/03/2014 - 3:55 pm

      Thank you, Linda. 🙂ReplyCancel

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Good Morning!

This exquisite Classic English kitchen in Southeast London caught my eye as it popped into my inbox a few days ago. 

I have not shared any home design inspiration for some time, for all the same reasons why I had not posted or sent out newsletters for sometime. But make no mistake: my love for interior design and architecture has not dulled one iota. Actually, it is even stronger.

Take a look on the blog (link in profile under Latest Post) for images, story and description of this moody-done-right kitchen.

Wishing you an easy rest of the week!
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Monica
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A lovely tulip from the garden to wish you all an equally lovely Easter Weekend!
May it be filled with lightness, flowers and chocolate eggs.
Love,
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Good Morning and Happy Saturday!
I am here to let you know that I have published the recipe for my Lemon Cream Crinkle Cookies.

Easter weekend is coming soon and, just in case you are planning some baking, you can find the recipe at the link in my profile under Latest Post. This way you will have time to bake a test batch for yourself first.

Have fun baking!
Monica
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One of my favorite sunsets from my winter in Italy to let you know that I have published a new post on the blog about how the garden and the healing power of nature helped me survive a challenging winter.

You can read it (and view the many photos) on the blog, and you can find the link to the home page in the profile. Or you can comment WINTER in this post and I will message you the link directly.

I hope you will enjoy it and find it helpful and inspiring. That is why I share such personal stories, in the hope they will help or inspire even just one person.

Wishing you a wonderful new week!
Love, Monica
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© Monica Schwartz - Life Out of Bounds 20205 - All rights reserved. Do not reproduce in any way without written consent.
Happy Sunday everyone!

I was finally able to have the time, energy and focus to send out the first newsletter in months. The first of the year, in fact!

You can view it at the link in profile, where you can also find a link to subscribe if you like. Or, if you prefer, comment SPRING below and I’ll message you the link directly. 
I hope you will enjoy it, and that April has been easy on you so far.

🤍🌸🤍
Monica
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