DETERMINATION!

 Again, that  second "sixteenth" was supposed to have been published on the "fifteenth," and Fio is just now writing today's "sixteenth." Don't ask me about how technology works!

Today, on the SIXTEENTH, which is the day after Fio's birthday, sweet Daughter sent her a box of  chocolate cookies, which she is sharing, and a pair of charming turquoise earrings, which she is not sharing.  In fact, Fiorella's decided they are a symbol of her new life. Her mourning time is over and, from now on, she lives for herself. Please don't ask her what that means, but she'll know when when she needs to.

Your girl is beginning to meet a few ladies on the block when she goes walking every morning, although  she could only walk partway today because she got caught in the hot mid-morning son. She's all excited because the new people down the street are bilingual so maybe Fio will be able to start working on her Spanish again.

Then there are all those other languages she dabbled around in, and the paintings and stories and books-way finished. And don't forget the music--although the piano is still in storage. REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE, FIORELLA! 

A big part of Fio's restoration  will be getting into contact with her old friends, which will be hard to do because your girl doesn't drive any more, but she WILL FIND A WAY..