To the Editor:

«Εκoύνησε την ανθισμένη μυγδαλιά/με τα χεράκια της/κι εγέμισε από άνθη η πλάτη, η αγκαλιά/ και τα μαλλάκια της.» “She shook the blossoming almond tree/with her little hands/and her back, arms and hair were covered with flowers.” – from a poem by Georgios Drosinis/English translation by TNH).

What a great description and picture! This poet presents … the tree with the little girl. The almond tree is the first tree to bloom in spring and symbolizes the love and beauty of spring.

In this area, at the end of Nea Filadelfia, at Kokkinos Milos [Red Mill], my house is nearby. Years ago, a landowner had planted an area of about 500 meters with 100 almond trees. Every year in the month of March, the almond trees bloomed and when I had time to walk I went there, to walk under the almond trees. It was as if I was in a blessed place, and walking under the almond trees I felt as if I was on another planet, or as they say, in Heaven.

In Greece, almond trees are planted in many squares and parks and it is a feast for the eyes when you see them in a row or all together in bloom.

Its fruit is used in many recipes, spoon sweets, various toppings, in pies, cookies, chocolates, and breads.

This song was sung by my father and he had learned it when he was young in the choir of Kavala in 1912 – as well as many other songs. He had a great voice.

Thank you very much.

Yours sincerely,

Varvara Koutaliaga Moutos

Asheville, NC