Today's MOZEN: No Time For Time

F LoBuono

As I approach my 65th birthday, it's a forgone conclusion that I've changed a lot from what I was as a boy and young man. I'd like to say that I've matured. Others will simply say that I'm getting old. Sure, I don't have the physical prowess that I had as a rock-solid college athlete. But, I ain't fallin' apart, either. Most people tell me I don't look 65. And, I sure don't feel that way - well, most days anyway. Besides, I used to think that was SO old - like, senior citizen old! Maybe, it is. Hell, I just applied for Medicare.

But, perhaps, I've changed the most spiritually and emotionally. As time becomes more compressed, diminished at each and every moment, I have less of it to waste. And, it moves-on relentlessly and inexorably. Ponder this; the thought I made to write this sentence is already gone for me and will be for you immediately after you've read it. So, I have NONE of it to give for thoughts, causes, and, unfortunately, sometimes, people, who are not worthy of something so precious.

In terms of time, one way that I've changed has been that remembering dates, even important ones, have become virtually impossible for me to recall. I must admit that I was never very good at remembering important, personal ones like birthdays and anniversaries, while at the same time remembering obscure dates like that of the Battle of Hastings - weird, I know. And, it's gotten even worse. One might attribute that to a simple by-product of aging, i.e. our memories become more cloudy with the passage of time and the accumulation of so many experiences.

That may be true, but, for me, it runs deeper. Material things like time, hour, date, day of the week, and, often, even place, have no lasting meaning to me. What does matter is the emotion of the moment. THAT'S what lasts in my heart, mind, and soul. Why we loved - That we loved - is forever imprinted on my spirit. The details may have faded but the feeling created never does. It has just become more important to me to recall the experience of that moment rather than the details of when.

So, if I forget your birthday, please forgive me. I'm getting older and more feeble-minded.  But, one thing that I'll never forget - I still luv ya'! 

Today's MOZEN: How Many?

 

This may be preaching to the choir at best, and falling on deaf ears at worst, but it must be said: how many more powerful people, titans in their fields, at the top of their games, whether you agree with them politically or not, have to come forward to put forth the proposition that Donald J. Trump is unfit for the office of President for his supporters to believe it?

Here is just a partial list -

Rex Tillerson - former Chairman and CEO of The Exxon Corporation and 69th US Secretary of State
General James Mattis - Former Commander of US Central Command and 26th US Secretary of Defense
General John F. Kelly - Former Commander of US Southern Command, 5th US Secretary of Homeland Security, and White House Chief of Staff
John Bolton - Yale Law School, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, and 27th US National Security Advisor

In other words, these are NO LIGHTWEIGHTS. Besides, they were appointed by the President himself! Plus, they are just the most easily recognizable among a growing group of other less well-known administration officials and diplomats that echo the same sentiment  - The President is not only a moron (he's a Fucking Moron, as reportedly labeled by Mr. Tillerson), but he's also a thug who is running the Country like he ran his businesses, i.e. into the ground.

And, it's appalling to see the members of the once proud Republican Party fall-in like a bunch of whipped puppies whimpering at his heels. How do they look at themselves in the mirror? Cowards and sycophants - every stinkin' one.

Remain committed to voting every, single one of them OUT!!

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: The Cardinal

Magic is a frequent topic for this blog. Not the slight-of-hand kind but, rather, the little moments that exist beyond the realm of the normal, and, when you let them, make the world a wondrous place. But, for those moments to become real, first, you have to have a sense of mindfulness, i.e. an awareness of the life going on around you. Then, and perhaps most importantly, you have to believe.

And, if you do, they happen all of the time.

It was a lovely day, surprisingly mild, especially considering the bitter cold of the last few days. So, I decided to sojourn into the heart of town and run some errands. While on route, I gave my sister a call to check in on the health of my mother, the oft-mentioned, Stella. She'll be 96 in a few weeks, and although still remarkably cogent and sound for her age, she's still 96. So, she has good days and bad. Yesterday was one of those that wasn't so good. She was somewhat confused and was continually asking to see her long departed mother and to go home to her old neighborhood in Brooklyn. It was worrisome because of the implications. As much as we love her, perhaps because we DO so much, we have to acknowledge that Stella is on borrowed time and we should make the most of every good day left. The conversation led me to think of my late father and other members of my family and friends whom I have loved but have left us for other domains.

