A nice little reminder to always look at the back of the pictures--this is what I found on the backs of these pictures.  I'm pretty sure these are of Phillip Coffarelli (but I'm not certain) and I love his handwriting and humor.  I have no idea in the world what he's talking about so any insight would be appreciated.  I thought you would enjoy.

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What do you think? 

The Prime of of Miss Jean Coffarelli

Warning:  I have no idea what the story "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" is even about, but I thought it was a cute title for this post to honor your mother's life before she became a Dalpiaz via some old pictures.  Enjoy and reflect on your Mom this week!

Travels with Oscar

Oscar is going to Gloucester with us.  No, not Oscar the cat.  Oscar the Coleman cooler.

I was giving the cooler its spring cleaning in preparation to go on the trip with us, scrubbing off the dirt and cobwebs like a madwoman.  I realized some of the dirt and gunk coming off there was probably left over from last spring's baseball season.  Some of it might have been dirt carried home from the extra inning, Ryan-chugging-the-bases, upset League Championship win.

This cooler has been part of the family for years and years.  It has gone along to nearly every outdoor event the kids were involved in:  parades, baseball and softball, football and field hockey.  It's held ice, drinks, towels, sunflower seeds, band aids and popsicles.  It was on the sidelines getting a better view than I had of Ryan's winning run and Amy's game saving block in Oneonta one very cold night.  It's been a seat, a footstool, a door stop.  It witnessed the softball team no hitting another team in the sectional championship yet losing.  We took ice out of it for Jim's head when he banged it leaping up in joy when we won the state championship.  We used a wet towel from it to wipe Ryan's bloody nose after a youth football skirmish.  It took the long quiet ride home after the field hockey states.

Now it's retired too.  It's travelling to Gloucester with us for a leisurely few days "on the coast".  It's all cleaned up and spiffy.  Maybe it shouldn't be all cleaned up--but I guess it's ready for new adventures and memories.

Happy birthday shoutout to Nick, Thomas, Lindsay!

Then our whole life changed

Another excerpt from Great Aunt Rose Jazwicki's journal:
Mother  (Caterina Contenta Messa) was born in Italy.  When she was a young girl, she came to her sister (Anna Contenta Lessie) in America.  It was a small mining town by the name of Lafferty, Ohop.  There she met a young man, and was married within a month.  In a period of eight years mother had five children.

For fourteen blissful short years we lived happily with in the family.  Except once in a while they would have a family quarrel which was all over with in an hour.

During that time my father's younger brother Onofrio wanted to come to America with his wife.My father sent them the money.  

 Onofrio Passenger list arr July 5 1910

They cam and lived with us (for we had a very big house).  Several months went by, and everything
was fine.  Then father had an argument with his brother so he then made his own home.  After that father sent money to Italy for another brother named Frank to come to Ohio.

Franceso Passenger list arr Aug 13 1921

They came, it was then our whole life changed.

 

Happy 60th Robert!

Sixty years ago today, the Rosenberg trial was just coming to an end; houses cost about $9000 and the Lone Ranger was popular on the radio.  And your mother was about to give birth to her first child!  I can imagine their excitement and anticipation. 

I Love Lucy hadn't been broadcast quite yet but would premier later that year.  Super glue and power steering were invented in 1951.  Robert and power steering aging together...........both seem to be doing well!  Oddly enough, Libya was in the news then too as it gains independence from (wait for it) Italy!  I'm guessing Thomas is the only one that might have known that little tidbit.

Robert and Kathleen together then and now!

Special wishes for a Happy Birthday tomorrow Robert!

March Celebrations

Happy Birthday to Pat, Jean, Amy, Danielle and Robert this month.  Everyone is busy and looking forward to spring.  Kathleen and Nick will be having company soon and enjoying spring training and racing.  Although I'm not sure I've recovered from losing an hour last weekend, daylight at dinnertime (well, almost) brings a smile to my face.  Snow is still piled high but the sun shines during the day.  These are some of the things I love about spring.

And, of course, St. Patrick's Day!  Here's your verse for this post:

As sure as the shamrocks are growing

In the land which the Irish all love,

As sure as the lakes of Killarney

Reflect the blue heavens above-

As sure as the warmhearted Irish

All pay honor to Saint Patrick too.

I'm wishing you "top o' the morning"

And happiness, always, for you.

More family to share with you!

I've made a new Isoldi acquaintance who has provided a great deal of new information about that branch of the family.  Giovanna Isoldi is your great grandmother.  She married Giuseppe (Joseph) Manzelli and was Marguerite's mother.  Angela calls her "Grandma Jenny".  A while back, I told you a bit about her father Graziano who remarried shortly after Giovanna's mother died. 

Grandma Jenny had a sister Amelia and two brothers Michael and Ralph.  My new friend (your new relative) descends from Amelia who married Eugene Russo.  He kindly shared some pictures with me that I thought you would like to see

Amelia Isoldi

Amelia Isoldi and Eugene Russo 1906 wedding

Amelia's brother Ralph married Sarah and apparently had two children.  Their other brother Michael was the youngest and married Freida.  They had four children--one of whom is apparently still alive and in his 90s.  I look forward to learning more about this branch of the family.  I see many familiar surnames in his tree:  Russo (I an almost hear Aunt Josie's voice); Recchia; and Nicastro. 

This is the first time in the history of this blog that I have introduced new family members to the Italian side of the family as well as the Irish side of the family!  I consider myself very lucky so I will share an Irish blessing with you from a book my sister gave me:

Like the warmth of the sun

And the light of the day

May the luck of the Irish

Shine bright on your way

Have a great week.