Alcara li Fusi

So, I was back on the bus again. This time we headed to Alcara li Fusi. This town is celebrating it's Patron Saint Nicolò Politi's 500th year of sainthood. It goes on for a full year. It was made even more special as Alcara li Fusi is where the local priest, Padre Luigi was born. The town folks and Padre Luigi's family were most welcoming. They have a great love for this man.

We started walking thru the town starting at the statue of St Nicolò and ending up at the church which holds some of his remains. Along the way we had several on lookers from the overhead balconies and some of the towns folks joined us at the church.

The local priest gave an overview of St Nicolò Politi's life and the events of this 500th Anno Giubilare. It is a year long celebration of his sainthood 1507/2007.

Nicolò was born in 1117, of noble parents. He was their only child, born to them in their later years. He was given the best of education, both cultural and spiritual. While he was still young his father found him a future wife and even prepared a wedding for them. Nicolò escaped his town and his wedding and took up a life of solitude in the mountains of Etna. Later, he traveled to Alcara li Fusi and made his home in a cave for over 30 years. He lived a life of solitude and prayer contemplating on the mystery of God.

In 1507 the Pope of that time gave permission for his body to be transferred to the Chiesa Madre di Alcari. However in the 1920's the citizens of Adrano petitioned the government to have his remains taken to his birth town. We were told that militia came to the town of Alcara li Fusi and forced the people to remain inside their homes while Nicolò's head was taken and carried to Adrano where it still remains. This means that the torso remains of St Nicolò is in Alcara li Fusi but his skull is in Adrano.

There is also a Museum of Sacred Art in this town. It at one time was a convent for females. Now it has been converted to a religious showing of gold and silver art pieces. It includes a library of hand written documents dating back to the 1500's. The story of St Nicolò is also presented in this museum. On the wall were several documents showing tributes and donations made by Sicilians who emigrated from Alcara Li Fusi to Cleveland, Ohio in the USA.

We headed just before dusk, to the cave where St Nicolò Politi spent over 30 years of his life. The roads were narrow and I was amazed at the skill of our bus driver to maneuver these streets.

We arrived at the grotto and you can get a sense of the time of day from the following two photos which were taken ten minutes apart.

I would imagine these hills would be a good place to hide out from the law. Perhaps Salvatore Giuliano hid out here???

The cave was lit up with some festive lights which gave one person in our group to mention how religion was becoming a big business. Well, what isn't these days. Padre Luigi gave a short sermon here and after taking a group picture we headed back down the narrow streets and twisting mountains.. towards home.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Little Ava is two today!! Happy Birthday to my youngest grandchild!

XOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXXOO

Friday Feature....Animal Market

This guy has the whole market in his scope. Every year in nearby Falcone there is an animal market. Farm folks from nearby towns transport their animals for sale here. Not so many animals this year. Seems that new regulations are in place. I like this market and was happy to get there early enough to see the animals. I hope you enjoy this picture post of the mercato.

ANIMALS

BUYERS AND SELLERS

Stan and Ollie

Their names were Stan and Ollie and they had some time together before they became......

LUNCH!

I had nothing to do with this....nothing!

Red Card Yellow Card

Yellow plus yellow equals red. Red is red. All calcio and soccer fans know this. One yellow is a warning concerning a rule infraction. Red is given for a major infraction. So, if you get two warnings it is the same as getting a red. But getting a red with no warning indicates major consequences.

I like this idea. It leaves almost nothing to the imagination. Altho some players argue the call, everyone knows the rules. Everyone can see the yellow or red card being held aloft by the referee. Everyone knows that first yellow is a warning and you had best be on your good behavior or you risk getting a red card and that means O U T!

I think that this colored card system could be put to good use elsewhere. My first thought was for teachers and parents. But, I really think it would be good to have them in the car. Instead of using those hand signals when you are miffed by another driver you could just hold up a yellow or red card. It might even work in the post office when you get bad service..or quite a few public offices. How about the toll booth taker who acts like you are bothering his smoking break?

