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cathy


How does your garden grow?...

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Very slowly, when you live in my latitude...but things have been coming out of the ground fast and furious these past few days, because the sun is warm and bright. I sit by my window and glance outside every so often, willing the plants to grow a little faster, all the while supposedly working and writing. But really, I just want to go out and play in the dirt. By late June those plants will be big bright yellow and orange lilies.

I am also tempted and distracted by the myriad travel guides scattered around the house. We are planning a trip for next spring. A serious trip. Right now the top of our list is Italy. Naples and Tuscany. I would like to go to Sicily as well.

What do you think? I welcome your advice....

  1. Blogger Devil Mood said:

    Ahh Bella Italia :) I think Naples is really dirty and not that beautiful. I think you should go to Florence and Rome and Venice, of course. :) But the south must have it's charm, as well.
    Over here the plants are growing at high speed - I think you can actually see them grow if you stare at them for a while. It's sunny, sunny, sunny, I can't even open my eyes outside 8) (I need glasses)

  1. Anonymous Anonymous said:

    Oooooh. Italy sounds really nice. Anything with lots of history gets me. And, yes, spring is coming on us quick now. :)

  1. Blogger Eric said:

    I second DM. I don't remember being blinded on sunny winter days...

    And Naples does have a reputation for being a large dirty city, but there are good parts. I saw on GlobeTrekker.

  1. Blogger Nick Zegarac said:

    You must go to Venice. It's not a question of making time...just go. And Rome...by all means, Rome. Milan is breathtaking in the spring but a tad dry and burnt out nearer to Fall. Venice will burn itself into your heart.

  1. Anonymous Anonymous said:

    My Lilies are about the same size.

    My advice is ... Take me with you!

  1. Blogger Skye said:

    Wild Iris, I saw some the other day I didn't even know that strecth of road had any on it. Italy !

  1. Blogger missbhavens said:

    oooh...Italy is the only place I've been in Europe (all my travel was spent in SE Asia)...I'd rather go back to Italy than go someplace new...I know that sounds lame, but it was just so amazing!

    Orvietto. Definately Orvietto.

  1. Blogger Cathy said:

    Devil Mood;
    I appreciate your information on Naples; it had been recommended to me by a well travelled friend, but I may have misunderstood Naples for the Naples region...

    Marel;
    That is precisely our criteria; history...

    Eric;
    I need some travel documentaries...

    Will;
    I don't know if the country would have enough to support you ;)

    Nick;
    Welcome! I don't know if Venice is the place to go with two young children (too many places to fall into water....).

    DayByDay;
    I find that very interesting that your lilies are about the same size. Thanks for telling me that because I have this assumption that we are very far behind here.

    MissB;
    I am off to google Orvietto right away...

  1. Blogger x said:

    i think Tuscany with kids is going to be great. But maybe Sicily is not as organized as a family would need it to be. Blondie has been there, not I, so i am giving her opinion not mine. :)

  1. Blogger Meow (aka Connie) said:

    I've never been to any of those places ... would love to go to them all, though.
    Australia is nice ......
    Have fun deciding.
    Take care, Meow

  1. Blogger Michelle said:

    Ooooooooo sounds fabulous! The Greek islands are heavenly, i'm sure you will choose a place that's wonderful. It's always fun planning a vacation :o)

  1. Blogger Mise en Place said:

    Ah, my Husband's parents are from Tuscany...Lucca area in Italy. Actually, Lucca is my daughters middle name, lol!

    I've never been but he's has gone since he's been a kid. I'd like to go when the kids are older and well be able to remember and enjoy it.

    Very exciting!

  1. Blogger Foxy said:

    oh, take me with you! PLEASE!!!! Italy sounds awesome!

  1. Blogger blackcrag said:

    Spain! Go to Spain! All the wine of Italy, with better food, and mountains and horses and history, and architecture, and culture, and twice the romance, and exoticism, Spanish sunsets and and and... Spain has it all!

  1. Blogger Cathy said:

    Chloe;
    I think you are right; I found great web sites related to travelling in Tuscany with children. And Mr. C doesn't really want to go to Sicily. It's just a place I have in my head...

    Meow;
    Australia is off the list because of the cost for us, unfortunately!

    Michelle;
    Greece is most definitely on our list, but for a future trip.

    MomyBlogR;
    What a beautiful name: Lucca...I am sure you would have a wonderful trip when you go, with lots of family links, it would be great.

    Vani;
    We are still in the very very very preliminary planning stages....we are thinking about alte spring 2007.

    Blackcrag;
    Have you been?...For some reason Spain did not come up. It would be more practical than Italy in some ways because I can speak Spanish, but not Italian. But I want to see art; the great Italian masters...

  1. Blogger Jennifer said:

    I visited Florence and Rome years ago. They are both such fantastic cities. The architecture in Florence is gorgeous. I remember walking down old, narrow cobblestone streets and seeing huge cathedrals lining each side. That sounds like a wonderful trip, and it will be just as much fun researching and planning it!

  1. Blogger Devil Mood said:

    Cathy: I haven't actually been to Naples, so perhaps your friend is better informed than me. I just told you what I heard but I can't be sure. Sometimes we have to try everything to know what's best :)

  1. Blogger Cathy said:

    Jen;
    Thank you for the recommendation!

    maddy;
    Glad I could oblige...

    Connie;
    You should plan a trip too! Doesn't matter when you go, like Jen said, the planning can be just as much fun.

    Devil Mood;
    I have heard the same thing from others these past few days. Thanks again.

  1. Blogger blackcrag said:

    No, Cathy, unfortunately, I haven't been--yet. But Spain is calling my name....

    I hope within a year or two to move to Spain and work for an English language daily for three years or so.

    In the meantime, I am aiming for a trip to Australia this fall, a themedtrip of touring as many breweries, distilleries and vinters as I can find along the east coast... as well as see Sydney, and dive on the Great Barrier Reef.

    I think there might be a book in the booze tour. "Blackcrag's Boozy Tour Douwn Under (hic)" What do you think?

    oh, and Spain has artists too.. Picasso was Spanish.

  1. Blogger Scholiast said:

    In Italy I've only been to Rome, but I think Tuscany looks astonishing. Incidentally, my favourite film, Much Ado About Nothing, was shot in Tuscany - right here, actually! I'd check that out if I were going...

  1. Anonymous Anonymous said:

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