Wonderful World of Abruzzini

The Living Will

***** — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:53:59 +0000

Agreed Ciao Tom

TRADE TASTINGS MARCH & APRIL

***** — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:24:02 +0000

March 15th, Tueday – 2:30pm VINHO VERDE – Park Avenue Winter -Achive Room 100 E 63rd Street

March 16th, Wednesday – BURGUNDY Tasting/Terroirs and Signatures de Bourgogne 2011 organized by the Burgundy Wine Board 10am – seminar 10am – 12Noon Tasting 12 Noon to 5pm Metropolitan Pavillon 123 West 18th -2nd Floor- Metropolitan Suite www.burgundytasting-USA.fr/ RSVP

March 16th, Wednesday – Grand Portfolio Tasting Michael SKURNIK wines – Metropolitan Pavillon| 11am 125 West 19th street

March 17th, Thursday – Weygandt Austrian Tasting 10am to 5 pm Cafe Kristall 4-7 consumer $5 70 Mercier

March 21. Monday – Grand Cru Wine Selections 10am -3pm Location : TBA

March 21 – VOS selections 2011 Grand Portfolio 12 Noon – City Winery – 155 Varick Street seminars: 11am Austria-Tale of 2 mountains 2:30: Argentina- Study of Terroir

The New York Wine Expo

***** — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:17:32 +0000

THE New York Wine Expo -
Well, took the A train to 42nd street -off at the 40th exit. Walked three
blocks south to 37th street and over to 12th Avenue getting there at 12:15pm.
It was at Javits Center – 12 Noon to 4pm were the hours.
Waited on a long line (30 minutes) to get our badges and my hospital bracelet. Then directed along a pre-determined route -round about-
(I could see one of the entrance but not permitted to go to it) – by an
"airport-like" security officier – "Do as I tell you" I was commended.
Arrived at the first check-point showing my H-bracelet and allowed in.
Finally got my glass "embroided/stenciled NY Wine Expo glass … looked at
the sparseness of the "wine tasters" of the "great" hall and thought -an
advertized 600 wines ? Bet there were less than HALF that amount. There
were twelve "islands" of tables creating two isles in the middle -16 small
manned (women too!) tables over to one wall -with a few cheese samples
to munch on -
- No big fruit, cheese, finger food or bread tables – What a downer -
nothing to wash down the piss pour wines !
The other side six tables -mainly PR no food -
The tables consisted of – WINES from
Argentina -50wines/15 suppliers-
Brazil – 6 tables/8 wineries
California – Rutherford Wine Compny
Naked Grape from Madera
Four Vines Winery
A small table -unmanned- with two
open bottles of Ravenswood Zin 2007 -15.5/
Clos du Bois Cab 2007 – 16.2/
France -all Rhone wines -set up by AOC
three tables -did not taste any since I
could not find them !
Greece- Stellar Importing – terrible
Italy – five tables stattered around -all terrible wines
including Terre di San Rocco Vineyards
New York State Wines – 12 suppliers including
Barbara Frank/Dr. Konstantin Frank
Portugal – including Dow 10 & 20 years -Dry/5 tables
South Africa -20 suppliers-tasted all the pinotages!
Met Mariette Power of Robinson & Sinclair
Spain – By far the biggest presenter of wines-
13 suppliers from Navarro alone, Rioja, Castilla-
La Mancha, Don Quixote and other regions
Vermont – Eden Ice Cider -Apple and Pear
Windfall Orchard Ice Cider
And that was it -

My Trip to San Francisco in 1940.

***** — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 22:15:44 +0000

This was an actual account of someone’s letter while visiting San Francisco in 1940.

My Trip to San Francisco in 1940.

With ten snapshots.

1. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (Opened 9/12/1936)

Dear Friend,

Arrived in Oakland a few hours ago and finally we’re on our way to SanFrancisco.

