A Renaissance Man

My father was not the stereotypical father. He worked over 30 years at a grocery store. He did not drive. He was not a big sports fan.He did not drink, smoke and seldom lost his temper. He did speak two languages, wrote poetry and love letters to my mother, he sang, he danced and he loved the movies, broadway and award shows, and he was a good artist. he did not become interested in baseball until he met the famous baseball pitcher Camilo Pascual- who shopped at the grocey store. They would talk about politics,(Pascual was from Cuba, my father was from Spain) My brothers and I met Camilo Pascual one day when we went to pick my father up at work. My father soon became a baseball fan-He took us to our first baseball game- and not knowing any better, walked down the aisles to the Senators dugout and shouted out Camilo's name.- Much to our surprised, Camilo came out, shook hands with my father and autographed our baseballs. It made our day and we thought our dad kinda special-he knew somebody famous We attended a few more games over the years, and my father became somewhat of a baseball fan. My father loved to read- and although he did not graduate from high school in this country, he knew American history better than most Americans. We use to watch Jeopardy and he would whiz through the answers- he was really good with history and the arts and entertainment questions. On his days off, he would go down to Georgetown with our neighbor George Psira, they would look for a nice location along the canal, set up their easels and paint-they were both very good painters-a trait I did not inherit. He loved the holidays and made each one special, and filmed or photographed every family get together-when he died there must have been over a thousand photgraphs of family and friends. Award shows were a big deal for him- he loved showbusiness and always had dreams of becoming an actor-. Whenever there was an awards show on, he would buy fancy cheese and meats, crackers, sparking wine and make a big production of the evening- guessing the winners of the Oscars, Tony's or Emmy's. He made a point to see all the nominated movies during the year. When I turned 18, he took me to see my first "racy movie". It was Gypsy- with Natalie Wood, Ethel Merman and Karl Mulden. It was pretty risque at the time and we had a great time. There are so many great stories to tell about my father- and I could go on and on. But that will be for a later date. I can only say, he died to soon, and he is greatly missed. I have said it before and I will say it again- he came to this country to become a great actor- and instead he became a great father. Happy Fathers Day Dad- we still miss you.

When Everyones Mom Was Your Mom

Growing up in the Silver Spring/Wheaton neighborhood 50 years ago was so much different from the neighborhood today. We played football in the street- the telephone poles were the goal posts, the cars lined on the streets were the out of bound markers. Of course we played touch football- getting tackled on pavement would not have been very wise. As in professional football we played in different venues- sometimes it was Tenbrook Drive, sometimes Helena Drive and sometimes Laredo Road. The teams were different each time we played and occassionaly a bit of rough housing would take place.But no one got hurt, and no one held a grudge. On every block that we played on,there would be someones mother who would provide sodas, and snacks- sometimes even lunch. These same mothers would also be the teams mother- if you got hurt you did not go home you would go up the the block mothers home and she would treat you-- she would also scold you if you misbehaved and you would know that when you got home later that day- your real mother would be ready to give you another scolding. I remember these mothers to this day- Mrs. Van Ness, Mrs. Boxall,Mrs. Leo,Mrs. Volz, Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Leonard, Mrs Lycette, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Allison, Mrs. Psira and of course my mother. Most of these mothers are now gone- but I still have great memories of their generosity and kindness. I do not know how many families still practice this form of child rearing- most parents are caught up in their careers, children do not play in the street anymore and most children- if they do play sports play sports on their computers. Those were the days of good neighbors, neighbors who watched out for each other and everyone was part of a big neighborhood family I miss my mother and I miss the mothers of these neighborhood- People die, or move away and we gradually lose touch with our old neighborhoods and friends. To all the friends from the neighborhood- and to all my friends- Remember you Mother this Mothers Day and remember how special she was- not just to your family but to the other kids in the neighborhood- Happy Mothers Day Mom- you are in my heart and mind all the time-.

My Father and the Oscars

This is Oscar time- Hollywoods salute to itself- the Academy Awards, or as they are called the Oscars.
There will be glitter, flash, red carpet, limos, movie stars. evening gowns by the top designers, and of course egos.

My father loved the Oscars. He grew up in Spain with dreams of coming to America and becoming an Academy Award winner, a great actor.

In Spain he did some radio shows. When Spain broke out into a civil war everything changed. His family became poor, and his father was executed.My father had to have half his stomach removed- the stress causing severe bleeding ulcers.

In 1949, he came to the United States- with the dreams of becoming a great Hollywood star.

Things did not quite work out the way he had hoped. He met a woman who was soon to become his wife, my mother, and soon found himself working as a waiter.

