A life-changing phase of our journey together began on September 28th 1999 and continues to this day. Following is the story as it has unfolded—life, love and relationship—beginning with the most recent works first.
Time to Partner (the Book) – COMING SOON in January, 2012!
Relationship changed through dreams, intuition, trust and courage
Time to Partner - Blog
Our book about the first 4 years of our partnered journey is now available in 3 additional formats. Because the original book was made by hand and limited to 27 copies, there weren’t enough to go around—duh. Now, technology gives us a way to deliver it instantly. Very cool! We invite you to join us on our adventure in several different ways by simply clicking one of the links that follow:
1. TTP Blog – completely dedicated to the book
2. E-Book – delivered instantly to your e-reader or computer
3. Physical Copy – printed on demand
4. Never Sleep CD – original music to accompany the story
Under the Tuscan Thumb - 2010-Present
Ten years of trying to live in Italy as true Italians
Tuscany
This blog is an ongoing conversation about the experience of living in Italy that we call “Under the Tuscan Thumb.” Join us on our escapades and travels in search of enlightenment and delight-enment in the midst of perhaps one of the most tradition and bureaucracy-bound cultures in the world—Italy. This tapestry of ongoing narrative is rich in history, humor, insight and surprises.
The Up Side Low Down - 2010-Present
Musings on Life
Stories like Flowers on the Balcony
A lighthearted romp through life on this journey—as seen through the uniquely creative eyes of Cheryl. Diverse and amusing topics are explored as side-notes to the ongoing partnered journey. A new story is written weekly, as life takes its twists and turns. The style is almost as if written by a third party—an observer traveling alongside us. The blog promises to be both informative and humorous!
In Touch In Tuscany - 2010-Present
Inspiring the Inner Journey
In Touch with Inspiration
In order to continue the process of our inner journeys, and to offer venues for others to explore their own awakenings, we are offering retreats and experiences in Tuscany to inspire the best in all of us and to provoke reflection. The first retreat in the summer of 2011, was presented by Dr. R. Scott Colglazier entitled “Rediscovering the Fire of Everyday Life.” This site serves as a central location for announcements and additional information about events as they develop.
Videos - 2009-Present
Sample of YouTube Videos
Video is the perfect format to expand the creative palate. Whenever it seems right or we stumble upon inspiration, we launch into movie-making mode and have great fun doing it. We use videos for the following expressions: Music (to illustrate a song); Behind the Scenes views into the songwriting processes; Delivering special messages, like announcing an upcoming retreat or event; Documenting an Italian or American Moment, or Thumbnail Sketches which are updates on the process of writing our book, Under the Tuscan Thumb.
New Music - 2010-Present
Acoustic
In the spirit of ongoing creative expression, we’ve committed to continue offering our own home-grown music as an additional way of sharing ideas. When inspiration arises, we will leave a musical bread-crumb trail for anyone who is interested in following along. The music and lyrics continue to reflect what is happening in our everyday lives, touching on themes of family, relationship, and challenge as we travel this road—trying to “wake up” to be truer, more aware people.
Uncommon Promise - The Musical Story 2000-2009
Together. Sharing music and story
Uncommon Promise - A 10 Year Journey of the Heart
The complete musical story, told in stories, music and accompanying pencil drawings. This 12 CD set takes you through our 10-year journey of the heart—creating a new kind of partnership for the second half of our lives together. The site is interactive, allowing you to search keywords to locate just the right story, lyrics or music depending on your particular interests or mood at any given time.
Art Gallery – Original Pencil Drawings from 2000-2009
Drawing from the Song and Story "Wake-up Call"
This complete set of 138 original pencil drawings was composed and created in our home studio to illustrate the themes of our journey as told in Uncommon Promise – The Musical Story. You can view each drawing in the context of the story and music, or simply go to the Art Gallery to see them all with their associated titles and descriptions. Prints are also available upon request.
Time To Partner – the book 1999-2003
Relationship changed through dreams, intuition, trust and courage.
Time to Partner - the book and music
Our first book was a notation of the initial four years of our journey in story, music and art. The book was condensed from the original version, which was written in scrapbook fashion while on an extended, isolated sabbatical in Spain. We then hand-made a limited edition of 27 hardbound copies (with the help of our dear friend Zia), and gave them to special people who had influenced our awakening in those early days. If you would like to read that limited edition, all you have to do is find one of those original 27 recipients!
Art Conservation and Architecture
Inspired by the Italian Renaissance and Spain’s Antonì Gaudì
Florence Italy
Our journey began with surrender. We decided to leave our jobs and embark on a spirited life, as seekers to find out who we really are, both individually and as partners. First, we each went on a solitary adventure: Cheryl to SACI (Studio Art Centers International) in Florence to study Art Conservation, and Emerson to Barcelona to rediscover lost creativity, by reacquainting himself with the inspiring works of the architect, Antonì Gaudì. We emerged from those experiences fully engaged and in pursuit of our individual passions, yet supporting each other as we moved forward. The one thing common to both of our dreams was Europe! We decided to somehow find a way to live there at least half of the year. Those early days were full of excitement and adventure as together, we pursued the craft of conserving works of art, and co-developed an outrageous proposal to finish one of Gaudì’s most famous unfinished works: the Colonia Güell Chapel near Barcelona.
Colonia Güell Crypt - Spain
In those early days of exploration, we created a new way of working together, forging a relationship strong enough to handle all that was to come. Little did we know, that as we pursued those initial passions, we were actually planting the seeds of creativity and cooperation that would unfold in surprising and profound ways—bringing us even closer together as co-creative partners. What we didn’t understand, was that we had innocently begun a process that would literally take decades! Those days were merely the sketchy beginnings of our ride of a lifetime.
And so the story continues!
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We hope you have a chance to visit some of our sites and join us on this co-creative journey—sparking your own powerful imaginings that can further inspire your life. Come on in and stay as long as you like—enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea. Let’s just talk awhile!
Cheryl and Emerson
