Holy Smokes... The Russians are coming!!!

As I meander over the memory banks...

For some reason I stumbled over an old memory of elementary School...I have written before about the sacrifices my parents made to send us to a "Good Catholic School" ..

And let me tell you.... we were often reminded of those sacrifices so you better step in line, or else.

Or else what?
Well you see I think I am probably one of the last of the generation who's parents put an all out,

"Do as you will" power into the hands of our teachers.. in my case

.....Dun .... Dun... Dun...

"The Nuns"

* In all fairness to "The Nuns" this unlimited power was not only theirs.. it could be your Aunts and Uncles.. Neighbors.... Store Managers and Clerks even an older cousins could get away with whacking you one if you were doing something wrong..Basically if you were a kid in my day,You had zero rights.. anyone bigger or older then you could discipline you or at the very least tell your parents and they would do the job...

But the religious folk... Nuns and Priest... Card Blanche.

The funny thing is... In those days ... just about everyone was on the same page as to what was right and wrong...

Now days.. Try to tell a parent that you witnessed their precious child do something wrong.. and will either get

"Oh No... my little angel would never do that.. he/she knows better" or..

"If he/she was involved ... it was probably because of _____________ (fill in the blank of trouble maker kid) my lovable child was mislead by this awful creature"

Ah Huh... I see..

You are even more likely to get

" Mind your own damn business."

.. Nice....

But...I digress...

Where was I..... Nuns...

One Nun in particular who was notorious in our school.. and from 1st grade up...EVERYONE knew .. you did NOT want to get... Sr Mary Breakyourkuckles. So deep was the fear of getting this particular Nun, that when fall rolled around and we had to go to our school and look up our names to see what teachers we had... I almost wet my pants when I saw that I had indeed, pulled the short straw.. and would be heading for the chain gang that was her class.

The fear of God was put into you by this short, stern looking woman... looking back she may have only been in her forties but to us looked ancient.

She was your stereotypical Nun.. who walked up and down the rows.. ruler in hand...watching your every move.. especially during tests.. She may have been slightly over 5 feet tall... but let me tell you ...the sound of her rosary beads clinking up behind you would make the little hairs on the back of your head stand up...

Yet... I had witnessed another side of Sr M BYK as well... hers was the only class that had geraniums lining the entire length of the windows.. even in winter with the plants near the heaters, the smell of geraniums wafted throughout the room.

( Even now that smell brings me back to the fourth grade) Sometimes I would catch her looking out over those plants with a slightly less stern scowl on her face... Once as she was watering her plants I think I even heard her softly humming a little tune..( no doubt a hymn)

One day after we had an Air Raid Drill... for those of you too young to know what that is/was. It was the entire school assuming the position.. that being .... two single file lines.. out into the hall up against the walls heads down.. No talking what so ever....left hand down with forehead resting

on it... right hand covering the back of your head... presumably to protect you from the entire ceiling collapsing on you, and killing you.... THIS, was the ingenious plan to save our lives... ummm. well ....it was a plan...

Anyway.. after one of these fun wet your pants with fear activites... When the all clear signal was given,our single file lines marched back into the class to resume our mundane tasks of the day.

A few Moments later Mother Superior came into our room ... like jack knives we all stood at our desks and welcomed her in unison..." Good Morning Mother Superior"

Now this Nun...

ironically the one with all the power.. was as sweet and gentle as a lamb... I loved her...

"Good morning boys and girls.. I have come to congratulate you all on the excellent job during our Drill.... Well Done".....

"Thank You Mother Superior"

..... We had proven that we were God's Good Little Soldiers,at the ready if those Nasty Russians ever dared set foot on American soil... armed with our rosary beads and scapulars.

Just as Mother Superior was going to leave the room... she turned to Sr M BYK and said something ... I don't know what ...perhaps even a Private inside joke meant only for nuns,and it doesn't matter because ... like the Holy visitation at Fatima... suddenly the Sky's opened up .... and miracle of miracles Sr M BYK smiled...

Pause for moment of reflection......

She smiled...

everyone ... stopped what they were doing.. some even dropped their pencils, as they witnessed one of the rarest events known. An actual smile from the most respected yet feared Nuns of our school. As I scooped up my jaw from the desk... it dawned on me that not only did she smile.... she looked LOVELY... truly lovely... why oh why didn't she do it more often?... Oh thank you Mother Superior! ... Thank you for helping us witness an almost holy event....I swear I could almost hear a choir of angels singing in the background.

But nothing lasts for ever..and with the swish of her habit and clank of her beads, Mother Superior disappeared as quickly as she had appeared... As the door shut.... the heavenly choir stopped and the smile was gone instantaneously...

Sr M BYK looked embarrassed, almost as if we had seen her without her Wimple. ( Don't think I didn't spend sleepless nights wonder was she looked like with out it...)

As if to divert our attention to what we had just witnessed.

Sr M BYK went into horrifying detail about what life here would be like if those sinful Russians were ever able to attack us... we learned that they had

"THE BOMB"... and that at any time... when we least expect it, they could drop it on us..

" Are you ready for heaven?" ....

" If today was your last day... would Jesus welcome you, into heaven?".. "Or would would be going .... Down There?" .... "Yes children we live in perilous times and we must always have a clean soul in order to be deemed worthy of everlasting life in heaven with Jesus and Mary"

I could barely keep my uniform clean..let alone my soul.. I wanted to believe that I was going

"UP" and not "DOWN" ... but I had a little brother and sister ... and they weren't making it very easy for me in the Being Good department.

The bell rattled us out of our fear induced coma... Recess..

Normally, I would cherish Recess, only it was freezing out there. So I dawdled as long as I could...usually not a commendable trait... but today it paid off..

" Marcella... you and (B) can help me take some of my plants over to the convent" (B) happened to be my best friend ..

and we both looked at each other in total shock.... could this really be happening..have we been asked to set foot in a LITERAL .... NO MAN'S LAND.. known as the convent....???

"Well ....hurry up you two.. before I find someone else to do it"... Carrying 2 plants each we made our way to the Mother house.Not far from the school.

Just about everyone on the playground stopped what they were doing... to witness me, (B) and Sr M BYK enter through the side convent door... I was shaking, not so much from the bitter cold... but with anticipation of seeing what so very few had...

