Ah, naming a house—now there’s a tradition that sounds as quaint as it is practical, especially if you live in a small Italian village where the only “GPS” needed is a friendly conversation with the local nonna. In such places, houses aren’t just buildings; they’re characters in the ongoing soap opera of village life, known for their peculiarities and the stories they shelter.
So, here we were, my partner and I, standing in front of our newly acquired but age-old abode, contemplating what to name this humble yet hopefully earthquake-resistant structure. Inspired by our times in Italy, where every home seems to carry a name as if it were a family pet, we decided to join the charming practice. After all, if your home doesn’t have a name, can you really say you’re putting down roots, or are you just planning to stick a mailbox on the wall that I have yet to install?
A Local Lesson in Geography
During our Italian escapades, we noticed that houses have multiple numbers—we hear a couple of reasons why. Some say that the commune changes numbers often, but we believe it’s because you get a number depending on how many doors your home has. For example, we have three for our three doors.
Remembering one particular encounter, I once helped an elderly nonna, who was as spry as a fox, find her way to the piazza. In trying to describe where I lived, I rattled off my street address, to which she waved a dismissive hand. She interrogated me about nearby landmarks until she abruptly stopped and declared, “Ah, you live in the house with the big balcony!” Apparently, my home was known to her not by its number but by its outstanding balcony that had likely served generations of eavesdroppers.
The Inspiration Behind “Casatransumanza”
It was during these moments, coupled with our dream of a bi-continental retirement—winters in sunny Florida, summers in pastoral Abruzzo, and perhaps another home close to the water in Italy—that the perfect name for our house struck us: “Casatransumanza.”
For those of you scratching your heads, “transumanza” refers to an age-old Italian tradition from Abruzzo. The term describes the seasonal migration of livestock from the warm lowlands to the breezy highlands and back, depending on the whims of the weather. It’s like a twice-yearly vacation for sheep, only they’re probably less interested in the scenic views and more in the grass buffet. They also got taxed for doing so—one of the reasons the castle in our town is there was for wealthy families to tax the herders.
You see, in the metaphor of our lives, we fancied ourselves as these sheep, albeit with slightly better fashion sense and fewer tendencies to bleat. We migrate not between pastures but between the stifling heat of Florida summers and the sublime Italian springs, chasing comfort as much as we do experiences—and perhaps even adding another home in Italy near the water.
Embracing Our Future as Seasoned Wanderers
In the future, we will be seasoned travelers, not just physically moving between states or countries, but also through the various stages of our lives. Each move, each season reflects a deeper understanding and a richer appreciation for the world around us. This ongoing journey, with its ups and downs, has taught us to cherish the stability that a home—our “Casatransumanza”—can offer. How wonderful would that be?
Anticipating Full Retirement
Looking ahead, we are going to be fully retired, perhaps sooner than we think. At that point, “Casatransumanza” will symbolize not just our past adventures but also our commitment to living fully in our golden years. It will be a base from which we can set forth on new adventures or a cozy retreat to which we return. As a friend and neighbor told us once, “It’s an investment, not a financial one, but a life investment.”
A Vision for Tomorrow: Beyond the Big Balcony
If you ever find yourself wandering down our street, forget the house numbers. Look for the place where the big balcony once stood, which according to our new design will soon be transformed into a spacious courtyard. This will not just enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve as a vibrant communal space for family gatherings, echoing the laughter and stories of many generations. Our balcony has more twists and turns than a highway and maneuvering it might require a GPS of its own!
Welcome to “Casatransumanza,” where every day is moving day, and the doors are always open for another chapter of our ever-evolving story. This house, with its unique name and rich history, stands as a testament to our life’s journey, bridging continents and cultures, always reminding us that while homes may be built from bricks and mortar, it is experiences and memories that truly build a home.
