Dear Sueann Ramella:

Saw a portrait in Genoa of a woman that must have been your Italian great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-many=more=greats-grandmother. The portrait dates from the days when Rubens and Van Dyck were in Liguria, influencing Genovese artists. (You do the research, girl.)

I know you descended from her, because she was centuries ahead of her time in fashion sense. On her feet were pointy-toed shoes! She obviously knew those were going to be "da moda" at the time her fabulous descendant was playing resident What Not To Wear expert at NWPR. Oh, I also know she's your ancestor, because....SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

(Everybody join in the chorus now, "SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.....!!")

Photos were not allowed in that museum, sorry. I also can't remember whether the painting was by Rubens, Van Dyck, or one of their proteges.

Thanks for being the live wire who brightens our days at work, Missy!

Love, your Other Asian Mother