The entrance lead directly into a sparkling clean kitchen... sparse and immaculate.. we followed Sister into an adjacent room where a lounge of sorts could be seen... we were told to wait there...

The cold air still enveloped us,as we looked all around us...taking in all the details. linoleum floors sparkled, two leather couches, two Large arm chairs ... modern plastic chairs in a semicircle , a ping pong table? ... and small table with a deck of cards in a clear plastic box... a few pictures of Jesus,Mary and some other unknown saints, the only other thing that filled the room was a large bookcase crammed with all manner of books...but wait.... there next to one of the couches.. and on the table as well...... An Ashtray???
WHAT??????
Before we could react Sr M BYK and another even older nun came and took the plants from our hands...

" You run along now" and "Thank You for your help".... "Do you want us to carry them for you sister?".....

" No No... Sr Dinosaurdust will help me... you get along "

And THAT.... was that... we were ushered out the door... dazed at the mere fact that we were granted access to this place... but to have witnessed something so odd... so out of place...as an ASHTRAY??? at the convent?...

Once out on the playground everyone huddled close to hear what it looked like... ON THE OTHER SIDE...

We discribed every detail... and everything was fine... until we got to the part about the ash trays... The thought of nuns playing ping pong... while a bit disturbing... was nothing, compared to the visual one had of a nun smoking...

The kids basically laughed at us and said we were crazy... that they were probably used for some special holy incense...

Ummmm ... listen... I know what a Winston Cigarette looks like... that was no special holy incense...

It didn't matter that the kids thought (B) and I were crazy... we had been where so few had gone..We were the chosen ones... and like so many chosen ones in the bible... they too had been laughed at and mocked... but we knew what we knew..We had been touched...

lets face it... Having to teach kids like us...

I don't think even God could blame those ping ponging nuns a cigarette now and again..

H.W.M. *Stella*

H.W.M

*Stella*

It's hard to believe but already I have another H.M.W. entry.
Today's Entry is about Stellllllllllaaaaa !!!!!!!!!!



I know.. it's not like she hasn't heard that a million times..
Some schmuck doing their best Street car named desire imitation. I of course was one of them... at least after I got to know her better,because frankly, she intimidated me a bit...
I don't recall the exact year I met Stella, but I do know it was at a Book Club meeting I had just joined.
I knew some of the women from the afor mentioned Bible Study.. but even with a few familiar faces, there were still alot of new personalities in the room.. mine being one of them.
I don't remember the book but like all the books we read... after the general questions are answered a open forum of "opinions" starts.. and what I do remember was, that Stella gave hers..and in no uncertain terms...
Wow .... here was a gal that was letting it all hang out... No ... B.S.
This would prove to be her M.O.... she didn't pussyfoot around.. if she liked it she would tell you.. and if she didn't she'd REALLY tell you.. and why.
I remember thinking... Holy Hot Cakes... I better be careful of this one... she's liable to call me on my assholery.
I was a tad unsure of how to read this woman.. on the one hand she "Looked" like a nice enough gal.. but her sharp wit and willingness to tell it like it is..... could prove unnerving.
It wasn't until the same weekend with Lori .... that I REALLY understood what she was about...
We all shared alot of personal stories, all of which I truly believe shape who we become as people.
I could see that her life was not always an easy one, and that the tough exterior masked a deeply soft and caring interior...
My gosh.. all this time I thought I was dealing with a Lion... and instead I found a Lamb.

Strangely that quality of "Whoop there it is...." that I could count on from her was only secondary to her SHARP wit... She is sometimes so freaking funny in her observations that you can't help but laugh..
She likes to figure people out.. "Poeple intrigue me" is a reoccurring phrase with Stell, and she means it... she will usually have someones number in no time flat.
Someone who started out at an armslength away... has now become a dear dear freind...
On her special day ... I can only wish her a Happy Birthday.. but I also want to tell her how happy I am that we have become such good friends...
We have shared alot.. My father's passing.. her sister's passing... long talks about our childern, and conversations in general of life and it's ups and downs.
She's a smart one... that one... and you can count on her to give you the real deal.
She doesn't fool me anymore... She's the biggest softy you could ever have the honor of knowing...
She's not a bad Bedmate either..
Happy Birthday Stell...
Kiss Kiss... Hug Hug.. and all that mushy stuff.

Another Great Thanksgiving !!!!!

Well... Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving...

I know we did.. In fact I thought I would share with you some of the fun times that were had by all at my Brother and Sister in law's House..

After showing you my sister in law's picture from last year.. I thought I'd better update for this year..

I tell ya.. the girl keeps getting younger and younger looking every year... When I asked her to show me the bird... well.. I can't display the first picture I took of her doing that...

My Brother even helped out in the kitchen this year...

Well... At least his heart was in the right place..

I also decided to take a group picture of some of the guests this year...They are one rowdy group for sure....

Any event at their house is sure to be a hit.. Fun, laughter, stabbing with forks..and of course,the wine flowed pretty freely...

As you can see that it affects people differently..

My sister and I helped with the dishes ...

I am on the left... She is on the right..

I am kwik... she is eezy.... You would often find this adage on the bathroom walls at school.. how they ever knew... I just can't say..

Then some of the gals started to practice for a game of Wii.

It's really a fun game... It limbers you up for sure...

But let me tell ya.. by the end of the night... I was all in... Mr R.. snapped this of me before I could protest... I was ready to hit the hay...

I thought about maybe getting up early for the shopping frenzy... but let's face it.. somethings are just not worth it..

Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one !

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!

Gosh I just love this old Thanksgiving postcard.. You you get it??..(Turkey... Dressing )

Cute... NO?

I am writing this a little ahead of time, only because, it is a very hectic time.. (And I am not even having Thanksgiving at MY house !)

But I did have Thanksgiving for years and years... Frankly I am very glad not to have to do it anymore... Not because I don't like the holiday.. No in fact it's a holiday devoted strictly to food, and gratefulness for it's abundance. What's not to like?.. it's right up my ally.

But it is a bit stressful for the hostess... so much has to be done, in preparation, and not just the food.

*You must the clean house.

*You must pull out the bazillion extras... tables,chairs,napkins,forks,knives,spoons,dishes,glasses, the 15 platters and bowls you normally never use. etc.

*You must elbow your way in every grocery isle, along with every other woman in your town.

*All of us with list in hand.. and dazed appearance on our faces.. searching desperately to remember if we have everything we need.

