The history of British fashion in the past 100 years in 100 seconds.
Many thanks to Cathy for sharing this.
PS: Okay not sure what happened here but this should look better -thanks Debra for pointing it out.
03 settembre/September - San Gregorio Papa
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Not Your Usual Biscotti
Three years ago this coming October we were in Berlin and visiting the Island Museums; I mentioned at the time that I found the Bode the most interesting of the lot particularly their Renaissance collection. Late last week I was reminiscing about that trip and going through pictures that I had taken on that visit. 
I also unpacked a box of books and came upon a little book that had a serendipitous if slightly tenuous connection with a few of those pictures. The following February we spent a few days in London and at my friend David's suggestion spent a glorious Saturday morning at the V&A basking in their new Medieval and Renaissance wing. And at their bookstore I picked up a fascinating little book: Renaissances Secrets by Jo Wheeler. It contains all sorts of wonderful - you guessed it - Renaissance Secrets. Illustrated with rarities from the V and A collections it includes recipes and closely guarded secret formulae for a myriad of concoctions once used to create medicines, cosmetics, printing materials, even
amulets meant to ward off the plague. Lip balm, rare paint pigments, stain removers; they are all there as are, of course, aids to the noble art of love making! And just so you don't think the Renaissance was all Adoring Magi, Breast-feeding Bambini and Virginal Assumptions here's an easy to follow cookie recipe (if you can find or afford the ingredients) along with a few of the more "specialized" works from the Bode Renaissance collection.
Morsels to excite Venus.
Proven many times and which increase sperm. They do not cause any harm.
Take
*also known as "wolf's testicles" it was a concoction based on the bulbous roots of an orchid.
These biscuits apparently packed quite a punch with most of the ingredients guaranteed to excite lust, particularly the pistachios. They were known to be "wondrous for stimulating sexual desire" if fattening! But then plump wasn't a problem in the Renaissance, in fact it was thought of as erotic. Florentine apothecary Stefano Rosselli (whose recipes this is) also stocked a rub which was to be used in the event of impotence. Rosselli obviously gave the customers what they wanted - or needed!
There is one secret that Mr Wheeler doesn't divulge in amongst his treasury of formulae and concoction - he may let us in on how Venetian woman turned their hair golden but the oft sought secret of how to turn base metal into gold remains untold. Given its price on the market these days I was hoping it would be revealed - no such luck!
01 settembre/September - Sant'Egidio abate
I also unpacked a box of books and came upon a little book that had a serendipitous if slightly tenuous connection with a few of those pictures. The following February we spent a few days in London and at my friend David's suggestion spent a glorious Saturday morning at the V&A basking in their new Medieval and Renaissance wing. And at their bookstore I picked up a fascinating little book: Renaissances Secrets by Jo Wheeler. It contains all sorts of wonderful - you guessed it - Renaissance Secrets. Illustrated with rarities from the V and A collections it includes recipes and closely guarded secret formulae for a myriad of concoctions once used to create medicines, cosmetics, printing materials, even
amulets meant to ward off the plague. Lip balm, rare paint pigments, stain removers; they are all there as are, of course, aids to the noble art of love making! And just so you don't think the Renaissance was all Adoring Magi, Breast-feeding Bambini and Virginal Assumptions here's an easy to follow cookie recipe (if you can find or afford the ingredients) along with a few of the more "specialized" works from the Bode Renaissance collection. |
This lovely ivory carving is an innocent representation of Adam and Eve covering their nakedness in shame. Or is it? The look on their faces isn't exactly one of chagrin and a closer look reveals that their "communal" loin cloth can be removed to unveil heaven only knows what sort of salacious display!
. |
Morsels to excite Venus.
Proven many times and which increase sperm. They do not cause any harm.
Take
- 3 drams each of walnuts, pine-kernels and pistachio nuts;
- 3 drams each of powdered seeds of rocket, onion and knotgrass (also known as swine-grass or bloodwort)
- Half a dram each of cloves, cinnamon and ginger
- 1.5 ounces of skinned skinks (saltwater lizards) - four should suffice with heads and feet removed and ground to a fine powder
- 1 ounce of Indian nut (coconut)
- 1 dram each of long pepper, galangal, seeds of wild asparagus, chickpeas (the red variety)
- 3 ounces of diasatirion*
- A dram of ambergris
- Half a dram of musk
- 12 ounces of sugar dissolved in rosewater
*also known as "wolf's testicles" it was a concoction based on the bulbous roots of an orchid.
 |
| And it would appear that after ingesting these biscotti Venus embarked upon a rather elaborate voyage if this little "Triumph of Love" is to be credited. (A left click will enlarge the picture for a closer look) |
 |
| It would appear this Satyr is in no need of Dottore Rosselli's magic morsels - and one wonders where these naughty putti's mothers are. Shouldn't they be home in bed rather than helping the horny old bugger (litterally) in his depravity? |
01 settembre/September - Sant'Egidio abate
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Mercoledi Musicale
While I moan and whine about the move I'm pleased - a bit sadistically I must admit - to see that I am not alone in my misery. Our friends Beata, Tom and the girls are trying to get settled back into Ottawa after a long time abroad; Martin, Robert and Rufus are dealing with the first steps in moving into their new house; and Elizabeth - well Elizabeth has a great deal going on with moving into a new house, moving family and it would appear, unlike me, acquiring more things.
While our Liz is collecting more "stuff" we're divesting ourselves of things - those banquet sized linen tables clothes and matching napkins (yes I know Cathy you didn't expect that many!!!!), silverware, decanters, the second set of pots and pans, the three extra dinner services, those framed posters from the 70s and chatkas - lord help us the chatkas. How many sets of dachshund shaped knife rests does one household need??? Many things have gone to Saint Vincent de Paul and many others - including our Mexican bedroom set - have gone to an consignment house here in Ottawa that specializes in Estate Sales.
Which brings me to my musical selection for today (stolen without shame from Elizabeth): a little ditty by the wonderful Cheryl Wheeler who seems to love Estate Sales as much as Liz does. Maybe I should get them both to come up and take a look - though it isn't quite like "going through dead people's houses" they'd certainly see "all the things we've collected". Maybe either one of them would be interested in a lovely set of dachshund knife rests?????
