Our Lady of Mount Virgin

That is the name of the catholic church in our neighborhood.  I live in a very italian neighborhood, and this is the time of year for the Italian Feast.  You know, clams, sausage & peppers, veal, gravy, cannoli, beef brajole,  zeppole,  etc.  And, they prance around the neighborhood with a  saint covered in money.  I live a scant 2 blocks from the location this annual festival of ethnic frivoloity takes place.  Therefore,  I have  been smelling food for days.  Just now, they paraded their saintly procession past my house.  Now, perhaps it is because i am from Florida, a place where such events dont occur, but this is the last in a long line of italian oddities that happen here.  The first week I lived here was Columbus day, which if you have ever lived near an italian neighborhood, you know is a big deal.  So, they were having their parade, and instead of throwing beads from the floats, they tossed bags of italian rolls.  Really.  Earlier this year, when the mayor was running for re-election, he was in the main drag of our little burg, handing out fresh loaves of Semolina bread.  Amazing.  Really.

There is a bakery 2 blocks over where you can buy fresh bread 24 hours a day.  Italian ice is prevalent, and I am in walking distance of no fewer than 5 pizza establishments.  The local butcher was mentioned on the Sopranos in season 1, and some scenes were shot in my town.  I feel like i live in a foreign country sometimes.  And everyone thinks I’m Irish.

Weird.