We paid 25 cents at the Toll Plaza to enter this wonderful bridge called the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that was opened on September 12, 1936. It took me awhile to get used to the traffic.

The bridge has two decks. The top deck is for automobiles and the bottom deck for trucks and electric trains. You can see the tracks at left. The trains are run by the Key System and Southern Pacific. They can take you all over the East Bay to wonderful places like Neptune Beach in Alameda.

2. The Yerba Buena Tunnel

We have just passed through the Yerba Buena Tunnel and can finally see San Francisco in the distance. Notice that the traffic has thinned out. Many of the cars got off the bridge at the island to go to the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. The fair opened originally on February 18, 1939 and stayed open thru October 29, 1939. It closed for a few months and then reopened on May 25, 1940 and will close for good later this year. I’m going to try and go there.

Right now we’re heading for the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill for cocktails. It’s a great place to see San Francisco.

3. Top of the Mark

Isn’t this a great view of San Francisco? We’re at the lounge called the Top of the Mark. It’s the top floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel, which is one of the city’s great hotels.

The Russ Building by the bridge tower is the biggest office building on the Pacific Coast. It’s 31 stories high.

Near the Ferry Building is the Produce District made up of small beautiful, old brick buildings. You can go there early in the morning and watch the grocers come in to pick out all kinds of vegetables.

4.Chinatown

After leaving the Mark Hopkins Hotel, we walked down California Street to Grant Avenue. Here is San Francisco’s world famousChinatown. There are wonderful shops and the best Chinese food anywhere … and so reasonable. You can get a large bowl of pork noodles for 35 cents.

Do you see the Shriner’s Flags at the top of the picture? They are having a convention in San Francisco. There is a Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children on Nineteenth Avenue. It provides treatment for many children every year without charge. Every New Years Day the famous Shrine East-West football game is held in Kezar Stadium.

5. Flower Stands on Powell

After leaving Chinatown we walked down to Powell Street. Around Geary Street there are wonderful flower stands. San Francisco is sure a different place.

6. The Cable Cars

We’re at Powell and Market where the cable cars get turned around to go to Fisherman’s Wharf. There is a great cafeteria just a few feet from the turntable. It’s called Clinton’s and I hear the food is great … but we plan to have dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf instead and that’s where we are heading.

7. Fisherman’s Wharf

We walked along the docks to look at hundreds of fishing boats. The one coming in here is a crab fisher. They are all painted wonderful colors and the fishermen are all Italian. They are very friendly, and we watched them sitting on the docks mending their nets and singing.

8. Dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf has to be one of my favorite places in San Francisco. The men who do the fishing bring them back to the restaurants and outdoor stalls. People can pick out a crab and it’s cooked right there for you to take home.

One night we went to a great restaurant a man told me about. It’s called San Remo’s near Fisherman’s Wharf. You can get a wonderful Italian dinner for $1.00 from soup to dessert. Another dollar gets a bottle of house wine. You go into the bar to pick it up. Our waiter was very friendly. I think he had been sampling the house wine.

9. Playland at the Beach

San Franciscan’s love the beach. The water is too cold to swim in, but Playland at the Beach (along the Great Highway) has everything else; a wonderful roller coaster, the Fun House, Shoot the Chutes, a Laughing Lady called "Sally"and great food. It was open around the mid 1890′s originally. A favorite restaurant is Topsy’s Roost for delicious fried chicken and dancing. If you’re eating on the balcony you go down to the dance floor on a slide!

My favorite was the Pie Shop … the best chicken and beef turnovers imaginable … fantastic crust and a wonderful gravy. San Franciscan’s take them home for dinner. And there’s this ice cream called "It’s It". Like a cookie dipped in chocolate with ice cream inside. great.

10. The Golden Gate Bridge

We left Playland and drove through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge opened on May 27, 1937. The Presidio is still an important Army Base and has been on active duty sinceSpain built a fort there in 1776. The Golden Gate is my favorite bridge. We parked the car near the Toll Plaza and walked across the bridge for 25 cents. You can’t walk on the Bay Bridge.

