Ninety Six

Posted byErika BizzarriPosted inUncategorized

February 15, ninety six years ago

just after midnight

I was washed and dressed in what might be called swaddling clothes.

Now almost a century later I am still being washed and clothed.
but it is no longer the same for the roles, have been reversed and it is not easy to accept that it is my children who are taking care of me.


Am I now an antique?


I suppose a hundred years – almost a century do qualify me for that definition. An antique – to be treasured, to be handled with care. One son insists that I’m not an antique, for I still fall into the category of the 1900s when objects are only “old”.. My other son says that according to the official qualifications promulgated by the Italian soprintendenza, applied to buildings, I am indeed an antique, subject to special laws and requiring to be protected. I can’t be torn down or modified.

It would be nice to know. Perhaps if I achieve the 100 year mark, as a spry little old lady, I will be able to call myself an antique.

Right now, I look out my window, but the birds have not discovered the seeds put out for them. Yesterday there were also two woodpeckers.

20 thoughts on “Ninety Six”

  3. Dear Erika, you are a treasure at all ages and you have been treasured by many throughout your wonderful life. I look forward to many more blogs to come.

    Mike Shaughnessy

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  4. Dear Erika,

    I loved reading these comments of yours! I’m not sure it would ever be correct to classify one with so bright and lucid a mind as an “antique”. Perhaps you will become a beloved cimelio di famiglia (in the most positive sense), and that being also of your extended family of friends who admire you.

    I just bought my airline tickets to return to Orvieto in September. I can’t wait to see you!

    Ernie

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  5. I love this! Might there be a photo or drawing to go with it? If not, thanks to your words I can almost conjure up one myself.It doesn’t se

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    1. Oops! I replied to this in an email because I didn’t realize that it was actually a blog post. I see that my comment which I had intended just for Erika got cut off and I’m going to try to put it here. Let’s see what happens.

      I love this! Might there be a photo or drawing to go with it? If not, thanks to your words I can almost conjure up one myself.

      It doesn’t seem fair that I would be the only one to see this. I’ll bet that many of your other fans would love it, too. 

      Or maybe it’s already a blog post that I am

      reading? If so, I’m glad. 🕊️🐦‍⬛🪺🐣

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  9. Erika, you will never be old. Time passes and numbers change and I can’t run as far or jump as high as when I was 18, and although I’m a mere 75, I hope to never consider myself to be old. I can think of several adjectives to describe me, some passable and some stingingly true whether I want to admit to them or not, but I hope never to be old in spirit. You, Erika, are an example of how to live. See you in about 9 days. David

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  10. Welcome back Erika! It so wonderful to ‘hear’ your voice again in these insightful posts! Brava for your inspiring recovery and touching thoughts on aging… for us youngsters in our 70’s!

    James Seattle

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  11. Cara Erika,

    Grazie for this delightful message about yr latest trip around the sun!

    It seems, you long ago mastered ageless grace and unfettered involvement in the world around you.

    Live on beautiful friend as a shining star

    sending much love & gratitude across the miles

    xo

    Gianna from Arizona

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  15. Ciao Erika,

    Love your new posting! And I wholeheartedly agree with Anonymous — Classic is much more fitting than Antique.

    We are enjoying our trip very much. Was hoping so see some snow but you have to look up to the top of the mountains here to find it. Nonetheless the days are cold and the sun is out so couldn’t be more pleasant. Today e are going up the cable car to visit a mountaineering museum designed by Zaha Hadid.

    Hope your rehab is going well and you are feeling stronger.

    abbracci,

    Candace

    PS. Thanks for the photo of Teah, who looks very comfortable.

    >

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  17. Hello Erika! Well, antique or not you are certainly functioning better than me because I’ve only just found this post. Congratulations on your birthday – and as an internet add-on it is lovely to see all these messages from your many good friends!

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  18. Carissimi saluti Erika! I’m just looking at your post. I wouldn’t call you an antique, perhaps someone aged like a fine wine D.O.C.G, but definitely someone treasured by many. A belated “buon compleanno” to you. I’m content to read that your powers of observation remain sharp and insightful and that Claudio & Lamberto are attentive and nearby. I just read in the NY Times of a tremendous art exhibit, “Caravaggio 2025”, featuring two dozen Caravaggio’s at Palazzo Barberini in Rome that is just opening. Perhaps you might persuade one or both of your sons to make a day trip to Rome to see this blockbuster exhibit! I’m certain you can navigate your way round Palazzo Barberini just fine. I wish I could go myself. You’re so much closer and it would be such an opportunity to enjoy so many masterpieces all in one place. Stay sharp and be well. I miss you. Sono rimasto ancora a Boston. Steve “Stefano” Venezia

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