So, it was a couple of months after I'd arrived in Perugia, in the first weeks of July--I hadn't gotten tired of exploring its winding little streets, though I no longer got lost in them;

I was climbing this corkscrew-stair of a street just behind the Porta Pesa, half on my hands and knees--when suddenly I came to this landing-like juncture of yet another street, and there before me, surrounded by a small semi-circle of aunts and neighbor-ladies, was a lovely little girl, about five years old, dressed in Sunday finery, and before her a puppy dog who looked exactly  like Snoopy.  "Buon Cùcciolo," I said softly (the words just fell out of my mouth), and gravely and tenderly she reached out and rubbed the puppy's nose.  And if ever you have seen a doggy melt with ravishment that's what this Snoopy look-alike did.  Around us fell a silence of reverent tenderness.  I rose to my feet and walked on.

Watching Putin on YouTube

Gotta say, I love the guy.  Except when he's talking about homosexuals.  Otherwise, he's witty, charming, sensible, well-informed, honest, direct, pleasant.  Though I imagine that he could be unpleasant enough if he wanted to be.  I'm particularly impressed with his impromptu exposition of the difficulties of economic and cultural rapprochement between Russia and Europe--with Merkel sitting beside him, bemused and delighted despite herself at his final osé (but not inappropriate) comparison to a wedding night. The guy has class.

Talking with Phil last night,

It's his notion that there is a doctrinal or ideological schism just now at the very core of the corporate lizarddom (or sauristarchy)--among the most tenacious militarists--about what to do with the President-elect's antipathy for Saudi Arabia and Israel and his avowed Russophilia. Which unhinge everything, apparently, that the Ruling Powers consider absolutely essential in our corporate prison-state's foreign policy.  Yes, really.  Odd priorities in military power structures these gourmands of Afghan, Yemeni and Mexican babies à la bave do have.  And they get quite hysterical (Have a fucking Coup d'État?!) when anybody proposes not to be bound by them.  One is reminded of Lady McHillary's reported fits and rages (actually hitting people) when she realized she had lost the election.  Very interesting.

Talking to Richard (for two and a half hours this late morning)

We agreed on almost everything except the CIA's weird buzz about Russia supposedly hacking the DNC--which, say I, was done by numerous others including Wikileaks, was probably not done by Russia, and which it would not matter if it had been.  Additionally, I say, the CIA's assertion of a thing makes it likely a false assertion.  

Astonishing Perquisite

Well, because I'm old and indigent, and I recently unfortunately broke my ankle, various insurance programs have conspired to bring me the services of a housekeeper/driver/factotum--I call him my Man Friday--for three hours a day, two days a week.  Ha ha!  He's supposed to be free, but I always tip him forty dollars or so.