Fascinating Photos

[F, Calla & Luca]

I especially liked the octopus eggs.
http://www.talesmaze.com/29-fascinating-photos-youve-probably-never...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree Mary, it sounds like a wonderful meal and just think what an interesting dinner companion he would be!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am with you.  The octopus eggs were especially wonderful.   I never thought about where the Great Wall of China ended, but should have.  Now I know.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I had the same thoughts about the Great Wall.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

let's try Karen's idea.  Translate Michelangelo's shopping list

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

1. rolls
2. wine
3. fish
4. pasta or salad
5. milk and grain
6. soup
7. eggs
8. pudding
9. more fish
10. more wine of course

[F, Calla & Luca]

Really? I just sent it to my sister who has studied Italian for years.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

should be interesting.   Looking forward to the results. Is it Italian or Latin or even a mix back in those days

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh good. It should be interesting...

[F, Calla & Luca]

OK, this is a reply from my sister who gets a bit pedantic. She was a college teacher for many years :-)
"First of all, this is a dialect, not Italian. Modern Italian didn't exist until the 19th century when Vittoria Emanuel was the king who united the regions into one country with one language. that being said, some of the words are recognizable and some are not and the handwriting isn't clear in various places. Also I think there are two lists where the second list begins with Sei pani --6 rolls (when he already asked for 2 rolls at the top.)
I think your friend Joanne made some headway, but I see no evidence of pudding, eggs or milk. I think she is guessing by the drawings and not the words. After the rolls on the top he asks for grilled herring(misspelled slightly) and maybe a salmon as well. The idea of pasta is possible, with a long description of a special sauce that ends with the word bruscio which means something in the dish burned or toasted and maybe the spinach, which is indeed spinaci, as part of this same dish.
The second list is clearly six rolls, another herring, spelled correctly this time, and maybe wine, although tondo means round in modern Italian, but could be referring to the source, a round barrel or vat, maybe indicating ordinary wine, nothing fancy. The last word I don't have a clue about and nothing like it is in the dictionary. the prefix torto or torta can refer to a dessert, like a pie or tart type thingNot being an expert in Renaissance idioms, I can't be sure of the wine the second time and other things in the lists.
If the handwriting were more clear I might have done better."

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

"If the handwriting were more clear I might have done better."

Really?   You did way beyond what we ever expected!   Thanks, Prof. J. Well done! 

Bravo!  Now, have some wine. There is plenty on my list at least  :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

:-)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks F. It is really interesting about the dialects.  One thing we know for sure is he like fish and bread! LOL