Wednesday, November 7, 2012

NaNoJouMo - Day 5

Remember, remember the fifth of November. No, not for Guy Fawkes' Day. It's my maternal grandmother's birthday. She's the only grandparent I knew. She was born in 1895 and left her native Italy at the age of 16. Actually, she was shipped off because her parents didn't approve of the young man who was coming around to see her.

She was the perfect grandma. She was a good sport and put up with our childish antics. She loved The Three Stooges and let us watch them even though my mother wouldn't let us watch them when we were home. More noted for the macaroni and goodies from her kitchen, she passed down a lullaby  a mixture of Italian and English to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Anyone who has taken care of a cranky, sleepy baby would understand the lullaby  The caretaker bribes the baby with "When your daddy comes home, he will bring you candy. Go to sleep, baby."

Gouache, Dr. PH. Martin, 18K Gold ink, Dr. P.H. Martin Silver ink, Ziller Midnight Blue ink, Nikko G nib

3 comments:

  1. Lovely memories. :) An Italian gramma who liked the Stooges.

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  2. though she lived in this country longer than she lived in Italy, she never really learned to speak English well. She didn't really have to as she lived in East Boston, a Little Italy neighborhood. She loved the Stooges because she could follow along without having to know a lot of English.

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