Today I was in Montemonaco, 900 m altitude, view breathtaking, sprinkling of snow on the peaks. I was in search of honey and herbs and almost came home with a beautiful donkey. The family who cultivate and sell healing herbs and plants live just below the village, easy to find just off the road by the lake. I arrived and they were at home and took me to the barn where they dry and pack the herbs and flowers they have sown, nurtured and picked by hand. Camomilla, tiglio (limeflower), salvia, melissa and a soothing tisane of mixed herbs that is quite wonderful. I adore these caring teas from the mountains and visiting where they grow today has lifted my heart. All in neat rows on their south-facing fields above the water in full sun with breeze straight off the mountains. It must be the least polluted place you could wish for. It was when he was showing me his drying carciofi (artichokes) the farmer told me about his donkeys. He has three. Two are for sale. They were grazing in the sun in a meadow full of grass, had thick winter fur coats and gentle grey noses. Of course they belong there, together, but they stay in my thoughts as I sip my mountain camomilla.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
mountain camomilla
Today I was in Montemonaco, 900 m altitude, view breathtaking, sprinkling of snow on the peaks. I was in search of honey and herbs and almost came home with a beautiful donkey. The family who cultivate and sell healing herbs and plants live just below the village, easy to find just off the road by the lake. I arrived and they were at home and took me to the barn where they dry and pack the herbs and flowers they have sown, nurtured and picked by hand. Camomilla, tiglio (limeflower), salvia, melissa and a soothing tisane of mixed herbs that is quite wonderful. I adore these caring teas from the mountains and visiting where they grow today has lifted my heart. All in neat rows on their south-facing fields above the water in full sun with breeze straight off the mountains. It must be the least polluted place you could wish for. It was when he was showing me his drying carciofi (artichokes) the farmer told me about his donkeys. He has three. Two are for sale. They were grazing in the sun in a meadow full of grass, had thick winter fur coats and gentle grey noses. Of course they belong there, together, but they stay in my thoughts as I sip my mountain camomilla.