Our trip to San Francisco is over too soon. I hate to say goodbye to this beautiful city. The people who live here are sure lucky.

Hope you enjoyed my letter and the photographs.

Say hello to everybody.

Finkelstein and Jesus

***** — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:55:37 +0000

I think I heard this in grammar school. Good one

Finkelstein and Jesus

Jesus was wandering around Jerusalem when he decided that he really needed a new robe.

After looking around for a while, he saw a sign for Finkelstein, the Tailor..

So, he went in and made the necessary arrangements to have Finkelstein prepare a new robe for him. A few days later, when the robe was finished, Jesus tried it on — and it was a perfect fit!

He asked how much he owed.

Finkelstein brushed him off: “No, no, no, for the Son of God there’s no charge!

However, may I ask for a small favor. Whenever you give a sermon, perhaps you could just mention that your nice new robe was made by Finkelstein, the Tailor?”

Jesus readily agreed and as promised, extolled the virtues of his Finkelstein robe whenever he spoke to the masses.

A few months later, while Jesus was again walking through Jerusalem , he happened to walk past Finkelstein’s shop and noted a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein’s robes.

He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to him and as soon as Finkelstein spotted him he said: “Jesus, Jesus, look what you’ve done for my business!

Would you consider a partnership?”

“Certainly,” replied Jesus

“Jesus & Finkelstein it is.”

“Oh, no, no,” said Finkelstein.

“Finkelstein & Jesus.

After all, I am the craftsman.”

The two of them debated this for some time.

Their discussion was long and spirited, but ultimately fruitful — and they finally came up with a mutually acceptable compromise.. A few days later, the new sign went up over Finkelstein’s shop:

Italian Wine Week

***** — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:05:41 +0000

CIAO,
A VIDEO IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS >>>>>
TAKEN BY RAMY MANN, CHEF & VIDEO MAN

AT VINO ITALIA 2010 FEB 4th & 5th 2010

FEATURING CANTINE SPARAFORA FINE WINES
FROM DONNCI (COSENZA) ITALY -CALABRIA
AND ITALIAN FINE WINE EXPORTER
THOMAS B. ABRUZZINI

RAMY INTERVIEWED THE CHEF (HILTON) OF THE
DISHES SERVED AT THE CENA CALABRESE -
THURSDAY NIGHT 4th FEBRUARY – INCLUDING
THE CIPOLLE DI TROPEA .

CIAO TOMMASO

CALABRESE – ITALIANO – ENGLISH

***** — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:53:37 +0000

CIAO ! INTERESTING IF YOU PERSUE THIS LIST TBA

Completed July 29, 2007

CALABRESE ITALIANO ENGLISH

A- Abbuscare Ricevere Botte To receive smacks
Acchianare Salire Go up
Acchiappare Afferrare/Prendere Catch
Accussi’ Cosi’ Like this
Addunatu Accorto Aware
Affucari Affogare/Soffocare Drown
A jucatu hai giocato played
Aiu Misu Ho messo Have placed
Allumare Accendere Light/Ignite
Allura ? Allora ? Well?
Ammunzellata Stanca Tired
A Mucciare Nascondere Conceal/Hide
A Pipita Chi parla troppo Constantly talking
Appicciare Accendere Light up
Arruozzlare Cadere + Precipitare Tumble down
Ascuma Parla Troppo Talk too much
A settete Siediti/si accomodi’ (please) Sit down
Aspetta nu poocu Aspetto un pu� Wait a minute !
A Tazza Tazza Cup
Avantieri L’Altro ieri The day before
Aza(re) a tavula Sparecchia(re) Clear the table!
la tavola

B- Benemmio Beato te! Lucky you!
Biellu Bello Good looking
Biellumio Bello mio Hey,good looking
Broru Zuppa Soup

