Saturday, July 6, 2013

Independence

The locals tell us that having one of the only springs in our area makes us water independent.  They say it isn't water, but gold. After refurbishing the catchment last year with Giovanni and his son Arnaldo, our farmer neighbors, the cool clear water flows at a refreshing 56 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. 

Nor do I have to drive hours to the beach and rent a chaise and umbrella with the other basking sardines.  Instead, I spent part of my Fourth at my private Tuscan beach, feet in the water, reading and sipping between the spearmint (left) and the watercress (right) in that shade of a lovely willow tree.

Technically, it's a spring catchment, but I call it, The Nymphaeum (after the grottos or shrines the ancient Romans dedicated to water nymphs inhabiting springs).  It's a rare place in this desert part of Tuscany that has cool fresh water springing from the ground.  Who am I to say it isn't enchanted?



1 comment:

  1. I just found your blog and have been reading through the past 4 years (over a few days here at the office)-- what escapist joy for me but what real joy for you! Thanks for sharing the memories you're creating. I hope to create my own full-time memories someday, but for now I'll have to settle for thrice yearly escapes to Mt Etna where our country house is part cantina, part gardener's shed, part shanty, but filled with love & hope. Best of everything...

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