Happy birthday Mom

Today is my mother's birthday. It's the first one we celebrate without her. My mother was a giving person, she worked for Franciscan monks and managed their affairs for about 30 years. During that time she worked with them in their charitable endeavours. I remember spending time in the kitchen at the monastery with Mom and brother Rene who was tireless in his efforts to feed the poor in our town. Around the holidays, they would gather donations from local supermarkets and citizens and we would make Christmas packages for as many families as we could. There was a lot... but we always could have used more. I learned a great deal from Mom and brother Rene... hopefully I'll pass it on to my Chicklet. This year, as I did last year and for the past few years, the small Christmas gift my company gave all employees will be used to buy a complete Christmas dinner for a family in need and a few other supplies. As much as I need the extra cash, my pantry is full... and so is my heart. So, in memory of my mother and brother Rene I ask that you give. All it'll cost is a few minutes on Freerice. If you can afford to, think about your local food banks, drop off a new toy or a book for a needy child, spread Christmas spirit... smile at the people you meet. Je t'aime Maman... Merci pour tout. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

goodnight sweet prince...

Like so many of my generation, when in comes to opera.. THAT was my first real introduction! I just thought they were geniuses (not the Wile E Coyote kind) for coming up with such marvelous tunes... Imagine my surprise when I discovered a whole world of Opera! It was with a heavy heart that I learned this morning of the passing of Luciano Pavarotti. His voice, arguably one of the most beautiful ever recorded, has been silenced. I wanted to share his voice with you today. Only fair to share Rossini's Figaro... I'm exhausted just listening. Who hasn't lalala'ed to this? hmmm??!!! The Toreador song - we used to sing this in the kitchen my mother and I (of course, we played with the lyrics a bit and there was no powerful chorus in the background, but we had fun!) My mother always cried when she heard his Ave Maria by Schubert... as I do now. I leave you with this... probably the most well known of all the songs he graced us with. And it still gives me chills. Nessun Dorma... the aria from Puccini's Turandot. Grazie Luciano... Grazie Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!