C- Cammisa Camicia Shirt
Camposanto Cimitero Cemetery
Cannaruezzu Gola Throat
Cannarutu Goloso Glutten
Cannizzu Ripostiglio Storeroom
Capituostu Testa dura Hardhead/stubborn
Casinn� se n�/se n�n Otherwise/unless
Casu Formaggio Cheese
Catoiu Porcile Pigpen
Catreia Schiena Back/Spine
Catringolo Oggetto non Built-in obsolescent
serva molto
Capu Testa Head
Cauze Calze Socks
Cauzi Pantaleone Trousers
‘Cca/’Ccari ! Qua ! Right here!
Cecato Cieca Blind person
Chenatuta Cognato Brother-in-law
Che pa tutu ! Accadere sfortuna Man, What happened
to me !
Chiancere Pingiere Cry
Chianu chianu Piano piano slowly
Chiassu’ Rumore Noise
Chiazza Piazza Square
Chi’cchera Cucchiaio Spoon
Chilla Quella That one
Chi ‘nnova Che notizie What’s new?
Chi�vari Piovere Raining
Chi te via caruti l’uocchi I wish your eyes would drop
Chi te via fattu piezzi piezzi I wish you could be cut up in
It. Che ti possano fare ……. pieces
Chiuvut Piovuto Rained
Chirco Chiedo Ask
Ciciucciariellu Asinello Little donkey
Cirroma Grande rumore Noisy
Citto citto Silenzio Quiet
Ciuccio Asino Ass/Donkey
Ciu’oto Pazzo/Scemo Nuts/Crazy
Ciutia Pazzia Craziness
Corchia Buccia/sorza Skin/Skin
Cotuliare Scuotare Shake out
Crapicciusu Che fa i capricci Wilful/fickle
Criscente Lievito Yeast
Citrulu Cetriolo/cretino Cucumber/idiot
Cucchiaru Cucchiaio Spoon
‘Cuescino Cuscino/Guanciale Pillow
Culluriellu Piccolo cullo Little backside
Curcare Coricare Go to sleep
Cuscienzaia l’anima Sulla mia coscienza Matter of (my)
conscience
Cusere Cucire Sew
Cuscinuto Gobbo Hunchbacked
Cuv�ri ! Come va ? How’s it going?
Cuvatielli Gnocchi Bowties(pasta)
Cuverta Coperta Blanket
Cuzziettu Nuca Back of the neck

D- Denneliberi Dio ceneliberi God help us !
Dorme Dormi Sleep
Dormuto Dormito Slept
E-

F- Fa dannu Fa male Hurts
Fa na cosa Ejurnu F� presto Hurry up!
Fatte na panza e risa Fai mlte risate LOL/Laugh
(Do it within today) like crazy
Fattu Fact/Storia Story
Ferrito Ferita Wound
Finucchiu Finocchio fennel
Fore Fuoi Outside
Franzalata Tutto speciale/Unico One of kind !
Fresa/Fressina Biscottato Toasted Bread
Fressura Pad�lla Frying pan
Freve Fabbre Fever
Friddu Freddo Cold
Frasche Rami Branches
Frunte Fronte Braugh
Fucagli Sughero/Tappo Cork
Fungiu Fungo Mushroom

G- Gaccia Accetta/scure Axe
Gallomparu Non gallo non gallina neither hen or
Ne carne ne pesce chicken
Ginettu Tortina inzuccherata pastry
Gli�mmaru Gomi’tolo Ball of thread
Grasta V�so Flowerpot
Guastatu Guasto Broken
Giuerciu Cieco Blind man
Guagliune/nap.Guaglione Ragazzo Young kid
Gu�llara Erna Hernia
Guwantiera Vassoio Tray

H- Ha voglia ! Desideroso You wish !

