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Descendants, Goulash & The Curious

During our travels, we visited the romanticized Tuscany in Italy. Though the region possessed areas that had similar landscapes that could be found in areas of WV, the view of the mountainous cascades and vineyards in Northern Italy left lasting impressions. All of which, provided further curiosities about the origins of my ancestors.
European acquaintances flew in and purchased three Porsche Carreras to use for their travels throughout America. One of their stops was our home in West Virginia. These new visitors were very curious about a subject matter that we Americans never consider. While we, as well as many other Americans, are curious about the origins of our ancestors. These visitor's interests lay in where the descendants of Europeans ended up. Their histories and what they had achieved, how they lived, their chosen careers, etc.
Highlights how we obtained all our then wonderful toys. The same work habits, whereas my father would tell all; "Those two built all from nothing".
Curiosities, which led some to view our overall home area as a living museum of such. So, they had many questions about my grandfather, father and myself. Though our home, auto building and vintage automobiles were of interest; they were more so interested in our display of representative tools, which sparked interest in overall decedents of European immigrants. Some of which are in this image. My grandfather Battista's tools, which he used in the coal mines, are on the left in the picture. The tools on the right are from my days as a lineman at the young age of 19.
Though Valerie is narrating her humorous video, she would assist me. The reason, we achieved much in this life.
Though fascinated with the overall tool displays, my grandfather's farm plow and my lineman tools were of great interest. They wanted to know about all of it. My grandfather's farm, that once existed near U.S Route 50 and extended back to our home area's valley and both hillsides, and my early career as a lineman. The first image is my then 88 year old father with the farm plow that was pulled by my grandfather's retired mine mule. We had new handles crafted from original wormy chestnut, which was original to my father's plow. The second image illustrates a small sled that was also my father's as a child.
Though our visitors were enamored with my grandfather's days in America, they were very interested in what the third generation of an original immigrant had also achieved. In other words; where my grandfather began and where his descendants had taken it. They were equally fascinated to learn that Valerie was the descendant of 1700's English settlers, and that her family still owned a remainder parcel of her ancestral properties in the same county that her forbearers settled. (My wife with grandsons; Battista and Jeremiah).
Some visitor requests to visit the Sago Mine Memorial, which honored the coal miners lost on January 2, 2006, revealed a deep sadness, which centered all in the moment.  The October 2, 2006 Amish school house shootings in Lancaster Pennsylvania had also made it to Europe. The reported bravery of the children and the Amish parents, who later comforted the wife of the assailant, would lead one visitor to get emotional.  (Granddaughters Eva and Rey)
Another visitor, who took a keen interest in our family, possessed a fascinating history with worldwide insights. My friend Dirk, who had informed us that our new visitor was a prodigy as a young man, whose first job had been to reinforce the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Rome.
Most fascinating were recent discoveries by an American and German engineer which shed light on age old questions concerning the construction of the Egyptian Pyramids. Though we found this interesting, I later commented on the efficient nature of the Munich Airport. Whereas I believe we were informed that the Munich airport had been of our new friend's design.
Large parts of a village in WV named Clarksburg was built by European immigrants. So this village possessed inherent European traits. This city provided unique perspectives on restoration and rehabilitation, one prominent visitor even stating an interest in purchasing a building. Such prominent European interest would shine positive light on such an immigrant built city. However, as my friend had in the past, our new visitor viewed me the trusted center point. Fascinating prospects, that we spent years laying the foundation for, was now a mute point. Logistics voided entertaining such interests then, or in the future.
The new visitor in the picture was the president of a large Mercedes organization in America. He travelled from his home State to WV to meet Dirk. The visitor could not believe his good fortune.
The goulash kettle and stirring spoon from Bogacs Hungary that our friends carried on the plane from Europe years ago.
Dirk, Gretel and friend Keith.
Our friend illustrating precision to a most precise granddaughter.
A video with two ladies atop a Bridgeport City Water Tank hill. A mention of "Wonderful & Wild", the license plate used on their the owned WV Mercedes. Very positive for our old home area.
Next - 14. Military Museum

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