...a little bit of Bensonhurst in Arizona.Christmas Season has officially started
It's official! The Christmas holiday season has begun. For some it is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. For others, it is when they put up their tree. For me it is the ritualistic unboxing of my vintage ornaments.
It isn't Christmas without the "Merry Christmas" weiner dog!
Here they are. The plaster figurines of Mary and Joseph, cast metal Santa Claus on skis, and the pinecone elves are well over 60 yrs old. They have been handed down from my grandparents, to my parents, to me. I received the "Merry Christmas" weiner dog as a gift at the IBM Christmas party that my aunt took me to when I was 4 yrs old. The felt cloth Santa, flocked green bell, and flocked red guitar are survivors of my mom's visits to Tolan's bargain store back in Bensonhurst in the early 70's.
"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!
...older articles
I was born and raised in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, only to later move upstate to New Paltz, and then end up in Prescott Valley Arizona. ARIZONA!!! To a New Yorker, Arizona is as exotic a location as the Fiji Islands. There is just no better place to live than right here. Although I absolutely love it out here, fond memories of the old neighborhood are still vivid. And I miss the essential foods of NY... pretzels, pizza, bread, cold cuts, and pastries.