Let's take a look at the tradition of masking. The Venetians were big in this field as carnival time was a moment in all Europe to upset traditional hierarchies even for a day, but was particularly keenly felt in Venice where social hierarchies were extremely rigid. Masks had a practical purpose, that of secrecy, but… Continue reading In Praise of Masks
Tag: Diary
Last garden outing? Surely not
The latest outing was planned and organised by the Garden Club of Monza, not as well-attended as it should have been unfortunately. And the weather ...... awful ,after a wonderful week of sun, anyhow we went up to ..... the nursery Anna Peyron. We had been there before, in fact it's where I first got… Continue reading Last garden outing? Surely not
Wicca’s Diary 8
She's a dear woman and we get on like a house on fire .She writes too much though, I've literally had to jump onto the keyboard and prance on it until she lets me get a look in at the blog. Something very strange has happened; it seems to me that there is less light… Continue reading Wicca’s Diary 8
Perhaps my Favourite Garden Show
This year I made the usual trip to the castle of Masino, a FAI property and pretty interesting if you like castles. All around in the ample gardens they hold the" 3 days for the garden " shows in conjunction with the Italian FAI (a kind of National Trust organisation).For members the entry price is… Continue reading Perhaps my Favourite Garden Show
Green.
When I was younger, (quite a lot younger actually), I wrote a poem (well, a few words really, nothing as high falutin' as a poem) and driving to work today I was reminded of that because the way to work can go through a rather lovely wooded area near a river which hosts a cycle… Continue reading Green.
I’m just a gal who can’t say GO…
Actually that's not the title of the song which is" I'm just a gal who can't say no and I'm in a terrible fix".I wish I were like that girl because procrastination is my enemy, Thief of my mini holiday!A gal who can't say go, me down to the ground! So, eventually, tardily, tootling along… Continue reading I’m just a gal who can’t say GO…
Gardening:the Buddleia
(Delightfully named after the Reverend Adam Buddle although not discovered by him) I've just finished one of my favourite garden jobs and I'm sweaty ,dirty ,scratched and happy to prove it. I always cut the spent tips of my butterfly bush because I don't like the look of them when they're brown and dead and… Continue reading Gardening:the Buddleia
Weather
We British are obsessed with the weather. Of course. It's exciting, variable from minute-to- minute because it's an ever-changing kaleidoscope. I remember calling my cousin and asking if predictions were good for my summer holiday in England. "Well", he said " we had summer last week on Wednesday afternoon". Here in Italy we don't actually… Continue reading Weather
Wakey wakey! Absolutely not “woke”
When you think about it isn't it wonderful. The way you gradually come out from that longing for hot heavy food and drink and emerge like a newborn into a world of salad and fresh- picked fruit? Suddenly the snug scarf round your neck and up to your nose can be shed and you come… Continue reading Wakey wakey! Absolutely not “woke”
BAD NEWS TURNS TO GOOD
Well, the first time I went out to inspect my garden this morning I found to my irritation, no, much more than irritation actually, I was angry and disgusted because I found the kitchen waste buried deeply after much heavy spade work huffing and puffing yesterday, had been unearthed! I bury the kitchen scraps in… Continue reading BAD NEWS TURNS TO GOOD
English that grows 