31 agosto/August - San Raimondo Nonnato
 |
| A few - a very few - of the chatkas that have found their way to St Vincent de Paul or the consignment house. If memory serves its the tail end of the lot. Papier-mache pumpkin anyone? |
While our Liz is collecting more "stuff" we're divesting ourselves of things - those banquet sized linen tables clothes and matching napkins (yes I know Cathy you didn't expect that many!!!!), silverware, decanters, the second set of pots and pans, the three extra dinner services, those framed posters from the 70s and chatkas - lord help us the chatkas. How many sets of dachshund shaped knife rests does one household need??? Many things have gone to Saint Vincent de Paul and many others - including our Mexican bedroom set - have gone to an consignment house here in Ottawa that specializes in Estate Sales.
Which brings me to my musical selection for today (stolen without shame from Elizabeth): a little ditty by the wonderful Cheryl Wheeler who seems to love Estate Sales as much as Liz does. Maybe I should get them both to come up and take a look - though it isn't quite like "going through dead people's houses" they'd certainly see "all the things we've collected". Maybe either one of them would be interested in a lovely set of dachshund knife rests?????
31 agosto/August - San Raimondo Nonnato
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Long Overdue HFH Videos
Its been a long while since the Hounds from Hell have made a video appearance here - not because they have not been the subject of cinematic projects on my part but because I've been lazy. Well okay I do have an excuse I have been in moving mode for 11 weeks now and frankly its wearing me down.
I though I'd post two little clips - one is BC - Before Canada and the other AI - After Italy.
The journey from there to here was a relatively good one - a little bit of excitement at Fumicino as Nicky tried to attack anyone that came near his cage - they weren't going to take him away from his homeland without a fight. Nora was a little more placid but complained in her own inimitable way. And for anyone who wasn't aware they flew in the cargo hold of the aircraft: a. - They are too big to fit under the seat and b. I don't believe in animals (or children) in the cabin of an aircraft. And no we didn't give them any tranquilizers - 33 years experience in the airlines taught me the dangers of that, so we simply put a used bit of worn intimate apparel from each of us in each kennel. That way there was a familiar smell. Believe it or not it is the best way to calm an animal in that situation.
They were fine upon arrival and despite some whining made the car trip up to Ottawa with their Uncle Pervy without a problem. Our dear Betty Jean - to whom be all honour and glory - took them in and they had a wonderful time at Summer Camp Culley. Even Nicky's attempt to claim - in true canine fashion - her sofa as his own, or at least a lower corner of it, didn't seem to phase her -she remained calm, cool and... well Betty Jean, then and through the whole 3 weeks she had them.
As for the new apartment - well much is still in boxes so free reign is not possible and the geography of their current area keeps changing as boxes are moved around, wine is stored and pictures hung. But there is always the daily walks along the Canal - three a day, sometimes four - with new smells and squirrels! Oh yes there are squirrels and as you may recall Nora's lineage is firmly in the hunting hound world - her mother is a champion boar hunter - so on the odd morning the neighbours have been treated to a full hunting hound howl. And at 0630 it tends to echo very distinctly across the water.
The future holds some obedience lessons to see if we can get them both socialized a bit better with other dogs and maybe turn Nora's hunting frenzy to a more practical bent. And then, of course, there will be their first walk in the snow to look forward to - now there's a thought to give me nightmares for a few weeks!
30 agosto/August - San Fiacre
I though I'd post two little clips - one is BC - Before Canada and the other AI - After Italy.
The journey from there to here was a relatively good one - a little bit of excitement at Fumicino as Nicky tried to attack anyone that came near his cage - they weren't going to take him away from his homeland without a fight. Nora was a little more placid but complained in her own inimitable way. And for anyone who wasn't aware they flew in the cargo hold of the aircraft: a. - They are too big to fit under the seat and b. I don't believe in animals (or children) in the cabin of an aircraft. And no we didn't give them any tranquilizers - 33 years experience in the airlines taught me the dangers of that, so we simply put a used bit of worn intimate apparel from each of us in each kennel. That way there was a familiar smell. Believe it or not it is the best way to calm an animal in that situation.
They were fine upon arrival and despite some whining made the car trip up to Ottawa with their Uncle Pervy without a problem. Our dear Betty Jean - to whom be all honour and glory - took them in and they had a wonderful time at Summer Camp Culley. Even Nicky's attempt to claim - in true canine fashion - her sofa as his own, or at least a lower corner of it, didn't seem to phase her -she remained calm, cool and... well Betty Jean, then and through the whole 3 weeks she had them.
As for the new apartment - well much is still in boxes so free reign is not possible and the geography of their current area keeps changing as boxes are moved around, wine is stored and pictures hung. But there is always the daily walks along the Canal - three a day, sometimes four - with new smells and squirrels! Oh yes there are squirrels and as you may recall Nora's lineage is firmly in the hunting hound world - her mother is a champion boar hunter - so on the odd morning the neighbours have been treated to a full hunting hound howl. And at 0630 it tends to echo very distinctly across the water.
The future holds some obedience lessons to see if we can get them both socialized a bit better with other dogs and maybe turn Nora's hunting frenzy to a more practical bent. And then, of course, there will be their first walk in the snow to look forward to - now there's a thought to give me nightmares for a few weeks!
30 agosto/August - San Fiacre
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mercoledi Musicale
When the great castrato Giovanni Carestinti first sang the role of Ruggerio in Alcina he was not pleased with the aria Handel had written for the Crusader hero in Act 2. Charles Burney recorded the singer's displeasure and the composer's reaction:
Sutherland sang Alcina on stage in Venice, Dallas and London but to the best of my knowledge Berganza only appeared in it once - at the 1978 Aix-en-Provence Festival. It was a banner year for Aix and I saw Janet Baker in Dido and Aeneas conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras; Don Pasquale with Gabriel Bacquier; and Christane Eda-Pierre, Ann Murray, Valerie Masterson and my beloved Teresa in Alcina led by Raymond Leppard. The weather that year was perfect, Aix was at its most festive, the food was incredible and the music... as I said it was a banner year. And if it had been sixteen years since Berganza recorded "Verdi prati" the passage of time had only enriched her performance. Fortunately it was preserved on video for French Television and I am able to relive that magical experience.
Ruggerio, a crusader knight, has fallen under the spell of the enchantress Alcina, who turns former lovers into rocks, trees and wild beasts. Brademante (Ann Murray in this clip), Ruggerio's beloved, has disguised herself as a knight to gain access to Alcina's magic island and attempts to save the knight. He is given a magic ring which restores him to his senses and he sees the island as it really is—a desert, peopled with monsters. Appalled, he realizes he must leave, and sings "Verdi prati" ("Green meadows") where he admits that even though he knows the island and Alcina are mere illusion, their beauty will haunt him for the rest of his life.