I- Iamme ! Andiamo Let’s go!
Iazza Nevica Snowing
I pieri I piedi Feet
Inchia Riempia Fill
Iuri Fiori Flowers

J- Jnucchiu Ginocchio Knee
‘Jritu Dito Finger
K-
L- Lampa Lanterna Lamp
Lampu Fulmine/Rapido Quickly
Lazzu Laccio Shoe lace
Lenta Magra/Fina Thin
Lento Adagio softly/gently
Lestu lestu Presto presto hurry hurry
Lisciu lisciu senza complicazioni smoothly
Llu’ocu Qu� Here
Lustru Lustro/Luce Light/Bright

M- Maccaturu Fazzoletto Handerchief
Maglia Giacca/Gil� Sweater
Malavitusu Delinquente Criminal
Maliocrimini Vizio Vices
Maniate ! Sbrigati ! Hurry Up!
Maritu Marito Husband
Marituma Mio marito My husband
Mascatura Serratura Lock mechanism
Mastra Maestra Teacher
M� ! Guarda ! Look!
Me ‘Ncriscia Pigrone Lazybones
Menzugnaru Bugiardo Liar
Me scialu Mi diverto Enjoy
Me Squitu Sono tranquillizzato placate/content
Mina Luviento ventoso Windy
Minna Mammella Breast
Minnnevaiu Me ne vado I’m leaving
Minta Metti Put on
Mmasciata Commissione Errand
Mmuzicare Morsicicare Bite
Mo ! Adesso ! Now!
Molla Morbido Soft
‘Mpacchiare Incollare Glue
Mpacci Che d� fastidio Impediments
Mucato Marcito Rotten
Mugliere Moglie Wife
Munnu Mano Hand
Mursiellu Colazione Snack
Muscarielli Moscerini Flies
Musica Denaro/soldi Money
Mustazzu Baffo Mustache
Mussu Muso long face
Muzziello Mucchio Mess of/heap/pile

N- Nchiaratu Cielo rasserenato Skies cleared up
Nchiricare e suenn Dormire troppo Sleep too much
Nchiuvata Inchiodata Nail down
Netyra Un’Altra Another
Ninnejamu Ce ne andiamo Let’s go !
Noni ! No ! No !
Nu Mericirca Non Appetito Not hungry
Nzaccata Entrata Crawled in

O- Ohje Oggi Today

P- Passano i grilli Non mi fare montare Don’t make me
il grilli ! angry !
P- Pastette Dolce Frollini/cookie
Pastinaco Carota Carrot
Patrinnuestu Corona Rosary
Peccaaatu (che!) Peccato (che!) What a pity !
Perucca Parrucca Wig
Perucchio Pidocchio Lice/louse
Pettinata Acconciatura di capelli Hairdo
Pezzente Povero Poor person
Piccirillu Piccolino youngster
Prievite Prete Priest
Paraco Parroco Sacerdote
Piezzu Pezzo Piece
Pinnulu Pillola Pill
Piscare Pescare Catch
Pitta Focaccia Focaccia
Pune Pugno Punch
Prejarsi Rallegrarsi Be happy
Prischiantanni Pezzo dighiaccio pendante A piece of ice
hanging
Pugliu pugliu Morbido Nice & Soft
Puorcu Maiale Pig/pork
Purcine Scarpe di pelle di capra Goatskin shoes
Purpette di risu Riso/hamburgers Rice & meat
Arancini patties
Pustiere Portalettere Letter carrier
Puttana Troia Slut
Puzu Polso Pulse
Puzzu Pozzo Well

Q- Quardare i stilli Guardare le stelle Looking at the stars
Quariete Riscaldati Warm up
Quatrariellu Piccolo Bambino Little kid
Queta, quietu Tranquilla/o, Calma Calm/Quiet
Quazietti Calze Hose

R- Ragiune Ragione Right
Raminare Girare Mix
Raschiatu Graffiato Scratched
Rebusciatu Trascurato neglected
Rentuzzi Denti piccoli Tiny teeth
Revani Rantolo Rattle/Wheeze
Ricchia Crecchia Ear
Rivorvaru Rivoltella Revolver, gun
Rivotu Piccolo maiale Baby pig
Rusella Castagna arrostita Roasted chestnuts
Rusellara Padella per arrostire Pan with holes
Rusica Rosicchiare Chew/gnaw

