MY GRANDMOTHER Marija Mattia Vulic’ BABAROVICH 1863 – 1953

MY GRANDMOTHER Marija Mattia Vulic’ BABAROVICH 1863 – 1953

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My maternal grandmother Marija Vulic was born on September 9, 1863 in Splitska Brac, Croatia and died on August 8th, 1953. She died the year I graduated from high school in Anacortes, Washington. Her life story is one of great courage and sacrifice involving immigration to America while not being able to speak English. I've previously talked about that in writing about my mother. https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/07/mary-thelma-luvera-.html.html I remember her vividly. A tall erect woman with hair piled high on her head, she looked…

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LaDainian Tomlinson Hall of Fame Speech

LaDainian Tomlinson Hall of Fame Speech

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LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is a former professional American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for eleven seasons. He played the majority of his 11-year career with the San Diego Chargers, who selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. Tomlinson was selected to five Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro six times, and won two rushing titles. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career rushing yards, seventh…

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A POLITICAL COMMENTARY ABOUT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

A POLITICAL COMMENTARY ABOUT PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

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Warning: If you are a Donald Trump supporter you won't like this blog posting.  My friend Mark D. Swendsen, Sr. and I have shared ideas including those dealing with politics. Mark has been a California attorney for four decades and a former hostage negotiator. He has published books and lectured. He has monitored the presidential campaign and Donald Trump. I asked him to comment on the Trump election and here are his views which I share: THE SECOND COMING Donald…

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REMEMBERING JOHN CARABBA, STANLEY BRUHN & DAVID WELTS

REMEMBERING JOHN CARABBA, STANLEY BRUHN & DAVID WELTS

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I've written about John Carabba before. See https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2009/07/john-carabba-died-monday-july-14-2009-at-the-island-hospital-in-anacortes-he-had-fallen-on-the-friday-before-and-fractured.html John Carabba died Monday July 14, 2009 at the Island Hospital in Anacortes. He was born November 25, 1925. His background was the American story. After getting out of the navy at Whidbey Island he moved to Anacortes, my home town. He operated a Chevron service station at 12th and Commercial for many years, but over the time had many other successful business interests. My connection to John was his friendship with my dad…

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MARY BABAROVICH LUVERA 1905 – 2000

MARY BABAROVICH LUVERA 1905 – 2000

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On an early Friday morning, July 7th 2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her  death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time. I've published an…

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NICOLA LUVERA 1860 – 1956

NICOLA LUVERA 1860 – 1956

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My grandfather, Nicola Luvera died in Anacortes on Independence Day, July 4, 1956 after living more then ninety years. My chief regret is that he spoke no English and I spoke no Italian so we never had a real conversation – only through my father's interpretation. Dad believed our family should speak English because we lived in America so my sisters and I never learned either parent's native language. My grandfather's story is one of courage and determination. After working in…

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THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

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Republicans have managed to transform the constitutional tradition of the United States Supreme Court from an independent, non-political branch of government into a political one. In one of most notorious unprecedented and significant political acts in court history, the court decided the election of the president of the United States in Bush v Gore 531 U.S. 98 (2000) by a 5 to 4 vote. The conflict about the proper role of the court continues today and every time a  new justice…

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OUR NATIONAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

OUR NATIONAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

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 Greece was once made up of independent states. Greek society was divided between free people and slaves who had  no legal rights. The difference between  Sparta and Athens, at this time, was that Sparta was an "Oligarchy" run by leaders or "rule by the few"  while Athens was a democracy, which meant "rule by the people." From 499 BC to 449 BC Sparta and Athens were allies in the Greco-Persian Wars. Afterwards Athens became the more powerful and tensions between…

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FATHER’S DAY THOUGHTS

FATHER’S DAY THOUGHTS

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Benjamin Franklin said it well "Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late." as we approach Father's Day I can't help but reflect upon the wisdom of Franklin's statement when I think of my dad Paul Luvera, Sr.  From the perspective of my 82 years I see how blessed my sisters Phyllis, Anita and I were by who our parents were.  I regret my failure to fully and completely appreciate how unique my dad was until he…

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“MY HEAD HURTS, MY FEET STINK AND” HERE’S OUR TRIP REPORT

“MY HEAD HURTS, MY FEET STINK AND” HERE’S OUR TRIP REPORT

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Jimmy Buffet's 1976 song "Havana Daydreamin" has the lyrics: "My head hurts, my feet stink and I don't love Jesus. It's that kind of mornin' , really it was that kind of night." Well, except for the reference to Jesus, that's how we are feeling this morning. Our return home started in Lucerne at 4:30 am when we were up and getting packed for the drive to the Zurich airport and our flight to London It's a hour's drive. While the…

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