Join in with me...with your ideas!

Friday Feature

West Side Story has it ALL wrong! The most beautiful sound is your child saying *I love you Mom*! Ask any mother. Ask me...and I will tell you that what I write is true. I received this card this week and it couldn't have come at a better time. I love you too, Jillane!

Along with the card was a bevy of packages. Of course the mandatory Starbucks coffee was included. My favorite was the gardenia scented duo of hand wash and hand cream. Along with vanilla, gardenia is a favorite scent of mine.

This daughter knows I am a lover of bumper stickers. She has been riding the roads with this one tucked into her visor for over a year. It was given to me by my son, who doesn't even know I harbor this fetish. I am hoping some day to cover my terrazza window that borders onto my neighbor's wall with various bumper stickers. Finally it has arrived here.

So, Frank did you think this ball would be amusing? Papa was very amused. After unrolling all this paper he challenged me to put it back together. Yea, right!
That accordion card was ...a reminder of how much I hate the accordion. But, someone really liked it!

Yes...I am happy and I am thankful and I am loving you all.

This is Friday's Feature!!

My All time Favorite Blog Page

http://alohafromsicily.blogspot.com/2007/10/where-are-you-in-cefalu_16.html

AllohafromSicily posted this page and she captured the look 100%!! I love this post! Check it out!

Treasure

So what is this treasure? And is it truly a treasure? Italo Americans that visit here think so. They bring it back into the USA by the suitcase full. Italy readers know what it is but for my USA people, this is baked ricotta. You can slice and eat it with bread or grate it over pasta dishes, soups and risotto. I do think you can oven bake ricotta at home. I haven't yet found someone who will tell me how this is done. I imagine a slow oven.

This one looks a bit over baked but it tastes just right. A lady gave this to me because I printed out some pictures of the Gibelmanna gita for her. I didn't need a reward but it is the custom here.

Peek-A-Boo

My camera has been sidelined by a back sprain the past few days. So, I came up with an idea to play a game my sister loves. I have two sisters and the one who loves this game knows who she is!!

It is called look into the cabinets and see what the people in this house are eating. I'm game!

This is the bottom of the beverage shelves. All my shelves have a mix of Italian and USA products. Added this week is some coffee grounds from Germany. Last year the gentleman who gave this package to us brought Jacob's coffee. This one is just as good. The zip lock bag holds various types of tea bags. The red can in the rear says Natural Cider. I have not tried it yet, but I think it will be a winter treat. Ciobar can be a hot chocolate drink or I think a pudding. Depends on how long you keep it on the fire. Andy grinds the coffee so we have two types. One espresso and the other regular coffee. Hiding behind the taller goods is a jar of instant Nescafe left to us by USA friends. It is recipe coffee.

These two shelves hold baking goods. I have several different types of flour, corn meal, white and brown sugars, icing sugar, molasses sugar, baking powder, baking soda, dry milk, coconut flakes..plus chick beans and dried peas and a couple types of rice, stored here. In the can is some chocolate bits. Andy keeps the grinder here. It is always neat and tidy. I hate bugs and this would be bug heaven.

There are lots of USA products in here. Thank you ..to my family and friends who share with me. This is just the place my sister would be looking. Now, if she wants a glimpse in my refrigerator she will need an airline ticket to come an check that out herself. That is a good idea!

Update

That is me reporting that the Red Sox won game 1 in the AL pennant race.

The other update is that RaiUno has *maybe* changed it's schedule for tomorrow and Oliveri will be featured next Sunday.

Friday Feature

Double Friday Feature notices:

Reminder for my USA readers>

The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians open with game one.. vying for the American League Champion, this evening at 7PM in Boston.



For my Italian readers>


Sunday on RaiUno, the tuna festival held last month in Oliveri will be featured on Linea Verde. As for the time I am told after 10AM.

