I watched the movie The Two Popes and enjoyed it very much. I also recognized that much of the dialogue was accurate and the script had taken liberty with how to present the viewpoints of the two men. In the interest of historical accuracy I decided to write this review. If you haven't seen the film you should. You'll like it. Great acting and scenes of the Vatican. The Movie My personal view of the movie is that it was…
Our best Christmas wishes to each of you, your families and those with whom you have special relationships. To my friends who celebrate a significant religious holiday: Hanukkah Sameach or Happy Hanukkah. Hanukkah 2019 will begin in the evening December 22 and end in the evening of Monday December 30th. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah or Chanukah is an eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and gatherings. The Hanukkah menorah, is a nine-branched…
PHYLLIS FLIPPA LUVERA 1870 – 1946 My grandmother – 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 Nonna 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 ELIZABETH "BETTY" BARNETT 1910 -1985 Betty Barnett was my wife Lita's mother who died December 20, 1985. I've written about this remarkable…
Someone has said: "coincidence is God's way of being anonymous." Brett Lunsford, who is the director of the Anacortes Museum, recently sent me a photo of my mother and I standing next to a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air car. That car is connected to my living in Gig Harbor Washington and the role of fate in my life. The connection involves being born and raised in Anacortes and ending up in Gig Harbor. After graduating from Gonzaga law school in…
Last Thursday, November 21, we flew from Seattle to Cabo, Mexico to stay at the luxury five-star hotel, the One and Only La Paimilla. While we had to get up early, our trip through security and the flight itself was relatively painless. That may be because with my limited walking ability we are now using a wheelchair for me which seems to facilitate the process. We flew Alaska airlines and were met by hotel representatives who drove us the twenty minute drive…
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…
In February 1497 a monk named Girolamo Savonarola led a movement to collect items they thought might entice people to sin or neglect their religious duties. He and his followers collected such things as artwork, cosmetics, instruments, dresses and books. On the appointed day, thousands of these items were gathered at a public square in Florence Italy. These objects which had been labeled "vanities" were set on fire and burned. The event came to be known as the Bonfire of…
Democratic front-runner Joe Biden was denied communion by a priest at a South Carolina Catholic church over the weekend. Biden, a lifelong Catholic, stopped by Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Florence on Sunday, but was denied Holy Communion by Father Robert E. Morey. He was quoted in the local local newspaper saying: “Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden. Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church….
I'm nor sure why I watched another Democratic debate last night. Having watched the previous debates, I didn't expect to learn anything helpful. Yet I decided to watch it anyway. It's sort of like not being able to not watch a replay video of a train wreck – morbid curiosity? Everyone who also watched will have their own viewpoint, but here's mine. To start with, in evaluating candidates, I think you have to keep in mind the distinction between those…
We just returned from Scottsdale. Unfortunately, we were only there a very short time. Not enough time to make contact with friends. The trip was primarily one for completing needed projects. Our first project was bringing the house "up to speed" because everything seems to need something done when we are away from the house for a couple of months. Our projects included a meeting with our realtors since the house on the market to be sold. In the meantime…
