Here in southern Italy there are signs and sounds of spring everywhere - from people starting to clean their gardens to trees and flowers budding and blooming.
I did take a brief break from southern Italy to head back to the states for a quick visit. My Aunt (my Mom's sister) was turning 93. She lives in Philadelphia so I decided to surprise her for her birthday. My cousins (her daughters) helped me plan the surprise. It was a huge success! I was also able to visit a childhood friend in Philly who happen to be there taking care of her grandsons while the parents took a little vacation. I had dinner with another cousin and his family and I even took time to meet a cousin I had never met before (see last month's blog). Once the fun was done in Philly I was off to MN for a few days too. I was able to go to the Opera (Minnesota Opera's world premier of "The Fix" - a new opera) and see all of my Opera friends as well as visit with a few other close friends. I also had some personal business to take care of in Minneapolis. Sometimes in person just works better than phone calls and emails. I was able to sneak in one last surprise before I headed back home to Italy. A dear friend from my 20+ years of living in Minnesota (more like a mother to me) was celebrating a birthday the day I was leaving to come home. I had enough time to surprise her at lunch on my way to the airport. I love surprises!
 |
| My Aunt Dorothy (Dot) on her 93rd Birthday! |
My two first cousins, Loretta and Carmela.
First Cousin, John David Gentile and his lovely family
My "new" cousin Julie
Granddaughter of Alfonso Gentile, brother of my grandfather
My dear friend Ernal Nienaber
Once I arrived home spring had definitely sprung. My cousin had the gardens cleaned while I was gone and also had 2 new trees planted. The trees were birthday presents - a melograno (pomegranate) and a peach tree. A new lemon tree is still is to be planted. These trees will take some time to bear fruit but when they do - YUM!!
My new melograno tree
My peach tree
(But different from American peaches,
these are smaller in size with a smoother skin)
With spring arriving I can now begin planning for 2 new rock gardens as well as finishing up the rose garden. Lots of work to do this summer so spring is time to plan and prepare - remember nothing gets done fast in southern Italy.
Other signs of spring/summer are also quite apparent. Spring vegetables are now available in the markets - carciofi or artichokes are one of my favourite. Here in southern Italy you can buy small ones. I believe they are the same as in the U.S. but they harvest them sooner. These are one of my favourite spring vegetables. Asparagus is also now in season.
Carciofi (Artichokes)
Beautiful spring flowers
The critters return in spring
Fig trees sprouting new leaves and fruit
Many bars and restaurants along the sea are starting their cleanup/spruce up work so they can open soon. Usually many of these locations open right before Easter but with that holiday so late this year I believe many will open within the next week or two.
I'm getting my patio/terrace ready too and my new BBQ grill is on order and should be here any day - yeah cookouts in southern Italy. I will be introducing my Italian family to American style cookouts!!
I also am starting more serious planning for my kitchen renovation. I hope to have the plan done so work can start in the fall. And I am still studying for that blasted Drivers License test. That thing is driving me crazy but I must get it done before May as I did not renew my International Drivers License when I was back in the states. It really was an oversight on my part but maybe it is for the better. It will force me to get this done and checked off the list.
So those of you that ask what do I do all day in retirement life - I stay very busy. The "to do" list never ends.
April looks to be quite exciting too - a trip to the Emerald Isle (Ireland) is planned with my cousin Angela. Make sure you read the April blog to find out if I have the Luck of the Irish and find a pot of gold!
