Ahhh Spring

Today in Italy we are celebrating Mayday. It is perhaps one of my favorite days because, after Mayday, you rarely have a return of the cold, winter weather which I dislike so much. Almost everybody is outside having picnics, and the traditional snack is fava beans with pecorino cheese. With the memory of the film, "Silence of the Lambs", I remember that it was kind of difficult for me to eat fava beans on my first Italian Mayday six years ago. That compounded with the fact that I was told that some people are very allergic to fava beans and as soon as they eat one may die. So, I took a little nibble hoping that my throat would not swell up and that I could get Hannibal Lecter out of my head. I have actually become quite fond of the Italian Mayday tradition even though this year I can't eat the fava beans (there's risk that the baby could be allergic) and am technically on bed rest so I can't go to the park. Still the weather's beautiful, the windows are open, the trees and flowers are blooming...I love spring!