July 9, 2015
I noticed the sheet, then I spied her.
“Che bella linzuola, Signora!” What beautiful linen!
She took a deep puff of the cigarette and smiled. “It is I who have made it.” Her throat sounded sandy.
“Is that what you do? Make bed linens?”
“Una volta,” she said, with another smile. Once upon a time.
“Not anymore?” (I want one.)
She took another puff. “No, non piu, no more. This is the last one I have.”
And then she agreed to a portrait.
********
Hi Jann, Coming to beautiful Ragusa Ibla in Oct, love to meet you for an espresso, Ciao
I love your vignettes – a whole story in a paragraph and photo. Brilliant! xox
Such a poignant photo Jann. You have captured the beauty, the sadness, the irony, the willfulness of Sicily all in one amazingly moving photo. I love your work so! xx
Janine, you’re too too kind. Grazie cara.
good news/ beautiful lace work. bad news spent 1700 on custom drapes did not know she was a smoker. House smelled like an ashtray goodwill got some nice drapes
🙂 and smokey lace sheets not so good.
So sad that such beauty is going by the wayside, Jann. My late grandma used to do crochet — gorgeous, intricate work that she regularly gifted others with — and I’m preserving as many pieces as I can get my grubby hands on! This lovely lady reminds me of Sicily — her face is strong and her manner just a bit defiant!! Thank you for capturing her!
Debbie, you’re right that there’s something strong/fierce about her & about Sicily. Thanks for your comment!
Now all of the lacework comes from China and is not of the same quality. You can often pick up beautiful old napkins at Brocante sales here in France. I buy them whenever I can.
Ah, Chloe, enjoy those sales in France….lucky you!
—I love when you take me to Sicily!
Such a lovely photo! She is the epitome of Italy!!
xx kiss from MN.
It’s so much fun to have the Virtual Kim in Sicily. xxxxx
Oh my gosh – kidnap her until she agrees to make you one!! It truly is beautiful. So many things are lost as generations pass. That is why I love so many vintage things, as a reminder when people used to take the time to make true beauty.
Ah, you’re so right, Nan. When I look at the modern “industrial zones” in Sicily and compare them with the beauty of the little towns, the contrast is absolutely appalling.
Look out for vintage linens and lace in Sicilian markets. Sometimes they come from Holland or Germany but they are beautiful, handmade and precious. I have many pieces which I’m keeping or give as gifts.
Diana, I’ve found some old lace items like pillowcases and small tablecloths in the Wednesday Vizzini market–they were selling each item for 1 euro apiece.
My grandmother used to make beautiful linens like that. Unfortunately she did not pass the skills down to us. It seems to be a lost art.
One of the many arts being lost in Sicily, Toni, including puppets, furniture, real old-fashioned ricotta and on and on. Though there are some arts that are booming, like wine-making!
Veramente “Rausana!”
She is, isn’t she? Thanks for stopping by, Robert.
I like how the wistful tone of this story and photo is counterbalanced by the image of a grinning Bugs Bunny!
🙂 Thanks Sam
Love the old linens too. That signora’s is beautiful. It’s probably a lost art. The young ones are too busy working to carry on the tradition.
Nancy, you’re right. As Chloe says, linens you find in Sicily now are mostly from China. 🙁