O Sole Mio!

O Sole Mio!

In the words of the song, sometimes the best things are there;

‘Sta ‘nfronta te!’

They are right there in front of us and we become so familiar we no longer recognise the goodness, kindness, love and suddenly, it’s gone!

Sometimes we need to go back to the beginning, maybe to a time when we had less but wanted more. Did we all crave to be better and move on to bigger, better, shiny new ‘things’?

What happens when we look back and realise things were perfect, just the way they were?

Wouldn’t it be good to return to a corner of your mind and appreciate exactly what you had, in all its simplicity and innocence?

In Songs of Innocence and Experience I love how William Blake viewed childhood as perfect examples of creativity and imagination. He portrayed them as symbols of gentleness and purity, lacking in sophistication but wealthy in humility.

Children embody goodness and lack malice. They accept things as they are, trust others to look after them and bloom in ignorant bliss. However, experiences, good and bad, change our perspective and we become weary and cynical. The higher our expectations are the more we suffer disappointment.

Last night me and The Mary took a trip into the past; to a place which used to be very dear to me. O Sole Mio was one of the first places I went on a date. I was 18 and good restaurants in Glasgow were few and far between. My date, who will remain nameless for fear of getting a visit from the police, was from the Calton.

He was a boxer but had a side hustle and needed a decent, respectable girl to get through the doors of certain establishments in town. I was a dancer and knew lots of the security. Our evening would always start at O Sole Mio! We would then go to Lucifer’s, Maestro’s and wherever else he needed to deliver.

Like a child I was oblivious as to what was going on, enjoying the finer points of the evening. I would then be dropped off home at a decent hour having had a delightful time as well as serving my virginal purpose to my suitor. Days of innocence right enough.

It took me a while to realise what was going on, within two weeks he was chucked but I continued my love affair with Il Mio Ristorante Preferito. It was the first place to have a wood-burning, brick oven in Glasgow and later when I was married to an Italian it was the only place he and his friends would go for Pizza.

Now I balk when I see new, hip pizzeria’s offering authentic, rustic, baked dough, scorched in metal and ceramic ovens which arrive at the table with a soggy bottom and doughy rim. Nothing is better than focaccia or pizza, baked on a porous, clay surface which draws water out from the dough leaving a tasty puffed up crust.

O Sole Mio has survived despite recessions in 1961 - bank interest rates, 1973 - an industry crisis, 1975’s - oil price fluctuation, government spending limitations in the 1980’s, the High interest rates of the 1990’s and many more. How many Pizza Punks will still be about in 2063?

For 45 years they have given us a taste of Naples and, hopefully, will continue to do so for many years to come. Our trip down memory lane was wholesome and delicious. We left feeling nostalgic and loving our vibrant city even more than we had at the start of the evening.

O Sole Mio reminds me of Mimi’s, one of my very favourite places in New York. The last thing on my mind as I went to sleep last night was how we need to keep spreading the news about our wonderful city so more people can be enjoy her. Hospitality and Glasgow are in my heart and my vagabond shoes will always stray right to the heart of it.

Maybe it’s not ‘the city that doesn’t sleep’ but every day I find something, both old and new, to brag about. It’s my kind of town, my kind of people too, as you walk down the street they may growl but they also smile at strangers.

Whenever I leave, it calls me home and I will forever be grateful for the memories it holds.  Good, bad and sad, it’s made me who I am and I’m proud to call myself a Pure Glasgow Girl!

Till the next time.

Me and The Mary

Mx

Panda!

Panda Chinese Cuisine!

Once upon a time a wee lassie saw a Panda being attacked by a big, bad leopard. She swooped in and saved the bear but lost her own life when Rampant Leo killed her instead!

Pandas, until then, had been totally white and fluffy.

However, on the day of her funeral, thousands of Pandas turned up wearing armbands of black ash and as they hugged each other, bleating hysterically the ash spread all over their eyes and bodies.

That’s how they came to be Black and white.

The End! 

This is a true story my pal told me. In 1969 after she’d been to Woodstock with her parents. They’d met an embarrassment of panda loving hippies.  She had the time of her life and they ate magical mushrooms with breakfast. It was magnificently psychedelic and she said everything had been perfectly purple for a week.  

By the time The Mary made it up the stairs to Panda at Springfield Quay I had to wipe the tears from her panda eyes. She’s was crying from the pain of her Baker’s cyst. I did explain, once we were up there, the toilets were on the same level so it was a Win Win Win as she usually has to visit the lavvy at least three times because of her weak bladder situation

I’m getting her an INNOVO for Christmas to strengthen her pelvic floor and stimulate the ‘wummin’ area. Actually, I’m going to check if they do a 2 for 1 deal because I could do with some of this; ‘clinically proven, non-invasive action’ myself.

When I explained to The Mary you wrap it around your thigh and it has a hand-held control for pelvic stimulation, and doesn’t need insertion, it began sounding all the more attractive to me!

Although our reproduction facilities are past their ‘sell buy’ date The Mary suggested INNOVO could be used as a treatment for Pandas because they’re dying a lot faster than being born. Pandas only ovulate once a year.

Maybe INNOVO are missing a trick here. They could market their ‘wrap’ as ‘Panda Friendly’ with no harm being done in the making of the ads. Maybe, if the panda population increases I would get a kick back.

They might send me the first INNOVO created Panda as a pet. Then me and The Mary could take it out with us on a Monday. Or, they could grant me a lifetime supply of free, electronic incontinence devices to make my pelvic floor more controlled, make me feel assured, help my inner and outer confidence and hopefully, keep me Tena free with a permanent smile on my face.

There’s nothing worse than involuntary leaking!

Did you know more people suffer from incontinence than Hay fever? All this pishing and sneezing could be an advertiser's wet dream!

Anyway, back to the food.  When we got to the door of Panda Chinese Cuisine The Mary nearly fainted because it was a Buffet. She thought we’d have to leave because I hate the ‘All you can eat’ spreads but having come all the way up the stairs I thought it was best to stay.

Don’t want The Mary bleating like a Panda ‘cause she’s certainly not as cute when she’s mad!

The food on offer was beautifully presented in shallow containers and was steaming hot. The counter was laden with fresh, colourful food and the variety suited both our very different tastes. My favourite was the Mongolian Beef, no, it was the pulled duck.  Wait a minute, I think I loved the chicken in black-bean sauce the most? 

There was fresh fruit, ice cream, cheesecake and a fluffy sponge for the sweet toothed patrons as well as fruity fritters with custard. I opted for marshmallows dipped in the chocolate fountain. I’d never tried this before and have to say it was a bit like chewing my pillow after a visit from the grandson.

I’m not sure it’s as they boast;

“The Most Beautiful Chinese Restaurant in Glasgow!”

Or

“A top class restaurant!”

But it did have the freshest, most varied buffet I’ve ever had and the staff were attentive and pleasant. From the quality of the food provided I would guess they have Chefs from different regions of China because the range of different dishes was exceptional.

Although it seats up to 200 guests it still felt cosy and had an almost Disneyesque feel. It would be a fun place to go with children before a visit to the cinema. If you are a Panda geek they also have an online shop where you can buy ‘Panda’ things like; keyrings, mugs and pens so you could do a bit of shopping while you’re there.

All in all it was a pleasurable experience and is very reasonably priced!

When I suggested the INNOVO to The Mary she looked worried then said;

“Do you think that electronic thing would stop us from pishing ourselves laughing? Because I’d much rather be discreetly dry and secure with Tena Lady than no have a laugh!”

See you the next time!

Me and The Mary!

Mx