Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Cathedral Interior

St. Paul, Minnesota

Original hand brushed, numbered giclee on canvas.





This giclee print on canvas is being offered by dePitera Fine Art Gallery. In the interest of disclosure, this dePitera person is my brother. At some point, shortly after birth, Louis was dropped on his head and so is not responsible for his crazy behavior. But just as I must love my dysfunctional Catholic family, my Mom (who loved me best), taught me that I must love and support my brother.

This print is being offered on ebay and he does have a "make an offer option." My advice? Make an offer. I will see to it that a reasonable offer from one of my readers will be accepted. None of this offer business has been cleared through him and will probably end up in a hot mess of an Italian screaming match on the phone. And to make matters worse the loon didn't even offer me a cut of the action. Tony (Soprano) will be very, very disappointed to hear this.


I did clear the delivery option with him so a local St. Paul or Minneapolis buyer can expect FREE delivery.


Nick Mancini
1926 - 2007

One year ago this week one of St. Paul's icons passed away. I spent many a wonderful evening in Mancini's with my father slopping up martini's and feasting on the best steak in the entire world.

What does this have to do with a picture of the St. Paul Cathedral? Simple - just follow along.

My father, who would have celebrated his birthday on April 25, passed away April 4, 2000. His funeral Mass was celebrated at the St. Paul Cathedral with, to the great joy of my brother, three limousines (Italian men are like that!)

After the wake, the night before the funeral, Mancini's Char House hosted our families huge Italian dinner. Our family, many having flown in from around the world, filled his entire back room. Thanks Nick!


Louis C. Pedro (Pitera)
April 25, 1917
April 4, 2000


If you live in the Twin Cities, stop by Mancini's this week, enjoy a fine meal, and raise a toast to Nick and my Dad.

12 comments:

Tom in Vegas said...

Sounds like a nice Italian family get together at Mancini's, although not under the best of circumstances.

I don't drink, so I'll do the nest best thing. I'll say a prayer for Mr. Nick Mancini and Mr.Louis C. Pedro.

uncle jim said...

i do, very occasionally, tip a brew or shot or both ... but i do mean very occasionally.

many years back, 15-35 years ago, when i was on the road in sales for an interstate trucking company, i used to consume a quart of johnny red [or black, or cutty, or chivas, or dewars, or whatever was handy] a week. it helped me get through the mornings where i'd awaken in my motel room, and look at my calendar just to find out where it was that i was awakening today.

now some would say that that wasn't all that much, but it was more than i needed to hide in.

so i stopped.

but i will still, very occasionally especially on special occasions, consume a glass on the rocks, but not alone.

so, in honor of the deceased, especially of yours, i will try to remember them the next time i'm imbibing for that special occasion. it ought to happen sometime this year i suspect.

irene said...

The twelve steps, Adrienne -- are you avoiding?

Not that the other things you posted were not nice. They just didn't have anything to do with the twelve steps.

Adrienne said...

irene - moi? Avoid anything?? Avoidance and procrastination are my middle name.....

Will be back to finish up step four tomorrow. I had to rest up from the grueling Holy Father visit:) It's actually being manufactured in my head since last night.

Adrienne said...

Tom - we LOVE funerals:)

Adrienne said...

jim - I never suggested that you had to have alcohol in order to toast someone. Obviously, moi won't be.

The days of slopping up those martinis are long over.....

I did get some wonderful GIANT green olives stuffed with jalapenos and garlic at Costco. To die for - even without the gin:)

Terry Nelson said...

Omigosh - I bet we know each other - well not know - but we've seen each other.

swissmiss said...

So sad that much of what was the Italian part of St. Paul is gone. Nick Mancini's funeral was big news last year. I suspect Vic Tedesco's will be the next, and probably last, big Italian funeral this town will see.

uncle jim said...

new tag
you're it
come to my TH 4/24 blog and get the particulars

www.nahnahnahnahnahnah@blogspot.com

thanks

Therese said...

I wish I could go there to have a good meal and raise a glass to them all. One day I may make it to Minnesota and I will go there.

I have tagged you. See my blog for details.

Therese

Therese said...

DUH. Uncle Jim has tagged you for the same meme. Well you can mention both of us and do one meme for two people.

Mary Jane Ballou said...

Adrienne - Just found your blog and wasted a good chunk of time reading back entries. You're going into my favorites.

Can there be anything more inspiring than a horse-drawn hearse? In Russia, I am told, the hearse would start out from the home, proceed to where the departed worked, and thence to the church. Hmmm - we have an active horse and carriage trade here in St. Augustine, FL. Perhaps if I started working on it now?