Barbato Sparanese is in his element.
Walking through his immaculately trimmed lawn, passing potted eggplants, Roma tomatoes, stalks of dill and fragrant flowers, the retired machinist beams with pride. It is a small piece of Italy, he says, a piece he has manicured at his Langford home for 12 years.
B次元官网网址淲e lived in Italy and my dad had a little farm, but it didnB次元官网网址檛 look like a farm,B次元官网网址� Sparanese says. B次元官网网址淚t looked like a garden. When people were passing by, they would stop for a long time at that garden.B次元官网网址�
He shares that same camaraderie today. Children from Lakewood elementary across the street visit with their teachers to learn about gardening, and passersby B次元官网网址� some complete strangers B次元官网网址� are invited to share in conversation and enjoy the sprawling two-level garden.
Sparanese, 74, says his father taught him to live and love in the garden, among the plants where he harvested both happiness and nourishment for their family of five. It is a tradition he holds onto today, spending countless hours where he says he feels his best.
B次元官网网址淭o tell you the very truth, when I am back here in my garden, I feel like a king. I donB次元官网网址檛 have money, but I still feel like a rich man,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 count the hours. I come out as soon as I can and I only go inside for breakfast, lunch and for dinner.B次元官网网址�
Those meals are provided by Rosa, his wife of 48 years, who says thereB次元官网网址檚 a running joke in the family of why their meals taste so good. Is it the cooking, or the ingredients from the garden?
Whatever it is, says daughter, Enza, the garden is home.
B次元官网网址淚t is my home; it will always be my home,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淓very time I have had something go wrong, it is my go-to happy place.B次元官网网址�
She loves it so much she will be married in the garden in the summer of 2015. Not surprisingly, the food and wine for the wedding will be created from the garden where she feels so comfortable.
B次元官网网址淚 have never been to Italy, so I feel like I am experiencing the home that they had,B次元官网网址� Enza says. B次元官网网址淚 actually think it is one of the most beautiful places I have never seenB次元官网网址� It is all wholesome and home. It is a place full of love. It is a place where if you are not happy, you become happy.B次元官网网址�
alim@vicnews.com
