Mud Mud and More Mud!!

My brother Joe has been here this week. He is pouring a cement driveway for me and correcting the grade across the front of the house and eliminating steps to the porch! I am just thrilled and it looks fantastic! The last truck will arrive at 10:00 a.m. and weather providing this project will be concluded this afternoon!!! Once that is complete the bushes will be realigned and the paver stones placed back around the flower beds across the front of the house. Just in the nick of time ... Snow will be coming soon.

Tony, Tony

Tony, Tony,

look around...

Something's lost ...

and must be found!

Postcard from Italia

Nonna's Bambino

This is the first photo of my grandbaby! What a fantastic email from Bobby and Risa! There will be five living generations after the birth of the newest member of our family! That is truly an amazing thing. I am going to insist that the baby calls me Nonna as opposed to Grandma. It just sounds better to me. Am I really that old? Congratulations to Bobby and Risa!!!!

Viareggio Postcard

Shopping in Viareggio

The world tavelers have returned to Belgium!!!!

Michèle was busy shopping in Viareggio ....

while Nicola was enjoying the beach!

Now I must begin by saying that my two friends dearly know how to enjoy their life and and all that they are able to experience! They have a beautiful life together and travel between their home in Belgium, Italy and throughout Europe at large, taking in all sights, the foods, and good company of their many acquaintancess.

I am grateful that they have found each other and that they have such a remarkable life!!! We have joked many times (which actually might not be a joke at this point) ... that as a result, I ... in many ways...., live through them and enjoy their experiences more than I can even describe! We have developed a wonderful friendship that I am so thankful for. They bring great joy to my life.

Some what of a mid life transformation is occurring in every facet of our family these days. Patrick will be striving forward with his education and snowboarding in Europe. He is planning on attending college in Europe. Bobby and Risa, are currently in Hawaii, and about to welcome a new family member into the world. They will soon be consumed by all that parenting has to offer. I am just thrilled in anticipation of the birth of my first grandchild!

I hope that we can all meet in Gildone one day in the near future and spend a wonderful holiday together there.

I have raised two very confident, self sufficient and beautiful children who are beginning their own lives. They have their own interests, dreams, and goals. I love them more than even my own life. And they deserve the opportunity to live and explore this life in a way that makes them happy and fulfilled.

It is my wish for them they they do this with every ounce of their being. They should do what makes them happy. They should exlpore every possibility available to them and not consider what anyone else thinks of their choices. They should live their life for themselves.

The time we have here in this life, it is very short and it goes by so very quickly. I don't want to waste any more of my life. It was not until this summer that I actually realized how short life is and how important it is to do the things that make you happy!

Perla Del Tirreno

Life On A Teather

Nicola called today ... as he and Michèle were on their way for an afternoon Martini ... yes...along the Tyrrhenian Sea!!

Just before his call I had listened to a weatherman state we would have frost tonight and a high tomorrow of 57 degrees. Consequently, I expressed to him I was feeling very trapped here, anticipating the upcoming winter, and anticipated volumes of snow.

I further explained that it is as if I were serving a prison term ... and then it occurred to me ... it is more like being on a teather! We laughed and laughed over that one.

So in the spirit of teathers, the upcoming winter, friendship, and the holiday I wish we were sharing with them ... may I suggest:

The Dirty Martini

Ingredients:

6 Part(s) Gin
1 Part(s) Extra Dry Vermouth
1 Part(s) Olive Juice
3 Garnish Green Olive

Instructions:

Pour chilled ingredients into a Martini shaker with 4 pieces of cubed ice. Shake until mist forms on the outside of the shaker. Strain ingredients into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with olives.

Breast Cancer Epidemic

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death.

Breast cancer is three times more common than all gynecologic malignancies put together.

http://nationalbreastcancer.org/early_detection/index.html

The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing steadily from an incidence of 1:20 in 1960 to 1:7 women today.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 211,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year and 43,300 patients will die from the disease.

The ACS states that, "Breast cancer is truly an epidemic among women and we don't know why".

Breast cancer is not exclusively a disease of women. For every 100 women with breast cancer, 1 male will develop the disease.

The American Cancer society estimates that 1,600 men will develop the disease this year.

Fifty percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over sixty-five indicating the ongoing necessity of yearly screening throughout a woman's life.

Snowboarding for Money

Patrick has been hired to work the winter at a local Resort, in the heart of northern Michigan's Snow Belt, where he will spend every waking moment on the slopes!!

He prays each day for snow, snow, and more snow! They offer rentals of downhill skis, snowboards, snowblades and instruction. He will start at the Resort as soon as the snow flies!

This could not be a more perfect "job" for him, since he picked Colorado over Florida last year for Spring Break, where he spent two weeks boarding at Keystone, A-Basin, Copper Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge! It sure beats washing dishes at a local restaurant!!

William Bouguereau - My Hero

William Bouguereau (1825-1905) is unquestionably one of history's greatest artistic geniuses.

