We committed our last full day in Tuscany to lazing around the villa.  Sleeping in, swimming, reading….  it was perfect.  Except for a giant load of laundry that got in our way by needing to be done.  But we didn’t let it ruin our day.  Everything was in full display to bless our final day – the glorious Tuscan sun, the hydrangeas, jasmine, roses, wisteria, plumbago….  and we loved every minute of it.  We laughed with our German neighbors and got scolded by a cross, 60-something British woman who mysteriously appeared at our pool – sunbathing topless and ensuring years of therapy for our kids later in life.  Our final Tuscan poolside lunch?  Quarter Pounder Deluxes and Fries from McDonald’s drive-thru.

Late in the afternoon, we got cleaned up and drove 25 minutes to the beautiful town of Lucca to meet up with Sarah Daniel – yes, THAT Sarah Daniel – for dinner and a concert by the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra.  They are on a short European tour and had a fortuitous stop in Lucca, featuring one Atlee Daniel on viola!  Jerry was one of the parent chaperones for the trip, so he didn’t get to join us for dinner, but we sat with them for the concert in a BEAUTIFUL old church in Lucca.  The acoustics were wonderful and the orchestra played beautifully – Puccini, Dvorak, Bizet, and even a rousing rendition of “Deep In The Heart Of Texas”!  It was a perfect ending to the week.

Sarah and LouAnn walking in Lucca.

Fort Worth Youth Orchestra – the played brilliantly!

The kids with Atlee.