2 November 2012

And That Is When My Spark Got Hot

RR asked what my favourite saying was.

So I've been thinking about that. I'm sure that John, Mycroft and Sherlock can share things I say a lot...but my favourite saying, I think, is something my Nonna used to say.

She was a very straightforward lady. No nonsense. Said what she thought, told you if she disapproved. Didn't let you feel too sorry for yourself.

 Which was lucky for me, because it meant when my Dad did a runner she wasn't worried about what to do, about whether it wouldn't be welcomed by Mum if she still had a part of our lives. She just said that just because he'd gone, didn't mean she was. And her and my Nonno were a big part of my life.

So, here's her favourite saying, really:

'Siccome la casa bruci, riscaldiamoci'.

Which means, 'Since the house is on fire, let us warm ourselves.'

38 comments:

pandabob said...

that is brilliant :-)

your nonna sounds amazing!

Hope you're having a good evening.

John H. D. Watson said...

That's wonderful.

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - she was.

Danger - yeah. Became slightly less so when our house did burn down.... But it sort of made it better, too. Thinking of her, what she'd do.

REReader said...

That's excellent--she sounds like an amazing person!

John H. D. Watson said...

My gran's favourite was 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.' Must've heard it about a thousand times growing up.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think our grandparents might have got on :)

Aother one of Nonna's was:

O mangiar questa minestra o saltar questa finestra.

Which literally translates as 'eat this soup or jump out of this window'. But means much as your gran's...make do or do without. Just rather more...bizarre. And less poetic!

John H. D. Watson said...

I think they would've got along perfectly. That definitely expresses her attitude toward eating the food she provided for us!

Greg Lestrade said...

Is this your maternal or paternal gran?

John H. D. Watson said...

Maternal, though my father's mum expressed much the same sentiment silently with a terrifying stare. She also once put a live crab in my father's bed because he didn't get up early enough. He never got over it.

Anon Without A Name said...

0_0

A live crab? Blimey. How old was he at the time?

John H. D. Watson said...

Around 14 I think. Mum once said he still had nightmares about it when they'd just got married, which I can believe.

Greg Lestrade said...

Promise me you'll never bring crabs to our bed.

John H. D. Watson said...

No crabs of any sort, I promise.

Greg Lestrade said...

I shall be collecting promises like that to shape into your vows.

"I, John Hamish Danger Watson, do promise to love you, cherish you, laugh and cry with you, to never bring crabs to our bed, or attempt to feed you chillies, to have you (regularly) and hold you, through sickness and health until the end of my life."...

John H. D. Watson said...

'Hold you' needs a regularly as well. And I promise only to attempt to feed you very very mild chillies. And never tell you that wasabi isn't spicy like I did to Harry when she was trying it for the first time. Other than that...pretty good vows. :)

A from NW (I'm alive, ish) said...

*shrieks with joy* (belated) Congratulations on your engagement! *squeees* This is wonderful news!

Oh, whatever your vows end up being, and however the ceremony goes off, I know it will be perfect and funny because you two gentlemen are awesome and committed and head over heels with each other. =)

*squees some more*

~A from NW

(Apologies about the disappearing act, between being sick, work, and um, terrifyingly good news, I've been out of it for the past week. Remember how I asked for good luck at the beginning of last month for a gov't test? Turns out, I passed the 1st round of eliminations. Now I've till the 15th to write six character essays; so much for NaNo...)

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, A.

And really glad things are going well for you. Good luck with the essays.

pandabob said...

Is weekend weekend Greg? I can't remember if you said you were working or not. I hope you're not and you have a good day doing whatever you're doing :-)

That sounds great A good luck with the essays :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Delighted to hear your good news A and best wishes with the essays.

Greg Lestrade said...

Weekend is weekend. Three days off now :)

pandabob said...

Brilliant :-) enjoy every second :-)

Anonymous said...

My grandmother would have liked your grandmothers. She'd say "eat it or starve, but there isn't any more" when we fussed at our food (but she still made dressing without raisins for my sister at Thanksgiving.)

But the saying that she hauled out when we were teenagers -- the one about "all it takes to get a Lxxxxx woman pregnant is for a man to hang is pants on the bedpost" -- THAT's the one that really stuck with me.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

RSF - grandmothers unite!

Anyone got a question for todays post? I'm struggling...

Anonymous said...

Ok, I have, I think you've talked around the issue before but, what made you decide to join the police force? What are the good parts of being an officer?

Lancs. Anon

KHolly said...

Here's a question for both of you: What do you wish someone had told you at 7 and 14 that you are making sure the boys know now?

Greg Lestrade said...

Cheers, both of you! Keep 'em coming. Especially the silent Anons out there who keep the hit counter ticking, but never join in - everyone wlecome! No question too silly. Anon questions fine.

I've got a whole month to fill...help!

zeph said...

Hej Hej
One of the silent ones here ^.^

Is there something that you've always wanted to learn how to do but haven't managed yet?

Anonymous said...

What part of growing old with Jonn are you most looking forward to? John, same question for you about growing old with Lestrade?

Kestrel337 said...

What music influenced you are a young guitar player?

(I might be asking for selfish-ish reasons; raising an aspiring singer/songwriter but she was outside my ability to encourage once we'd listened to Satriani, Colin Hay, and...oh, that other one)

pandabob said...

I'm not good with major questions but have you all had a nice day? I hope the weekend is providing fun and entertainment as well as relaxation :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, it's been good. Even persuaded danger to look at suits. Only through the shop window, but still :) he'll look very Sharp.

Sherlock wants us both to wear our uniforms...we would blind everyone withal those buttons and bits though, surely.

pandabob said...

I'm glad you've all had a nice day :-)

Uniforms might be fun but I personally think a well tailored suit can't be beaten for looking good ;-)



Greg Lestrade said...

I agree. I won't be wearing mine. Far too excited about buying a new whistle! But it's up to John if he wants to wear his. I'm easy.... ;)

Small Hobbit said...

L - you do realise any non-Cockney speaker is going to get entirely the wrong idea with that statement. Or the right idea ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

Surely everyone knows a basic level of rhyming slang? Do Americans blow rasberries?

I will explain any obscure slang best I can...should anyone become confused.

pandabob said...

Easy is always the best way to be with these things Greg ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Easy like Sunday morning, me :)

REReader said...

Backing up a bit--my grandmother's favorite saying was "A naar veist men nisht kein halbe arbeit", which is Yiddish for "You don't show a fool a half-done job." (She didn't appreciate back-seat driving. :)) I think she'd have got on very well with your Nonna!

And yes, I know where blowing raspberries comes from, but I'd never heard of whistle for suit before, I had to look it up. (Hey, we don't have rhyming slang here!)

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