Looking Back a Bit

Alas, it has been a while since I have written, not from lack of internet, but a lack of will. Sometimes you have to savor things before you digest them.

I stayed at Sandro's farm in Fara-Sabina for about two weeks, with intermittent trips to Rome. While I was there, a pair of ducks had ducklings and I got to see several of them actually hatching! They were the sweetest little scared things there ever was, and the parents were fiercely protective. As often happens, one little yellow duckling didn't make it, and we had to bury it in the spot on the farm under the eucalyptus trees where all the pets of bygone days have their resting place.

The food while there was great, fresh eggs every day, greens from the fields, milk from the neighboring dairy, tons of olive oil, wine, and homemade limoncello. Also, the typical italian expresso make with those little upright coffee makers (and lots of sugar). Sandro's neighbor Rossana who is about 70 would always come over with some pretense, but really to chat and have some company. Mostly though, she talked. and talked and talked. Even if I didnt understand much, I was happy to lend an ear and listen to her gossip and when i was your age stories.

Speaking of Italian, my language ablilities are improving, probably two steps forward and one step backwards, and often I dont remember if its something I heard or learned or if im just using my spanish knowlege and making it up. Thats the difficulty of romance languages.

In terms of farm work, I planted zucchini, helped layed out a row of plastic for weed control, mucked the chicken house, planted eggplant, lettuce and peppers, layed out irrigation, and all other sorts of outdoorsy work.

The unfortunate thing about traveling around this summer is that I never get to see my crops grow, and I won't reap the fruits of my labor.