Here at The Sabine Farm it is Labor Day, though every day is a day of labor at The Sabine Farm.
Today I share with you readers the purple fruits of the place.
Here are some grape bunches. It wouldn’t be a good Roman place, in Horatian splendor, without grapes.
The third wave of blueberries is coming in.
Finally the plums are ripe!
We also have apples, such as these next to the Sabine Chapel. They aren’t quite ready yet.
Here is a view of the domus Sabina.
However, there are other dwellings which guests enjoy.
The house on the left is occupied by the owner of the whole place, at least when he is here.
If I don’t get back to Rome for the whole winter, this is a good Sabine skating pond.
And another pair across another Sabine field.
Another field within the fence, looking toward some corn.
There is a LOT of mowing to do here. It can take a couple says on a tractor.
The Sabine Pond has trout. The area is fairly nicely landscaped.
The greenhouse is a busy place in the spring. Right now I have most of my herbs inside.
And if you don’t like things too tidy, you can hike around in about 80 acres of forest.
The outdoor Stations are not yet set up on the paths.
And from the front door of the domus Sabina humilis, sed sarta et tecta.
This is pretty much my view from my window, as I type away here.
Just a taste of The Sabine view, in case anyone wonders why I like to split my time between Rome and here and why it takes dynamite to get me moving.
Loading ...
… cum primum licet, quasi portum quendam secreta ruris intremus. Ibi cibarius panis, et olus nostris manibus irrigatum, et lac deliciae rusticanae, viles quidem, sed innocentes cibos praebent. Ita viventes, non ab oratione somnus, nec saturitas a lectione revocabit. Si aestas est, secretum arboris umbra praebebit. Si autumnus, ipsa aeris temperies, et strata subter folia, locum quietis ostendent. Vere ager floribus pingitur, et inter querulas aves, Psalmi dulcius cantabuntur … Habeat sibi Roma suos tumultus, arena saeviat, circus insaniat, theatra luxurient … (S. Hieronymus ad Marcellam).
Andrew: Perfect! What a great quote. This is from Jerome’s ep. 43, ad Marcellam.
(My emphases and comments but not my translation)
It looks quiet too. As a city dweller, I always find the quiet away from the city, that lack of the chronic urban drone and the acute sirens and so on, to be the most refreshing part of getting away. I hope you’re enjoying the same release and refrigerium silentio.
Father, do you or any neighors keep honeybee hives? Seeing the pictures of the fruit trees led me to that question, because of the pollination requirements, but the better part of a beehive is the honey! Yum! Winnie the Pooh has the right perspective on life: honey is good and more is better. :-)
Kevin: That bothered me too, at first. And when I come back from Rome, I have to adjust. But… the periods of silence and isolation (when desired) changed my life.
I find Minnesota best from mid-May to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October. I think the American flag should be properly hung with the star field in the upper left.
Alcuin: I will shift the flag around.
Father Z,
It all looks very lush and TASTY – why haven’t the local critters mowed it down?
m
It definitely looks like a piece of heaven here on earth. What a blessing to be able to spend a part of your time there and a blessing you deserve.
mike:’it all looks very lush and TASTY – why haven’t the local critters mowed it down?
I kill them.
AwwwwMan! That is beautiful Fr.! We hope you have a relaxing time. Seeing we are in a drought, we don’t have to mow much…hahaha.
God Bless