One lot, three houses comprises this compound with vineyards smack
against the tomato plants seeing their way through the tripod of bamboo
type supports. The three houses are for the sons of my great uncle. The
lot originally owned by 'nonno Antonio', my great grandfather, was inherited
by his remaining-in-Italy son. So, also are there three sections of gardens
and animals.
Tuesday mornings the sound of an ice cream truck, music to announce
the coming, was heard not too early. But, no ice cream truck, it was a
white panel truck, you just stand by your driveway, it stops, check out the
supplies inside. Chicken, duck, turkey feed and boxes with holes for the
baby chicks, ducklings, turkeys to breathe all available for sale. A
traveling feed store! My cousin bought some baby chicks and ducks. The
smell of chickens wafted near the two garages behind the houses, memories
of my grandparents' home made that smell perfume. Chicken, duck and rabbit
we ate during the many meals of many servings. All these were raised near
the garden. No wonder the veggies grew so well although the clay soil was
rocky. You name the veggie, they grew it.
Several fig trees, well, I had never seen figs like these before, as big
as a baseball - I do not exaggerate. Each day several consumed knowing
until I return one day the U.S. has nothing to top this fruit! Customs
confiscated the small cutting planned for this Florida grower, oh well, next
time, heh heh. (Customs also took the shoebox full of carefully packed
figs-no fresh fruit allowed!) Plum, apricot, pear trees and, surprise, kiwi
were growing well. Interspersed were olive trees near a couple mandarin
orange trees (well protected).
Doorways are not screened, nor were screens in any window above the first
level. Plastic shapes hung in strings in the door openings, just pull aside
a bunch, you were inside the house. Entering bars in town the same thing.
Ordering a drink in a "bar" the payment comes after you have downed the
'beve'. No ice included. Gelato, ice cream, like none you can imagine,
even Hagen Daz has some to go for the rich taste and flavors in Italy sold
everywhere.
Menu for lunch: rice/peas/mushrooms/thin sliced ham in a cream sauce;
baked chicken; lettuce salad in oil and vinegar dressing; sliced
watermelon,figs,apricots; dolce; expresso; wine and water on table during
meal; and lemon gelato dessert. Lunch began at 1 p.m. ended about 3, rest
till 5 then back to work until 7 pm when the next meal began.
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