Thanks Joe!

I saw my friend, Joe, tonight at a baseball game. He asked me why I hadn't blogged in almost one month. Someone noticed I hadn't been blogging? Wow, now that is flattering! So I came home, brushed my teeth, made Nonno's coffee (delay-set for 4:15 am), grabbed my computer and found my writing corner.

This past month I have gone from busy to overwhelmed to exhausted to slightly depressed. In a word: uninspired. Hence, no new postings. I do have a lot to write about but I found myself in a slump. That is until tonight, when Joe sounded a skoatch disappointed. That was the pick-me-up I needed. Thanks Joe!

Humm....where to begin?

One fun and uplifting thing has been the visitors we've had over to our house. To a person, all of our friends comment on how delightful Mod's parents are to be around. This is very true.

Dad loves to tell fascinating stories about growing up in New York (downtown), moving to Sicily to buy a farm for his dad, hating farming, trying to return to America, being forced to fight for the Italian army against his will, and meeting mom on her family farm, which was turned into a prisoner of war camp (She was under 20 . She made him hot eggs. He fell in love) ((There is just something irresistible about Hot Eggs in the Minardi family history that has been passed on to the next generation....but that is for another post at another time)).

Dad's stories are endless. Once he gets going, you may as well just grab another cup of coffee and stay awhile.

Most of the time Mom just gets annoyed and says "Mod! Forget about it! Don't tell them that story." Then she'll get up and leave the table. To everyone else, his stories are fascinating. I think she's just heard them too many times. Good grief, they have been married for over 65 years.

But how often do you get to hear first hand accounts of life in the 1920's and 30's?

Our friends have been great to sit and listen to Dad's fond memories. It's been fun to see Mom engaging our friends too. They really enjoy getting to know her. I think they are beginning to see why Maria is so famous in our family. She has a beautiful way of engaging new people to make them feel not only comfortable, but like they are part of the family. She has mastered the art of being a hostess. She could write the book on it.

Once I saw a very shy young lady enter mom's house. This teenager had her hair in her face, with a look that she'd been dragged against her will to spend the afternoon with a bunch of people she didn't know. She was apparently feeling awkward and angry. Though the room was crowded and noisy, I watched Mom nonchalantly sit across from this gal and engage her in simple conversation. Within minutes she had this teen moving the hair from her face, talking and smiling. No one else saw it, but I was impressed. And I learned from that. This is part of what has made her famous. It is not just the amazing food she prepares, it is the way she engages and loves people. It really is fun to watch. I admire her for it.

Anywhere she has lived, she has made friends with her neighbors. Not just cordial friendships, long lasting ones. She made sure her neighbors frequented her house for hot eggs and coffee in the morning. (Hot eggs, again). What neighbor does that?

She really is the center of the family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren adore her. She has spent her whole life creating a welcoming home that is open to everyone. Opening her home, her table and her heart to all who enter.

See why she is so famous?

Anyway, Joe, let's plan a time you and your family can come meet the parents and eat some crazy amazing food. Did I mention they love to play poker? Bring your nickels!