While going through a box of programmes in an effort to get rid of "stuff" I discovered the rehearsal shot of Berganza neatly tucked into the book from that year's Festival. It brought back memories of that summer and a magical evening of music under the stars in the courtyard of the Archbishop's Palace. The programme and the photo went back into the box - how could I rid myself of anything that brings back such happy memories?
24 agosto/August - San Bartolomeo
Verdi prati, which was constantly encored during the whole run of Alcina, was, at first, sent back to Handel by Carestini, as unfit for him to sing; upon which he went, in a great rage, to his house, and in a way which few composers, except HANDEL, ever ventured to accost a first-singer, cries out: "You toc! don't I know better as your seluf, vaat is pest for you to sing? If you vill not sing all de song vaat I give you, I will not pay you ein stiver."It is a deceptively simply aria, basic ABA, with very little opportunity for the florid ornamentation that Carestini was famous for. But its very simplicity makes it a challenge for any singer. I first heard it on a recording - I think possibly the first LP I ever owned - issued by London Records back in 1962. Looking back now I realize it was a pioneering effort as very few of Handel's operas were consider saleable quantities at that time. No doubt London recorded and released it at the insistence of Joan Sutherland who was one of their brightest stars in what was one of the starriest list of operatic voices on the planet. London was not stingy when it came to casting the other roles - Monica Sinclair, Graziella Scuitti, Luigi Alva, a very young Mirella Freni supported the slightly droopy - not many consonants in sight - Australian diva and as Ruggerio the incredible Spanish mezzo Teresa Berganza. I fell in love with Berganza from very first listening and my favourite track was "Verdi prati" - I'm sure I drove my mother up the wall playing it over and over again.
 |
| A rehearsal photo of Teresa Berganza as Ruggerio in the 1978 production of Alcina at the Aix-en-Provence Festival. I found it while going through a box of old programmes that had been in storage. |
Sutherland sang Alcina on stage in Venice, Dallas and London but to the best of my knowledge Berganza only appeared in it once - at the 1978 Aix-en-Provence Festival. It was a banner year for Aix and I saw Janet Baker in Dido and Aeneas conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras; Don Pasquale with Gabriel Bacquier; and Christane Eda-Pierre, Ann Murray, Valerie Masterson and my beloved Teresa in Alcina led by Raymond Leppard. The weather that year was perfect, Aix was at its most festive, the food was incredible and the music... as I said it was a banner year. And if it had been sixteen years since Berganza recorded "Verdi prati" the passage of time had only enriched her performance. Fortunately it was preserved on video for French Television and I am able to relive that magical experience.
Ruggerio, a crusader knight, has fallen under the spell of the enchantress Alcina, who turns former lovers into rocks, trees and wild beasts. Brademante (Ann Murray in this clip), Ruggerio's beloved, has disguised herself as a knight to gain access to Alcina's magic island and attempts to save the knight. He is given a magic ring which restores him to his senses and he sees the island as it really is—a desert, peopled with monsters. Appalled, he realizes he must leave, and sings "Verdi prati" ("Green meadows") where he admits that even though he knows the island and Alcina are mere illusion, their beauty will haunt him for the rest of his life.
While going through a box of programmes in an effort to get rid of "stuff" I discovered the rehearsal shot of Berganza neatly tucked into the book from that year's Festival. It brought back memories of that summer and a magical evening of music under the stars in the courtyard of the Archbishop's Palace. The programme and the photo went back into the box - how could I rid myself of anything that brings back such happy memories?
24 agosto/August - San Bartolomeo
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Its Only Words
A few months ago I discovered a weekly posting at The American Scholar by writer, journalist, editor, literary critic and, most importantly in my opinion, teacher 
William Zinsser. Though to the best of my knowledge he has never addressed the subject of policies and procedures I was introduced to him during a Procedures Writing Course several years ago. The professor insisted he was a "must read" for anyone planning to write "anything". And what recommended him most was his insistence on the economy of language in writing. It is rumoured that some teachers even tell their students to "Zinsser"
their work (a newly coined verb meaning to take the clutter out of
their essays).
Since then his On Writing Well has become one of those books that I return to almost yearly as a reminder that "writing improves in direct ratio to the number of things we can keep out of it.'" His Zinsser on Friday essays cover a broad range of subjects from baseball (one of his great loves) to jazz, from his WASPishness to his waspishness - and you'd be hard pressed to find an extraneous word - like extraneous - in any of them.
What brought Mr Zinsser to mind - and has me eager to unpack On Writing Well as soon as possible for another (much needed) read - was an e-mail from my friend Charlie highlighting some interesting facts about writing.
Having just gone through the EU export procedures for "live" animals - heaven only knows what they would be for "dead" animals - I am going to write Mr Zinsser and suggest that a book on writing policies and procedures is long overdue. And I want the concession for sales in Brussels!
23 agosto/August -Santa Rosa di Lima
William Zinsser. Though to the best of my knowledge he has never addressed the subject of policies and procedures I was introduced to him during a Procedures Writing Course several years ago. The professor insisted he was a "must read" for anyone planning to write "anything". And what recommended him most was his insistence on the economy of language in writing. It is rumoured that some teachers even tell their students to "Zinsser"
their work (a newly coined verb meaning to take the clutter out of
their essays).Since then his On Writing Well has become one of those books that I return to almost yearly as a reminder that "writing improves in direct ratio to the number of things we can keep out of it.'" His Zinsser on Friday essays cover a broad range of subjects from baseball (one of his great loves) to jazz, from his WASPishness to his waspishness - and you'd be hard pressed to find an extraneous word - like extraneous - in any of them.
What brought Mr Zinsser to mind - and has me eager to unpack On Writing Well as soon as possible for another (much needed) read - was an e-mail from my friend Charlie highlighting some interesting facts about writing.
| Pythagoras' Theorem: | 24 words |
| Lord's Prayer (King James version): | 66 words |
| Archimedes' Principle: | 67 words |
| Ten Commandments (KJV): | 179 words |
| Gettysburg Address: | 286 words |
| American Declaration of Independence: | 1,300 words |
| US Constitution including all 27 amendments: | 7,818 words |
| EU Regulations on the sale of cabbage: | 26,911 words |
Having just gone through the EU export procedures for "live" animals - heaven only knows what they would be for "dead" animals - I am going to write Mr Zinsser and suggest that a book on writing policies and procedures is long overdue. And I want the concession for sales in Brussels!
