This story, springing like a phoenix from a ruined school year, chronicles the first hundred days of the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy, the epicenter of the European crisis. It begins on the last day of school before closure, the one hundredth day of school, and journals the very different lesson plan that coronavirus had in store in 2020. The experiences of teachers, students, and parents living through the onset of the pandemic unfolds through personal accounts and communications with colleagues, family, and friends. One hundred days later, when Italy begins to ease out of the most draconian lockdown in all of Europe, we again glimpsed into our old yet new world.
Vo’Euganio, epicenter of the outbreak. 
Hello virtual learning…I CAN do this… 
Stella, the elf on the shelf 
Andra tutto bene. Everything will be OK. 
My new reality. Kindergarten in the kitchen. 
We learn together. 
The view from Gene’s new classroom. 
The Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, and Stella take up residence in the kitchen. 
Friday the 13th! There’s a stinkbug on my toothbrush! 
Ian in Thailand 
exodus pandemia 
Flavio flies the Italian flag–Forza! 
First family virtual chat, Miami, Allenton, Vicenza. We are hunkered down and holding up. 
Navy Happy Hour gives us a bit of sanity time. 
Why I love this country… 
The wisteria is coming…and we can smell it! 
Story time! 
Peter Rabbit lost his jacket in the garden. 
Jeremy Fisher joins us for lunch 
Dandelion Risotto–Yum!! 
Too Fast Too Slow 
Life finds a way–the corn is coming up. 
Happy earth Day! 
An anniversary. Congratulations on 60 years! 
Happy Liberation Day! 
Team vino! 
L is for Lettuce. LOTS of lettuce. 
Wonder Ponies. 
Happy Birthday Mr. Tramm! 
Gene’s virtual 60th birthday party. Wear your party hats! 
We miss you… 
Happy Fish 
It’s Ms. Amy and Normandy! 
Escape back to reality. For now.