Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland wrote: “But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad." "How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.” All of us are, like Alice, caught up in a world made up insane people when it comes to this administration's policies. Why? Well because of the latest…
Nick Petrish died in Anacortes on December 19, 2011. We had a long friendship. We went from grade school through high school together.We worked together from 1977 until his illness in 2011. He was a friend and a good man. I've written about him previously: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/12/nicholas-petrish-dec-19-2011.html.html May my friend rest in peace.
My dad's mother died December 20, 1946 in Anacortes. She was an Italian grandmother who looked and sounded like what an Italian grandmother should. she spoke no English and was a wonderful cook who was always feeding us children something whenever we visited. I've written about her before: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/12/phyllis-flippa-luvera-1870-1946.html.htm In the photo is Nonna, my sisters Phyllis, Anita, I and my grandfather Nicola Luvera.
Between 1776 and 1788 Edward Gibbon, an English historian, published six volumes The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He discussed the reasons for the collapse of the Roman Empire and some bear a clear resemblance to the United States today. These include Gibbon's pointing to Rome's (1) over economic spending and debt (2) over-expansion and military overspending (3) government corruption, political instability and political incompetence (4) economic disparity resulting in a divide between the rich…
Happy Thanksgiving. There is much to be grateful for in each of our lives. I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. We arrived in Scottsdale six days ago. Diane and her husband Tim, along with Diane's son Alex and his fiance arrived Wednesday and left Friday. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the Desert Highlands club house where our AZ home is located. It was enjoyable having family here with us and the weather cooperated as well. It was a great Thanksgiving …
This is a follow up to my last post about the trip to South Africa. On our return, we flew from Sigita in Kruger National Park after two weeks of viewing and photographing the animals in South Africa. A one hour charter flight to Johannesburg and after a short layover we continued on to Dubai. Following a several hour layover in Dubai we flew back to Seattle. Not counting the time spent between flights we were in the air twenty…
Today is the anniversary of the death of my father, Paul Nicholas Luvera Sr. Born on March 25, 1898, he died in Anacortes, Washington on November 4, 1990 at the age of 92. I've published details of his extraordinary life many times. See https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/11/dad-1.html for a complete history of his life. Dad was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, the son of Niccola and Fillippa Luvera. His father and oldest brother left for Canada where they worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad installing tracks until they earned…
On Thursday, October 19 we flew from Seattle to Dubai on Emirates air. With travel upgrades we were able to enjoy the benefits of first-class travel on Emirates. The airlines provides a chauffeur driven service as part of business and first class flying. They pick you up in Gig Harbor and drive you to the airport plus providing the same service on your return to Seattle The arrangement in first class is really special. We had beds that went flat,…
You've read about Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, also known as Diogenes the cynic." He wondered around ancient Greece carrying a lantern searching for an honest man because he believed there was no such person. Current history, especially political history, makes me worry that Diogenes could be right. We expect honesty and truth from others, but especially our leaders, both political and religious.We read in the Bible: "But, that your yes be yes and you're no, no. For whatever is more…
In early September 1814, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, accompanied Col. John Skinner to negotiate a prisoner release with several officers of the British Navy. During the negotiations, he and Skinner were informed the British intended to attack the city of Baltimore and Fort McHenry. They were not permitted to leave until the attack was over. They watched the bombardment with apprehension. Inspired by seeing the American flag flying in the morning, after the attack, Key…
