La Meridiana was a wonderful Italian restaurant in Wilmot Flat, a town near New London.
We were there for dinner on one of the last days of a January. It happened to be one of the coldest days of the winter.
Piero Canuto, chef-owner, explained that in his homeland, the Piedmont area of Italy, the last three days of January are called Le Giornate della Merla. The days and nights at the end of January are usually so cold that white doves hide in the chimney tops to stay warm. The doves are black from the soot when they come out.
That was enough for Tomie to create a story and book, DAYS OF THE BLACKBIRD.
Tomie’s illustrations are beautiful. The book is out-of-print except in eBook format. I hope it becomes available again in print form.
As it turns out, the last three days of this January will be the coldest ones so far this winter in New London. (Bob)
Pray for Peace, Justice, and Equality
