A day in the city ~'::

In the neighborhood where I spent the majority of my growing-up years there is a little Italian grocery on a street right next to the park. Delmonico's Italian Foods. I have good memories of walking down there to pick up something for Mama. I felt so grown up! The older gentlemen who ran it were always friendly, and they would make sure we got a sample of their Italian cheeses and salami before we left. A slice of cheese and one of salami on a piece of waxed paper for each. Those guys are gone now, but the grocery is still running. I got to visit the other day when I went with Mama to pick up a friend of ours, Miss A., from the airport. It still smelled and looked just the same as it always had. Beautiful produce, cheeses, crusty Italian breads, vinegars, olive oils, pastas, and anything else you might need at a moment's notice for supper. It was so good to be there for a few minutes again. My Greta Rose got to visit the neighborhood for the first time. It's not an easy neighborhood to live in, being in the middle of a big city, but there is a community of believers there ministering in Christ's name who are very dear to me. Their homes are what I consider to be "my native planet" (in the earthly sense, you understand--my real home is heaven!)

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After Delmonico's, we went to Auntie Dorothy's house for a visit. Dear ones from across the alley came over too. It was too short (as always!), but wonderful.
The gate of Aunt D.'s home (where I lived once!) ~':: ~also: undoing little girls' braids~
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We drove home in the rain ~
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I brought pictures back with me of course, and I had to frame a couple for my kitchen.
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That wasn't the best of what I brought back with me though. Aunt Dorothy sent some real treasures back with me. But that will have to be for another post ...