*Then comes the day it self... Up early to "Dress the bird" and prepare all food items.

It's a hurry up and wait kind of day...

The turkey will be in the oven for hours yet, so much still has to be done before your guests arrive... Once they do arrive there seems to be a all at the last minute effort to get everything on the table at the same time... and hot..

Only to have it be over in minutes..

Yet it is in these frantic moments ..with others helping you get things together.. where alot of the fun really is.

Even though I haven't had Thanksgiving in quite a while, I still love it . It is truly a day of Family.

Our mish mosh group this year will include alot of Family and Friends, from all over the board. Sadness that some ...who we want at the table, can not be there. But Gratefulness for those that are.

To my loved ones that cannot be with us... You know how much I love you.. and know too that I will be thinking and praying for you this special day.

I will be thinking of my loved ones who have passed as well... Though their absence has left a giant gapping hole in my life, I am grateful for everthing they ever did for me.
This truly is a wonderful day...

To be blessed is one thing... To be GRATEFUL for those blessing is another.

Happy Thanksgiving

Oh.. and I thought I would include a picture of my sister in law Nancy from last Thanksgiving!

Isn't she cute?

Counting My Blessings

Yesterday on her way to school, Maria had a fender bender.



Those of you who have known me for a while are particularly aware as to why this has such an effect on me.

The sound of your child's voice on the line, crying, barely able to get the words out.. "Mom.. I had an accident" but......." Everyone is ok..."

You don't really register the second half of the statement because your brain is still on "Mom I had an accident"

Now when they are 2 and they say this it's one thing.. but when they are driving a car... totally different thing.

I am SO GRATEFUL... that everything and everyone is ok..

A car can be fixed or replace... a Person cannot.

I sometimes wonder if I will ever NOT worry.

I tend to think I am outta luck in the not worrying department.
Maria found this video, that evening... and every time I watch it, it touches my heart so much. Especially at this time of the year,it reminds us of how much we have to be grateful for.

Thank You God ... for watching over my girl... Thank You God, for watching over all of us.



Warning....
This will bring tears to your eyes..

Excuse me.... Do I know you ?

A Brilliant Idea....

I am always thinking of things to write about here... and frankly some days... it is a little dry in the imagination department....but as I sat here... mulling over possible topics... it came to me in a flash... (Idea flash) not Hot flash....

I should write about various " Friends"...... Muahahahahahaha...

My take on the memories of how we first met.. Cool .. huh?....
( Why are you backing out of the room slowly... come back here !!!!...)

I will write MY version ..... and let's face it... it could be very entertaining..especially for me.... so whaddya say... will you let me?

Would you like to volunteer????

I won't use your name( unless you are a glutton for punishment) only the First letter of your first name....
Let me tell you I already have some Preeetttty funny stories that I could tell...and I promise on my honour as a FIC.... I will not be TOOO brutal with your delicate egos....
Mull it over.... let me know via E-mail,comments,Phone or carrier pigeon....
I Really think this one could be a hoot....

*(Thank You Lori... For being my first victim/volunteer.)

Now I need to hear from the rest of you Yahoo's

Chaaali say......

( ALL HAIL CHAAALI.. KNOWER OF ALL !)




I just love the way my Mamma and Mr R communicate...
We had just finished eating... They stayed back in the kitchen having a piece of pie and coffee.
I moseyed along with some freshly laundered sheets, to be put on our bed...
As I am wrestling with the fitted sheet, I hear bits and pieces of the conversation being held at the table... He, shuffling papers for tomorrow's big meeting out of town... She, staying at the table (THINKING) she is doing him a favor by making small talk.
He is so good with her.. He has the patience of Job.

"So whatta you tink for alla dis problemas wit da cars?" ...

"I think Ma.. that Congress better get it together, because they can not afford to let them go under"

" Hmmm " I heara a da news... Chaali ( Charlie Gibson... aka her news touchstone) say.. dey gonna helpa..."

He takes the time to really explain things to her AND listen, all in a way that makes her feel important,that what she has to say has meaning.
I fold my last hospital corner and I think... Isn't that what we ALL want... to feel like what we have to say has meaning?... That who we are makes a difference.
I joke alot about "Opinions" but we still want ours to be heard ... Don't we?..

Yes .... these too have come a long way... If you are reading the MarcellaCinderella Series that I have been posting.. you may get the vibe that perhaps she wasn't too keen on Mr R in the beginning, when we met... but in her defense, I will say .. it wasn't HIM... so much as it was ANY MALE.
Oh how the winds of change have blown!... She has taken up sides with him in just about all manner of issues...
Mr R walking out to get the paper....



"Why you no pick uppa da paper?"


"I don't even read it... why would I even THINK of going out in the freezing cold to get it?

"Coffee's ready !!!!"




"Why you no fixa him a cuppa coffee?"



"Ummm I just SAID.. coffee is ready.. do you want me to drink it for him too?."




"Hon can you put these towels in the linen closet on your way to the bedroom?" ...




" No No!!!!.. I puta away"... (grabbing the towels from my hand)




"Why you aska him to puta away.. he worka harda all day anow you aska him to do da houseworka too?...." * BLINK *BLINK....
The scary part is.... she is serious...


If there is a dispute of any kind... she will almost always side with him..
I.. her flesh and blood.. have no voice when it comes to matters of who is right and who is wrong... with out question... 9 times out of 10 she backs up Mr R!
Quite honestly... I wouldn't have it any other way...
They love each other in such a sweet and tender way.. I know I am lucky ...
In the mean time... I will sit back .. and listen to these two solve all the worlds problems

MarcellaCinderella Part 5

It took a couple of hours but I finally came back down to earth..

My entire encounter with Mr R was almost too much for my brain to handle... long into that night I replayed the events of the day in my head... almost like an old reel to reel tape player.... thoughts played over and over in the theatre of my mind....Some made me smile .. some made me grimace.

