| An Italian Herb Garden | | | | day of their marriages being ripped asunder was at |
| Elsewhere in these pages I wrote about an Italian herb | | | | hand. Not a chance; as it turned out they were just |
| garden and its primary residents of garlic, oregano, | | | | having some fun. |
| basil, parsley and rosemary. I have now learned that | | | | When things spun down back to normal, the previous |
| the article was only partly correct and that sometimes | | | | status quo was soon resumed and another - and less |
| no amount of book learning prepares you for the real | | | | important - topic was being calmly pursued, I realized |
| thing. Read on. | | | | that something that I always knew had been |
| Recently I sat down to some mid-morning espresso | | | | reinforced: |
| with 2 couples, both Italian and all 4 from different | | | | - Italians are passionate about their food and their |
| regions in Italy. Considering myself somewhat of an | | | | regions of origin. |
| aficionado on a typical Italian herb garden, I broached | | | | - There are many more popular Italian herbs used in |
| the subject in conversation. Well, if you are Italian you | | | | the typical Italian herb garden than most non-Italians are |
| will know what I mean when I say that suddenly I was | | | | aware of. |
| faced with four separate conversations all going | | | | - Don't think that an altercation between an Italian |
| staccato and fortissimo. | | | | couple has any real malice. |
| Special and vociferous mention was given by various | | | | - Italians revel in argument and bring their own breed of |
| parties to sage, thyme, bay, chervil and even | | | | passion and energy to the table. |
| horseradish (Leaves and roots) as being essentials in | | | | By heck, I love these people. They are both down to |
| an Italian herb garden. Many more contenders entered | | | | earth and earthy. They bring with them the tastes, |
| the fray but fell in the heat of battle. Some small | | | | sounds and smells of Italy to any group, which |
| concessions are suspected but not admitted for this | | | | immediately benefits through these wonderful |
| passage of arms. Both tactics and strategy waxed | | | | influences and nuances. Italian cuisine and the traditional |
| and waned throughout the skirmish. | | | | Italian herb garden is safe in these hands. Viva Italia! |
| The most amazing thing was that they all agreed that | | | | And take my word for it - don't ever try to tell an |
| the basic five above were all essential staples; | | | | Italian what he or she should be growing in their Italian |
| amazing because from there the opinions varied and | | | | herb garden! Whether its indoor herb growing or an |
| got louder until I called a truce. | | | | outdoor herb garden. |
| Married for 38 and 35 years respectively, I thought the | | | | |