S- Sacchetta Tasca Pocket
Sacciu Lo so I know it
Saracoella,Zizala Straccio da cucina Kitchen towel/rag
Sazizza Salsiccia Sausage
Scalappenninu Scende giu’ le Scale Fall down stairs
Scaluni Gradine grande Big steps
Scappare Fuggire Flee/Run away
Scarparu Calzolaio Shoemaker
Schiattare Crepare Split/crack
To kick the bucket/bursting with health
‘Scigu Strappo Tear
Scippanu Tolgono Take away
Sciuollu miu Povero me ! Poor me !
Scola Scuola School
Scolla Cravatta Necktie
Sciulluchitevinna Poverute/Ti venca Poor you!
un accidente
Scrizzanu i carni Rabbridire Goosepimples
Scunchiurente Antipatico Silly
Se ! sini Si’ ! Yes !
Secia Sedia Chair
Secutre Manda via Expel
Segnure Sign�re God
Serviettu/Stujavacca Tovagliuolo Napkin
Siccare Annoiarnre Annoy/Dry out
Sinale Grembiule Body Apron
Stipatillu Conservare Keep it
Spagnare Impaurire FRighten
Spannere Stendere Spread out
Spartere Dividere to share
Squagliatu Sciolto Melted
Spatrrnatu Senza padrone without master
Strangugliapriaviti Gnocci Bowties(pasta)
(strangle a priest)
Spurpo nu ossu Spolpo un osso Eat at the Bone
Squaratu Bollire Boil/sautee
Sta frisco e jurutu Sta fresco e fiorito Stay cool and
well stocked
Statu cittu Stai zitto keep quiet
Sterratu Dissotterratu Unearthed
Stomacusa Disgustosa Disgusting
Storciere Avere Paura Have Fear
Stricara Strofinare Rub
Stuia Asciuga Dry
Stujavucca Tavagliolo Napkin
Stuta a luce Spegni la luce Shut the light
Suratu Sudato Perspiring
Surice Topo Mouse/Rat
Suzu Gelatina di maiale Pork Jelly

T- Tappini Ciabatte Slippers
Tarallo Stupido/Tarallucci Stupid/Cookie
Tavutu Bara Coffin
Tiegnu a freve Ho la febbre Have a fever
Timpa Terreno ripido(rupe) uphill/hillside
T’Incriscia Non voglio fare Have no desire
to do it
Tiratura Tiretto Drawer
Titilli Ascelle Armpit
Trempa Terreno scosceso Steep downhill
Triparu Treppiedi Tripod
Trippa Pancia Belly
Trunzu Torsolo di cavolo Core/Stump of
vegetables
Truonu Tuono Thunder
Turdilli,scalili,casatelli, Dolci natalizi Christmas cakes
Pitta ‘mpigliata, culluriellu & chinulilla
Tuvaglia Asciugamano Hand Towel

U- Ucchiali Lente Glasses
Uocchi Occhi Eyes
U Sacciu’ Iolo so I know it
‘U spinnu il desiderio nostaglia

V- Vaca Mucca/ Vacca Cow
Vallanu Castagna bollita Boiled chestnuts
Varvariellu Mento Chin
Vasare Baciare Kiss
Ventre Pancia Stomach
Vervu Con un occhio With one eye
Vi ? Lo vedi ? Do you see ?
Videre i stilli Vedere le stelle To see stars(hurt)
Viene ancunnu ? Viene qualcuno? Is someone coming!
Viertula Bisaccia Napsack
Vilanza Bilancia Scale
Vinnimare Raccogliere l’uva Harvest
Vivillu Preoccupazione assillante Fixed on/
Perstering
Vi’ vi’ vi’ Per Bacco ! Holy cow !
Vrachett Abbottonatura dei pantaloni Fly (pants)
Vrazzu Braccio Arm
Vrusciare Brusciare Burn
Vucca Bocca Mouth
Vujjulu(Woo shoo lu) Guanciale/Mento Chin
Vu’julli Pancetta Bacon
Vallune Burrone Ravine/Gorge
W-