23 agosto/August -Santa Rosa di Lima
Monday, August 22, 2011
Intentions
Today I had every intention of posting a Lunedi Lunacy however given the headline that greeted me this morning on the CBC I thought I'd let it wait for another day.
My father was an ardent supporter of the CCF party during its early days and until the day he died. He did not see it morph into the NDP party which abandoned many of its socialist leanings to become a left-leaning Centralist party but I think he would have understood the change of times and ideas. His admiration for J. S. Woodsworth, Tommy Douglas, Stanley Knowles and the early leaders and thinkers in the party was often expressed in our household. And I know he would have considered that Jack Layton, who died today after a valiant struggle with prostate cancer, carried on that legacy of leadership and commitment to the good of his country that was the foundation stone of the party.
Though I abandoned my membership in the NDP as they became more and more centrist my personal admiration for Mr Layton was profound. In a day and age when I have become cynical about almost every politician, regardless of party or platform, he was the one man I felt was honest and true to his principles. He was the one politician that I believe thought of the good of my country first. It is a tragedy that he was not able to fulfill his role as leader of the Official Opposition as I truly believe he would have defended the many things my father and his generation fought to bring into being in this country.
With the rest of my fellow Canadians I say goodbye to him and thank him for a life of service and commitment - we have not seen his kind often in the past few years nor, sadly I fear, will we again.
22 agosto/ August - Maria Regina
My father was an ardent supporter of the CCF party during its early days and until the day he died. He did not see it morph into the NDP party which abandoned many of its socialist leanings to become a left-leaning Centralist party but I think he would have understood the change of times and ideas. His admiration for J. S. Woodsworth, Tommy Douglas, Stanley Knowles and the early leaders and thinkers in the party was often expressed in our household. And I know he would have considered that Jack Layton, who died today after a valiant struggle with prostate cancer, carried on that legacy of leadership and commitment to the good of his country that was the foundation stone of the party.
 |
| Jack Layton - 18 July 1950 - 22 August 2011 A man devoted to Canada and now at rest. |
"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world."
From his final letter to Canadians.
Though I abandoned my membership in the NDP as they became more and more centrist my personal admiration for Mr Layton was profound. In a day and age when I have become cynical about almost every politician, regardless of party or platform, he was the one man I felt was honest and true to his principles. He was the one politician that I believe thought of the good of my country first. It is a tragedy that he was not able to fulfill his role as leader of the Official Opposition as I truly believe he would have defended the many things my father and his generation fought to bring into being in this country.
With the rest of my fellow Canadians I say goodbye to him and thank him for a life of service and commitment - we have not seen his kind often in the past few years nor, sadly I fear, will we again.
22 agosto/ August - Maria Regina
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Lost ... and Found - #1
The never ending, it would seem, story of the unpacking continues and though there may be some light at the end of the tunnel there isn't much in the spare room which still contains 52 boxes of CDs, books and sundries. I am assuming that things such as the cable for the printer is in one of them but until I can get the bookcases in place I can't even start to take exactoknife to tape.
Happily so far there has been very little damage in the shipment from Italy - only two broken bowls in an old dinner set - and the wine arrived intact! Would that the same could be said for things that were in long term storage - there is rather large dent in the upholstery of an armchair and the satin-finished Watered Maple dining table top has a few more abrasions, scratches and nicks than when it left the house in Aylmer. But one of the fears of any unpacking job - no matter the provenience of the packing - is that you may inadvertently leave something in the reams of packing paper and have it whisked off to the mangler at the warehouse. I was sure just such a fate had befallen two of my favourite little creatures.
Back in 2002-3 I was working in Vancouver and that allowed me to spend
some time with my friends Dan and Cameron. In those days they were
renovating a house in town but have since moved to a wonderful
waterfront home on Galiano Island in the Gulf - some people have all the luck. One rainy Saturday
(hey its Vancouver okay???) we headed up to Horseshoe Bay and after a
healthy vegetarian, organic lunch (hey its Vancouver okay????) we wandered
into The Spirit Gallery to look at the Haida art and crafts. I fell in
love with two tiny hummingbirds (7cm x 10cm - 3" x 4") carved in BC
cedar by Dorothy August. Said to bring joy and healing to a home, they have always found a place on a wall in
ours since then.
In Rome they graced the wall of the hallway leading down to the bedrooms. I had opened a box and everything from that hallway was there - two small drawings from San Miguel de Allende, a decorative hanging from Sappa, a searing political cartoon from Poland and an 18th century hand coloured print of Warsaw. And only after the box had been collapsed and paper disposed off did I realize that of hummingbirds had I none.
I looked through the discarded paper in nearby boxes - in effect unwrapping everything again - but no luck! There were 12 other boxes filled with wrapping paper but I just didn't have the time or strength to go through them all. Several people - Cathy, Mark and Laurent - assured me that I would find them, that they had just been put in another box. That the packers had perhaps overlooked them and then at the last minute put them where space allowed. I wasn't buying that story - everything else from the hallway was in the one box so they must have been. They were small and very light weight so I had missed them in the unpacking. I reconciled myself to the fact that my two little hummingbirds had been lost.
Well I guess you should always listen to your friends. A few days later as I was unpacking a box from the dining room (?) there they were. Not to be too poetic or sentimental - my two tiny birds hadn't flown away at all - they were just waiting to be found, unwrapped and to be given a place in our new home.
I'm not sure when Haida artist Dorothy August carved these two - 12/8 is written on the back in pencil which could be December 8 or August 12 but no year is indicated. She's originally from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island and her Haida heritage is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Ahusaht First Nation. According to the brief biographical note I received from The Spirit Gallery as well as cedar carvings she is know for her intricate bead-work and the Cowichan sweaters she knits.
The hummingbird has no prominence in the older iconography or legends of the Haida but has made more of an appearance in recent years. Within the constantly evolving mythology of the West Coast its character has developed into a speedy messenger of joy, love and healing. If it appears at a time of great sorrow, wings beating rapidly as it hovers in mid-air, spiritual healing is said to quickly follow.
I know their appearance amongst all that bloody wrapping paper gave me a sense of joy - and relief. They are now hovering on the hallway wall in our - and their - new home.
