I relished your digression, especially this part: I find it notable that so often in the human past, major cultural change has originated with the Italians. There's nothing like Italian ice cream! Thanks for the link (it has an introduction by Russel Kirk ; )
LOLOL!!! It's called gelato! And I hold Russell Kirk in the highest regard. He's one of the last persons in the world to stoop to "nonsense."
Cornelis, it's wonderful to hear from you again!