September 2020
Life Was Perfect – Until?
The Mystery I wrote will be coming out soon.
Being raised in a small town can be ideal, despite horrible problems around the world. This was especially true in the 1940s and 1950s. Barbara Gelman, Mia Wagner and Colleen O’Conner were proof of this when they became the best of friends despite backgrounds that were completely different. Normal teenagers in every aspect of their lives, they instinctively knew what to tell their parents and when to keep their mouths shut. Tragedy strikes one of the three girls, and everyone’s patience is tried. Will the other girls’ viewpoints help them to stand by their friend? Who will win in the end?
Writing a mystery is a challenge while also being fun. The thoughts are clandestine. In the present time, with the media always hounding, perfection is a necessity. However, the 1940s and 1950s presented issues and evidence with a modicum of carelessness, or so it might seem to present day society. Racial considerations might not experience the same implication that is found in contemporary culture. If a youth is involved, one must think like a youth might feel. Or, one cannot overlook the parents and the way they might react to a given situation. If money becomes a topic, is the amount important, and should it matter? The entire perspective has to be examined from several different viewpoints. Yet, the task becomes worth it when all is accomplished.
Today, we have helicopter parents always hovering over their children’s’ lives. This is especially so when a pandemic arises, as it did in the year 2020. The time during World War II was totally different as many children were left to fend for themselves. Society, though, continues to harbor their own prejudices whether they really know an individual, or not. Gossip helps to form many opinions even though the gossip might be completely wrong. Jealousy always seems to force its evil eye on anyone involved, rearing its ugly head. If one is pretty, they cannot be a good person. If one comes from wealth, that person must be bad…yet no one knows if the wealthy person is generous with their money. You get the idea!
You will have to read the story to see if it has a good ending. Despite the outcome, you will notice a bit of humor at the very end. Enjoy!
April 2020
I am writing this during the pandemic of 2020. Life as we knew it has changed. Where we once hugged and kissed families and shook the hands of friends, we now stand 6 feet apart. We wear masks when we go outside, and the use of Lysol or Chlorox wipes seems essential to wipe down everything that’s delivered to our homes. It is amazing to me how much we took for granted before. The majority of the population do not leave our homes, and our cell phones have made the use of the Marco Polo and Houseparty apps almost essential to keep in touch. I must not forget the Zoom app when we sing Happy Birthday virtually (in person) or celebrate with a large group where we can see individuals in little squares. Our delivery people, postal workers, doctors, dentists, nurses, police, and firemen are to be commended for their performance under unusual circumstances. They are often being exposed to COVID-19 (otherwise known as the coronavirus). People that are able, work from home, and most schools are closed. Some people are even hoarding things like paper products and disinfectant wipes.
As a country, and depending on our age, we have endured hardships in the past. There was the Great Depression and later the stock market crash. We experienced many wars like World Wars I and II, and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. More wars included Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Blackouts and air raid drills became the norm as well as the Atomic Bomb. Women took the place of men in defense plants only to have to give up their positions when the men returned. You can debate that situation forever. Other illnesses overwhelmed us, and many deaths occurred. We endured the assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy. Then came 9/11 and the horror of something occurring on our own soil.
This pandemic is different for sure. People are hurting not only physically, but monetarily as well. As Americans, we will get through this like we always did before. Just remember to be kind to your loved ones and even your enemies. Be forgiving in a tough time and understanding of those entrusted to make difficult decisions for us. Stay well and take care.
December 2019
One major Holiday down. Another major Holiday to go. There will be over 20 (plus the newest baby girl) celebrating Christmas dinner at our home after spending one terrific Thanksgiving with my older son and his family. Everyone else either called or texted, and it was great. I’m going to incorporate a lot of my daughter-in-law and son’s super ideas. We can always learn from others. Our family is big on going home with leftovers. It is her ideas when to fix the leftovers for each family that we will follow. Our Christmas dinner comprises everything we had at Thanksgiving, plus many Italian specialties and any other dish one chooses to bring.
On the day after both holidays we all look forward to Uncle Bill’s (my spouse’s) turkey soup. Not only is Pops a good man, but he’s a superb cook as well. We all chip in bringing the wonderful side dishes to our holiday dinners. The younger generation seems to be following in both our footsteps and that of their parents because their dishes are innovative and delicious.
Christmas Eve, after attending the Children’s Mass, we will all meet at my son’s house again. Following is the invitation:
Please join us around 6:30 pm on Christmas Eve for some food, fun and frivolity! If you have an “Ugly” Christmas sweater, wear it. Prizes will be given out.
Should be fun seeing all those sweaters.
During this holiday we will worship, someone close will undergo a serious operation, there will be gift giving, charitable giving, and visiting Christmas events to name some. We’ll sing Christmas Carols accompanied by guitar and piano and play games to top off the evening.
Pray hard, enjoy, don’t stress out and God Bless. Above all, Merry Christmas.
November 2019
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and it brings memories of past and present Thanksgiving holidays.
My mother and I lived with my grandparents, great-grandfather, and several aunts who were in their teen years and early twenties. It was a houseful of people that worked. Holidays were always special, and the meals were fantastic. The tables always had the best china, sterling silverware, candlesticks, fancy tablecloths, and it was beautiful. We would start out with a fruit cup or soup, and of course turkey and all the trimmings. Just when you thought you would burst, out came the Italian side of the meal with an antipasto, regular salad, pasta, meatballs, sausage, brociole, etc., etc. Not to even mention desserts. You get the picture!
When my husband was in professional school in Baltimore, MD my in-laws came to visit. We set up long tables and invited Seminarians from a nearby school that was attended by my brother-in-law. One of my children remarked, “Mommy, it looks just like the Pilgrims.” Often, during that time, my husband, the student, had to work on Thanksgiving day, so I prepared a roasted chicken for my three children at the time with all the delicious side plates. The children could have cared less, and we made the best out of what otherwise might have been a sad day. There was the year my husband was away in Vietnam. Thank God for other family at the time.
One year, the grandchildren made everyone either Pilgrim hats or Indian Hats with feathers which we all wore around the Thanksgiving table. You wore the one they gave to you. Then there were the years we all each gave our own verbal presentation of what we had that made us thankful.
This year (2019), we will spend with my oldest son and his wife, his children and grandchildren (my grandchildren and great-grandchildren) and our youngest daughter and members of her family that live in this area. Always, we will be in contact will those not living in our state.
Sometimes death or sickness comes around holiday time. Our family has experienced it all, just like other families. However, wherever you are, whatever you do, keep your thoughts positive and give thanks for the things you do have…like living in the United States of America! Blessings to one and all.