Tea for Ten

We decided not to go to the market today, as it was drizzling this morning, and we needed wine (the one thing the Wednesday market doesn't sell).

This street vendor has all these handcrafted wares... tiny chairs, woven baskets, and hammered metal cylinders and boxes on legs and with drawers... 

Barbeques? Chestnut roasters? 

He wasn't near the van, so I couldn't ask. Maybe I'll see him tomorrow.

I got a quick response from This Old House, who I sent an email to, asking if a renovation in Sicily would be of interest to them. They always do a local renovation so their crew can work near their homes, but the winter renovation is always somewhere warm(er). That happens to include Sicily! They sent me some "paper" work to fill out and submit, which I'll do, but I know it's a long shot. 

I cleaned our main level, during which I received a text from Stacy, my friend in Molise, who's been my "pen pal" for quite some time. We planned a phone call a few minutes later (I was doing laundry).

We talked for 45 minutes! Even so, I had to cut her off so Joe and I could walk during the brief rain hiatus to run our errands.

Stacy and her husband, Ron, have made a permanent move to Italy, totally disgusted after the 2016 election outcome. And no rearview mirror; they love their Italian life! Their gorgeous manse is very near the village my grandparents are from. They've invited us to stay with them, offering to chauffeur an adventure together throughout the gorgeous spread that is Molise. We're looking at dates and flights... and homes. Stacy has sent several links, already coaxing us to move near them.

On the way to Decò, we stopped at Bar Cristal for a quick caffè, just to get our energy levels up. And the energy there is always convivial, from the usual men on the patio to the steady but uncramped flow of people moving in and out of the interior.

Decò is now Christmas land. Mountains of panettone and pandora, in every flavor imaginable; tons of bows and baubles and paper on shelves. Joe ran into Alessandro and Maria Teresa, but I was off looking for strutto, to try yet again at replicating old recipes with new ingredients.

Without the rain or an umbrella, we were back to being the Japanese couple, aka the husband stays ten paces in front of the wife when walking in public. It's hard keeping that obi in place while carrying a backpack full of wine.

I unpacked and put away groceries, then sat in a cheery broad ray of sun to open the links Stacy sent me on Molise properties. I'm also exploring Oliveri, Capo d'Orlando, and other areas in the Messina province. Heck; why stop with the island? I checked Calabria and Puglia as well. Smoke started to swirl out of my ears from brain overload.

Once again, Mariella saved the day. She called and said, "Mie amiche! Scendi!" Her girlfriends are there, come down! I knew it was tea time.

Just so I have this for future reference, there were, other than Mariella and me: Carmela ("Mela"), Carmela (dark hair), Maria, Graziella, Marisa, Agata, Pina (Marisa's younger sister), and Anna. Some left, others arrived, including Cettina, Elena, and Fina. And the refrigerator repair guy, although he didn't join our circle.

Dark haired Carmela read passages of Nonno's poems. They're really moving, emotional, so bursting with love. I told Mariella, he must've been a wonderful husband. She looked over at a picture of him with her mom. He was, she nodded.

After each reading, there were at least two conversations going on at once, sometimes with disagreement or another point of view, and it was a perfect example of a book club at its best.

Then Mariella put out her mother's lovely embroidered cutwork tablecloth, her Thun teacups, saucers, sugar bowl, and server, and assorted tea bags. Then came the package from the pasticceria; they are always so prettily packaged! Inside were chocolate covered chocolate or vanilla totò. These were especially good versions.

Many women left, I kiss-kissed everyone, but Marisa grabbed me, laughing, saying she wanted a big squeeze hug too. She's delightful. 

As I was cleaning up, Fina arrived, after everyone left, so I stayed a while longer to visit with her. She's an old soul. She's an Italian version of my friend, Tracy Maurer. That's a huge compliment to both women.

Saying my goodbyes, I went up to make risotto while Joe called his sister, Linda. They had a nice chat, and I added my two euro here and there. Joe's so funny, talking to his family. Buying a house here is all my idea, evidently! 

We enjoyed and stuffed ourselves on the risotto, accompanied by a nice Sicilian white wine and a salad. I can't get enough of the funghi di ferla, which were the risotto's highlight.

Tomorrow we need to make some choices, and narrow down others.

Oh look. It's already tomorrow! I'd better sleep fast.