I came to Civitella at exactly the right time: I had recently published a book and was eager to develop my thinking about a new project. How lucky I was to find myself in a new (beautiful) place, with new (brilliant) people to talk to. I divided my workdays between long sessions of exploratory reading and shorter sessions of equally exploratory writing. When I returned home I had written the preface to my new book and, more importantly, outlined two chapters on topics about which I knew very little three weeks earlier. Civitella obviously gave me the gift of time for focused reading and writing, but, more importantly, it gave me the gift of mental space. Transporting me away from my familiar habits and interlocutors, the residency was an opportunity to step back from my work, rethink my motives and goals, and re-animate my intellectual life. I am especially grateful for my friendships with the other Fellows and guests, who guided me to aspects of my research I would otherwise have neglected. I look forward to future mind-expanding conversations with them.