17 agosto/august - Sant' Elia di Enna
Happily so far there has been very little damage in the shipment from Italy - only two broken bowls in an old dinner set - and the wine arrived intact! Would that the same could be said for things that were in long term storage - there is rather large dent in the upholstery of an armchair and the satin-finished Watered Maple dining table top has a few more abrasions, scratches and nicks than when it left the house in Aylmer. But one of the fears of any unpacking job - no matter the provenience of the packing - is that you may inadvertently leave something in the reams of packing paper and have it whisked off to the mangler at the warehouse. I was sure just such a fate had befallen two of my favourite little creatures.
 |
| Two hummingbirds - carved in BC cedar by Haida artist Dorothy August - said to bring joy and healing. |
In Rome they graced the wall of the hallway leading down to the bedrooms. I had opened a box and everything from that hallway was there - two small drawings from San Miguel de Allende, a decorative hanging from Sappa, a searing political cartoon from Poland and an 18th century hand coloured print of Warsaw. And only after the box had been collapsed and paper disposed off did I realize that of hummingbirds had I none.
I looked through the discarded paper in nearby boxes - in effect unwrapping everything again - but no luck! There were 12 other boxes filled with wrapping paper but I just didn't have the time or strength to go through them all. Several people - Cathy, Mark and Laurent - assured me that I would find them, that they had just been put in another box. That the packers had perhaps overlooked them and then at the last minute put them where space allowed. I wasn't buying that story - everything else from the hallway was in the one box so they must have been. They were small and very light weight so I had missed them in the unpacking. I reconciled myself to the fact that my two little hummingbirds had been lost.
Well I guess you should always listen to your friends. A few days later as I was unpacking a box from the dining room (?) there they were. Not to be too poetic or sentimental - my two tiny birds hadn't flown away at all - they were just waiting to be found, unwrapped and to be given a place in our new home.
I'm not sure when Haida artist Dorothy August carved these two - 12/8 is written on the back in pencil which could be December 8 or August 12 but no year is indicated. She's originally from Port Alberni on Vancouver Island and her Haida heritage is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Ahusaht First Nation. According to the brief biographical note I received from The Spirit Gallery as well as cedar carvings she is know for her intricate bead-work and the Cowichan sweaters she knits.
I know their appearance amongst all that bloody wrapping paper gave me a sense of joy - and relief. They are now hovering on the hallway wall in our - and their - new home.
17 agosto/august - Sant' Elia di Enna
Monday, August 15, 2011
Lunedi Lunacy
I may have mentioned that when I switched to an iPhone back in Roman times the young man at the Vodaphone store shook his head sadly and commiserated with me over the fact that I would have to deal with Rogers Communications when I got back to Canada. I had heard so many bad things about their service that when I was setting up my systems here - home phone, internet, mobiles etc - I automatically went with Bell Canada. I've been a Bell customer off and on for over 40 years with never a problem so why should it be any different now! Right? Wrong!
I won't go into all the nonsense that has been involved in setting up fairly simple things such as voice mail and an added listing in the directory. But I've wasted upwards of six hours, left three voice mails and spoken to seven people to get it straightened out. As I came off the line from conversation number 4 I was reminded of a comedy classic by Mike Nichols and Elaine May. Coming out of the Second City tradition of intelligent observations on the vagaries and absurdities of daily life they were frequent guests on the old - and much lamented - Jack Parr show. Notice no vulgarity, no swearing - just witty jabs at those little annoyances that plague our existence.
Today Bell Canada has no faux-sympathetic Miss Jones working for them; her kindly Ma Bell tones have been replaced by the faux-enthusiastic, peppy and preppy voice of go-getters like young Kent - am I being curmudgeonly in assuming he was 15 years old? - solving problems for poor, frustrated fools like me. I'm not sure which is more annoying?
*Everyone in a Nichols and May sketch seems to live on Huguenot Walloon Drive. It cracks me - and usually the audience - up every time Mike Nichols says it. It is just one of those silly sounding combinations that hits the funny bone. But a bit of research revealed that a group of Huguenots from the Walloons first settled in New Netherlands (New York State) in 1624 and that the stamps issued in 1924 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of their landing are considered collectors items by stamp enthusiasts. I wonder if Nichols knew that or it was just a name that he pulled out of a hat?
15 agosto/August 15 - Assunzione di Maria
I won't go into all the nonsense that has been involved in setting up fairly simple things such as voice mail and an added listing in the directory. But I've wasted upwards of six hours, left three voice mails and spoken to seven people to get it straightened out. As I came off the line from conversation number 4 I was reminded of a comedy classic by Mike Nichols and Elaine May. Coming out of the Second City tradition of intelligent observations on the vagaries and absurdities of daily life they were frequent guests on the old - and much lamented - Jack Parr show. Notice no vulgarity, no swearing - just witty jabs at those little annoyances that plague our existence.
Today Bell Canada has no faux-sympathetic Miss Jones working for them; her kindly Ma Bell tones have been replaced by the faux-enthusiastic, peppy and preppy voice of go-getters like young Kent - am I being curmudgeonly in assuming he was 15 years old? - solving problems for poor, frustrated fools like me. I'm not sure which is more annoying?
15 agosto/August 15 - Assunzione di Maria
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Return of the Prodigal
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| Gustave Doré - The Prodigal Son Returns (and no that isn't Nicky and Nora running to greet him!) |
Our darling Blake - Uncle Pervy to the HFH - made two trips to Dorval to pick up, first, the HFH and myself and then, 10 days later, Laurent and has provided chauffeur service on several occasions. Rick and John provided me with luxury accommodation and good food for well beyond the three days that is the acceptable olfactory period for guests and fish. Our Cathy ran a willing, efficient, clean and reasonable - you can't get more reasonable than free - taxi service and took me out for drink when I needed it most. Ron and Gord provided food, fun, great company and a momentary return, figuratively, to Italy - welcome respite from all those boxes. Jeff, George and Alan knew that a day at the cottage would soothe the frazzled nerves. Peter and Joe ditto - though they got to go back home to Rome (I'll deal with them later). All our other family and friends who sent love, kisses and good wishes have helped make the landing softer and for that we are grateful.
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| Return of the Prodigal Son - An etching dated to 1963 only one of many works by Rembrandt Van Rijn depicting the parable. He was to return to the subject several times in oils. |
And then there is Betty Jean - summer camp counselor extraordinaire for the HFH. She boarded our two little hellions for much longer than was intended with the grace that is her trademark. Even the fact that Nicky felt it behooved him to mark his territory on her couch the minute he arrived didn't seem to phase her. She took the deadly duo for long walks - or rather Nora dragged her on long walks from the sounds of it - which they now seem to expect. There will never be any way we can adequately repay her for her time and care - though I have suggested Laurent could go over and shovel her snow after those overnight blizzards that are the norm in Ottawa winters. She however feels that her own room in that Villa she firmly believes we should buy in Tuscany would be an adequate thank you. Well we all can dream - her and us!
