"From the Crucifix to the Cross", Published!

It has been over 2 years in development but my 2nd book is finally published. "From the Crucifix to the Cross" recounts my spiritual journey that started with my birth in New York City into the Catholic faith. It records my trials as I tried to navigate through the web of legalism. And how I came to accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord and to a personal relationship with the Living God.

I had started work on the book over 2 years ago. I was encouraged by many fellow believers who had friends and relatives who are still in the Catholic religion. But ministry and home improvement projects kept pushing it out.

It is humbling to review all that the Lord has done for you.

In preparation for being baptized this past June, I reviewed some of my notes for the book (to work on my testimony) and became focused on completing the project.

Although I have written hundreds of pages for the book, I eventually trimmed it down to 28 pages with another 30 pages of apologetics that addresses Catholic doctrine and common misconceptions about being a Christian. I have given the book to some good friends and the feedback that I've received so far has been quite generous. One person was so moved by the book that he wants to use it in an evangelistic outreach to Catholics.

If this book helps just one person break the bonds of legalism and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it will all be worth it.

A Backyard Resort

After spending 6 years kicking around ideas for the other half of our backyard, we finally decided to go with a plan and get it landscaped. Although I'm capable of doing the 'heavy lifting' required, we decided to hire a local landscaping guy to do the bulk of the work for us. Here is part of the finished result:

Fine stone, real grass, curbing, and a planter assembled using retaining wall block summarize the work done. We had extra flagstone block left over so we made a pedestal for our firepit.

Gone is the 'corner of death' where nothing grew and we stored our extra landscaping material. Gone are the honeysuckle vines that overgrew the side fence. The yard is now fully finished, neat and clean. It is a peaceful and tranquil place to sit. It is more conducive for sitting near the fire. The canopy has been equipped with new lighting and sound system. It's a real enjoyable place to be.

Stepping out into our backyard transports us to a mountain resort.

 

A Special Birthday Treat

As I get older, I am appreciating the simpler things in life more than I used to. A nice cup of espresso after dinner. A piece of crusty Italian bread. A flavor-filled dish of Spumoni ice cream. Although my pre-birthday meal was not so simple, I definitely appreciated it.

Eva made an Italian dish that has been a rare treat for our family. Zuppa di Pesce (pronounced: ZOOpadeePESH) is a dish of linguini and gravy (tomato sauce for those outside of Brooklyn) full of clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, calamari, scallops, and lobster. My Dad, brother, and I affectionately refer to it simply as "the fishtank".

The first time that Eva made Zuppa di Pesce was back in Feb when my parents came out to visit. Even though she had never made it before, it turned out to be the best that we had ever had. Over the years my Dad and I have sought out Zuppa di Pesce in every Italian restaurant that offered it on the menu... so we know what we're talking about.

Zuppa di Pesce is a great consolation prize for turning 46!

 

Some stories are a lifetime in-the-making

A childhood friend of ours organized a reunion of sorts for our elementary school classmates. A dozen or so got together in June. Unfortunately we were unable to attend. But we did receive some photos of the event. Included in those pics were some class pictures.

Here is our 5th grade class in 1973. Yes, that is Eva and I. That was 35 years ago! It is hard to wrap one's mind around 35 years. Thinking about all that has happened and we've done in just the last one year is an eye opener. Literally a lifetime had passed between our Jr. High graduation and when Eva and I reunited. By the 5th grade, Eva and I had already known each other for 2 years.

Since our class remained intact for 4 formative years in elementary school, many of our classmates left lasting impressions. This class picture triggered a ton of memories. All of them good. And although I already have a great appreciation for Eva, thinking about what we've both individually gone through to get to where we are now gives me an even greater appreciation for her (if that is possible).

Sometimes you meet the love-of-your-life at a very early age.

 

Cruisin' (on more than just a Sunday afternoon)

We just returned from a 5 day cruise... and what a cruise it was! Here's a shot of the 4 of us as we disembarked at our first port of call, Catalina Island. Yeah, it's only a few minutes away from the mainland of California. Yeah it is still in the United States. But, there is something very special and unique about the little town of Avalon.

