UN BACIO DALLA TOSCANA

We don’t usually come to Tuscany in June or July, as it’s too hot, but this year is different. As soon as we both logged our two shots of Pfizer-BioNtech plus 15 days, we hit the road.

We arrived in Tuscany too late for the cherries, the wild asparagus, and the irises and too early for the roadside blackberries, but right on time for the butterflies, the bees, the fireflies, and the beetles; the lavender, the roses, and the jasmine; and a whole host of other flora and fauna.

Here in no particular order are some of the beautiful sights that awaited us. Consider them un bacio dalla Toscana—a kiss from Tuscany.

The view from the road up to Valuberti.Getting drunk on nectar.

I don't know what's more electric--the cardoon or the iridescent beetle nestling inide.

Three is apparently not a crowd.

Grapes never sleep. They barely covered the pergola when we arrived. Now they're making friends with the cypress.

There might not be any cherries left, but there will be peaches,

And plums,

And figs,

And pomegranates.

I didn't know that cornflowers bloom only in the cool of the morning.

Jasmine perfumes the entire house.

This caterpillar was a blur crossing the road.

A friend asked me to describe what Scotch broom smells like. I would say it's a cross between Double Bubble and Karo Light Corn Syrup.

This blue-black bee was at least 2 inches long. I felt it disturb the air around me before I saw it land on this lavender, bending the stem.

One of my favorite roses. We planted her 17 years ago.

It's absolutely lovely here, same as it ever was. And even if we don't hug the Italians and kiss them on both cheeks this year like we used to in the Before Times, Tuscany has folded us in her warm embrace and kissed us with her timeless beauty.

Keep it real! And wear your damn mask if you're not fully vaccinated!

Marilyn