10.6 In the little free time

At home, Luciano was “allergic and intolerant” to household chores. He loved hospitality, the warmth of the table, he liked to celebrate anniversaries, to be with loved ones, all together. But when he sat at the table, he didn't want to be disturbed anymore and didn't even want to get up. Even the idea of having to get up again to get something bothered him. And how angry he got! He even called the Saints from heaven and justified himself with his classic phrase: “O r’è per motivé Nossgnor a fé mej (I do it to motivate Our Lord to do better). As if to say, I do it to motivate those who do the work to always do it at their best...
“In his little free time, – specifies Mariuccia – he was a creature of habit and knew how to carve out moments of leisure. Lately, on Sundays, for example, early in the morning he would join his friend Roberto Vezza, the oenologist from his working days at Marchesi di Barolo, at the bar. He always maintained a very strong bond with him. They met assiduously, chatted for an hour and then, before returning, Luciano would buy the Settimana Enigmistica, the pastime for the afternoon, especially in the cold seasons. On Sundays he also liked to attend Mass on television. He was a great admirer of Pope Francis, whom he admired for the words and messages he knew how to give to those who listened to him”.
And there was another “intolerant allergy” of Luciano's: woe to anyone who asked him to do the shopping! Even the thought of it bothered him. To justify himself he said he wasn't capable of it.
Even in his free time he was reserved, he didn't like confusion. He didn't like to gossip. In fact, gossip bothered him a lot. If he got involved, he quickly got out of it with an excuse and changed the subject or the environment.
Even though the management of the company took up a lot of his time, he knew how to carve out space for reading. He read industry magazines and various newspapers so as to have a complete view of world events, which he then integrated by following television programs and debates.
He also liked going to the cinema in Alba or even more in Bra. And he did it willingly especially if he could take his grandchildren. “Ah his grandchildren! – recalls Mariuccia – They were the light of his eyes. He gladly spent time with them and never missed an opportunity to understand their dreams, read their thoughts and intuit their projects and at the same time he did his best to stimulate them to do well and to continue in their growth. With Stefano in particular he had long discussions. They talked about politics and current affairs and never stopped”.
In dressing and in things for the home Luciano had remained faithful to the family approach. Once they used to say “Who spends more, spends less”, referring to the purchase of clothes, shoes and other garments. The invitation was to prefer quality over cost. Within reasonable limits, of course. He remained like this: he didn't like having closets full of stuff. He bought the essentials, but what he bought had to please him and be really well made.
He knew how to appreciate beautiful things. And not just in clothing. Also things for the house, furniture, furnishings, ornaments, lamps. Everything had to live up to expectations. He had a particular passion for shoes. For those, he could even exaggerate and buy a few more pairs than necessary.
“In his own way – concludes Mariuccia – Luciano was a complete man, with whom one felt good. He was jovial to the right point and respectful of everything and everyone. If someone needed help, he went out of his way to help them, but he did it with discretion. He knew how to appreciate and make himself appreciated. And he remained so until the end, faithful to that way of being a peasant who knows how to appreciate what he has and does not resort to trickery to have what he knows he cannot afford. He lived his life with fullness, with his certainties and without regrets”.