Z- Za Zia Aunt
Zappature Contadino Farmer
Zi Zio Uncle
Zillicare Soleticare Tickle
Zinnare Fare l’occhiolino Wink
Zita Fidanzata-sposa Engaged
Zuoppo Zoppo Lame person
Zussimi/Sursumi Irrequetezza Hebe Jebies

307 entries !

Villa TBA – Over The Rainbow

***** — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:10:27 +0000

Villa TBA Italy

PAINTINGS and DRIPPINGS and -BAD WEATHER COMING

***** — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:57:34 +0000

THIS MORNING IT IS DARK AND GREY OUTSIDE and depressing!
But this time- I BEAT THE BAD WEATHER COMING ! STORMY WEATHER, WIND -
WHY DO I SAY THIS ?
LAST NIGHT I OVER-PAINTED THE SMALL LEFT WALL (7 x 2 feet) of my Terrazza
planter – it was done three years ago – so I decided to do it a 6:15pm- last night (it was getting DARK but clear skies) – opened up a fresh can of enamel CHINA RED paint -
which I mixed for four minutes and noticed my left outside TERRAZZA LIGHT was OUT ! The Right one was OK- so I got on a table to replace the 100w light bulb so I could paint better! Except there was a problem ? Always a problem to solve!
At the bottom of the said wall there is an HALF INCH LEDGE and below that a three inch "battiscopi"(skirting) or a seven foot long x 3" ceramic facade right
at the pavement. Well anyway, I decided to paint china red this half-inch ledge!
since it looked pretty nifty ! So I painted the HALF INCH ledge -all seven feet
- as a border. What do you think happened when I continued to paint above
the ledge and the whole wall (7 x 2 feet) ???
RED CHINA PAINT Drippings APPEARED – three or four – so I cut some cloth
3 x 3 inches- I put some turpentine on the cloth and wiped off the DRIPPINGS above the three inch "battiscopi" ! Continued painting the wall – now 7:25pm and watched my favorite TV QUIZ program – YOU WANNA BECOME A MILLIONAIRE ?
Continued to paint and the drippings continued without abatement !- like my runny nose of three days ago ! The only difference is my runny nose was not red in color!
So I cut this time three 3 x3 inch CLOTHES ! Wiped off the drippings and
continued painting- I took an interlude to try answer the €15,000 question (QUIZ) – A B C or D – The contestant got the right answer and went on to the
€30,000 Question -he got that too – continued to the €70,000 question – got that too! Next was the €150,000 question. There he stopped and took the
€70,000- Gerry Scotti, the Quizmaster said "What would you have picked as
YOUR answer ?" and he DID pick the right answer – but he stopped (short) !
Oh! well ! it was 8pm the TV show over -so I went back to see ten(10) CHINA RED drippings !!!! This PROCESS continued till 10pm !!!!!!! but it looks beautiful after fifteen wipings with turpentine and fifteen CUT 3 x 3 inch clothes !!!!
-you know – you can’t make this up. It HAPPENED !
So I decided to paint a BORDER above my two wood doors at the STAIRCASE
ENCASEMENT I installed ! Since the eleven side red bricks -first of all were dark stone-red looking (drab) with cement showing – I decided to paint them CHINA RED- the first coat! Then I took off at the very top the two pieces of wood that need more "shaving" to fit to the slightly irregular ceiling and of course, PAINTED them China Red !!!! These wood pieces are 22" long by 2 1/2 inches (thick)-
I painted them with a light coat at first 9:45pm and a heavy coat at 10:30pm.
Then gave a second coat to the border red drab bricks and around.
Check the dripping which finally stopped except for a few short ones. Wiped them clean at 11pm!
Went to bed at 12 midnight – eager to go to the Wood/Cabinetmaker’s shop
at 8am to shave down the two wood pieces I painted CHINA RED on the
side that WILL SHOW OUT above the doors-
Up at 7am- GREY DREARY DAY AHEAD – and checked the two wood pieces I painted. The corners were still not DRY ! So I got some turpentine to quick DRY them! It was dreary GREY as I said at the BEGINNING of this MISSIVE and threatening RAIN.
I decided to SANDPAPER the corners of both wood pieces on the terrazza
-and it started RAINING LIGHTLY but I continued. Finished sandpapering and
put them in my car to bring to the WOODWORK "falegnameria" SHOP
(joinery in England) before 8am.
At the shop Antonio noticed the paint was not quite dry but he was able to shave
both down anyway. Got in my car to go back to my Villa as it started raining HARD-
Got into my garage and felt I HAD GOTTEN THIS DONE and
BEAT THE BAD WEATHER COMING !!!! ha ha ha
TBA

