Aida Perez-Rizzo
Where does one start with 69 years of memories of the Pasetti Family. The earliest remembrance was at the house on Kathleen Street. A very small but humble home. Then cane the move to the big yellow brick house on Riverside Drive. It had a basement that flooded all the time. It was easy to play ping-pong in the water cause the ball just floated. All the games and toys were there and the TV. Then there were cold Saturday nights when hot chocolate reigned supreme. Just not any hot chocolate, I mean the chocolate was grated by hand by Caridad Mendez (Mary's mom), milk was boiled, chocolate added and stirred. Then there was Noche Buena. Mary cooked all food from morning till night. There was the kitchen table and front of it was half of the ping-pong table and covered in a tablecloth. That's when family gatherings were large groups. There must have been at least 20 people sitting around the table. And lets not forget that there were always invited guest for this special day. Some had no place to and the doors were always open for them. Ah, and the memories of the lake. There was no house for years, only a carport and long picnic table. And to change clothes we had 3 tree in a triangle shape and my father would always nail the old blankets to the tree. And when the rains came it was either a mad dash for the carport or car till it blew over. The visits of the lake were most memorable. Everyone knew where to go on a lazy Sunday afternoon. And when the house was finally built there was a kitchen. Mary would cook crab enchilado with spaghetti, or yellow rice and chicken. The people who came would bring Cuban bread or desserts. And after lunch there were board games and swimming.
These are just a few of the memories that I wanted to share about this family, that has always been part of my life Thanks for the Memories. God Bless You. -