( A habit I have not been able to break)

The true test would be in school.. I would see if it was just a fluke that he seemed so nice.
I did see him at his usual table.. but he had gotten there before me and his back was turned.. after lunch instead of standing outside his class like he usually did .. he went directly inside... What the heck?
For the next few days it would seem that fate was playing a cruel trick on me... and our paths were not crossing at all.
The times I did see him in the hallways he would be walking into classes or talking to friends.. never glancing up at all..
A couple of days later,I had tryouts for a choral concert after school and I saw him walking away from his band locker( My choir class was right next to the band room so this encounter was legit)
There he was getting into a car with not one... not two... but three girls !!!!! Can you say PLAYER !... ugh !
I wanted to cry... One girl was from the band... and was down right FUGLY.
The other two I will call the Lolitaluscious Sisters..Stacked to the Max,Friendly and Frisky... ( they almost looked like twins but were a year apart... and had the reputation of being shall we say... very accommodating to gentlemen folk)
That was that... I figured he must be THAT guy... You know... the one that would pretty much try a little of anything put in front of him ( speaking in metaphors here...)..life was pretty much his smorgasbord.
Truth be told..... he was quite the hottie. I could see why the girls would dig him... I know I did.
He could have just about anyone he wanted... From the cute girls in the woodwind section to the cheerleaders at the football games...
I was going to do my thing and TRY to forget all about him... What made it worse was he and (M ) were still going over to ( C's) house now and again.. It made me want to cry...
I'd get on my bike and ride...anywhere ...everywhere.. A couple of times I even waved at them as I headed out... acting like .. oh hey ... how ya doing.. sorry got so much to do. So many places to go....Acting like I could care less was really taking it's toll on me...( Man no wonder I was so much thinner then) ...

The school year pressed, on and even my lunch hour would change to accommodate my new semester classes, it was getting easier and easier not to run into to him in the halls...
I was feeling preetttty good... After all I had my posse of girl friends and we got into our own brand of innocent shenanigans...
When out of the blue...
I hear a knock at my door... There in the front of me ... In the Flesh... stood Mr R and his trusty sidekick (M) ..
I didn't really know what to say.. I was dumbstruck that they had come to MY house... usually they were across the street.. alone or as a pair..
(M) says.."Yeah.. we went over to (C's) but she's not home"
Now I was in a pickle... I didn't know how Mamma would react to these two hooligans coming to the house.. but so far..she had not come out on the porch ... Miracle of Miracles!
I felt a mixture of strong feminine power... and ... you know that weird crampy feeling you get just before your bowles blow... that was the other feeling..
Suddenly I was the queen bee holding court.. the only problem was.. I didn't really know what that meant, or how to use this new power...After all .... I had TWO boys sitting on my porch talking to me... These kinds of things just didn't happen to me.
So we did what they would have done on (C's) porch..we sat and talked. and talked.. and talked.. I did notice Mamma poking her head over the plastic plants near the doorway... but she didn't say anything...
Was the moon in the seventh house??? Had Jupiter aligned with Mars?
She wasn't saying anything.. so neither did I.....all was going swimmingly until frickin frackin (C) came home...
She skipped over when she saw the guys sitting on my porch... well it was fun while it lasted.
Next thing you know (C) invited everyone over to her house...
A voice from somewhere within the plastic plants says... (In Italian) " Non ti Muova"
" DON'T YOU MOVE.!!!
"Uh... you guys go ahead... uh.. I got things I have to do".... and they were off...
I knew it was too good to last...
Mamma didn't say much...... Poor Mamma at age 28 was chaperoned by family until the day she married my Dad.. ( someone she barely knew).
So the idea of TWO boys sitting on her porch, in front of all the neighbors and the entire world,talking to her daughter probably fried a few circuits in her brain.. To her credit she did not blow a valve... due in part to the fact that she was in just as much shock as I was over what had just happened. She was in new territory here, and would have to confer with Pa over today's happenings.


To Be Continued :

H.W.M * My Nephew (L)

H.W.M.
My Nephew (L)
It was eight years ago today... I was so busy because I was having everyone over for Thanksgiving Dinner ( This is before your Mom, God Bless her... took over Thanksgiving by having IT and your birthday)
I love her for that...
I got a call from your Papa.. he said.. I don't think we are going to make it to dinner... He said your Mom was having contractions.( those are silly little movements babies give their Mom's to let them know they are ready to be born...it's that nice of babies to do that.....ummmm) anyway...
Even though I was kinda tired trying to get ready for Thanksgiving... NOW, that I knew you were coming..... I was really really excited... cause now I was going to FINALLY be a real Aunt..
I have other kids in my life that I love very much too.. and they have called me Aunt Marcy for a long time... and like I said... I love these kids very much.. but I wanted a real real niece or nephew.. someone who shared the same family as me....

All the other people who were going to come to Thanks giving were very excited to know you would be born soon... and we could barely eat... All your Nona's and Nono's where at the hospital waiting and waiting for you to be born..( Nono Giuseppe had not gone to heaven yet.)
Everyone was so happy even though they were missing out on Thanksgiving dinner...
I mean ... Come on... you were much more important!
I was at home because I still had company over... but I think they could tell... I really really wanted to be at the hospital too... I think they felt sorry for me because before you know it.. everyone helped me do the dishes and clean everything up... Uncle (M)'s Mom said... you go ahead and go to the hospital... I was soo Happy !!!! All the people at my house wanted me to come and meet you..

Before I left I decided that I would surprise everyone there waiting for you with a Turkey dinner... everyone helped me pack up the entire dinner... everything ! Turkey,Mashed and Sweet Potatoes, Stuffing, Cranberries, Gnocchi, ( Hey we ARE Italian.. you have to have Gnocchi at Thanksgiving right?) and of course Pumpkin Pie... all of it was loaded into picnic baskets and put into the car...
We even had a Little collapsible dolly to stack everything on.. and brought it up to the floor that the babies were being born on...


By the time we got there.. you had already been born... OH MY GOSH.... everyone was so happy they were crying... Crying in a good way .... not bad... we were so happy to finally have you in our lives....So many waiting to welcome you into the world..

Everyone was Tired, Happy... and Hungry... so in the waiting area ,I spread out a nice tablecloth, and put all the food out for those who had missed it at our house...I know they all thought it was worth missing dinner... to meet you.

So you see..Thanksgiving is such a spacial day for me... it reminds me of you... even though your birthday doesn't always fall on the actual Thanksgiving day every year... I am always reminded of how lucky and Thankful I am that you were born...

Celupa.. you are my little turkey.
(L) you were loved even before you were born... isn't that the greatest thing to know.... even before we knew you were you... we already loved you...
Happy Birthday...
I Love You

AUNT Marcy

You have an Ass...Use it any way you want......

This is an indirect "That's my Mamma" story...

