13 Comments
Aug 30, 2023·edited Aug 30, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

As a "protagonist" in this story, I have to add that it reached me deeply. As Rosana's mother, I am always amazed at all the memories she shares and her thoughts in general, so well expressed. I raised a genius, it seems ;)

Expand full comment
author

LOL, I wouldn't go that far! But thank you, and I'm glad you liked it!!

Expand full comment
Aug 30, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

I didn't even go far enough...

Expand full comment
author

;-)

Expand full comment
Sep 10, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

Wow! So interesting! I had no idea your dad was an architect! Mine, too! My dad was a research professor at (and later head of) the Small Homes Building Research Council. He never taught a course though there were grad students at the office. My brother-in-law found some photos my dad took while in the Navy that suggest he worked on some interesting projects while stationed in FL (where he met my mom), but he never spoke of them. The apartment building is nice; looks like something my dad might have designed as well! Those U of I jobs really served our parents well especially in retirement with a pension.

Expand full comment
author

Oh, I didn't realize that your dad was also an architect! I wonder if they knew each other at the U of I? My dad also didn't talk about his work; I wish that he had. I knew he'd done some research on housing projects but only recently learned that in the '70s he got a $500K Ford Foundation grant to study low-income housing. It's only been in recent years that he's taken to telling us anything about the past, out of the blue. It's great to learn a little more about what he did. And no kidding about the pensions! I'm so grateful my parents have them.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Rosana, for this family history and capturing an important slice of the 20th Century Argentine experience.

Expand full comment
author

Thank YOU, Dom!! Appreciate your reading my Substack, and I'm glad you enjoyed this.

Expand full comment
Aug 29, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

Fascinating stuff Rosana. Our fathers were both architects! What a world.

Expand full comment
author

Who knew! Around 1970 he also designed his parents' house in the Dolomites pictured here: https://flowerchild.substack.com/p/the-community-weve-lost

Expand full comment
Aug 29, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

An adventure through modern times! I love your telling of your father’s story with the background of Swift and Argentina. So vibrant. I see a movie idea in there.

Expand full comment
author

Who would play Father?

Expand full comment
Aug 29, 2023Liked by Rosana Francescato

If Max Von Sydow were still available, I think he'd be fabulous playing your father. Remember him in The Seventh Seal? He played chess with Death! And was fairly successful, ta boot!

Expand full comment