Family Reunion . . . Italian-American Style

Together at last

U.S.A. and Italy...

all one family!

Relatives from Italy...big Italian-American picnic today...Myrtle Beach tomorrow...one week in a beach house with five families...ciao, ciao!

(Thanks, Laura, for Haiku Friday.)

What's a Garden Gate to do?

Dear Joey,

You know that rusted garden gate that I purchased for $5? The what-in-the-heck-are-you-going-to-do-with-that-rusty-thing gate? The one that has been sitting in the garage all summer waiting to be used for some project?

Also, you know that bare wall over the television cabinet in the rec/entertaining room?

Your loving wife has been busy...look what a little imagination, a little spray paint, an old picture frame, and a lifetime of collecting postcards can do.

And don't worry. I didn't create any more nail holes...the gate is just propped.

Bacioni, Bia

P.S. This December the postcards can be switched to Christmas cards!

The Kindness of Blogging Friends

In the middle of a busy day I checked my email to discover that my blogging friend, Ellen, sent me this photo with the following words: I snapped this, and it made me think of your boys.

Three trees...a big one, a medium size one, and a small one...how perfect is that?

And how nice is that? Grazie mille, Ellen!

Love Is In the Air

"I never, ever want to have a girlfriend," announced Timothy, age 5, as we were driving home.

"Oh. Why not?" I asked, curious.

"Because I just want you . . . you're my mom," he replied.

Be still, my beating heart.

The Way It Is

dusting
cleaning
washing baseboards
wiping ceiling fans
rearranging furniture
hanging pictures
yardwork

Why? Because my aunt, uncle, and cousin will be arriving from Italy next week. The fact that they are staying at my parents house and that, after two days, we are all going to a rented beach house together (thus leaving our own house empty for a week) has not stopped the cleaning frenzy. This is how I was brought up.

Family Visiting from Italy = Massive House Cleaning

I know (and I do really, really know) that no one will be looking for dust bunnies under the refrigerator...but still.

You see, it's all about La Bella Figura. My Nonna taught me well.

What not to do when Mom and Dad are out of town

Stick your finger in a wiffle ball.

Watch your finger double in size as you try and try to pull it out.

Wait half an hour before seeking help.

Thanks, Nonno, for the rescue!

Summer Survival 101

-tell boys to put on swim trunks
-provide them with buckets, sponges, soap
-park family van in driveway
-place every trash can from house in driveway
-give instructions to wash family van and all house trash cans
-lock back door
-have delicious, frothy cappuccino...ignore any and all knocking on back door.

I Want Rocker Hair

Well, I'm back...and I can still hear.

Seriously, the Aerosmith concert last night was a lot of fun. It was held at an outdoor arena and, while we sweated gallons, at least my eardrums weren't blown to smithereens.

Here are some of my observations:

• I like ZZ Top's fuzzy guitars...coordinates with their beards.
• $5 for a can of soda is ridiculous. Really. We brought our own, thank you very much.
• People with layers of belly fat shouldn't wear bikini tops.
• I didn't embarrass my son too much with my dancing.
• Those Aerosmith guys are in good shape (Steven Tyler, age 61; Joe Perry, age 58). Really good shape.
• And they have great hair.
• I want rocker hair.
• I want Joe Perry's hair...white streak and all.
• My husband thinks Joe Perry's hair makes him look like a skunk.
• Okay. I want Joe Perry's hair minus the white streak.

I don't know...I think it would make me gain weight in my sleep

It's Hip to be Square

This Wednesday my husband and I are taking Nicholas, our eldest son, on an overnight trip to Atlanta to see Aerosmith in concert.

It's a long story, but the only way we were going to let our son go to that concert was if Mom and Dad went with him.

Now, despite what my sons may think, I am hip. Really. I have seen Elton John, Paul McCartney, and even U2 in concert. And just to cover all musical genres, I have also seen Ronnie Milsap, the Osmond Brothers, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Beach Boys.

But, honestly, the last concert I attended was Barry Manilow.

So I am feeling a little out of the loop . . . I mean, can I wear my Dansko clogs, blue jeans and a tank top to the concert? What about a sweater tied around my shoulder? Too preppy?

Sigh. Being hip is hard work. Or do you say cool? Or is it totally rad?

Whatever.

The Truth Comes Out

"Nonnno says he can sleep with his eyes wide open," announces Nicholas.

"I think Nonno is pulling your leg," I reply.

"Actually, I can do that," says Jonathan. "Sometimes, when I am altar serving, it's like I regain consciousness and the homily is halfway over."

Thoughts on the Priesthood

A fellow blogger recently left a comment wanting to know how I would feel if one of my sons were to become a priest. Here is part of my response...

A few months ago I attended a luncheon when the subject of the priesthood came up. During a momentary lull in the conversation, I happened to mention that nothing would thrill me more than if one of my sons decided to become a priest.

To my surprise, most of the women present looked at me as if I were crazy; in fact, many were truly horrified. It’s a lonely job; it’s too demanding; what about grandchildren; and he will be sent to a parish far away were some of their reactions.

Now, some of the women weren’t Catholic, so I understood their objections. But what really puzzled me were the reactions from the Catholics present.

Some of the women came from large families, so for them marriage and children were of the utmost importance. But John Paul II pointed out that we are called to serve God in different ways: some of us serve through the vocation of marriage; some serve as dedicated single persons; and some serve through a religious life.

What is important to know is that all of these ways of serving are vocations, each noble in their own right.

Then, because our church is run by man, there have been mistakes, and some of the women couldn’t get past the negativity and scandal of recent years.

But there have been some incredible changes. For a young man to go through the lengthy process of screenings, psychological tests, and interviews shows that the priesthood is something they really, really want; in fact, all the young men I know who have been recently ordained are remarkably confident, intelligent, and spiritual. They bring with them a blend of spiritualism and exuberance that really connects with people of all ages.

Recently at our friend, Pablo’s, ordination we sung a hymn called The Summons. The first verse of the song begins with Jesus asking us what we would do if He called us by name to serve Him:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown?
Will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

These words bring me to my point. As parents, my husband and I strive to give our sons the gift of our faith, but if God should call any of them to serve Him further, how could we deny the strength, purity, and love of such a calling? How could we deny the good that could come from our son serving another in Christ's name?

When a newly ordained priest celebrates his first Mass, two special gifts are traditionally presented to the parents: to his mother, he gives the manitergium, or the cloth that was used to wipe the holy oil from his hands during ordination; to his father, he gives the stole that he wore when he heard his first confession. These items will be placed in their hands when they die, making it known that they are the parents of a priest.

So, how would I feel if one of our sons should answer God's call to the priesthood?

Truthfully, when I look at my sons (ages 5, 12, 14), the thought makes me laugh hysterically...they are about as un-priestly as you can get.

But, if one day...maybe...perhaps...well, I still say I would be thrilled.

After enlightenment -- the laundry

one wooden window found in an antique store...leftover checked fabric as backing...rusted tin leaves and hearts attached to fabric with glue gun...shelf made from leftover corian from kitchen counter...

the laundry room: sorting through life one load at a time.