A RANCERE'S LAMENT

IVANO SAYS: Today is March 15, 2009. It is my father's (Gervasio "Bronco" Comelli) 109th birthday. It is also marks the third year that "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast") has been in publication. The 'Lament' (hopefully) capsulates the hard times that the ranchers faced "su per la costa", during the Great Depression. In my father's honor I publish below the "Rancere's Lament" as translated into Italian by my good friend Gino Roberto Campioni. Those of you who have the book can go to the back cover to read the English version. Sempre Avanti.





Lamento d'un Rancere*

In una mattinata particolarmente nebbiosa, un rancere era nel campo, faticosamente cambiando direzione dell'aqua che mandave alle piante di cavolini. Era profondamente dipresso. Appoggiato alla sua sciavola, ha dato uno sguardo al cielo scuro. Con voce di tristezza e se forse aspettasse quache cosa o qualcuno di essere lassu, ha cominciato suo lamento:

"Lavoro ogni giorno in questi campi, sprofondo nel fango, sento nessun' odore altro che pattume, ed in un paio d'ore il vento mi soffiera sabbia e detriti in faccia. Il prossimo mese quando pioverà, mi bagnerà i panni, e dovrò portare quei sacchi bagnati su e giu per i sorchi in fango. Lavoro dieci o dodici ore ogni giorno per pochissimi soldi. Mio figlio giovane è malato e non posso pagare il medico. My mogliettina è incinta e presto arriverà nostro secondo figliolo. Dove troverò la moneta per governare unaltra bocca? Ho promesso my bella sposa una vita facile in America. Ha trovato soltanto lavoro duro e tempi disperati. Se c'è un Dio lassu, perche non si fa vedere? Perche non mi aiuta? Ho bisogno di piu moneta! O Dio, se Voi siete lassu, perche non fate cenno e con Vostra mano per migliorare la mia vita?"

Veramente, non aspettando risposta, il rancere abbassò sua testa e con sua sciavola pian piano tornò à lavorare. Poi dalla nebbia fitta ed arcana, gli parve sentire una voce, gentile e sincera:

"O rancere mi. Non lo sai? Vivi su per la costa--non in paradiso."
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*Translated by Gino Roberto Campioni (with the exclusive permission of the author) from the copyrighted English version, as it appears in "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast), published by Authorhouse, 2006: http://www.authorhouse.com/

IT'S A KNOCKOUT!!!!

FRIULANO PRIMO CARNERA KNOCKS OUT JACK SHARKEY TO WIN THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD - 1933 (Photo courtesy of the 'Canadian Furlan')



Now that I have gotten your attention.......I just wanted to announce that the 'LNostra-Costa Blagga' is two years old. Yes, your old 'Blaggatore' launched it on July 27, 2006. This is my 138th posting on the 'Blagga" My how time flies when you are having fun. And yes, I have had much fun.

Originally the 'Blagga's" purpose was to publicize my book "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast). However, it quickly developed into something much more. This was because many of you submitted articles, photos and stories about your family and friends. Without your support the 'Blagga' would have floundered. I want to especially thank: Gino 'd'Baffi' Campioni the official Italian translator for the 'Blagga', Norma Dinelli Wilson (LaNorma), who submitted numerous articles and photos relating to 'La Costa' [and also her husband Al Wilson, who took many photos at my book signings]; Doriano, the 'Canadian Furlan', historian extra-ordinarier of the Furlan culture; Thelma (Micossi) Gill, who has been my eyewitness to my boyhood memories of Davenport and 'La Costa'; Marvin Del Chiaro, my 'old' college roommate who contributed articles and photos to the 'Blagga'; Reno Cantarutti who keeps reminding me of events that occurred 'su per la costa' that I should have remembered and everyone else who sent articles or made comments. [Speaking of comments: I must not forget to thank Carolina 'Carrie' Cariola for her frequent colorful and insightful comments. Truly a delight 'Carrie'.]

Since there are 138 articles on the 'Blagga' it is sometimes difficult to 'pull' them up for display.
Here is a helpful tip. AT THE UPPER LEFT HAND (YOUR LEFT) CORNER OF THE FRONT PAGE, THERE IS A BLANK SPACE FOR SEARCHING THE BLOG. TYPE ANY WORD (FAMILY NAME, TOPIC, TOWN OR A GROUP OF DESCRIPTIVE WORDS). IF AN ARTICLE HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON IT, THE 'BLAGGA' WILL DISPLAY IT. FOR EXAMPLE; IF YOU TYPE ITALIAN DICTIONARY IN THE SPACE AND THEN 'CLICCA' SEARCH THIS BLOG, GINO'S FAMOUS ITANGLISH DICTIONARY WILL 'POP-UP' AND ALSO, AS A BONUS, HIS ITALIAN FAMILY NAME LIST.

In addition, as you probably already know, the articles published on the 'Blagga' are often picked up by the Google scrawler. As often happens, persons around the world researching family names, etc. are referred to articles on this blog. I have met several interesting people who did just that. Recently, I just heard from a 'Furlana' who lives in the Morgan Hill area. Searching the word 'Furlan' or Friulan on Google she came up with the 'Blagga' and my name. Up to that time she thought she was the only Furlan in the area. Sempre Avanti. ivn0



BTW: You still can order "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast) through the publisher, Authorhouse, by going online at: http://www.authorhouse.com/ or order by phone at 1-888-7715. And, of course, you can order it through your favorite bookstore. I am told that it makes for a great gift and it is an excellent way to spread the word about our life 'su per la costa'.