Senseless

On Saturday two males got into an altercation in the town next to Oliveri. One was outside an arcade and the other passing by in a vehicle. Lot's of rumors surround this event. The only true facts are that one was buried today and the other sits in prison.

Mammogram

After putting this procedure off for 15 years I bit the bullet and had a mammogram today. An Internet friend (kricket) shamed me into it. And I think this pleases my sister who wanted me to do this, but she doesn't preach or push.

It isn't something difficult to do and I have no reason for putting this off. The clerks and the technician were all kind and professional. So the message to everyone reading this is get yourself or someone you love to make that appointment. I don't feel allowed to say more as I was so delinquent in doing this for myself.

Perhaps the machine that was used today is a bit old. I was told it was going to be replaced by an updated model next month. It only took about 15 minutes. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take precautions and get that mammogram.

GO TEAM!

This is what is says on the t-shirt I am wearing these days.

Friday Feature

Today's feature is a continuance of yesterday's post on Gibelmanna and Cefalù. Be prepared for a few more posts on this subject. This post will feature the art work in the museum on the sanctuary grounds.

There are several rooms in this museum. On the ground level are vestments used in celebrations of *sung mass*. They are quite elaborate and in very good condition. The art works and vestments are from the 15th thru 18th centuries. Also on the ground level is a model of buildings on the sanctuary grounds.

All the buildings are are on elevated land. The air is thin and there are quite a few steps to climb to reach the sanctuary. The museum entrance fee is €1.50 and is worth every cent.

I really should have something to say about this art if I am posting it. But, I know very little. The first one is the oldest. Statues are Mary and Joseph and the last picture is of a circumcision.

Ultima Cena-Last Supper/Sicilian artist

This fabric of silk with hand work is from the 15th century and in good condition. The entire piece of fabric was hand embroidered.

cont'-----

Gibelmanna and Cefalù

Along with about 80 Oliveri residents, I boarded a bus Wednesday morning and set out on a day trip to Gibelmanna and Cefalù. It took about 2 hours to reach The Sanctuary of Gibelmanna. There were two bus loads of us and the drivers did an excellent job on those twisting roads going up into the mountains. I don't think it was an accident that yesterday was chosen as today is the day of St. Francis of Assisi. This Sanctuary is occupied by Capuchins, an autonomous branch of the first Franciscan Order.

The Sanctuary of Gibelmanna is dedicated to the Madonna. Gibel el Mann is an Arabic name and refers to the mountain of manna. It was restored in the 1600's.

Inside are historical sacred pieces of art. One said to be made with sand and grasses. They represent the spirit of the poor and the simple Franciscan life.

The equal sided cross that was displayed in several places inside the church was of interest to me.

So, I looked for some information about it. It may have more meaning than this, but I'll share what I found.

PatonceCross
The Patonce Cross is any form of cross which has expanded ends, like the Pattee Cross, but with each arm terminating in floriated points like the Fleurie Cross and Fleur-de-lis Cross. Sometimes there are two petals at the end of each arm, but usually three.
In heraldry, the three petals represent faith, wisdom and chivalry. The four arms spread these to the four corners of the world.
As a Christian Cross, the three petals represent the Trinity and the total twelve petals represent the Apostles.

Another second interesting thing was the railing along the steps leading up to the church. I haven't figured the significance of this yet.

The trip was put together by Padre Luigi and he gave the sermon at the Sanctuary. In street clothes he gave history and geography lessons while en route. He is the Priest at Oliveri's church.There is only one church in this town.

Tomorrow, I shall continue with more about this trip featuring the museum at Gibelmanna.

Surprise Lily

About 12 years ago I planted some bulbs in a large container and placed it on our balcony. The packet said these were *surprise lilies*. This year we did get lots of surprises. They have blossomed about 10 times, perhaps more. So weather too hot...too much rain...global warming? It was just right for these beauties.