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| A favourite of Renaissance artists, the story was recorded in 1530 by Bernardino Licinio who placed the scene firmly in the Lombardy of his time. No doubt it was meant as a warning to the scions of wealthy families who had been led astray. |
13 agosto - San Ponziano
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lunedi Lunacy
In honour of our move to the New World a look into the golden age of steamship travel.
Looks a little less crowded than some of the economy cabins of a few airlines that will remain nameless.
25 luglio - San Giacomo il Maggiore
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Another Bridge Crossed
As they often do the New Yorker managed to make a pertinent comment on what is happening in the city it celebrates. Tomorrow is the first day that same-sex couples will be allowed to marrry in New York State and the cover of this week's magazine celebrates with a touch of their trademark wry humour.
Its a big step - I know we took it four years ago this past week - and I wish everyone taking it today all happiness and good things.
*Cartoonist Barry Blitt took a bit of flack from his Royal Wedding cover a few months ago - but I thought it was a hoot at the time. A left click here will reveal a retrospective of some of his controversial but always humorous takes on things current and topical.
23 lulgio - Santa Brigida di Svenzia
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| Wedding Season by Barry Blitt* |
Its a big step - I know we took it four years ago this past week - and I wish everyone taking it today all happiness and good things.
*Cartoonist Barry Blitt took a bit of flack from his Royal Wedding cover a few months ago - but I thought it was a hoot at the time. A left click here will reveal a retrospective of some of his controversial but always humorous takes on things current and topical.
23 lulgio - Santa Brigida di Svenzia
Thursday, July 21, 2011
If You Can't Stand the Heat ....
I will not go into the global warming argument here but what the hell is going on? It reached 36c (96.8f) today here in Ottawa. And that was before they took the humidity index into account - anyone remember when we didn't have a humidex?
So is this some sort of punishment for me leaving Roma? Or maybe because New York approved same-sex marriage? Whatever it is going out today - the kids needed food and I needed money to get the kids food - was not a pleasant experience but thanks to my friend Cathy who chauffeured me around it was bearable. And also thanks to her for this laugh first thing this morning.
21 luglio - San Lorenzo da Brindisi
So is this some sort of punishment for me leaving Roma? Or maybe because New York approved same-sex marriage? Whatever it is going out today - the kids needed food and I needed money to get the kids food - was not a pleasant experience but thanks to my friend Cathy who chauffeured me around it was bearable. And also thanks to her for this laugh first thing this morning.
21 luglio - San Lorenzo da Brindisi
Monday, July 18, 2011
Lunedi Lunacy
A left click on the image will give you an idea of how I feel about now!
18 luglio - San Arnolfo di Metz
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Alla Prossima
I was having one final chat before my departure with my friend Marco the Napoletano yesterday. I was saying how difficult leaving Italy is for me and how this has been, in many ways, the four best years of my life.
I knew when I came here four years ago that as well as an arrival there would be a departure but I have never been one to think that far into the future. It was a given that I choose to ignore and even last week I was trying not to think about it. It is now 1020 on the morning of the 17th my flight leaves at 1410 and the car will be here at 1100. My bags are packed, the dogs are ready, though Nicky won't leave his kennel - he knows that something is going on - so I guess I must face the fact that this stage is over and the next is beginning.
I will miss so much that I have grown accustomed to here - the food, the arts, the music, the lifestyle but most of all the people. In the past four years I have been blessed in forming friendships with wonderful people here in Italy and also because of living here people in Greece, England, France, Switzerland and Canada. People who have given me so much in the way of care and love. It is them that have made the past four years what they have been.
To all my dear friends, and I won't start naming them because when you do you always forget someone, I thank you for that - baci e abbracchi alla prossima! Until next time!
MTN: Maybe you enjoyed your time here because you knew to have a deadline so you didn't waste time.
Me: No caro I enjoyed it here because I never thought about the deadline.... it was going to go on forever and I would see everything and do everything...
I tend to forget the things I don't want to know about ....
I knew when I came here four years ago that as well as an arrival there would be a departure but I have never been one to think that far into the future. It was a given that I choose to ignore and even last week I was trying not to think about it. It is now 1020 on the morning of the 17th my flight leaves at 1410 and the car will be here at 1100. My bags are packed, the dogs are ready, though Nicky won't leave his kennel - he knows that something is going on - so I guess I must face the fact that this stage is over and the next is beginning.
I will miss so much that I have grown accustomed to here - the food, the arts, the music, the lifestyle but most of all the people. In the past four years I have been blessed in forming friendships with wonderful people here in Italy and also because of living here people in Greece, England, France, Switzerland and Canada. People who have given me so much in the way of care and love. It is them that have made the past four years what they have been.
To all my dear friends, and I won't start naming them because when you do you always forget someone, I thank you for that - baci e abbracchi alla prossima! Until next time!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Kitschy Koo????
You'd think that four years of strolling around the streets and parks of Roma had taught me never to be surprised at what is just around the next corner or over the tree tops. However while walking off last Friday's lunch in Villa Torlonia I was a bit taken aback to see a startling familiar scene looming much, much larger than life through the pines.
Alfred Eisenstaedt's photo, taken on V-J Day August 14 1945, is perhaps, after Rodin's, the most famous kiss in the world. It was one of those moments of photo-journalism serendipity that captured the mood and spirit of a time and an event. It was published in Life Magazine a week later and became an indelible image of the euphoria of the Post-War era.
But there was a second photo taken of that celebratory kiss between a jubilant seabee and a services nurse. Though it is not as well know Victor Jorgensen, a US Navy photo-journalist captured the same moment and it appeared in the New York Times the following day.
When artist John Seward Johnson created his "Unconditional Surrender" he was accused of possible copyright infringement but was able to site the Jorgensen photo as his inspiration - unlike the Eisenstaedt it is in the public domain. However that was only one of the possible sins Johnson has been charged with in connection with his mammoth sculpture. When it was shown at the bayfront in Sarasota he was accused of creating nothing more than a copy of a famous image that "doesn't even qualify as kitsch." While in San Diego art critics said that kitsch it was and resembled nothing more than a cheap theme park souvenir.
Well I'm no art critic but I know what I like - and it definitely is kitschy but this is one time when I rather enjoy kitschy.
Johnson, whose rather eventful life can be read here, first created "Unconditional Surrender" as a 25 ft high bronze piece. He then recreated it in Styrofoam for its first showing in Sarasota. Since then copies have appeared as well in aluminum including the version currently looming over the terrace promenade at Villa Torlonia.
