Villa Vagabunda
Helping Jen bring Villa Vagabunda back to life: six days into the work, with a quarter acre of central Sicilian landscape ahead of us.
The starting point
My friend Jen purchased Villa Vagabunda in Mussomeli, Sicily, and I’m helping bring it back to life. The property sits on about a quarter of an acre overlooking the central Sicilian landscape, with olive trees and an outdoor kitchen we’re going to work on.
Why Sicily matters
The Caito family comes from Termini Imerese on Sicily’s northern coast. Working on Villa Vagabunda gives me a chance to spend time in the place my family comes from while helping Jen with a project I’m excited about.
Six days in
As of today, we’re six days into working on the home. I’ve been lifting stone, trimming bushes, peeling paint from walls, sweeping, and working with different tools across the property. There is something clarifying about working outside, working up a sweat in the sun, and giving my full attention to the task in front of me.
A different kind of exercise
It feels good to be active without going to a gym. I’ve been dealing with some tightness in my hip flexors that has made my back hurt a little, and this work has helped me feel more stretched out. It’s a natural kind of movement: carry something, clear something, reach for something, then notice how much better your mind feels when the only thing to think about is the task at hand.
The next few weeks
There’s plenty left to do, and I’m looking forward to watching the place come together over the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep a record of the decisions, the progress, the sweat, and what we learn along the way.
Dispatches from the house.
Short moving notes from the work as it happens—dust, discoveries, meals, and whatever Villa Vagabunda decides to reveal next.