It's been a while since our last leisure vacation. 3 years to be exact. We planned on taking a cruise last year, but because of the time required for preparing for Family Camp and the inability to line up a time when all of my kids back East would be available, we decided to postpone it. For a variety of reasons, my kids back East were unable to join us for this cruise. But we were desperately overdue for a vacation so we had to forge ahead with the plans anyways.

We sailed on Carnival and had an awesome time. We had a chance to really unwind and relax. I actually got into the hot tub a few times and lounged on the deck. The food was fantastic. The entertainment was top-notch. Since Jeremy and Elizabeth were in the teen group, they had a bit more freedom, which meant that Eva and I had a bit more freedom too. The highlight of the trip for me was going to the Disco onboard and dancing with Eva during the "Flashback dance party". (The first time that we danced together!) When we returned to our cabin, Elizabeth was waiting, with her arms folded and proclaimed, "it's about time you kids came back!" LOL

WillysJeepMan Origins

Some people wonder where the nickname "WillysJeepMan" came from, why I changed from "sracer" (Speed Racer). As you can see by this photo taken in 1966, I did indeed look like Speed. I was even sporting a black racing jacket that my grandfather hand-tailored for me complete with nifty Bobcat emblem. (He had just made his own racing suit for Kart racing and had some material left over)

That grey early-50's Willys Wagon was my grandfather's only vehicle for nearly 20 years. I've spent many hours riding in that jeep. Weekend trips upstate (when we were living in NYC)... the occasional unexpected pitstops to make a roadside repair... trips towing the go-kart trailer to Blitz Karting Stadium on Long Island... Willys Wagons, and that one in particular were my grandfather's trademark.

So it was only natural that when I purchased a Jeep Patriot last year, that I would pick up the mantle of "the jeep man". Every time I get behind the wheel, I have a split-second flashback to a patient, fun, and loving grandfather spending time with his 4 yr old grandson.

The Holy Grail of Mechanical Pencils

The most perfect mechanical pencil ever produced was the (classic version of the) Quicker Clicker by Pentel. It may sound like hyperbole, but it's true. It was made to last literally forever. It's design didn't try to make a fashion statement. It was a no-nonsense pencil that worked. The barrel was just the right diameter. The side clicker was conveniently located. The eraser's metal clip enabled one to use the entire eraser.

I bought my first Pentel Quicker Clicker pencil back in 1988. It was a blue .05mm model. It served me faithfully daily for 15 years. It was with me for every soccer and baseball game I coached. It was with me on every school field trip. It was with me for every program and system that I designed during that time. The internal lead feed mechanism finally failed in 2003.

When I went to buy a replacement, I discovered that Pentel had changed the design of the Quicker Clicker. The new model had an integrated comfort rubber grip and was made of inferior material. Luckily, I found a spare green .05 classic tucked away in one of my moving boxes. I've been using it daily ever since. But I was concerned that should it get lost or broken, I would be left without a classic Pentel Quicker Clicker for the first time in 20 years! After scouring the 'net, I found a "hidden" web page on Pentel's eCommerce site where they were selling the last of their stock of classic Quicker Clickers. I immediately purchased 6. I can now sleep better at night knowing that I have a lifetime supply of classic Quicker Clickers.

Even though I'm posting this on April 1st, this is no joke. Just ask Eva!

Starbucks... in Bensonhurst?!

Unbelievable! Inconceivable! A sure sign that we are living in the Last Days. It was bad enough when the movie theatres, Italian pastry shops, and Jewish delicatessens all closed down. It was inevitable as the Italian and Jewish residents moved up and out. But for a faceless national chain coffee shop to open up on 86th St. in Bensonhurst is really just too much. The fact that it happens to be next door to the legendary "Lenny's Pizza" is simply adding insult to injury.

What's next? Lenny's will be closed down to make way for Pizza Hut?! My last visit to the old neighborhood was in June 2006. Muslim presence there was quite surprising. As was the number of houses for sale. Quite a bit of the neighborhood appeared to be rundown and in disrepair. Those elements that were new, lacked character. Soul-less chainstores. Thomas Wolfe was right, "you can't go back home".

Thankfully I have with me all that I need from that neighborhood "home"... my dear wife Eva, and my memories.

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