Taking Chances

Frances Mayes always loved Italy from the first time she visited there as a young woman. After a difficult divorce and the budding of a new relationship, Frances decided it was time to buy a permanent residence in Italy rather than renting a new place every time she and her lover, Ed, decided to visit. While looking at available homes, Frances was excited. However, when they made a bid on a home and began going through the process of purchasing the home, Frances began to panic. The idea that she was sinking all her money into this home thousands of miles from her year-round home was a scary thought. Frances was almost ready to stop the process, but finally the sale went through and Frances was once again excited by her new home.

Frances took a chance when she bought Bramasole and began to put all her...