The Johnson is just one of many pieces that are being displayed throughout the various parks and green spaces of Roma this summer. The good people at the Roma Biennale di Scultura have installed some fun, some interesting and some just frankly silly works of modern sculpture that brighten the landscape and add variety to the scene.
Almost as big as the Johnson this resin piece by Maurizio Orrico - Il viaggiatore (the Traveler/the Passenger) seems to be observing the embracing couple. And it may just be me but even with a featureless face I get the feeling he's being either a bit disapproving - or maybe just envious.
15 luglio - Sant'Amerigo
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| In New York's Times Square a white-clad girl clutches her purse and skirt as an uninhibited sailor plants his lips squarely on hers. - was the caption given Eisenstaedt's photo when it appeared in Life Magazine. |
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| A different angle - a different view - Victor Jorgensen's photo of the same moment doesn't quite have the same cache as the more famous version. Because Jorgensen worked for the US Government his photo is in the public domain. |
Well I'm no art critic but I know what I like - and it definitely is kitschy but this is one time when I rather enjoy kitschy.
Almost as big as the Johnson this resin piece by Maurizio Orrico - Il viaggiatore (the Traveler/the Passenger) seems to be observing the embracing couple. And it may just be me but even with a featureless face I get the feeling he's being either a bit disapproving - or maybe just envious.
15 luglio - Sant'Amerigo
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lunedi Lunacy ma Martedi
I asked a friend about his blog the other day and he said: You know I really don't bother anymore I can just say what I want on Facebook. I am finding that my blogging lately has become erratic but Facebook - well I complain about it but ... see number 10!
Many thanks to Stephen for putting this one.. on Facebook!
12 luglio - San Giovanni Gualberto
Many thanks to Stephen for putting this one.. on Facebook!
12 luglio - San Giovanni Gualberto
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Isa's Bell*
I don't often write about my family - not because they were/are, god knows, less than colourful but just I'm not sure that the rest of the world would find the antics of my nearest and dearest all that entertaining. Like most families they were/are a healthy or unhealthy mix of the good, the bad, the criminal, the insane, the interesting and the just plain boring.
However, and if ever a paragraph begged a "however" that would be the preceding one, our recent packing up of things brought to light the facts behind a little family treasure of my mother's. My mother immigrated to Canada from Belfast in 1919 at the age of 17, under circumstances that I have spoken of to friends but never had the nerve to put in writing - though that may change one day. She made several trips back the first being to announce to her family that she was getting married. That would have been around 1924 if my calculations are right. As she was leaving Ireland to return to Canada and wedding bells someone gave her a bell as a souvenir: a small brass dinner bell with an enamel shield on it bearing a shamrock and Ireland. Or at least she always thought it was a dinner bell. I remember that bell being in our china cabinet as a child and being allowed to use it if I was in bed sick and needed anything. Fortunately I was the sort that always preferred to be left alone on my death bed so its seldom peeled though I did use it to great dramatic effect when I staged Act 3 of Tosca on my cut-out theatre. That is until my mother heard it and returned it to the china cabinet with the warning that it wasn't a plaything.
Now a bit of background is required to fully appreciate the irony of our recent discovery on a bit of the history of that little brass bell. My mother was born in 1902 in Ireland before the bloody and fractious battles that eventually led to the creation of the Irish Free State and eventual separation into the sovereign country of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Ulster). It was a country divide by history, politics, loyalties, wealth, and, most violently, religion. My mother's family were Ulster Irish, Protestant, merchant-class, pro-British and fiercely Orange. I won't go into the whole Orange Lodge thing here but let us just say that tolerance was not the watchword of that organization or society in general on either side of the fence. My mother was brought up to both fear and mistrust people who "kicked with the left foot". Much of that fear and mistrust was to soften as she grew older but there were always flashes of the old prejudices until the day she died. Again a reminder that it was a different time and a different place - though sadly recent events have indicated that old enmities are still strong.
But enough of the history lesson; lets get back to her "dinner" bell. The small enamel shield had fallen off - the 90 year old glue had finally given up - and Laurent decided that he would reattach it before we packed it up. I guess I had never really looked at it closely - it was always just there but he took a close look at the inscriptions on it and was a bit puzzled. Why was the writing in Latin? What were those figures meant to represent? The full inscription reads: Leo X Aqvila X Pelicanvs X Agnvs. My first thought was to connect "Leo X Aqvila" - Pope Leo X and the town of Aquila. But what would a 15th century Medici Pope and a town in the Abruzzio have to do with each other or Ireland for that matter?
Nothing it would seem. A search on the internet quickly revealed one of life's little ironies. What we had on hand was nothing more than a late Victorian Sanctuary Bell. A small brass bell that had been rung during the Sanctus and at the Elevation of the Host by some be-brogued youngster in a white cotta when his local priest celebrated mass.
What my mother proudly showed in our Protestant household as a souvenir of Ireland and was used to call us - jokingly I might add as our family dinners were never that elaborate - on special occasions to dinner or to a sick room was a piece of religious hardware from a Roman Catholic church somewhere in pre-partition Ireland.
*I'm afraid this is a bad case of word play which only a few members of my family would get but I couldn't help myself. My mother's name was Isabella but her little brother Jimmy called her "Isa" and that stuck with the family as nicknames often do. And an added layer of gentle irony there is one for sale on e- Bay and the seller??? Isabella's Discount Store. The Gods laugh!
06 lulgio - San Claudio e Sant'Edda
However, and if ever a paragraph begged a "however" that would be the preceding one, our recent packing up of things brought to light the facts behind a little family treasure of my mother's. My mother immigrated to Canada from Belfast in 1919 at the age of 17, under circumstances that I have spoken of to friends but never had the nerve to put in writing - though that may change one day. She made several trips back the first being to announce to her family that she was getting married. That would have been around 1924 if my calculations are right. As she was leaving Ireland to return to Canada and wedding bells someone gave her a bell as a souvenir: a small brass dinner bell with an enamel shield on it bearing a shamrock and Ireland. Or at least she always thought it was a dinner bell. I remember that bell being in our china cabinet as a child and being allowed to use it if I was in bed sick and needed anything. Fortunately I was the sort that always preferred to be left alone on my death bed so its seldom peeled though I did use it to great dramatic effect when I staged Act 3 of Tosca on my cut-out theatre. That is until my mother heard it and returned it to the china cabinet with the warning that it wasn't a plaything.
