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24 February 2016

Challenge Accepted, Pecora Nera!

Why the Black Sheep?
I'll tell you!


So, this is the story. There I was a few days ago having a mosey around some of my favourite blogger's goings-on, and I discover that The Englishman in Italy, or Pecora Nera ("black sheep" to his friends) had been having a spot of beaurocratic bother. "Well, nothing to write home about there", I thought, "we are in Italy after all". But his particular bother this time had to do with obtaining Italian Citizenship. I kindly left him a comment offering to find out all I could on the subject from the "Girls" at my bookclub that evening. 
Well, the news from the "Girls" was so overwhelmingly positive, (in that both he and I are entitled to dual citizenship with all the attendant benefits) that I hot-footed it back over to his blog to fill him in; and I casually suggested we apply for citizenship together to see which county (regione), Piemonte which is where he is, or Veneto where I live, is first to issue us with citizenship.
Blimey! I tell you, that man is recklessly speedy on the uptake, and I find I have been officially challenged to The Italian Citizenship Race ... I only realised what had happened when some of his readers popped over to my blog to introduce themselves as fans of the opposition!!!

Of course I gathered up the gauntlet!


My 16 year old son Umberto said, "Don't worry Mum, the best man will win and I think that's you!!!"
Actually he's autistic so he didn't say that at all. What really happened was, I burst into the kitchen and barked - "Umbi, draw a lovely picture of Mum eating mutton hamburgers. Oh, and put a scared looking black sheep in the picture too!!!"


Of course once I'd heard I was at loggerheads with Pecora Nera, I'd hoofed it over there to suss out the opposition. WOW. That is one well-loved Black Sheep! No sooner had he published news of a Race, than his numerous Fans had turned out in force to cheer him on!

(On the wall in the background you can see the progress of Umbi's Countdown to Steam calendar)


Never mind Sal, I cheered myself. PN hasn't the promotional/artistic benefits of Umbi behind him!!! 
 "Umberto, do your worst!"

Careful PN! You see me here? Serenely confident of success; flaming "red" locks flowing; replete with silver earrings and a couple of raw mutton hamburgers, poised on my shoulders to sate my hunger (whenever I should opt to renounce my vegetarianism)



Be scared PN ... be very scared!!!

This blog is pro-autism.
Thank you, Sally xx


I feel it's time to separate my posts published in English and Italian. So I'll keep sarsaparillasal for posts in English, and I'll create a blog "twin" where I'll publish duplicate posts in Italian. 
Ho deciso di creare un Blog "gemello" dove si può trovare tutti gli stessi post, ma pubblicati in Italiano.

20 comments:

  1. Go girl ! Go dual.......I have the Dutch/British ...... With the Irish as standby and maybe one day the Brazilian!
    Well written, you are always so entertaining.
    Keep it up girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve, you're a STAR as usual - and so far my only "Fan", not counting Umbi!! (Have you seen the opposition's turnout???)
      I could have Irish too - are we allowed triple citizenship?
      Love Sxx

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    2. I too will pledge my fan-dom. Any help you need from Blighty then I'm your girl. I do a very good Moroccan lamb burger if you need the recipe - or shepherds pie or lamb kebabs or a good Irish stew. Black sheep ain't got nuthin on my main girl Sal. Love Chrissy B (no idea how to reply as me rather than "unknown").

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    3. I hereby sign up as Fan No.3 ... will I get a membership card? Black sheep, you're going to be in a stew before long ... (am I not hilarious ...?)

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    4. Dear Chrissy B, there's nothing Anonymous about you - Official Fan Three! But "Unknown" on the other hand usually adds a hint of mystery :)
      Yep, with a gal like you on my team, PN needs to watch out for his cutlets
      Love&baci Sxx

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  2. Good luck with this Sally. I'm on your team. Let me know if you need me to join a rally but give me at least a week to get there x
    Anna
    Anna's Island Style

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anna, it's so good to know I have your glam self on my team - all rested and restored after that holiday :D
      Mmmmm - a whole week? Better not call you for anything urgent then!
      Love Sallyxx

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  3. I have decided to stalk your blog to see how you are progressing.

    The paperwork required to apply for citizenship looks quite simple however I am sure the list will grow day by day.

    I have a couple of jobs to do first which includes getting my hussy of a cat fixed before we end up with another 8 kittens, Mishmash has been walking around with a grin on her face and all bushy tailed for a week.

    All the best
    Pecora Nera

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hiya PN, that sounds fair enough; I've been "stalking" yours for years :)
      You know, it won't do your bid to outrace me any good though because it would appear I HAVE got Fans after all, and I couldn't let them down by fraternising.
      Anyway - here's to prioritising the curbing of Mishmash's reproductive capabilities. That'll wipe the grin off her face :(
      Baci Sxx

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  4. You're already so dual, Sal, it'll be a breeze & a brezza! Black sheep don't have a baaing hope...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hellooo Gorgeous Adam. What a fab surprise! I'm delighted you read my little nonsense of a blog, but shouldn't you be off elsewhere thinking highbrow thoughts?
      Hang about! ... now you're here let's get some Zacapa for that brezza and talk duel tactics.
      Love&Love and hope to see you soon, Sxx

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  5. I forgot to say, Umberto's picture is pretty fab. It is a good likeness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's a very good likeness of me; and an excellent likeness of my poncho.
      I'll take your word for it that it's a true likeness of you if you say so, but didn't I read you'd just had a haircut? And do you really have Borat eyebrows and Tutankhamon teeth? Nice!
      Sxx

      Delete
  6. Go, Sally, GO!!! YAY!!! I have a good feeling about this. Umbi's pictures are stunning. He is such a talented young man. I love his use of colour. That's fantastic that you can have dual citizenship. What a gift.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melanie. Thank you! ... what a blooming breath of fresh air to have you visibly back in the blogging firmament!
      Yep, PN and I have to get in there quick before either Italy or England rescind on the offer of permitting "Dual".
      Love Sxx

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  7. Hi Sally,
    Of course I am on your team and I love Umberto's drawings - they are amazing!! Go Sally!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you ... WONDERFUL! So now I've got some very talented and glamerous girls backing me up. I feel invincible!!! Poor old PN :D
      Baci Sxx
      ps luckily Umbi loves being instructed to produce "art" for his demanding Mummy

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  8. Hi Melanie. Thank you! ... what a blooming breath of fresh air to have you visibly back in the blogging firmament!
    Yep, PN and I have to get in there quick before either Italy or England rescind on the offer of permitting "Dual".
    Love Sxx

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  9. I love how you have an artist in residence to create whatever you need.

    My memories of European bureaucratic red tape still haunt my dreams. Patience is required, that I know for sure.

    I'm rooting for you!

    bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Suzanne, my resident artist is thoroughly exploited by his mother. Fortunately he loves it :)
    Poor old Pecora Nera! if he's been nipping over here to spy on the strength of the opposition, he'll be quaking in his little cloven hooves.
    Baci Sxx

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I'm so glad you visited today - please stop and say a quick "Hello". Sx