06 May 2012

snail relocation program

Snail Relocation Snail Relocation Snail Relocation Snail Relocation Snail Relocation


After the downpour this Saturday, Young One and one of her best buds found quite a collection of snails in the gardens out back. I encouraged the girls to collect the garden pests, and then we instituted a "Snail Relocation" program to a nearby roadside ditch. I wonder if my basil will be better off as a result or if just as many snails remain in hiding in my small plot of land. At last count, the girls collected over 80 of the slimy critters, who were  relocated (using my kitchen bowl) with the utmost care under the first light of the super moon.

Just a side note:  I learned that I have been using, incorrectly, the word "lumaca" for a snail with a shell, when, in fact, the correct word is "chiocciola."  A "lumaca" is the little slimy creature who lives without the shell. Nothing like having  a pair of second graders to keep my Italian vocabulary in line.

Snail Relocation

7 comments:

  1. Oh my! If you liked snail, there would have been a feast last night.

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  2. I was with you. I'm off mind that in Sicily we called them le lumache and they def had shells (and were eaten). BUT I am not Italian or Sicilian, so what the heck do I know! Hope your basil improves. Buona Dominica!

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    1. I'm just going on what the girls said, neither of whom is Italian, either. However, since they are daily immersed in the real deal at different schools, I'll take their word. I have a feeling it's used "incorrectly" frequently by native speakers as well... or is a nuance the two girls haven't detected. I intend to ask around...
      D

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  3. Ciao Dana.
    Actually, they are right:
    shell = chiocciola, no-shell: lumaca.
    But everyone calls them (shell or not) lumache anyway. :)

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    1. Yep. Young ONe is usually correct with these things. She is a little sponge and is learning a great deal in Italian school :)

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  4. Wow! A very serious snail relocation project...hopefully those workers of yours will be able to maintain the program. Always amazes and angers me to see what kind of damage snails and slugs can do. They may move slowly, but boy are they destructive. Sending your basil some hearty wishes in their battle against the lumacha/chiocciola :)

    Speaking of gardening. Have you ever read "The $64 Tomato"? I think you would like it. Happy gardening!

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  5. oh ... well, bleahhh!!!! :)
    I'd totally missed this!

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