https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/easter-pope-francis-pandemic/2021/04/04/b4bf74a0-9238-11eb-aadc-af78701a30ca_story.html

We are in Zona Rossa, Red Zone, which means we must stay at home.

What to do after I’ve finished my work? Virtual travel. Maybe you’d like it too?

Today… Pesce D’aprile!

Il pesce d’aprile, April Fools’ Day, is celebrated on April 1st and it is a day during which Italians and French have the custom of playing practical jokes on friends and relatives, following the ancient traditions of tricks played in far-off times.

This custom is supposed to have its origins in the 16th century, but it only really became popular in Italy around 1860-1880, especially in Genoa – which inaugurated this tradition – and was particularly practiced among the upper classes of society.

The explanation of the name pesce d’aprile, literally April’s fish, is often linked in Italy to the zodiac and in particular to the fact that every event that happened on that date was related to the abandoning of the Pisces constellation by the Sun.

Or maybe it’s more simple… “Pesce d’aprile” (April fish) stems from the fact that an increase of young fish is noted at this time of year and the young fish are easily “hooked”!

An ancient joke in Italy is that of the announcement made by Buoncompagno from Florence in the XIII century when he promised to fly over the town of Bologna with a machine he invented on April 1st. The whole population gathered to see the flight, which actually never took place as it was a trick.

As the name hints, the most common prank involved in Pesce d’Aprile is to affix a paper drawing or cutout of a fish onto the back of an unsuspecting victim. Then, everyone else asks if anyone has seen “April’s fish” – when, of course, the victim doesn’t know he or she is the one they’re talking about. Although this may be a bit old-fashioned today, taping a fish onto someone’s back is still something Italian children do.

The first gelato of 2021 for me. This is a big treat, but at the time I was near Badiani and I just cannot resist their Buontalenti flavor. No other Buontalenti is as fine.

Trust me, this is no April fools! It was absolutely delicious!

This modernistic apartment building in the western end of Florence, along the Mugnone, shows that architects sometimes really understand that people like to grow stuff. These balconies all have planters embedded in the design.

For the past five springs, during the time I’ve been so lucky to be living in Florence, I’ve seen this spectacular shrub or vine or whatever it is and wondered what it was. Was it in the rose family? I’ve seen it vining through the most spectacular locations: over walls, through lattice, draping over fences.

On a recent walk through a tony section of Florence, I was able to get up close and personal with the flowers shrubby thing, and to get some decent pictures of the blossoms.

With this closeup and my trusty PlantNet app, I could finally get to the bottom of my query: it is obviously the Jasminum mesnyi. Now how come you didn’t know that?

Wikipedia has some information:

“Jasminum mesnyi, the primrose jasmine or Japanese jasmine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Oleaceae, native to Vietnam and southern China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan). It is also reportedly naturalized in Mexico, Honduras and parts of the southern United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona) [and I can personally attest that it grows in Florence].

“Jasminum mesnyi is a scrambling evergreen shrub growing to 10 ft tall by 3–7 ft wide, with fragrant [the ones I’ve seen are not fragrant, believe me, I’ve sniffed any I could reach] yellow flowers in spring and summer. The form usually found in cultivation has semi-double flowers. It is not frost-hardy. With suitable support it can be grown as a slender climber, though in confined spaces it will require regular pruning.

“Jasminum mesnyi has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.”

Ugh! So, since I can’t leave my home, I am traveling virtually. Come with me for a visit to the French chateau and gardens of Marqueyssac. Thanks Stephanie Jarvis!