I am reading
The Sicilian Inheritance, by Jo Piazza.
It was recommended to me by my neighbour Jane. An interesting story about an American family, descended from a small village in Sicily from which the men left in droves in the 1920 for ‘L’america’, leaving the women to cope, some of whom coped extremely well, which really annoyed many of the remaining men, possibly causing the rise of the Mafia at the time they were so cross.
Jo’s bitterness about how us women were treated only 100 years ago is palpable and of course we are still suffering… The fundamental problem of inequality still remains and is an issue for most people. Basically, if we want to have children and look after them ourselves, we become financially dependent on our partners. We can try and share the care – my husband and I did this, quite successfully I guess, but our life was chaotic and riddled with compromises and entailed endless negotiation: who exactly is doing the dishes? Looking after the children? Arranging family celebrations…?
We could not both do everything… it was quite tricky and I did envy my friends sometimes whose husbands were at work all day, despite their terrible ‘financial dependence’!
I know that in some countries childcare is much more affordable and communal and everyone uses it. There are way fewer women who are stay at home mums in those countries, which is positive in a way, but less positive if you want to be a stay-at-home mum…
Jo painted a heroine who was trying to be married, have a baby, and while she was breastfeeding was setting up a big city centre restaurant with lots of investors to answer to… No surprise it all came to grief, but she seemed to be able to voyage to Sicily, leaving behind her toddler with her ex-husband to claim ownership of some land belonging to her great grandmother to help solve her financial problems.
Anyway, I think she got her land in the end after some bruising battles with local thugs – it was all quite stressful! Reading this after watching White Lotus has redoubled my desire to visit Sicily. Once my home is ready, I will definitely be looking for a house swap with a Sicilian family.
I can see on social media that Jo has quite a critical view of the glamourous woman who runs Ballerina Farm, in the news a lot recently as she was interviewed by a Times journalist, who revealed some fascinating ‘behind the scenes facts’, none of which I know because the Times is behind a paywall that I do not pay. People seem to have really mixed feelings about Ballerina farm – some people think she is marvellous – beautiful, enviable, a real ‘coper’ with her 8 children, fabulous farm and Instagram feed. Some people seem to think she is being very restricted by all this and actually should be working as a ballerina, which she probably would be doing if she had not met her husband, the owner of the farm, so therefore clearly in charge of the whole thing…
Back to the problem, I am trying to outline above.
I am watching
The Olympics - I am not that into it, but it is quite interesting!
I am listening
To an Australian missing person podcast, called The Lighthouse – my favourite kind - not that interesting, but it is really helping me sleep.
I am enjoying
Hiding while I have covid. My symptoms are exactly like a bad cold, so not too bad and nearly better now. Probably would not have managed to get any sleep without the dulcet tones of the above though!
I am writing
About our Skye adventures – gorgeous houses, fabulous people, jaw dropping scenery, amazing food… A bit busy and crowded – it was a bit like London. Apparently, most people come to Scotland and visit Edinburgh and Skye without stopping anywhere else!
So fun…
Feel better soon :)