It shows basically that people do not change.. and you can never stop people from their opinions..

( That is why I just love the phrase on my side bar... )
Opinions are like asses (holes)... everyone has one. How true... How true.

Mamma telling me the story of old time Italy...

The only way you could get from one town to the next was by using your ass... literally...

Your donkey...

Folks living in the mountains or in neighboring villages would leave their homes early in the morning in order to arrive at the Central large town in order to trade their wares...

Eggs, animals, cheese, vegetables, fabric etc... whatever one had in abundance would be bought and sold at the market.

After a long day buying and trading each one would start for home usually a pretty long trek.

If one was lucky enough to HAVE an ass, they would certainly use it to make their travel light.

Sometimes... if you were fortunate and perhaps bought a little more then you imagined... filling the side bags or baskets making them very heavy.

Other times..when things were bad... You went back home with nothing sold... side bags,still very heavy..

Thus the story begins...

A husband and wife pack up their ass... they have been fortunate and made good deals with the surrounding towns people.

The prices were good.. and many a bargain was made... the poor ass is laden with the abundance of the days purchases...

The husband and wife must travel a long distance to reach home... it is a hot day... and they like many of the other town folk walk along the same path home...

As they walk along... One person says... Look.. look how selfish that woman is... her husband has worked all week in the fields and on the farm.. while she was at home, tending only to household tasks... he has broken his back with labor and yet she does not think to have him ride on the ass, instead she sits upon it like a queen. such a shame...

The wife overhearing the things being said... jumped down from the ass and said to her husband... Dear.. you have worked so hard all week.. your work is much harder then mine... You sit and rest your weary body...

The husband smiles and agrees... He IS tired.. and relief from this long hot walk home would be nice... Although the wife gave up her place willingly... the real reason she did what she did was because of (People and their opinions...)

Not far down the road ... another set of travelers see the man on his ass.. and mumble amongst themselves... What a barbarian... Look how he sits upon his ass .. while his poor wife, mother of his children, who works so hard, often getting up well before her household to prepare for the day.. yet he sits proudly without regard to her comfort... Shameful Shameful man.

The husband heard what the travelers said... embarrassed to be seen as uncivil or uncaring says to his wife... Dear wife.. you too have spent long days working, keeping our home,caring for our children. Why not join me here on top of the ass... that way we will both have relief from this long hot road.He kept in mind (People and their opinions)

It was not long and people on the road looked at the two riding on their ass... and made no bones about how awful it was... that BOTH husband and wife would ride on this poor beast.. so burdened with the days goods and now both people as well...and in this heat !!!... how harsh and cruel to treat the animal this way...

Without saying a word.. both husband and wife jumped off their ass.. feeling the sting of the stares of others.. .. hearing what others had to say... they took into account( People and their opinions)

The sun now beating down on them, seeing they are not too far from home... Husband and Wife walk solemnly along side their ass... and as they start to enter the town... they hear the laughter of some of the people nearby... they point and say.. Look how foolish.. these two have an ass.. an animal whose job it is to help lighten the load.. and instead they walk along it, holding it's reigns... what fools they are, for not taking advantage of what they have...yet again more people ......( People and their opinions.)

So you see...

The moral of the story is......no matter what you do in life... along the way.. you will come across all manner of people who are more then willing to give you, their opinions..

That and .....

You just can't please people. So use your ass any way you want to.. and leave the People to their opinions.

Hope..... One Way

I went to our newly opened Home Goods store..

basically a TJMaxx /Marshalls type establishment... and while I generally love all that kind of stuff.

I was, I must say a little perturbed and disturbed.

I don't know if it was the 6 ft Victorian Santa that greeted me at the entrance, with his fine cranberry colored robe and porcelain face.. or just the mass quantity of goods in general.

Mind you all of it was lovely in it's own right .. but somehow this year.. Christmas, I have a feeling, is just not going to be the same "Happy Time" it usually is...

For me personally it is partly due to the fact my son and his girlfriend will not be home for Christmas.But it is more than just that.. There is a general sense of melancholy in the air.

I know in the past I have bitched and moaned about how hard it is to get it together during the holidays.. but somehow we always do.. the gifts get bought and wrapped, the tree gets trimmed,the cooking and baking gets done and the the season somehow does become Merry.

This year... This year...

something really is askew... I find myself turning news radio off all the time ,I find I must do this in order to somewhat tame the knot in my stomach, that has made it's self at home. (the mere fact that I am listening to news radio should say something!)

The gloom and doom particularly in our State of Michigan is beyond comprehension.People I know and love have been and will be impacted by all that is going on in the Automotive field.. either directly or indirectly.. it truly is a trickle down of negativity.
For anyone reading this that is not from Michigan... They may think this current crisis does not effect them.. believe me... if not sooner.. it will later.

I try to be as positive as I can ..and generally I am a The glass is half full type person. But lately, I look at all the faces of emptiness and sadness around me.. and hear snippets of conversation...

"My dad will lose all his health care benefits, I don't know how, but he will have to pay out of pocket"

"I heard they lost the house... They were there one day... gone the next"

"We don't know how to tell the kids there won't be very much for Christmas this year"

"You know. So and So's husband hasn't worked since May"

"Her son was called back for his third tour of duty.. and will not be home for Christmas"

"She has Cancer..."

All so depressing.. NO ONE is impervious.

It can happen to any one of us.. regardless of how stable we think we are ,no one should be so haughty as to think it couldn't happen to me..
While trying to put all this dreariness in perspective.. I will try to keep in mind, there are alot of good people out there.. helping as much as they can. I think it is often at times like these the the very best in people come out.

Knowing that I have such wonderful family and friends helps me stay positive. Their love and support wrap around me like a warm blanket.I always say...

"Nothing good lasts forever".... ( enjoy and cherish the good times)

"Nothing bad lasts forever".... ( believing this will get you through the hard times)

Knowing that with all it's problems.. I still live in my opinion , in the best place on God's green earth.
History has shown us to be a nation that pulls ourselves up by the bootstraps and does what it has to do...
I have hope that in the coming year things will start to work themselves out... that a New Year will bring new hopes of better times to come...

I have to believe it... or I will go crazy...

In the mean time... I say a prayer for all those facing difficult times.. mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually. Those who are facing illness and dealing with the loss of a loved one.

So, If you are reading this and I know you personally...... or if you got here by googling Salami Day.

