Stories Handed Down (through the generations)

[Julia A Knaake]

We have all heard stories told to us from the old country

or great grandpa told us a story etc etc

We in turn have handed them to our younger folks.

Tell us your story that was passed on to you.

[Julia A Knaake]

Grandmas Lemon Grove

 

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa  was a wonderful childhood experience we have never forgotten.

A dusty dirt road sprinkled with bits of gravel and rough vegetation brings you to the happy country home of Grandma and Grandpa Berti.   Their home is situated on a volcanic cliff with a beautiful view of the deep blue sea with a clean sandy beach below. You can view the coast with Taormina out on the far horizon.   Their property is surrounded by wild Sicilian vegetation including Grandma's highly prized lemon grove. As children we would run down the private path leading directly to the beach playing in the sand and sea for hours until someone would call us to come for the noontime meal that Grandma had prepared for us to eat. Grandma or another family member would always carry trays and  baskets full of food serving us in the lemon grove.   Every Italian kitchen has basil, garlic and olive oil but the most important ingredient is creativity. Our wonderful Grandma certainly had creativity. Often she would make us grilled swordfish and an artichoke based caponata, which is a salad made with olives, capers and celery. Her Arancine (fried rice balls) stuffed with meat or cheese were heavenly.   Grandpa would give us a tall glass filled 2/3 with seltzer water and 1/3 wine to make us feel grown up and for dessert Grandma made us Cannoli.  We so loved the tubular crusts filled with creamy goat cheese ricotta with sugar filling.   There was one particular place where the grove was more open with older and bigger trees.These rows looked wider as if they had been planted earlier than the other trees. In this opening was a stone barbecue and a stone table. next to them were 2 long picnic tables with a few benches with backs where we would lie down on with pillows under heads taking an hour or two nap after lunch.   It was a mystical place for us children and in the center was a tree carved with the initials of a man and a woman and a heart. We begged Grandma to tell who the initials belonged to but she would always say :   Ogni volta, se mai, sarà sempre il mio amore!   One of the many things that the Sicilian culture is known for is their love for life, art, food, culture and family. When Grandma died at the age of 103 we asked a relative the meaning of:   Ogni volta, se mai, sarà sempre il mio amore!   He replied : whenever,if ever, will always be my love! We never knew who the mans initials belonged to but they were not Grandpa's initials! © 2007 Julia A Knaake

[Julia A Knaake]

GRANDPA

 

Grandpas story of arrival to the vineyards has our attention . We can see through his eyes the lush green valley. Sweet taste and smell of juice oozing from the grapes. The foreman barking where to bunk eat stow their gear ! He bends touching the fertile earth thanking God for freedom. Grandpa came here on a smelly ship laden with animals. Before leaving the boat he squirted lemon rind oil about. He wanted the Americans to welcome him with smiles. Hard work and poor quarters he still bathed each day. Listening and speaking the new language he learned very quickly. Soon he was the honored foreman because of dual language. Now with his own quarters he could study at night. A festive party was planned for the brand new citizen. Over the years grandpa advanced soon having his own land. He met grandma and soon there was a robust family. All tended the grapes men and women working long hours. Over the years the vineyards helped family and friends alike. Now grandpa was retired but everyone asked his advice daily. Answers were with gusto no matter how important or trivial. Grandpa: What make,style and color car do I buy ? Grandpa: Who shall I marry and where do I live? Later it was great grandpa come have ice cream now. Great grandpa tell us the stories coming on the boat. How did you learn to make the deep purple wines ? Grandpa lived the dream of dreams in his new country. © 2009 Julia A Knaake

[Julia A Knaake]

but at least you have these delightful memories and they were all good