These are some of my favorite memories . . . . . Sunday mornings waking up to hear Carlo Buti singing on the Italian program on the radio, smelling the polpette (meatballs) frying and the sugo (tomato sauce) simmering, and hearing my mother singing. Buti was her favorite. Above is a picture of the actual Emerson radio that sat on a shelf in our kitchen at 13 Maple Terrace in Belmont, MA. That little AM radio brought so much joy to all of us. In those days we had very little money but were rich in happiness and family. I can remember my parents getting together with their friends on weekends, singing, laughing and enjoying pasta aglio olio and a little homemade wine. There were also wonderful vacations at Salibury Beach every summer. Pa always managed to take two weeks off and rent the same little cottage right on the beach. I remember gathering periwinkles among the black rocks with Ma which she would then cook in a red sauce. We would eat them by pulling them out of their shells with a sewing needle. My parents created many memories that I will always cherish.
Creating this page was such a joy for me. There are two last things I would like to add as I close. First, I would like to honor my brother Louie who loved Italy so much. We love you, Louie, and we miss you very much. Also to my brother Rick who never got to go to Italy, I hope that I brought a little of Italy to you, brother. God bless you.