A Carpe Diem Snapshot: At the last possible minute to catch the light of the setting sun last night I finally left the villa after...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: The apricots on the back terrace have ripened early this year, as Spring began a few weeks early this year in...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Happy Birthday, Grandma Kirk-- 85 years young today!! Since we couldn't be with her in Michigan, we did what she...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Cordelia and I were home "sick" today-- guess which one of us was really sick and which one of us somehow found...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Now, I know the first thing you will be asking me about this snapshot is, "Were you really that close to the Pope...

A Carpe Diem : “ Singing is the sound of the soul stretching.” – Mary Chapin Carpenter A few hours ago, the girls and I sang with the...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot : Today I met Cordelia in a hallway of her school, which is generously decorated with famous artwork. Some of it...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Let the competition-of-the-day begin! Competition-loving former student Jay has arrived, and the girls right away...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: This Carpe Diem Snapshot was sent to me from the Coffee and Cream Cafe in Mecosta, Michigan, where my Mom...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: There was a sudden thunderstorm this afternoon, which means, as far as Cordelia is concerned, that it was a...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: The month of May has always been associated with an abundance of flowers, both in Michigan (lilacs, lily of the...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: This morning we joined a bountiful medley of marching bands in Piazza San Pietro for the Jubilee of Bands and...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: The other day I found myself stalking a seagull family on the Palatine hill while the conclave was taking place at...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: I borrowed this Carpe Diem moment from the McConnell Center students who are staying with us now as it exemplifies...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot : Whose portrait will we see in the next medallion to the left of Pope Francis in the coming days?? That's what...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Cardinal-spotting season gave way to smoke-watching season in Rome today. Yesterday I spotted this pair of...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Live tonight on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: the McConnell Center Scholars and yours truly! This piazza is...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Welcome, McConnell Center Scholars! Today we traipsed around the Janiculum hill for hours, exploring the plethora...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot: Once again today, I am so thankful that all roads lead to Rome. Recently, it has been one reunion after another...

A Carpe Diem Snapshot : May is the most lovely of months, the month of flowers and Mary. Each month has its own flavor that is worth...