Wednesday, 25 March

This morning light snow is falling, big lazy flakes drifting down to melt away on contact with earth or object.  My husband and I have breakfast, beat the NY Times crossword, clean both fireplaces.  Yesterday we sunned ourselves on the terrace, today we’ll be fireside.  Together we prepare and eat lunch, then bundle up for a quick march around our prato (meadow), just for a bit of air.  Now he’s downstairs playing electric piano and I’m upstairs in the studio, writing to you.

Our mercato contadino (farmer’s market) is suspended for the duration of the public health emergency. But in a happy confluence of ancient tradition and contemporary technology, from 31 March we will be able to buy online from our favorite zero-kilometro growers.  The terms are these: order from at least two vendors for a total of at least 20 euros.  Orders will be delivered to homes throughout Mondovi` and some of its surrounding villages.  I’m very pleased, not only that I will be able to have the produce I prefer, but that our farmers have found a way to preserve their livelihoods.  This feels like one small victory, humanity over virus.