Spring Blossoms in the North Lagoon

The white blossoms along the left bank of the canal are on wild scrubby little trees that produce, I am told, small plum-like fruit every other year. The fruit lacks enough flesh to make it edible, but is soaked in grappa to lend flavor to the alcohol.

Today was the holiday of Pasquetta, the "little Easter" that follows the high holy day. A day free of church-y obligations; a more intimate holiday--of immediate rather than extended family, or of friends--traditionally celebrated with a picnic in the countryside, if you live in a town, or out amid the lagoon, if you live in Venice. You can read more about it here: http://veneziablog.blogspot.it/2015/04/a-little-easter-on-lagoon.html.

This year, for the first year I can remember of the five we've lived here, low clouds vaguely threatening rain diminished the number of boats out. But we were lucky to be out on the lagoon yesterday, when the above image was taken.