#3 Skunks and Rigatoni
Well.. I will introduce more to you of my family members. I have mention already Uncle Nuno and Auntie Anna. They are brother and sister of my Mama who have pass away. Auntie Anna is live here with us now because I feel she should not be alone at age 91. She is 4’7″ and I am a giant compare to her. She still enjoy to cooking, but we must monitor her all the time because recent she have start a fire with the oven mitt that she was leave on top of the gas burner…. (Steven not so happy of that one – oh boy) …but as long as she cook only when I am with her in the kitchen, is okay. I will tell more of Auntie Anna tomorrow because there is a lots to tell. She is a character, that one! 😉
Uncle Nuno have his own apartament – but he have decide he will stay with us for a while. He drive here and he bring one valise of clothes. I dunno if it is because he not feel well or what – but slowly I am notice changes to his memory abilities. Last Monday, I take him to a assisted living facility for the elderly, which is very close to our home. We have a appointment for a tour – and Uncle Nuno was seem like he may be will accept the idea to living in one of those place for the elderly because it have LADIES there – UNTIL he see what was offer for lunch for the residents. He look at the plate of food. He look to Gia. He look back to the plate of the food, and he say out loud “Ma….fa….. napoli!” (those are not nice words) – and when he say that, I realize it is time to say thank you and good bye to the nice lady. We getting in to the car, and he say, “Gia! Hot dog and cream of spinach for the meal?” For Nuno? NO!!! ” – I say, “okay okay okay, Uncle Nuno! …come on we go home and I will make for you a bowl of ‘fazool.” ….. (Is really call Pasta e Fagioli but we shorten the words to ” ‘fazool”) Is a pasta & bean soup – and most delizioso with a nice crusty bread. Uncle Nuno was happy and he say, “I hoping I die right here!” …… : } What? With his face in the bowl of ‘fazool? …… send prayers for Gia, okay? 😉 ………………That’s all!…. have a nice day please. xo Gia
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I like your stories and I love Italian food and I know what institution food is like. I can understand how your uncle feels. When you get older, small things are all that is left. Hospitals and institutions need to work on their food. They certainly charge enough to have some daily choices. Someone needs to organize a movement. It is against my religion to eat bland food day after day and herbs and spices are very healthy. You are lucky that you appreciate your family and stay close.
Hi rose….. Yes…. I agree 100% with what you say – There is not reason why those facility can not offer fresh foods and a good and different variety. To be honest, I never saw so many unhappy looking people in a dining room. There was no talking – no smiling – just eating and staring around the room. Uncle Nuno is use to laughter and a little bit of singing at the table if he feel like it…. to sit like that would cause him to become depress. Nah… I will keep him here for as long as I can and keep him fed the way he like. Is good to stay close to our family and friend as much as we can – so no assisted living for Uncle Nuno … he stay with us – pink fluffy slipper and all … 😉 xo Gia
Awwwww, Gia… you are so sweet and caring towards both your aunt and uncle by taking them in to your home. You will be repaid for all the kindness. I love reading your blogs; they make me smile and feel a sense of warmth. It must have been awesome to have grown up in Italy. I’ve always wanted to go to that country. I witnessed the sad nursing home patients…. just like you described while Mom was a patient in one for 14 yrs.
Hello Pam…
Thank you – and I am happy that you like to reading what I post for the blog… is nothing special really – just every day life things – but I will write only just a couple of day a week so no one will get tire or bore of my daily ‘stuffs” 🙂 ….Yes – nursing homes can be quite depressing places – and I believe that is best that we try to care for them ourselfs if we are able to. The reason I want to bring him to the assisted living to look around is because he say he was lonely and he miss having a girlfriends – so that why I think it might be better for him to be where there are lot of ladies for friendship. But – when he see that no one there was feeling happy or showing any sign of lively or excitement , he decide he is more happy to stay with Gia and Steven and all the family when they are here. : ) …… Yes..I was enjoy to living in Italy as a child and I come to the USA as almost a teenager so it was difficult for me to picking up the English language and to make friends – especially the ones who was know about my grandfather and his association with the Mafia…it was not easy to make friends – but I find Marta who live near to me and we STILL are friends together. I hope that one day you will go to visit Italy – is best if you not take a tour bus kind of thing – is best to just go to a local and ask what should I see in this area….they are helpful and happy to tell you the secret places to go for dining and for entertainments and for architecture. 🙂 Thank you Pam very much for all you kind words all the time – I appreciate very much, my friend…. You are a lovely person – I can tell that already…and I am honor to be you friend! xo Gia 🙂
Awwww, thanks, Gia… we are awaiting to read another blog! We are thrilled that you joined Senior Chatters. 😀