Fall Thoughts of Another Year

​

We are now into the first weekend of Fall and we are experiencing somewhat of a weather anomaly. We are enjoying a sunny, cool (by Florida standards) morning in central Florida, while Long Island and New England are getting walloped by a strange hurricane-type nor’easter, not seen since Sandy.

Very strange and truly unexpected. Some may blame “climate change”, but it is truly the cycle of El Niño, which has existed forever.

Anyway, it is Fall and we are enjoying the merciful end of a baseball season, and a promising season of football for this Mets and Jets fan. Yes, loyal and long-suffering for decades. But at least, not a Cowboys fan.

The playoffs begin next week, culminating in the World Series at the end of October. And some of us will be watching grass grow and leaves fall, while listening to the wind blow.

Then some will be gearing up for basketball and hockey. or the Australian Open. 

We are getting ready for apple cider and pumpkin picking, and maybe one last barbecue before it gets too cold to stand around outside. And baking a pumpkin pie or two.

And suddenly, early voting will begin across the country, as we finally see what the results will be on November 3rd. Whether your candidate wins or loses, we can all celebrate our most basic freedom which is to freely vote for the person of our choice. 

Many people do not get that right. Instead, the rulers are chosen for them by a select few, and they have to accept it.

But I digress.

It is time to take in a pleasant time of the year, when we can bear witness to God’s artistry with leaves turning all sorts of magnificent colors across our great land and enjoy the early autumn nights of campfires and fire pits, telling ghost stories, eating our s’mores and other Fall treats.

As the nights get dark earlier and colder, we will look back at this time of the year and reminisce what a special weekend this actually was. Just another weekend in the book of life.

Psst… Something is Coming

​

As you have seen, in stores and on social media, in case you weren’t paying attention, there are only 93 days until Christmas Eve. And we are well into the marketing holiday of Hallothanksmas.

Big box stores are pushing out holiday decorations, as fast as they are received each night and set up on the shelves for sale. In addition, there are reminders everywhere for the latest children’s toys, the newest electronics, and great ideas to get Mom or Dad.

We have already indulged in the annual drink beverage of Pumpkin Spice Lattes to get into the holiday and Fall Spirit. Soon enough, we will be treated to Pecan Crunch and Banana Bread Lattes, followed by Peppermint Mocha, Sugar Cookie, Eggnog and Winter Spice Lattes and coffees.

Then we have already seen the appearance of Banana Nut Bread, apple and pumpkin pies, candy corn and candy apples. Could cranberry loaf and Italian fig cookies be far behind?

In between, we will bear witness to Halloween, Election Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, along with  another clock change and the Winter Solstice. And without another blink of an eye, Christmas will be upon us.

In fact, right after Halloween, the air will be filled with the music of Christmas, too. 

So, it is time to surrender to the spin of every corporate marketing department and get into the festivities. Or, invent your own like Frank Costanza did; you know, A Festivus For the Rest of Us.

It will be a Joy to the World, all you boys and girls.

Home Alone - A Different Perspective

Thirty-six years ago, Home Alone was released, giving us yet another Christmas movie to watch during the most festive time of the year. 

Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and written and produced by John Hughes. The first film in the Home Alone franchise, the film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy who defends his suburban Chicago home from a home invasion by a pair of robbers after his family accidentally leaves him behind on their Christmas vacation to Paris. The cast also features Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O'Hara. 

Since most Americans have seen and know the story, this isn’t about  the overall premise of the movie. Instead, there was a different, more subtle interpretation which needs to be shared.

Some have implied it is a Christian story, or even a Catholic one. But to a keen observer, one would see the spiritual significance, no matter which faith you practice. It contains those spiritual elements we all believe which centers on Grace, Forgiveness and Redemption. 

Old Man Marley as a Christ/Type Figure: The neighbor Old Man Marley is initially feared and misunderstood, mirroring how Christ was rejected. His bandaged, injured hand visually echoes the pierced wounds of the crucifixion. He acts as a savior figure by rescuing Kevin from the burglars when Kevin cannot save himself.

The Church and Choir Scene: Kevin is drawn into a glowing church while a choir sings "O Holy Night," highlighting themes of divine presence, repentance, and spiritual turning points.

The Shepherd at the Manger: While hiding from the criminals, Kevin disguises himself or positions himself near the outdoor Nativity crèche, acting as a shepherd.

From Isolation to Reconciliation: The narrative mirrors a spiritual journey from fear to trust, and from loneliness to communion. Marley's estrangement and eventual reconciliation with his own son symbolize divine redemption and the healing of broken family bonds.

When you start to view the movie in these terms, the message is not only about the Christmas story. It follows in a similar tradition  like Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life,  A Christmas Carol and One Magic Christmas, and so many others.

While some others may have humor-laced storylines like Home Alone, such as Home Alone II, Elf or Christmas Vacation, none contain such spiritual messaging as Home Alone.

The next time you view this movie, look at it from the spiritual side presented, rather than just another funny Christmas movie.

