…the fragrant yellow Mimosa tree native to Australia whose clouds of clustered of bright yellow pom-pom flowers are the first sign of spring in the Italian landscape, is already in full bloom out in the back garden – probably since it is protected in a warm little micro-climate by the massive Aurelian Wall that surrounds the American Academy – well in advance of the March 8th Festa della Donna (the holiday of women for which they receive Mimosa flowers from the men).