Just know.....I have you in my prayers...

Excuse Me.. But do I know You??? *Lori*

H.W. M

*Lori*
Lori will be my first Victim/ Guinea pig on what I am calling.... HOW WE MET

As I have said... I thought it would be fun ( at least for me) to give MY rendition of H.W.M.
It may or may not have a few embellishments... simply to be used for your discomfort.... Like it or not.... if you are my Friend you already know I am prone to do this to you anyway... (Some of you more then others !! ) so sit back and enjoy....
Late 1990's

Bible Study.
Topic: Women of the Bible.
I know some of you are already laughing and finding the irony in the fact they even.let me IN a bible study... and to that I say... SHUT UP before I smite thee...
The group is rather large.. after all this is all kinda new to all of us... You know...
"Cradle Catholics "Finally opening a bible.. and finding out all the stories of those woman with the funny names...an eye opener indeed...
Lust

Greed

Lying

Cheating

Backstabbing
Cutting off peoples heads.. and RED TENTS
Hmmmm......... not much has changed with women ....well except the Red Tents...

I am late as usual... and as I scan the room ... I know and sit next to the gal that is facilitating the program... I see we have a few newcomers. We are all asked to introduce ourselves and give a brief run down of why we were interested in this study...
( I being the smart ass that I am... say...
"OH...I am not here for the Woman's Bible Study... I thought this was the AA meeting")
Facilitator:" Very funny... let's get started...."
No humor.. that one..
I focus on a few woman but mostly on the new one in the corner.... The one almost trying to curl up into a ball when it is her turn to speak... her face flushes crimson like a little kid... she looks to be about my age.. and I do remember seeing her in church with her family.... In my mind... I had dubbed them "THE TALL ONES"...
That name would soon change... at least for Lori...( She soon became Maid of the Mist )
I know.. it's not nice... but no one ever accused me of being nice.....
I was curious about her.. she seemed nice enough.. but ST. SALIVA !!!!...
Speak already... the chick hardly said a word.... and of course if you know me at all..
I am ALWAYS intrigued with people who don't feel the need to talk all the time...
It's kinda like a crazy science project to me... Actually I find it quite freaky.... anyway
I had her in my cross hairs/ I mean.. I was watching her in church and as it turned out her family started to sit a row or so in front of us...
Then it happened... because I took more of an interest in her.. I picked up her major quirk....
She was a CRY (ER)..... not just your average cry (er)... she was an all out "Maid of the Mist"
cry (er)......... Thus the name.....
Every baptism, Communion, Prayer for the sick... Prayer for the dead.... Prayer for the teachers.. Prayer for the students.... Pray we get outta here on time....
Amazing grace event that took place in that church...
it was/is like clockwork.. so when the priest said..
"Today we are going to pray for all of our Married couples, could you all please stand up"....
* Mine of course wasn't there... he was home getting breakfast ready ( out of guilt I am sure at not coming)
I squirmed with anticipation.. no sooner did he get the first few sentences out.. it was like witnessing a launch at N.A.S.A.......5-4-3-2-1.... and HUSTON...... we have flood.....
ahhh...... Just like Clockwork........
There they stood holding hands looking at each other....laughing and crying at the same time...
J.. wasn't much better then Lori... repeating their promise to love each other always...
I was getting all ferclemped... I would have to find out more about this one...
This one had soul...
This one had depth
This one had feelings... (that I could make fun of.....!)
WOW that was rude... but true.. I would use this diabolical discovery to Teased her mercilessly... And I did... I got to know her really well after an impromptu "Girls" weekend in Traverse City... IN JANUARY !!!!
By the BY........Who in their right mind goes to Traverse City in January?....
It worked out fine... I got to know Lori alot better.... after all... it's Traverse City .... In January.... you tend to stay inside ALOT...... The Book of questions, Pizza, and Adult beverages helped us all CHILLLLLL... and all get to know each other better......Although we were not BED MATES.... (Shame) ..That same weekend I got to know a couple of other Gal Pals ....(Their turns are coming....Muahahahahahaha)
She took it like a regular Biker Chick.... and I have loved her ever since...

*( I NEVER trust anyone who can't laugh at themselves.... It sends off an signal in my brain.............. "DANGER.. DANGER... WILL ROBINSON")

She took in stride and has even given it back... Sometimes I don't even recognize her from her former self........Now you can't shut the girl up... even if it IS thousands of miles away in a Damp Boring ,Gotta walk every damn place ya go.....Non Bra wearing country...
Lately it has had to be....Iming over the Internet..... which actually is a riot....
I have always said "We meet the people we meet..... for a reason..." and I believe that with all my heart....
Lori has been such a blessing in my life....
She has shared so many of her hopes and fears and has taught me so much....
She reminds me that it's OK to be gentle... It's OK to cry....
She'll be one of the first ones at your side if you need anything.... and laugh at even your stupidest jokes...( Not that any of my jokes are stupid... I'm just saying....)
So Lori... In the words of that famous icon.... Virgina Slim....
" You've come a long way baby"
I am glad I took the time to find out about you.... but am more.grateful you took the time to get to know me too...
I am glad you are my friend....
Love Ya more then my luggage...... Honey Bunny...
Oh and ... Happy Birthday.....

Not too Shabby... But not so Chic.

Madge Rockin it.....

A certain someone I know....( Some one near and dear to me who cuts Hair )

Just went to the "Hard Candy "concert...

While I do not HATE Madonna.. I do not Love her either...

I will say this much, she will definitely go down in the history books for many reasons.

One being... Damn.. she looks good for 50..

But then again anyone would who works out 15 of the 24 hours in the day would....

From what I have heard and seen.. she does not have an once of body fat... and that might be admirable in some circles.. Ladies.. let's face it... it ain't reality nor is it healthy...( Helllooo can you say osteoporosis?)

So I give her credit not only for her Buns of Steel, but for all the hard work that has gone into the making of the "Madonna Product".

We "Real Women" cannot and should not hold that body type up as perfection... cause guess what.... Hot bod or not..........Everyone has their " BAD DAYS"

Madge... in the real world.

Scary... I tell ya....

I'm Baaaaaaccckkkk......