As my sister and I discussed our possible next steps, a cardinal flew by, very close to my face and perched on the branch of a nearby tree. As all the trees are barren of all their leaves, the birds bright red color provided a stark and beautiful contrast to the rather grey and sad tree branches. As I have always found cardinals to be very wary birds, I was surprised that he allowed me to get very close to his perch before he flew away.

Cardinals have long been a mythic symbol of beauty, hope, and renewal in the midst of a dark and cruel winter. Their presence is also said to symbolize a visit from a departed loved one to bring you comfort in their presence. They leave you with the message that all will be well. 

Of course, to a believer in magic, as I am, the timing of the arrival of this magical bird was no mere coincidence. I had not seen one in weeks. So, why would I then, at that VERY moment? It couldn't be an accident. It just couldn't be. It happened because it was destined to.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it - because I still believe in magic.

Today's MOZEN: Tears of Rage

As I sit at my computer to write to you this morning, on this day that honors a man of peace, service, and commitment to higher ideals, there are tears in my eyes - tears of sadness, but of rage, too!

How did we sink so low that we have a belligerent, bulbous, bilious, base moron running the Country? How can it be that men and women of learning and service have sold there souls to support him? And, why is it that so many of our brothers and sisters who we loved and respected continue to make excuses for his abhorrent behavior?

Perhaps, this ethos is not so new. Perhaps, it has always been part of America's soul. Perhaps, like a hidden, malignant tumor, it has always been within us, waiting for the right time to rear its ugly head.

As I write, fat, foolish wannabe mercenaries march in Virginia to protest common sense laws and threaten violence to have them abolished. What the hell are they so afraid of that they need to bring weapons with them to get a fucking cup of coffee? They say that they want the right to defend themselves. Well, defend themselves against WHAT - coffee that's too hot? WTF?

The President's lawyers, bolstered by their private propaganda media wing, a.k.a. Fox News, spin lies about the nature of the Impeachment charges against him while the Mr. Trump obsesses over toilets and his supporters squeal with delight at the very mention of it.

I want to SCREAM out SHAME ON THEM - ALL OF THEM! But, I need to be more accurate - I should say, shame on US because they are us. We are one Country. Or, at least in theory, we're supposed to be.

I'd like to say fuck them, every fucking one of them and simply walk away. But, I can't. If I do, they win. And, I will NEVER let that happen.

Will you join me and oppose tyranny - the Tyranny of Ignorance?

If you do, please share your thoughts and share this post!

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Artichoke

The Trinacria

The Trinacria is the ancient symbol of Sicily. It features the head of the Gorgon, Medusa, (yes, the woman with the snakes for hair) surrounded by three rotating legs. It is steeped in mythology with many interpretations. The most popular one may be that the Medusa represents the fertility of the Sicilian land and the three legs a myth of three nymphs who danced around the world gathering the best soil, fruits, and stones, who then threw them into the Mediterranean Sea to create the island of Sicily. The imagery may be odd but the message is clear - it is one historic and beautiful island.

I would like to suggest another more accessible one: The artichoke. Here is my reasoning - 

Artichokes, actually the flower of a thistle plant, thrive in Sicily's dry, warm climate and grow virtually all over the island. Therefore, they make up a large part of the Sicilian diet. No formal family dinner was complete without my Sicilian born grandmother's stuffed artichokes. Filled with spiced bread crumbs and baked to perfection, they became the favorite part of every big meal. But, until you learn how, they can be challenging to eat.

Because they are in the thistle family, the outer leaves are thick and spinney. It leads one to wonder who thought that they might have been edible in the first place. In fact, they look rather intimidating. The process is to slowly peal the outer leaves off, one at a time, while scraping the soft, fleshy inner part of the leaf with your teeth. This is the part that you actually eat while discarding the rest of it. Little by little, slowly but surely, they become more tender so that you consume the entire leaf. Eventually you arrive at THE best part - the heart which is tender, juicy and full of flavor. It may take a little work to get there but it is sure worth the effort.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, I believe that they are also a metaphor for the soul of the Sicilian people. We can be thorny and tough on the outside, even intimidating. However, if you are willing to put some effort into pealing away the layers, a tender heart lies within.

