What a story — and what a setting to attach it to. Peralta sounds like the kind of place that imprints itself on a family whether it means to or not. The scar, the lunch break, the bewildered Italian nonni brigade… it’s unforgettable.
And Fiore — good grief. A person who could sculpt a place into existence and then haunt it in the best possible way. I felt like I was right there with the jasmine, the stone, the switchbacks that should come with a warning label.
Beautifully told and illustrated. This one lingers.
Thanks, Kelly. Fiore is the real star indeed. We met her in 2004, a couple of months before she passed away. As a very outspoken intersex person, she wore the title of the story with pride. I’ve been around strong women all my life, but she was of another kind; a totally free spirit that mingled creativity with dedication, bohemia with aristocratic class, a male attitude with true tenderness.
Peralta was bought by a French family that keeps it intact. Worth a stay if you are in the area.
She sounds extraordinary — thank you for sharing that, truly. I can only imagine what it must’ve been like to meet someone with that kind of presence and freedom. Those rare spirits who live entirely as themselves leave a mark that never fades.
And I love hearing that Peralta is still being cared for and kept intact. We’ll absolutely add it to our list — places shaped by people like Fiore have a different kind of soul.
What a story — and what a setting to attach it to. Peralta sounds like the kind of place that imprints itself on a family whether it means to or not. The scar, the lunch break, the bewildered Italian nonni brigade… it’s unforgettable.
And Fiore — good grief. A person who could sculpt a place into existence and then haunt it in the best possible way. I felt like I was right there with the jasmine, the stone, the switchbacks that should come with a warning label.
Beautifully told and illustrated. This one lingers.
💛 Kelly
Thanks, Kelly. Fiore is the real star indeed. We met her in 2004, a couple of months before she passed away. As a very outspoken intersex person, she wore the title of the story with pride. I’ve been around strong women all my life, but she was of another kind; a totally free spirit that mingled creativity with dedication, bohemia with aristocratic class, a male attitude with true tenderness.
Peralta was bought by a French family that keeps it intact. Worth a stay if you are in the area.
She sounds extraordinary — thank you for sharing that, truly. I can only imagine what it must’ve been like to meet someone with that kind of presence and freedom. Those rare spirits who live entirely as themselves leave a mark that never fades.
And I love hearing that Peralta is still being cared for and kept intact. We’ll absolutely add it to our list — places shaped by people like Fiore have a different kind of soul.
💛 Kelly
I love the layouts of your pictures (and your pictures of course 😍)
Thanks Ana. We very much appreciate your comment. The credit goes entirely to Reinhilde. I'm just the scribbler...
The scribbles are great too 😉