Working and Playing

If monster.com had an ad for being a farmer at Casa Lanzarotti, it might sound something like this:

30 hectare farm and agritourism seeking farmer. Candidate is proficient in cultivating vegetable garden and greenhouses, fruit orchard, berries, herbs, and wheat; knowledge of bread baking ; minimum 2 year experience of canning jams, preserves, pesto, syrup, juice and ciders; comfortable tending livestock of sheep, pigs, horse; at ease selling products at Farmers Market; multi-lingual, culinary and housekeeping talents necessary for hosting guests at B&B sector of business. Tractor license and workshop dexterity required; pork processing skills a bonus.

If monster.com had an ad for being a farmer at Casa Lanzarotti, they probably wouldn’t get many hits.

Iris and Gian-Luca could easily work their farm from very early morning to very late at night, occasionally they do, but Italians understand the value of recreation, and these hard-working farmers are no exception. Since there is not a television at Casa Lanzarotti, dinner is often followed by a game of cards or dice. There are shelves of books and a scattering of crossword puzzles within easy reach; next to the window rests La nuova guida del Birdwatcher. The large living room (currently hosting racks of drying salami and sausage links) has a piano that can be heard echoing throughout the house. And on random afternoons, but especially Sundays, guests pop in for a visit; they stay for “un café” and good conversation.

Maria’s and my mid-morning task was to shovel snow off a long uphill path leading away from the house. We love this work and my playful partner suggests we reward ourselves for a job well-done. No sooner had she spoken and I see Maria rolling down the snowy hill, screaming with delight, like the 16 year old she is. Iris was also a witness and insists we get the sled for real fun. I spend the next hour perfecting the bob-sled run with ramps on both side and a smooth surface on the inside. The moment comes.. I sled.. and then.. I’m screaming with delight, like the 43 year old I am.