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:
that is brilliant :-)
your nonna sounds amazing!
Hope you're having a good evening.
That's wonderful.
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.
That's excellent--she sounds like an amazing person!
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.
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!
I think they would've got along perfectly. That definitely expresses her attitude toward eating the food she provided for us!
Is this your maternal or paternal gran?
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.
0_0
A live crab? Blimey. How old was he at the time?
Around 14 I think. Mum once said he still had nightmares about it when they'd just got married, which I can believe.
Promise me you'll never bring crabs to our bed.
No crabs of any sort, I promise.
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."...
'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. :)
*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...)
Thanks, A.
And really glad things are going well for you. Good luck with the essays.
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 :-)
Delighted to hear your good news A and best wishes with the essays.
Weekend is weekend. Three days off now :)
Brilliant :-) enjoy every second :-)
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
RSF - grandmothers unite!
Anyone got a question for todays post? I'm struggling...
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
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?
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!
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?
What part of growing old with Jonn are you most looking forward to? John, same question for you about growing old with Lestrade?
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)
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 :-)
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.
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 ;-)
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.... ;)
L - you do realise any non-Cockney speaker is going to get entirely the wrong idea with that statement. Or the right idea ;)
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.
Easy is always the best way to be with these things Greg ;-)
Easy like Sunday morning, me :)
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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