While I am poorer for it, my computer is back, up and running..
Oh viruses how I hate thee... I asked the "Computer Dude" how this could happen when my computer had security settings all on, he said that new viruses come up all the time, and if the system doesn't recognize it right away it can get embedded in your system...and slowly make your computer act up.
Friends..
Viruses of ANY kind are not fun... or cheap... I am hoping that with the new
"Computer Dude" security system.
A highly recommended program call Spysweeper .(Apparently it is all the rage with computer nerds)I should be all set.. let's hope it works.
Nothing new or earth shattering went on in my absence.
The usual domestic niceties Laundry,Toilets, Bills, and cooking...
I was also able to get more reading in.. Our book club is currently reading
Those who save us.
The link provides a brief synopsis of the book.
So far it is really a good read.
I admire good writing, especially of novels.. I think it is amazing how a good author can put the visual pictures in your head simply with the words they use.
It is a gift I wish I possessed.

In other mind numbing triviality... Got my hair cut and colored. Yeah !!!
My hair is so thick and coarse I could wrap up the cuttings and sell them as a pot scrubbers.
From there Mamma and I got our eyebrows and moustaches done...
Yes it's a sad fact.. We women of a certain age.. and ethnic background,not only reign in the propensity of growing a uni brow.. we must tame the wild beast that is our upper lip.
To make matters worse.. I have a small mole near my bottom lip... and if I don't have these 3 hairs pulled, I begin to resemble, Witch Hazel The method we use is not plucking or waxing.. but Threading. I tend to think it last longer.. and frankly the way it hurts when she plucks my special little fellows near the mole.. feels like labor pains...
I semi dread these visits to the local Indian Beauty parlor..
On the one hand I hate the thought of all that pulling of hairs...But the relief I feel at not being mistaken for Marcello the brick layer is so worth it..
As I got up I noticed there was a woman in the chair next to mine who to my horror was getting her entire face threaded... * BLINK * BLINK
Can you say medal of honor....
They should be handing out morphine capsules at the door...

While I am a bit persnickety about hair above the waist... This time of the year
I give the hair on my legs a nice winter break...
At this point of the season.. the hair on my legs.. get a reprieve... once the first leaves start to fall... hair on the legs stay there... I simply weave lovely corn rows until spring ... when they are then unfurled and chopped off by machete.
Ahhh the joys of being a woman...

Well then I think we have covered all the Topics
Computer Issues

Housework Completed

Book being read

and Important Hair removal information.
And you thought it was gonna be a boring post...
Glad I am back?

Due to Technical Difficulties.....

Hello faithful readers....
As I mentioned ....
My computer is on the fritz... I was able to pre-post some of the things you are seeing and was using Maria's computer, but her computer seems to be acting funky now too....so....... I am not sure how long before I am up and running.
I stopped by the library to return some books and post this to let you know what was going on...Hope to be posting again soon..Keep checking..
Thanks..
Marcy

P.S.
Lori..
In case I am not up an running on your birthday..
Have a great one...
Love Ya.

Land that I love......

I was born in Italy...
If you know me personally, you will already know that little tidbit. I now live in Michigan,again info you may or may not know..
I always thought it was interesting to note that both places I have lived,and are so important in my life are............ in the shape of outer wear.























I know I know.... I have too much time on my hands to think about such things.

But you must admit.. it is a interesting observation.


Italy





As you can see..it is in the shape of a boot... a very fancy boot (note the fancy ruffles on top)You may have perhaps noticed it looks like it is kicking a deflated soccer ball..
Being from Southern Italy.. and by most accounts the best part...* Cough *Cough.... right Nancy?

The region I come from in Italy is Calabria ... and the town Compora San Giovanni ,it's that small little bump that looks like a corn
or bunion. In all sincerity it really is one of the most beautiful parts of Italy one could find.
The beaches are still relatively unspoiled and only in the past few years have vacationers even found this beautiful spot.The ocean is to the West and the mountain my parents were born on ... to the East.
















The other very important place in my life........



Michigan


Again.. one must note that the state looks just like a mitten...albeit a mitten with a rabbit jumping over it.
(At least that is what it looks like to me) Hopefully everyone knows that Michigan has two peninsulas Upper and Lower.. Again.. I am of the lower peninsula..thus the Southern region... once again finding myself in the best possible part. I luck out somehow that way.
I now live in the burbs West of Detroit...Yo Yo Yo.
I have thought about how lucky I have been to have ties to both these places.. Italy of course is a dream land.. beautiful weather, wonderful food, art, history,boccie balls and the pope.
It's history and heritage is the stuff that T.V. commercials are made of.
Think of Italy and you either think of Milan and Models, Rome and Religion, or Sicily and the Mafia. ( although we all know there is no such thing as a mafia * cough * cough)
It really is a country filled with a diverse set of cultural images.I love them all... even the stinking skinny models..


Michigan too has many of it's own preconceived notions...

Detroit.... Murder City.. yes it has had it's fair share of gruesome crime scenes, what big city hasn't?.. and our now defunct Major did not help it's image much either..However....Detroit, is a great and historical place... From Cobo Hall, The Renaissance Center, Eastern Market, and so much more.. but for most people when they think of Michigan they think of the Motor City The Auto capital of America.. and it is indeed that.. even though the auto industry is not perhaps the mighty powerhouse it once was in it's glory days.. The undeniable imprint of Ford, GM, and Chrysler is EVERYWHERE..
Ford's Glass House, The Giant Uniroyal tire, The looming Rouge Plant, and so many other plants as well, that once pressed on in a daily rhythm , have now slowed to a crawl (some closed permanently)(My greatest wish,is that things will turn around for everyone.. AN SOON ! )


But Michigan is also home of MOTOWN records. Stevie Wonder, The Supreme's, The Jackson Five are only a few of the unbelievable singing groups to come out of Detroit.
The Great Lakes, U.P. Uppers, to Ann Arbor intellectuals ( and Pseudo intellectuals)Wolverine Football.
I feel fortunate to have been born in such a charismatic and warm country as Italy... I did not spend a lot of time living there....yet my heart is pulled to this country, not only because of all that it represents.. but because of family still there.
How is it, you can only on occasion call and talk to someone you know very little about personally, and yet feel so close to them..
It is called Blood,and no not the A+ or B- type ... I am talking about family.. they are you... you are them.. that's the pull to Italy.
America.. specifically Michigan. is Home. the place that my transplanted roots have now taken hold of... Where I work, shop, and play... where I live... and most likely ,where I will die.
Here the pull of family is even greater... these are the ones who truly know you and love you in spite of it.
Yep.. I am glad I can call both places home.... I am glad they are easily identified on the map.. and most of all I am glad I don't live in Montana



Sorry but that place reminds me of
Richard Nixon's profile...

