Why is Tuscany so popular with millions of tourists yearly and many who dream of living here? Some of the obvious reasons lie in its being the cradle of the Renaissance, recognized as one of the two moments (along with Classical Greece) of highest artistic expression in Western civilization; in its food and drink from Chianti to bistecca fiorentina to ribollita; in the beauty of its centuries-long, lovingly cared-for countryside; in its combination of hills, coast, and towns, besides being one of the most forested regions of Italy; in just being Italy.
Sometimes it is almost embarrassing, possibly exaggerated. Many of our guests are envious of our living here and we usually can only say, “Yes, you’re right.” There are many beautiful corners in God’s creation, but certainly we have a sense of responsibility to care for something special. An argument we use with our young volunteers when the work becomes tedious or heavy in the fields or garden is that they should feel part of a tradition that reaches at least as far back as the Roman road that is the foundation for that passing our property today. It is a twist to the environmental approach, a historical perspective, that usually works!
Of course some persons wonder whether the tremendous increase of attention and movement of these recent decades is matched locally by a political and technical maturation. This would be necessary to assure the appreciation and management our unique natural and historical setting deserves. Things often work out, and when they do not there are usually persons who remind the local authorities and prod them to act properly, for example, in zoning codes for construction and in care for the green, including recycling.
In our little Casa Cares world June has been busy with guests and July promises more of the same. Afterwards two very busy months, many rooms are still available in late summer and early autumn. Accordingly, we have decided to offer a camp (16-22 August) for our church members and a seminar on “eco-theology” (17-20 September) to fill up a few days. Florence is oppressively hot and humid in summer, but here one can always find a cool corner in the villa and the evening cool down.
Luca’s garden is approaching its high point with four types of salad, three of tomato, zucchini, peppers and eggplant. It is not always so easy to plan, but we try to program the production to our guest calendar. Last month we ate all the cherries we could of a bumper crop and finally dedicated many to jam. July is plum jam month. As good as they are, one can eat just so many of these things! Unfortunately, unlike last year, this year we did not get around to harvesting our basswood flowers. They make for an excellent infusion, but we have plenty of verbena, wild mint and sage for that. Maybe one day the bees will recover from their tragic decline of these past years and they would certainly take advantage (to our benefit) of the basswood flowers, which make for an extraordinary honey.
Also our herb corner is developing under Iris’ care. Others have done a good job of caring for it over the years, but who better than the cook herself should be in charge!?
It’s a particularly good time to be in the Tuscan hills.
Sometimes it is almost embarrassing, possibly exaggerated. Many of our guests are envious of our living here and we usually can only say, “Yes, you’re right.” There are many beautiful corners in God’s creation, but certainly we have a sense of responsibility to care for something special. An argument we use with our young volunteers when the work becomes tedious or heavy in the fields or garden is that they should feel part of a tradition that reaches at least as far back as the Roman road that is the foundation for that passing our property today. It is a twist to the environmental approach, a historical perspective, that usually works!
Of course some persons wonder whether the tremendous increase of attention and movement of these recent decades is matched locally by a political and technical maturation. This would be necessary to assure the appreciation and management our unique natural and historical setting deserves. Things often work out, and when they do not there are usually persons who remind the local authorities and prod them to act properly, for example, in zoning codes for construction and in care for the green, including recycling.
In our little Casa Cares world June has been busy with guests and July promises more of the same. Afterwards two very busy months, many rooms are still available in late summer and early autumn. Accordingly, we have decided to offer a camp (16-22 August) for our church members and a seminar on “eco-theology” (17-20 September) to fill up a few days. Florence is oppressively hot and humid in summer, but here one can always find a cool corner in the villa and the evening cool down.
Luca’s garden is approaching its high point with four types of salad, three of tomato, zucchini, peppers and eggplant. It is not always so easy to plan, but we try to program the production to our guest calendar. Last month we ate all the cherries we could of a bumper crop and finally dedicated many to jam. July is plum jam month. As good as they are, one can eat just so many of these things! Unfortunately, unlike last year, this year we did not get around to harvesting our basswood flowers. They make for an excellent infusion, but we have plenty of verbena, wild mint and sage for that. Maybe one day the bees will recover from their tragic decline of these past years and they would certainly take advantage (to our benefit) of the basswood flowers, which make for an extraordinary honey.
Also our herb corner is developing under Iris’ care. Others have done a good job of caring for it over the years, but who better than the cook herself should be in charge!?
It’s a particularly good time to be in the Tuscan hills.
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