Spring

[This was written some two weeks before its post date]

Spring is gushing. Everywhere. It’s positively pouring out of every organic pore of every living thing and competing for attention like a class of kindergartners. Things are growing so readily and so richly that one feels almost apologetic and its profusion. Vitaliano’s roses, for example, have spread themselves all over the side of his house, without any apparent nurturing or encouragement, and when we compliment him on them, he simply shrugs and smiles …

Pinks and reds and yellows and blues and purples stand out against a backdrop of an apparent “green” contest, so lush and varied are the shades of the plants and trees. But leading the parade are the moon flowers, or corn flowers, or poppies, depending on who you’re speaking to. There are colonies of them everywhere – some just small “villages”, some vast cities of a red so intense that it looks artificial. It’s as if a wandering painter has carelessly dangled his brush in broad swaths across the countryside, following random mood and carefree spirit. It’s stunning.

The air is warm, the shade is cool, and birds are everywhere, singing their thanks for the good life and the abundance of lizards and bugs and seeds that have exploded into their larders. They’re constantly darting through the air, either with something in their beaks or in pursuit of something to put there, and are so focused on their mission that they often barely get out of the way of the car – it almost seems as if they’re (date I?) playing chicken.

The season’s first spring produce is also changing menus. Vitaliano gave us some spinach the other day that was quite the best I’ve ever tasted (and I’m a spinach lover). The sink was clogged with earth after cleaning it, so fresh was the generous bundle he gave us. They gave us another bucketful 3 days later.

Asparagus, lettuce, beans, and artichokes are all finding their way on to the tables right now. Cauliflower? Can’t find it anywhere – “Finito!” says greengrocer Alberto in his assertion that the season is over, and raising an eyebrow in apparent curiosity that I would be interested in having something out of season. This is Italy – only fresh stuff in season is allowed …

Yes, spring is here, and it’s positively enlivening. Perhaps a godsend then that my computer died, and I’m forced to write this by hand, sitting outside. Perhaps a little later I’ll go and take some photographs.