The Sweet Hello, The Sad Goodbye

P.F. Chang's for lunch Saturday Afternoon
(Oh Sweet Sushi how I love that place!) We celebrated my Father and Sister in law's birthdays.His was in September hers in October, but because she was out of town for both,we decided to celebrate them together when she came back.
She is in town this week only,and is tying up some loose ends before she leaves for a YEAR in England to work... ( I am about ready to give England the finger... first Lori.. now... Mick.what up?)

Cake and Ice Cream at our house afterwards.. It was good seeing her after two long months of only emails and phone calls...
A little while later, over coffee ... Mr R , Mick and myself were reminiscing about old times.. some funny some extremely sad..
We marvelled at how so much had changed.Her new job... M2 and M moving to North Carolina also for work, and at how many family members we've lost in the past few years (The number is far too high.) Nothing stays the same... Every move away from home or with each person's passing a little bit of us went with them.


I remember at an Aunt's Funeral, the priest asked if anyone wanted to share or say anything.
The entire room squirmed... so many wanted to share how they felt about her but found it hard to put into words how we felt.
I sat in my chair holding a hand crocheted tablecloth, that had just been given to me by a relative, ( She gave it to me to give to Mamma) as I gazed down on it... it was incredible to see how much work went into the making of this beautiful gift... long hours were spent with a very small crochet hook.. and lots of thread.
When one looked at it up close.. it looked like a bunch of individual lines here and there.. but... looking closer a at it...something started to emerge. One loop hooked into another.. what seemed like a large hole... more loops.. and so on...
Only when the table cloth was on the table.. or unfolded and held up to look at.
THEN ......the true pattern would be revealed. Then endless loops and holes made the most beautiful web of snowflake like patterns... what seemed like gaping holes were in reality what was holding one flake to another. This gave me a little inspirtation...
Somehow I got up the nerve to speak..and said in a shaky voice first how lucky I felt to have know such a wonderful woman.
(Hers was the house we lived in when we first came over... one of the most unselfish people I ever knew) all the important things she did for us and all the love she gave.. then I thought about the table cloth on my seat.. and compared it to our lives.
When we look at it up close .. it all looks like a nonsensical loop and hole kind of thing... but in reality each loop could represent each person and life we touch.. we think there is no pattern... but each loop( Person)is just as important as the next.. one connects to the other.. much like we all do... and when one of us leaves, for another place either to live and work, or in death, it breaks up that pattern and leaves a giant gaping hole. We don't see the beauty of it until we have a different vantage point.
When you look at this beautiful tapestry of life.. then it all makes sense.. and even the holes are there for a reason.
I always say... "We meet the people we meet...for a reason.." If I know anything at all it is this.

We may not always have them in our lives for as long as WE would like.. but then we aren't the ones doing the weaving here.
We are only the loops... or in my case the (fruit loop)
Maybe that's why I am so sensitive about people I love moving away from me....
I... NO.... LIKEY...!!!!
So ....
Lori
Mick
M2 & M
(mango too)
Go where you have to go... and do what yo have to do.. but remember... someone here is thinking of you all the time... and missing you alot... and ready with open arms for your return.
Gaaaaahhh now I went and got all mushy on you....
I'll try not to let it happen too often...

I had to unplug my computer and take it in...

Don't even get me started on how traumatizing that was...The back of the tall thingy.. I think it's called a tower... more like a tower of terror, with all those wires and such....oy vey.....
The computer started acting a bit Wonky... with all kind of Pop Ups, in spite of having a Pop Up blocker..
Needless to say it was quite an adventure darting around all those lovely Ads.....and no I do not want to see naked women free.. (I do that already everyday when I shower and frankly I am not impressed.). and golly gee I don't really need to find out more about that new little blue pill that helps him "Go All Night Long" .. unless they are talking about painting or other home improvements in this ad.. I am not interested...

Before things really got out of hand... I knew I had to take it in and have a professional look at it.

All I know is how little I know... I actually wrote down the order in which I unplugged things and the list went something like this..

Light gray thingy on left

Black thingy on right

Periwinkle plug w latch on right

Unscrewed long black switch in middle

Yellow pull out job next to other unscrewed long black switch..

Don't worry it's all very technical.. you wouldn't understand..

I am NOT very computer literate. Poor Maria has basically had to........ (like a 2 year old ).. walk me through the very basics of computer knowledge.The fact that I now know how to copy and paste should win me a Nobel prize.. (Or maybe it's Maria who should win for teaching me.)

I am marching on in hopes that I can at the very least keep up with this mechanical menace. This thing that I both Love and Hate at he same time..

It is great that I have learned how to IM.. ( Instant Message) if you are online and I see you ..you know darn well I am going to IM you.. ( No wonder so many of you have been going with the stealth mode)...

My friend Lori and I have fuddled our way into learning how to IM using audibles.. Now THOSE are a gas.. little icons that say funny things,and with the push of a button they can be added to a typed conversation ..all in real time, they add just the right touch.

We have even gone as far as to use our web cams.She is in England I am here in the U.S. of A.. and yet there she is on my computer screen,hair damp from her daily walk to town.. (It rains a lot there) I in my worn out Pajamas... looking like something the cat dragged in.. One time.. she inadvertently hit a button and suddenly I could hear her... Freaked me right out... it sounded like she was in a tunnel but still... (Of course she doesn't know how she did it... and we have not been able to reproduce the event)

The bad part of this whole thing .. is the time it takes away from things I SHOULD be doing..

rather then live in the real world .. if I am not careful hours have past in the virtual world. Not so good if you have a household to manage.

All in all.. this whole computer thing has been a positive thing. I didn't even know what a Blog was not so long ago.. Now having one has been a fun way to keep track of thoughts and document stories that might otherwise go unheard.

Once to get information on any given subject .. one had to to physically get in the car and go to the library. Now in nanoseconds anything and everything is at your fingertips.. Amazing times we are living in.. that is for sure.

In the mean time.. until this thing can scrub a toilet, bring in my groceries, and actually make a meal.. I still have a job.

*P.S. say a little prayer that the computer isn't too bad off...