Although there are numerous reasons to love Italy, when I ponder it, I think of 3 things: Great art, food, and . . .okay, I think primarily of 2 things. To be sure, the food in Italy is wonderful—always fresh and flavorful, whether it’s caprese (fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil) or yogurt (my personal fave is the walnut and oats flavor). Everything here has a “just made,” or “just picked” assumption. Italians eat locally and seasonally.
We are near Florence, so the art is without equal. It’s “normal” to walk by Brunelleschi’s famous domed cathedral, or see variations of Michelangelo’sDavid standing prominently at Piazza Signoria, across the river at Piazzale Michelangelo, and of course, the original tucked safely away in the Accademia. To study art in Florence is to study the evolving philosophy of humanity.
And the cars! What auto enthusiast doesn’t dream of driving a Bugatti Veyron, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, or a Maserati? They are timeless names in the world of design. Slick, smooth—totally romantic!
So, you may wonder, in today’s modern world how do the Italians combine artistic philosophy with their culinary skills? Simple answer: paper towels.
As the family gathers in the cucina, kitchen, they talk about Life, beauty and food. Alfredo smiles as Beatrice reaches for a paper towel. And immediately, in her hand, is the culmination of Italian culture and thought: The paper towel is imprinted with a stylized, colorful picture—not a pattern like in the U. S., where we try to make the paper look like cloth.
A Head Full of Thoughts?
No. On the paper towel is a childlike figure. And for what purpose? Why, to illustrate the philosophical statement that runs along the bottom edge of the towel, of course.
Like this one, for example:
“If you have a head full of thoughts, empty it right away. Write them all on a piece of paper, possibly large. You will feel that you have them under control and then. . .throw away the paper!”
Do it Again!
or this one:
“If something comes to mind from the past that made you happy, do it again, if you can.”
or this one:
“When speaking with an older person, pay all the attention that you can: you will always learn something and make him happy to have been heard.”
When Speaking with the Aged
Subtle? Yes. Effective? Probably. How clever to seize an opportunity that could be completely overlooked. Whether the towel is used to wipe up a spill or wrap a panino, something in the brain engages and zap—values are transmitted.
I imagine the Renaissance masters sitting around a dinner table. Loud discussions, even arguments, break out. Hands slice the air with accompanying gestures. Ideas are exchanged, points made, thoughts evolved. And in the fury and flurry, someone, probably Beatrice, hands Michelangelo a paper towel wrapped panino. Caught up in his own thoughts, he barely is aware of glancing at the words written on the napkin. Continuing his discourse, he finds himself saying, “Painting. I love to paint. Yesterday and the day before I painted and was happy. I shall paint today.”
(The sandwich had obviously been wrapped in towel example # 2.)
July 10, 2010
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