CIAO, TOMMASO

SEALING OFF ABOVE DOORS OF VILLA STAIRCASE

***** — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:33:33 +0000

PROJECT : SEALING OFF ABOVE DOORS OF VILLA
STAIRCASE – for HEAT BLOCKING

This morning started another project -an important one- since it is starting to get cold -IN and OUT- and it has been raining the past three days! It finally stopped
three hours ago but still VERY overcast and threatening again.
At 8am it was 53 degrees /12,2C INSIDE -upstairs Master bedroom with no
heating and 44 degrees/ 7,0C. OUTSIDE.

THE PROJECT is to install my two doors at the bottom of the STEPS going
upstairs to the bedrooom and sealing off above the doors all the way up to
the celing – 116.5 inches or 9.7 feet HIGH !
The two doors are 52 inches WIDE – each 26 inches
91.5 inches TALL
Above the door is a wooden plank -five inches SQUARED -tall – above that
is the area I gotta SEAL off which is 20.5 inches(tall) higher to the ceiling by
52 inches WIDE. WHY do I have to seal off this section above the doors ???

Answer : On the Main floor I have three Gas injected heaters – one in each
room. When I put on the one in the kitchen and dining -which is a
BIG room to heat – If I do not seal off the said area -the HEAT will
rise UP THE STAIRS !!!!!! Got it ?

Now How am I sealing this said area – 20.5 inches TALL by 52 inches WIDE ?

Basically using red bricks and GLASS SQUARES that are transparent.
These Glass Squares are 7.5 inches SQUARE and
3.0 inches DEEP
I will use twelve of these GLASS SQUARES -
6 Clear Glass
6 Transparent Turquoise
Red bricks : 2 inches thick x 9 inches wide x 4.4 inches.
I will use twenty five (25) of them
plus one CUT to size -2 ” x 2″ x 3″ !!!

I had to lay out the “territory” before I can start using the special glue between the wood plank and the red bricks. AND the rapid cement on top of the red bricks sealing off further up to the ceiling with Glass Squares and Red Bricks!

I started this project at 9am and it is now 11:30am as I type this “Diary”.
I had to re-arrange the red bricks and Glass thick square many times to FIT
all these “closures”-
For example I tried laying the glass squares but the seventh one would not fit !
Then I placed 5 red bricks that 9″ x 5 red bricks = 45 inches and the sixth
red brick was two inches too big. That did not work!
Then I placed the red bricks using its 4.4 Inch side using eleven x 4.4 =
48,4 inches -which means I had to CUT to SIZE a red brick – 2″ x 2″ x 3″
PIECE !!!!! To cut it and shave it down to size and finish off sandpapering
this small red brick TO SIZE tool more than an hour!
Now I an ready to START glueing and cementing !!!!!!!!

Ciao Tommaso !