Sicilian Sunbrella - Week's End

Have a wonderful weekend. We'd hoped to have comprehensive news of Darfur Peace & Development Organization (DPDO) latest basket shipment & the 2009 Annual Report. But there is just too much to do; information will be posted next week. Meanwhile, have a relaxing weekend; we're jumping up & down in front of the World Cup action. GG is asleep now, content that South Africa & Mexico tied. (She hates for anyone to lose.) GG's editor is enjoying in L'odore della notte (The Smell of the Night) by Andrea Camillieri. Somehow, we'd missed this one. Excellent!

ciao-bella-meow/GGCM

[Sicilian beach umbrella by Giampaolo Macorig via flickr]

Wandering in Sicily - Week's End

On a rock in San Vito, Sicily (Inspired by Caspar David Friedrich's 'Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer' painting*) By the lovely & generous Giampaolo Macorig, see here for the original format. Have a great weekend!

ciao-meow, GG/The Mgmt

[*the German painting is in the Hamburger Kunsthalle at http://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de/start/en_start.html.]

A new week in Sicily...

...but we're in Washington. Oh well. We'll be back later today or Tuesday with news aplenty. And more information on Made4Aid. (Meanwhile, you can get a jump on us & go to the right sidebar--bid on something, perhaps?)

We're always happy to post something from Giampaolo Macorig, generous Italian photographer. He's in Rome but lived in Palermo, Sicily for many years. These are simply gorgeous & if we could, GG & her editor would head off to the airport this afternoon. Cats are most welcome in Italy & Sicily. [please see here for the Sicily & Palmero flickr set--it really is much nicer to see the full-size pix.]

See you soon. Don't forget to check on the news from Darfur.

ciao-meow/the mgmt

Malèna & Sicily - Week's End

Most viewers of Malèna don't seem to understand the melancholy & the real menace faced by Sicilian women. Worlds collide in Sicily...then & now. Though there is no denying the beauty of Monica Bellucci & the Sicilian land & seascapes, be careful what you romanticize. Our theory is that you can't really love a place if you willfully ignore the tragedies. Have a great weekend & once again....if you can find it in your heart to check out Darfur, Congo, Burma links on this site...well, that would be a gracious gift from you to the real Malènas of this world.

ciao-meow, GG Central

Theocritus - A Villanelle

O singer of Persephone!
In the dim meadows desolate
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee
Where Amaryllis lies in state;
O Singer of Persephone!

Simaetha calls on Hecate
And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea
Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate;
O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry
Young Daphnis challenges his mate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
For thee the jocund shepherds wait;
O Singer of Persephone!
Dost thou remember Sicily?

by Oscar Wilde

[Malèna credits; At sea alone & Alone in the Sea by Giampaolo Macorig; LIFE archive, uncredited Sicilian scene]

Sicily by Land & Sea - Week's End

We bid you a wonderful weekend, whether it be calm or stormy. While the generous Giampaolo Macorig obviously uses colors, filters, & tints to achieve his dramatic, painterly photographs, let us assure you that Sicilia looks like this, out of another time or a dream--often. It can be quite harsh, too, & Giampaolo captures the intersection (& clash) of the past & present, the land & the sea, beautifully.

For the best (non-sentimental hoo-hah) books about Sicily, read one of the Inspector Montalbano series by the magnificent Andrea Camilleri. His translator, Stephen Sartarelli, is the best we've read from Italian into English. Truly, he is an artist, as well. You will not be disappointed. And the Inspector Montalbano? Salvo loves food & the descriptions of his enjoyment of even the most simple of snacks is a marvel of prose.

Camilleri's immensely popular (& often controversial-to-some-Italians) mystery-novels are increasingly popular in English-speaking countries. Like all series, you can begin anywhere, but particular favorites are The Terra Cotta Dog, The Snack Thief, The Shape of Water, and Rounding the Mark. If you read any two of these, you will understand a lot about Italy, Sicily, organized crime, culture, politics, food, wine, & what is really happening. It's not all Tuscany & la dolce vita, you know. It's so much more & much more complex...so do yourself a favor & read at least one. If nothing else, your mouth will water & inspire some excellent meals. (Or give a go at making the Inspector's favorite salty snack, calia e simenza. Are you intrigued?)

mille grazie e ciao-meow

The moon over Sicily

Happy first night of Passover to our Jewish friends everywhere. Shalom! (The Moon... in the distance by Giampaolo Macorig)