{"id":5422,"date":"2022-06-23T15:22:35","date_gmt":"2022-06-23T20:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekcblog.com\/?post_type=engage&p=5422"},"modified":"2022-06-23T15:22:35","modified_gmt":"2022-06-23T20:22:35","slug":"summer-2022-of-the-earth","status":"publish","type":"engage","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blog\/engage\/summer-2022-of-the-earth\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2022 – Of the Earth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Rose and Raymond Terranella, Blue Medicare Advantage Members<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rose and Raymond were born in Sicilian towns near Palermo, Italy. Rose, age 75, is from San Giuseppe Jato, a village that sits in the hilly region of Palermo\u2019s hinterland. Raymond, 79, is from Campofelice di Fitalia, a village about 20 miles southeast of Palermo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the towns are just an hour drive from each other, Rose and Raymond\u2019s paths never crossed until immigrating to the United States. The couple was introduced in Kansas City by Rose\u2019s uncle. And the rest is \u201cstoria\u201d \u2013 that is, history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October, the Terranellas will be married 45 years. Raymond explains the key to a happy marriage. \u201cDon\u2019t fight,\u201d Raymond laughs. \u201cBut if we do get mad at each other, we speak Italian.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a constant twinkle in Rose and Raymond\u2019s eyes. This good-natured, down-to-earth couple have a fitting last name \u2014 terra means \u201cearth\u201d in Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Familia first<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Terranellas put down roots, worked hard, and made a life together. Raymond built the brick home in Carriage Hills Estates \u2013 an Italian-centric neighborhood in the KC Northland \u2013 where the couple lives to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raymond spent two years working in a metal factory and then 40 years in the produce industry. Rose worked for 12 years in a dress factory. And later, once the children were grown, she worked at Walmart for 17 years. The couple raised a son and daughter and put them through college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Terranellas are retired, and their life still revolves around family. The couple\u2019s daughter lives nearby. So does their son, his wife, and their two boys. Rose and Raymond see their grandsons every Sunday for dinner and often during the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re playing baseball and we go see their teams, one game every other day,\u201d says Raymond, beaming with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the ballpark to Sunday pasta dinners, family comes first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Raymond\u2019s secret garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a garden in the Terranella’s backyard that\u2019s just beginning to sprout to life. This is Raymond\u2019s happy place. His earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raymond spends hours every day doing the tasks that all vegetable gardeners do. This includes weeding, pruning, watering, planting, and then harvesting the fruits \u2013 and vegetables \u2013 of his labor. \u201cWhen I grow it, it tastes better,\u201d he shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything has its place. The garden is meticulously planted with rows of heirloom tomatoes, green beans, and cucuzza squash \u2014 a favorite squash of Sicilians. This incredibly long squash can grow from 3 to 6 feet long with sprawling vines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The garden is also home to a bountiful fruit orchard. Raymond grows cherry, persimmon, fig, plum, peach, and apple trees. He even uses the centuries-old technique of grafting to propagate stronger, more resilient trees and to create new varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoying nature\u2019s bounty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As in year\u2019s past, Raymond\u2019s garden will yield many gifts this growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bushels of vine-ripened tomatoes will be chopped and canned for future soups and stews. Others will be boiled down into Raymond\u2019s signature red sauce which he\u2019ll preserve in empty San Pellegrino bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh cucuzza will make its way into summer minestrone soup and pasta dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And oh how the figs will sparkle come holiday time! Once they\u2019re ripened and dried, Rose will use them to bake her famous cookies \u2013 a Christmas tradition in Sicily and the Terranella\u2019s home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur beautiful fig trees make cucidati,\u201d Rose says. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot of work,\u201d Rose adds. First, she\u2019ll make the dough, then the fig-nut filling, then she\u2019ll glaze and decorate. It\u2019s a labor of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a word to describe Rose\u2019s cucidati: Spettacolare! (Spectacular!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eating healthy comes naturally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Terranellas choose to eat healthy. Their diet consists of a lot of vegetables and lean meats like chicken. Rose especially loves seafood. When they can, they prepare fish on Fridays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The couple rarely dines out, instead preferring to eat at home. \u201cI open the refrigerator and whatever we got, we cook it,\u201d shares Raymond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, Rose has dealt with heart issues, so eating healthy is important. Over three decades ago, she underwent heart valve surgery. Now she has a pacemaker. \u201cShe\u2019s bionic,\u201d her husband chuckles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From all indications, the couple\u2019s Mediterranean diet has served them well. Rose and Raymond are animated, energetic, and full of life. They\u2019re surrounded by loving family and friends. A flourishing vegetable garden and fruit orchard. And, of course, each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forty years ago, a seed of love was planted. And ever since, the Terranellas have watched it grow and grow and grow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5431,"template":"","engage_categories":[],"class_list":["post-5422","engage","type-engage","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSummer 2022 - Of the Earth - The Blueprint Blog - Blue KC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Summer 2022 - Of the Earth - The Blueprint Blog - Blue KC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Rose and Raymond were born in Sicilian towns near Palermo, Italy. Rose, age 75, is from San Giuseppe Jato, a village that sits in the hilly region of Palermo\u2019s hinterland. Raymond, 79, is from Campofelice di Fitalia, a village about 20 miles southeast of Palermo. 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