Now a bit of background is required to fully appreciate the irony of our recent discovery on a bit of the history of that little brass bell. My mother was born in 1902 in Ireland before the bloody and fractious battles that eventually led to the creation of the Irish Free State and eventual separation into the sovereign country of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Ulster). It was a country divide by history, politics, loyalties, wealth, and, most violently, religion. My mother's family were Ulster Irish, Protestant, merchant-class, pro-British and fiercely Orange. I won't go into the whole Orange Lodge thing here but let us just say that tolerance was not the watchword of that organization or society in general on either side of the fence. My mother was brought up to both fear and mistrust people who "kicked with the left foot". Much of that fear and mistrust was to soften as she grew older but there were always flashes of the old prejudices until the day she died. Again a reminder that it was a different time and a different place - though sadly recent events have indicated that old enmities are still strong.
But enough of the history lesson; lets get back to her "dinner" bell. The small enamel shield had fallen off - the 90 year old glue had finally given up - and Laurent decided that he would reattach it before we packed it up. I guess I had never really looked at it closely - it was always just there but he took a close look at the inscriptions on it and was a bit puzzled. Why was the writing in Latin? What were those figures meant to represent? The full inscription reads: Leo X Aqvila X Pelicanvs X Agnvs. My first thought was to connect "Leo X Aqvila" - Pope Leo X and the town of Aquila. But what would a 15th century Medici Pope and a town in the Abruzzio have to do with each other or Ireland for that matter?
Nothing it would seem. A search on the internet quickly revealed one of life's little ironies. What we had on hand was nothing more than a late Victorian Sanctuary Bell. A small brass bell that had been rung during the Sanctus and at the Elevation of the Host by some be-brogued youngster in a white cotta when his local priest celebrated mass.
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| Leo - the Lion: The king of the beasts therefore the kingly nature of Christ; that and the old belief that a lion cub died at birth and after three days the male lion brought it back to life by licking and breathing on it. That is probably self-explanatory. |
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| Aquila - the Eagle: The symbolism there could be referring to the eagle of St John the Evangelist or equally to the majestic bird ascending to the heavens on strong wings. |
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| Agnus - the Lamb: the most common, and best known symbol, of the Eucharist is the lamb of God. Based on the tradition of offering a lamb as sacrifice ergo Christ the sacrificial lamb. |
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| Pelicanus - the Pelican: It was an ancient belief that the pelican fed it young by tearing flesh from its own breast and feeding them with its blood. A symbol then of the blood of Christ? |
*I'm afraid this is a bad case of word play which only a few members of my family would get but I couldn't help myself. My mother's name was Isabella but her little brother Jimmy called her "Isa" and that stuck with the family as nicknames often do. And an added layer of gentle irony there is one for sale on e- Bay and the seller??? Isabella's Discount Store. The Gods laugh!
06 lulgio - San Claudio e Sant'Edda
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Grazie Felice, Sono Felice Ma Non Felice!
I had a post almost finished for yesterday but then something wonderful happened in the morning that I felt I wanted to share.
The title of this post is a little play on names and words - Felice is, of course, a Christian name here in Italy but it also means "happy". So the title is three pronged. My friend and colleague Felice did something yesterday morning that made me both happy (felice) but also sad (non felice). Over the past few weeks and in the next few weeks these are emotions that I am finding, and given my slightly emotional nature will find, constantly overlapping.
Over a year ago I put up a post about Felice and his remarkable gift as a woodcarver. It has proven an often read item. In the last paragraph I promised that I would do something more about the artist and his work. Somehow time crept up and I never did get around to it until now just as I am saying goodbye to Felice, his wife Anna and friends and at the Embassy.
He asked if I would be free for coffee in the morning as he would like to meet before he left on vacation and I left the country. So yesterday morning we met and headed over to the Australian Bar (dont' ask!) for a capucc. He was carrying something enshrouded in a pair of long winter socks and when we sat down he gave it to me and said very quietly, as is his nature, "I made this for you, I hope you will like it?"
Like it? I love it!
What I unwrapped was this beautiful hand carved olive wood walking stick. Felice had worked it from a piece of wood from a tree that had been cut down in the gardens of Villa Grandi, the residence of our Ambassador. It is over a hundred years old and what I can't convey about it either in pictures or words is the feel and scent of this incredible wood. Running my hands over it I could feel the age and strength of the wood and the work that went into it. And the oils in my hands seemed to release the subtle scent of olive. And as I am writing this it sits on the table in front of me ever so slightly perfuming the summer air.
I can honestly say that as moved as I was by the feel and the scent of the wood and remarkable artistry that had gone into the piece what touched me most was the warmth of the gift and the person giving it.
Caro Felice mille grazie for the happiness that you have given me with this present. I know that I join a small group of fortunate people who have been gifted with the work of your hands and heart. It will remind me of the beauty of both this place and more importantly the beauty of the people I have come to know here.
06 luglio - Santa Maria Goretti
The title of this post is a little play on names and words - Felice is, of course, a Christian name here in Italy but it also means "happy". So the title is three pronged. My friend and colleague Felice did something yesterday morning that made me both happy (felice) but also sad (non felice). Over the past few weeks and in the next few weeks these are emotions that I am finding, and given my slightly emotional nature will find, constantly overlapping.
Over a year ago I put up a post about Felice and his remarkable gift as a woodcarver. It has proven an often read item. In the last paragraph I promised that I would do something more about the artist and his work. Somehow time crept up and I never did get around to it until now just as I am saying goodbye to Felice, his wife Anna and friends and at the Embassy.
He asked if I would be free for coffee in the morning as he would like to meet before he left on vacation and I left the country. So yesterday morning we met and headed over to the Australian Bar (dont' ask!) for a capucc. He was carrying something enshrouded in a pair of long winter socks and when we sat down he gave it to me and said very quietly, as is his nature, "I made this for you, I hope you will like it?"
Like it? I love it!
What I unwrapped was this beautiful hand carved olive wood walking stick. Felice had worked it from a piece of wood from a tree that had been cut down in the gardens of Villa Grandi, the residence of our Ambassador. It is over a hundred years old and what I can't convey about it either in pictures or words is the feel and scent of this incredible wood. Running my hands over it I could feel the age and strength of the wood and the work that went into it. And the oils in my hands seemed to release the subtle scent of olive. And as I am writing this it sits on the table in front of me ever so slightly perfuming the summer air.
Caro Felice mille grazie for the happiness that you have given me with this present. I know that I join a small group of fortunate people who have been gifted with the work of your hands and heart. It will remind me of the beauty of both this place and more importantly the beauty of the people I have come to know here.
06 luglio - Santa Maria Goretti
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