The vigorous celebrations of Pasqua and Pasquetta in Italy -- Easter and the Monday after Easter -- are as much a part of the season of renewal as any of nature's predictable proclamations. 

It's a time of awakening. Vibrant green spills over the Italian countryside almost overnight as if a heavenly saint spilled a bucketful of paint from above. New growth wriggles from bare grapevines announcing promise of bountiful new wine in the fall, while silvery olive trees shake awake under the mindful pruning of their careful masters. It's life...new life in a new season!