Although it was a gorgeous day, I wasn't expecting any business, as I figured people would be spending money on Mother's Day gifts, and that proved to be the case, putting an end to the latest winning streak. One guy teased me, looking through the last of the Sylvia Browne books I have for at least five minutes before passing on it. And the session wasn't a total loss, as I had another visit from Bay 37th alumnus Lorraine, a self-described "secretary/slave" in a hospital. Her new supervisor has written her up five times in the past six months - and docked her a day's pay! She approached addressing me as Frank, and left addressing me as Vinnie.
My mom's been gone eight years. Since my back and hip have been giving me problems, I lay on the floor to watch TV, and frequently wrap myself in an afghan she knitted long ago. I still chuckle when I recall her limited grasp of English. I use some of those phrases around my family: "Gooda luck," "I no likea me (I don't like it)," "Fifateen minoots." I recall proverbs she laid on me: "La saluta se cata, non se vinda (Health is bought, not sold)," and her view on the way a man should conduct himself: "Due pede en la stovalla (Two feet in one boot)." I don't know if the latter makes any sense to others, but it was crystal clear to me. And these are translation from Sicilian and, I expect, pretty far from correct grammatically. I don't want any guff from lovers of classical Italian out there. As I've said before, the Sicilian dialect to me is akin to Brooklynese. Both bring such color to life. While we're at it, I may as well tease my sister. I always get a kick out of how she pronounces some words in English, even after 65 years in this great country. My favorite is fin-ish-id. And I love the way she mixes English words like "okay" into conversations with her friends. She was sad today, as another of her friends, Matilda, has passed on. Their group has lost several in recent years. RIP.
Happy Mother's Day - you are the foundation of our lives.
Read Vic's stories, free: http://vicfortezza.homestead.com/
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