BONES

One of my colleagues was saving for a new house. The financial effort was huge, as her family included a husband, two children of student age, her old and sick mother. A perfect cook, she managed to put together meals out of mere scrap. The basic ingredients were usually bones. She was on the lookout for them in every market and would buy huge quantities of them. She boiled them, and used the gravy and whatever scraps of meat she could carve out of the bones to cook soup and pilaf.

One day, dressed in a beautiful fur coat (dowry from her grandma), she happened to be in the Amzei Plaza when the word was spread that there were bones on sale. She stood in the line and bought 12 kilos. Triumphantly she marched out of the shop, when a lady friend of her asked her, amazed: ?My dear, how many dogs do you keep at home?? (75)

I remember that after a brief exhibition, in 81-82, Mihai Stanescu, had a book published, which disappeared completely from the market. I do not remember the name of the book but I remember some of the caricatures. One was with Sophia Loren, who was giving an interview. She was asked what projects she had for the future, and she said ?I finished the first weeding and I prepare myself for the second.? The caricature with the policeman telling to the tram driver that he should pull over was fantastic. Obviously, it was the presidential line coming that way. Another one with an ambulance, which was completely destroyed. There were many caricatures, but I could only remember these (A. V., 7)

We gave it to the notary; it was the only thing that he asked. (A.V., 52)

I remember ?The Textbook of the Happenings? by Stefan Agopian, published in that period. There was a ?List of those who said that?? One was wondering how it was published with or without the police approval because the political allusions were crystal clear.

A successful novel was Silviu Angelescu?s, ?Calpuzans? which was well received. Silviu was ?covered up? by Mavrogheni?s history. The epoch happenings were then changed and transferred onto Ceausescu as the main hero. (A. V., 7)