Bella! Bella!

I'm excited to report that the beautiful and talented, Isabella Mariani has made news again. Seen here, (in the dark purple sweatshirt) she is performing an african dance with the National Dance Institute on "Good Day New York". Seems she is following in the footsteps of her performing parents, Abigail and Michael. (I once saw Abigail and Michael perform a duet so beautiful that I had to bite my cheek to keep from crying...I bled.) Their handsome son, Alessandro, is also quite amazing. Some of the most exciting ice hockey I've seen was watching Alessandro play at Chelsea Piers. He's been playing since he was a wee lad and I always looked forward to the home games. Recently the young man was elected captain of his team (quite an honor). He is also an aspiring photographer.

The Mariani's are my model family, a strong and loving unit. I've watched their children grow into the most extraordinary human beings I've ever met. And they have some terrific family rituals: In the wee hours on Thanksgiving day, Michael stakes out the perfect spot for his family (who joins him later) to watch the Macy's Parade; every year near Christmastime, they throw an open house and friends drift in and out merrily while the vegetarian chili fills bowl after bowl. It is true that Michael Mariani once stood back to back with Placido Domingo during the intermission of Lakme at the Met....I saw it with my own eyes. It is equally true that (in the summer) I love listening to "Viens Mallika" early in the morning while sipping coffee spiced with cinnamon and cloves.