There were no English classes sponsored by the government in those days- so everynight he would get together with my mother and other co-workers and practice English.

He soon learned enough English that he was able to get a better job at the Grand Union.
In 1953 we moved to the D.C. Metropolitan area.

My father still had dreams of becoming a great actor, but with two kids and rent he had to put those dreams on hold.
He eventually got a job working at Giant Food, where he stayed for 30 years.
The Oscars were still a big deal to him, so every year around Oscar time, he and my mother would make a big production on Oscar night.
We would all gather around the coffee table, there were now 4 kids,where there would be a platter with Havarti, cheddar and swiss chees, Escort crackers, Cold Duck(an inexpensive champagne)and soda for the kids.
My father had a sheet of paper where he had made winning predictions on the Oscars the day before- it sort of reminded me of a person handicapping the horse races.

It was a great night and the look on my fathers face as the winners were announced, and he had guessed correctly was one of happiness.

These were great parties and they soon expanded into parties for the Emmys and the Tonys.

My father died at the age of 63. I am sure he was disappointed in not becoming a great actor- but I know that to his family and in his heart he knew he was a great father.

Who are the 99%

So much talk and print about the 99% vs. the 1%.

But who are the 99%?
According to the media and the Occupiers .the 99% are those who make less than $200,000 per year.
The 99% are not the members of the Tea Party, The 99% according to most people, are people like me.
You know the one- we work 40 hours a week, raise a family, obey the tax laws, drive moderately priced cars- you know people like you me- .

But I have a problem--100% of my friends are not pigs.
We don't live among filth and rats. We do not pee or poop in public.
We repect our fellow human beings.
We take baths.
We work eveyday.
We work everyday-trying to make ends meet.
We do not have time to camp out for months at a time.
We do not have time to destroy public property.
We have bills to pay, families to support.
If any of my friends ever came to my house and behaved like the Occupiers- I would throw them out.
I may not be wealthy like the 1%- but I rather be with them than the 99% of the pigs that have no repect for people or the law.

The Middle Class

The democrats, republicans, and the talking media suits are constantly talking about the middle class and then they reference postal people, teachers, firemen, police, as if these are the only middle class
workers in the country.
Well wake up America, wake up elected officials--what about the grocery store employees, or other retail employees,-how about waiters and waitresses, or truck drivers, plumbers, and other construction workers-and there are plenty more out there.
You better wake up you low-life politicians-you spend a lot of time trying to bail out and keep employed the public union sectors- but what about the rest of us-- ???
Are you aware that if the Canadian pipeline is approved it would provide over 10,000 jobs many of them paying $60,000 or more??
Are you aware that if the corporate tax were to be
lowered to 5%, unemployment would drop?
Are you aware that if you would repeal most of the paperwork required to start a business unemployment would drop?
Are you aware that if you were to repeal Obama Care
unemployment would drop?

Are you aware of anything besides the public sector unions, lobbyists and the next election?

Hard rolls, butter and hot chocolate.

As the New year approaches, and after numerous visits to the hospital the past 6 months, I start to recall all the great times I had in my younger days.

One of my favorite memories, occurred when my family lived in Washington D.C. in Brentwood Village.
My grandparents lived on Kilbourne St, near Adams Morgan.
Every Saturday, my grandmother would go to Hellers Bakery, buy some hard rolls,and some cinnamon twist donuts , hop the bus and pay us a visit.

Although the donuts were good, what I loved the most was a hard roll, slathered with butter, and a mug of hot chocolate to dunk in-it was Heaven on Earth.
Sometimes my Aunt Carmen would stop by.
She would go to Mancusos, a nearby Italian Store and pick up some salami, provolone, capicola, tomatoes and a loaf of bread- a most excellent Saturday afternoon lunch.
Later the kids would go out to play and the adults
would spend the afternoon talking about the old days in Atlantic City and other subjects.

Those were the days of an era long gone but never forgottened.
It is good to have memories, for as long as we have memories our past can be relived, and it great to have family to remind you of the some of the good times that we may have forgotten.

Atheist, Thanksgiving, Christmas

I have a number of atheist friends. They are opposed to the displays of the Ten Commandments in public buildings, manger displays in public spaces and the words "In God We Trust" on our coins.

Yet, when it comes to the celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas, they are fixing big meals for the family, and on Black Friday they are standing in line to buy gifts for Christmas.

If they are truly atheist, shouldn't they ignore these days and treat them as any other day.
Or are they playing the odds. Do they think that by celebrating these Christian Holidays they might just have something positive to show St. Peter when they get to the Pearly Gates.
Someone is being hypocritical. What are they going to do on Easter??