Yet in the past century, his reputation and unparalleled accomplishments have undergone a libelous, dishonest, relentless and systematic assault of immense proportions.

His name was stricken from most history texts and when included it was only to blindly, degrade and disparage him and his work. Yet, as we shall see, it was he who single handedly opened the French academies to women, and it was he who was arguably the greatest painter of the human figure in all of art history.

His figures come to life like no previous artist has ever before or ever since achieved. He wasn’t just the best ever at painting human anatomy, more importantly he captured the tender and subtlest nuances of personality and mood.

Bouguereau caught the very souls and spirits of his subjects much like Rembrandt. Rembrandt is said to have captured the soul of age. Bouguereau captured the soul of youth.

Considering his consummate level of skill and craft, and the fact that the great preponderance of his works are life-size, it is one of the largest bodies of work ever produced by any artist.

Add to that the fact that fully half of these paintings are great masterpieces, and we have the picture of an artist who belongs like Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Carravaggio, in the top ranks of only a handful of masters in the entire history of western art.

Puggle - pug·gle (pŭg'gle) n.

School shopping this year was no different than any other year I suppose. Typically many items are added to the list, which I always expect, to include Ringo Starr drum sticks, Remo heads for the Ludwigs and ... the unexpected ... a Puggle.

Clearly I must of been out of my mind. Guilt apparently takes over and ... of course ... I cannot say no ... then ... of course ... buyers remorse kicks in full titlt, before we even reach the house!

In attempt to school shop, Patrick went to the mall, with his Grandmother. Low and behold, he went past the pet store and proceeded to tell her, and then me, that the poor puppy in the window needed some toys and was being neglected. The story goes on and on. She was a sad and lonely puppy, very small and skinny, had to be sick, and certainly abused by the horrible pet store.

Well within 24 hours the guilt consumed me, Patrick batted his eyes, and waa laaa .... we picked up the puppy. Her name is Taylor. She is 12 weeks old and is obviously in complete control of my life!

The deal of course, which fails within minutes let alone hours, was that this puppy would be Patrick's. They would bond. I would not be involved in the care of the puppy. He was to walk the puppy, feed the puppy, play with the puppy and most importantly, take the puppy with him when he moves out on his own. I am not a dog person. Dogs are great. I just don't want one.

Patick is holding up his end of the bargin. However, never did I consider the remote fact, that within a few days, Patrick would be in school and I would be stuck playing babysitter to a newborn! It is a living hell. Oh the puppy is cute ... don't get me wrong ... but so are babies ... and I don't want another one of those either!!

So... welcome to my nightmare. She is adorable. Maybe it will all turn out in the end. I will be forced into some aspect of socialization, with the do-gooders and health fanatics, who endlessly circle my block on their morning walks, and she will provide some aspect of affection and companionship for me. Oh I am trying here.

I suppose it is possible but somewhat unlikely, that I will end up completely attached to this puppy who will not soon enough become a dog, and when Patrick leaves home and wants to take the dog I will be devastated.

I just had a different type of retirement in mind. One that did not include traveling with a pet. Note to self: Huge Error.

The Bottom line... I am sucker for a good kid, an unworthy man, most musicians, and pathetic pets who need to be rescued. This could just possibly be a Karmic debt to intolerable to repay in this life time.

Alan Baer - New York Philharmonic

This blog will most likely be viewed only by family and friends. However, I cannot miss out on this opportunity to introduce some of you to my cousin Alan.

Have you ever had a relationship with that one family member you didn't get to see enough and that when they were around they made everything right? They made you laugh and made any event tolerable no matter the circumstance? That is my cousin Alan. He has humor that makes you laugh from the belly! He is a great person with a fantastic outlook on life. He is just fun to be around and someone you can always count on.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are those in which Alan and I shared. We do not often get the opportunity to spend a great deal of time together due to the geographic locations that we reside and his extensive professional commitments. I love him very much and enjoy each conversation we have! He is a wonderful man, he is a spectacular father, husband and friend.

In case I forgot to mention earlier Alan also has a bit of talent as well. Now, don't tell him that because, we don't want him getting a big head at the next family function or at a holiday dinner table! LOL In any event ... he gives something very special back to the world through his music. You can listen to his CD at http://www.baertracksmusic.com ... and his bio follows:

Alan Baer joined the New York Philharmonic on June 21, 2004, as Principal Tuba. He was formerly principal tuba with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. His other performing credits include recordings with The Cleveland Orchestra led by Vladimir Ashkenazy, performances with the Peninsula Music Festival of Wisconsin, New Orleans Symphony, Los Angeles Concert Orchestra, Ojai Festival Orchestra (California), Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed as a featured soloist, touring several countries in Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France.