And Seasons Change Again

​Yes, Friends. It is the last full summer weekend of 2026, thankfully finally, FINALLY with temps in the 80s. 

All summer long, since May, we had a steady diet of mid to high 90s, followed by a late afternoon or evening thunderstorm. But the humidity was unbearable.

But our saving grace was two-fold: air conditioning and no tropical storms of any kind. Truly a blessing.

This Tuesday, at 8:04 PM, we will cross over to Autumn, with the equinox. Wednesday will bring our first full day of Fall. 

By the looks of all the stores, we are well into Hallothanksmas 2026, with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and Hanukkah decorations on full display. 

Just a note, Halloween is Saturday, October 31, Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, Hanukkah arrives the evening of December 4, and Christmas is a four day weekend, beginning on Thursday, Christmas Eve.

And there are about 102 days until 2027.

So much to do, and so little time to do it all. Yet, every year, we manage to get it all done, right?

It is time to begin revving up your engines and start getting into the spirit of the holiday of Hallothanksmas. Or soon enough, it may just pass you by.

Time to Deck the Halls, ring the Jingle Bells, and get ready for everyone’s favorite time of the year.

 

Another Promise Broken

​

There are now only nine games left in the Mets’ schedule. And the end cannot come fast enough.

Since returning from Miami, where they won three straight, they managed one win since then. The embarrassing showing against the return of their superstar, Pete Alonso, in a Baltimore Orioles uniform, was pitiful, at best.

Especially when Alonso performed his magic by tying the game in the ninth with his 300th career homer. How fitting!

And then, he received a curtain call from the Mets faithful, rubbing $#!+ in the face of David Stearns for brilliantly letting him walk last off-season.

So. The best they can do (but won’t) is win seventy eight games. With a payroll north of $350MM. And another disappointing year since the Wipons sold the team to Uncle Steve. 

Now, we get to lament the old Brooklyn Dodgers end of season cry of “Wait til next year!”

Let’s Go Mets!

You Still Light Up Our Lives

​It has been three years since our beloved Sister, Kathy, died unexpectedly. She was a soft-hearted, kind woman. But as with all Sicilian women, she was a rock who was more solid than we believed.

She also had an Irish side in her which  would defend against anyone who would attack her loved ones.

Some, including my brother Tim, considered her like Switzerland, a person who would remain neutral at any cost. But I saw her differently; she would walk away from conflict rather than dive into a fight without considering all possible outcomes.

She gave us as a family, new and different perspectives to become better people than we were. She always offered sage advice, even if we didn’t ask. But she was not insulted when we would choose a different path.

She was smart that way, and didn’t become a person who would rub our noses in our failures because we may have chosen our own way. Instead, she would give comfort and tell us it would be better next time.

She was loved by many friends who miss her still today. She was always the first in to the pool or say yes to a party, as she loved fun, as much as, or more than anyone. She truly loved life.

So, on this day, which always will be a sad day for us all, instead, we will smile and remember all the joy she gave each of us, as she would light up our lives with her radiant smile.

Continue to Rest In Peace, Dear Sister.

Why I Believe in Rubio/Hunt

​Last night, I posted the following on my FACEBOOK page:

I have been thinking for a while about 2028. I like the sound of Marco Rubio and Wesley Hunt as our next President and Vice President. Any thoughts?

Let me explain my reasoning to you.

Many people have called for a Vance-Rubio ticket for 2028. On the surface, it would be a good choice. But Vance does not have the seasoning as much as Rubio, although he is the current Vice President. 

Marco Rubio was active in Florida politics before running for the Senate in 2010 and winning. He was recognized almost immediately as a strong leader when he arrived in 2011, and over the years, he has proven himself to be one of the smartest Members to serve in the Senate.

He ran, unsuccessfully, in 2015/2016 for President, but Donald Trump led all competitors even before he announced. Ultimately, he was subsequently nominated for Secretary of State and won all Senators’ affirmative votes as even they recognized his outstanding abilities to grasp the details needed to be the nation’s top diplomat.

And he has performed admirably to represent US interests on the world stage.

Wesley Hunt has proven himself to be a formidable leader in the House, given his years of military service, rising to the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged in 2012. He graduated in 2004 from the US Military Academy before his deployment to Iraq as an Apache helicopter pilot. He also did two tours in Saudi Arabia as a diplomatic liaison.

Both men came from humble beginnings and learned from the school of hard knocks. Both men are deeply religious and have strong,  conservative family values.

They each possess love of country, a keen sense of loyalty to the Constitution and have put America and Americans first.

They are the next generation of leaders, Rubio from Gen X and Hunt a millennial. They are both from a minority group but believe in the importance of ALL Americans’ rights without prejudice.

As Americans, we have claimed we had issues with race in the past, but we have evolved beyond the bigotry of a bygone era. As MLK had dreamed, it is not the color of our skin, or hereditary of background, by which a man should be judged, but rather, by the content of one’s character which should matter more.

Both these men have strong moral character and deserve our vote to be the next President and Vice President of the United States. Let’s make it a reality.