Mr. Baer began his undergraduate work at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied with Dr. Gary Bird. He completed his bachelor of music degree with Ronald Bishop at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has done graduate work at the University of Southern California, Cleveland Institute of Music, and California State University, Long Beach, where he studied with Tommy Johnson. While in Long Beach, Mr. Baer taught at California State University, where he also directed the university tuba ensemble and the brass choir. In Milwaukee, Mr. Baer was adjunct professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Wisconsin and director of the Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble. Alan currently serves on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music in New York City.

It's A Holiday - Along The Tyrrhenian Sea

While I am isolated, in what I refer to as the "frozen tundra", my dear friends, Nicola and Michèle, are currently enjoying the Tyrrhenian Sea along the coastal waters of Italy!!

Their long awaited telephone call today was filled with laughter and joy as they described the endless shopping, massages, good bottles of wine, and of course the fabulous food they are enjoying. They are exploring the foods, the smells, the sounds, the fantastic beaches, the statues, tapestries and frescoes... as they travel the coastal streets.

All while I am here... in the tundra...wearing layers upon layers of clothing!!!

What a Wonderful Holiday!!!! Next time... Take Me! Take Me!

Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis - By the Right of Blood

I decided to write this post so that individuals of Italian descent who were not aware of this opportunity could become informed about Jure Sanguinis...the right of blood. I feel it is a wonderful birthright full of opportunity that can be passed to those born of your blood and the generations to come.

Jure Sanguinis is sometimes referred to as jus sanguinis, and is Latin for "By the Right of Blood".

In this case, it means the right to citizenship, through one's bloodline or ancestry.

Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis, is granted through the paternal line (with no limit on the number of generations), or through the maternal line (for individuals born after January 1, 1948).

If you were born in any country where citizenship is acquired by birth, and any one of the situations listed below pertains to you, you may be considered an Italian citizen. For each category all conditions must be met.

1) Your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth and you never renounced your right to Italian citizenship.

2) Your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, you were born after January 1st, 1948 and you never renounced your right to Italian citizenship.

3) Your father was born in your native country, your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your father's birth, neither you nor your father ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship.

4) Your mother was born in your native country, your maternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of her birth, you were born after January 1, 1948 and neither you nor your mother ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship.

5) Your paternal or maternal grandfather was born in your native country, your paternal great grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of his birth, neither you nor your father nor your grandfather ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship.

NOTE: A woman born before 01/01/1948 can claim the Italian citizenship only from her father and can transfer it to descendants after 01/01/1948).

NOTE: "Italian citizen at the time of birth" means that he/she did not acquire any other citizenship through naturalization, before the descendant's birth.


There are many benefits of holding dual US - Italian Citizenship, which include working, studying, or even retiring in Italy or any of the countries which are members of the European Union.

Another benefit of Italian citizenship is that you can pass it on to your children as their birthright, giving them the possibility to study abroad, migrating to any country in the European Union, as needed or desired.

To find out more information on the additional benefits not mentioned here you can also visit the "Your Europe - Citizen's" page of the EU at the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/en/citizens/index.html .

Recommended: "How to Legally Obtain A Second Citizenship And Passport And Why You Want To" by Adam Starchild, © 1999, Breached Productions, Inc., is an excellent resource for learning more about dual citizenship.

It's Fall in Northern Michigan

I have always enjoyed Emerson.

Today, the changing leaves on the trees that surround me and dropping temperatures remind me that, "Nature always wears the colors of the spirit". --- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Foto Della Famiglia

Risa & Roberto Luciano

July 2006 - Hawaii

Patrick Luciano

July 2006- Michigan

Roberto (Bobby) Luciano

September 2006

Patrick, Risa & Bobby Luciano

Luau, Paradise Cove, Hawaii

August 2006

Patrick Luciano

July 2006 - Michigan

Citazioni da George Harrison

"As long as you hate, there will be people to hate."

"Love one another."

"Try to realize it's all within yourself no one else can make you change, and to see you're only very small and life flows on within you and without you."

"We were talking about the space between us all and the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion. Never glimpse the truth - then it's far too late when they pass away"

"When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there."

"With our love, we could save the world.’’

Watch the All Things Must Pass Video and interview with George!

Italia

The Luciano family descends from the Molise region of Southern Italy. Inhabited since very ancient times, as shown by a Samnite Necropolis, in the area called Morgia.

A century later, in the midst of the rocky mountain slopes of the Gran Sasso, Majella and Velino, with vast forests, soft hilly landscapes and magnificent sandy beaches of the Adriatic coast, that Pasquale Luciano, a sheepherder, and his wife Benedetta Iafigliola, began a family together, in the village of Gildone, located in the province of Campobasso.

The children of Pasquale Luciano, transcended the boundaries of their Mediterranean birth, leaving behind the generations before them, departing from Napoli on a journey full of hope for a better life in America.

Mose' Luciano - abt. 1900

Sandra and Dominic Luciano - 1968

Giovanna and Mose' Luciano - abt. 1906

Irene and Giovanna - 1958

Dominic Mariano Luciano - abt. 1923

Giovanna (Strazzera) Luciano - abt. 1922