F LoBuono

Today's MOZEN: Introspection

F LoBuono

In a recent Facebook post, I lamented about how many times that I have failed in my life. In fact, I stated there were too many to even count.

The responses that I received were warm, heartfelt, and totally sympathetic ( well, the great majority were anyway). People were genuinely concerned for my mental well-being. It was the type of compassionate sentiment that restored my faith in mankind.

In addition to expressing my gratitude, I wanted to let people know that this type of introspection is a regular occurrence in my life and it should be in everyone's. I frequently take the time to reassess what I have done right and, of course, the things that I could surely improve upon. I usually find them in equal proportion. THAT'S what keeps my ego healthy.

And, a healthy ego usually means a life in balance, i.e. something we all should strive for. Personally, it keeps me honest. So, I am never falsely honest. In other words, there are some things that I'm pretty damned good at and others where I simply suck. I strive to continue what I do well and improve on the things that I don't. And, I also give myself a break by understanding life will never be perfect and neither will I. And, that's OK. As long as we acknowledge and accept our shortcomings while, at the same time, rewarding ourselves for the good we do, we'll be just fine.

So, my friends, thank you for your concern. My ego, and my life, are both doing just fine. And, if you practice a little introspection while making an honest assessment of your life skills, yours will be, too.

Today's MOZEN: WE SHALL SERVE NO KING!

F LoBuono

Social media posts still resonate with the thought that, despite who may hold the office, the Presidency is always to be respected.

BULL SHIT!

This is America, founded on the defining principal that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. We bestow NO titles on anyone. Respect is never simply given but, rather, must be earned.

Which leads us to the current occupant of the White House.

He is a weak-minded bully who should never garner a single moment of respect. He abuses women. He mocks the disabled. He torments the less fortunate. So, please, someone, enlighten me as to what there is to earn mine, or ANYONE'S, respect.

THIS IS AMERICA! WE SHALL SERVE NO KING.

Today's MOZEN: A World Gone Blind

Words and Photo F LoBuono

Please don't tell me that you were actually surprised by the Administration's recent fiasco concerning Iran?

Really?

I don't mean to sound pedantic but how many times, on this very blog, have I said, "you get what you pay for"?

Well, MANY!

President Trump campaigned on the "tough guy" image that his base so completely worships. It may be bullshit, as evidenced by his lame bone spur deferments from the Vietnam War, but they WANT to believe it's true. Therefore, for them, it is!

So, in a sense, to him and his followers, this is simply the fulfillment of prophesy. He was determined to be the biggest, bad-ass on the planet - a bellicose bully stubbornly resolute to rule the world by force, if necessary. His Cabinet, Administration, GOP lackeys, and sycophantic followers are all in lockstep behind him because it's what they WANT. To them, THIS is what makes America great - be good, as we see it, or be GONE - as in whipped out!

I have also written extensively on how I believe this President and his Administration would fundamentally change what it means to be an American. This was again made clear to me in a recent interview with CNN's Jake Tapper and Secretary of State, Mike Pomepo. During the interview, Mr. Pompeo said, in essence, that we are no longer The Shinning City on a Hill but, rather, the Home of the Schoolyard Bully. And, neither he nor the President would be apologizing for the shift. In fact, it was what they were elected to do.

The very qualities we abhor in our enemies; assassination, torture, regime change, and terror have replaced the more gentle (and, effective) arts of diplomacy, guile, and tact. Instead of fostering goodwill with the confidence of a benevolent power, formerly the American Way, we now rule by fear and intimidation.

And, remember, there are many who have waited a long time for this to become reality. The believe those qualities make America Great. They even voted in a Reality TV Show Star to prove it. If it takes war at great cost, so be it. To those people, I would remind them that an eye for an eye just leaves the whole world blind.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Be Like JANUS

Ancient sculpture of Janus

You know his face(s) but you may not know his name. Janus is the ancient Greco/Roman god with two faces (hence the plural face-s). He is often depicted with one smiling image, the other frowning or, one bearded and one not. We often associate his visage(s) with the theater arts as the dual faces are supposed to represent the full range of emotion that should be presented by an actor - from joy to sadness. But, Janus is so much more than that. He is also the god of beginnings, endings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways and passages. And, the reason he is depicted with two faces is that he is capable of seeing into both the past AND future.

Pretty cool, right? 

As the god of doorways and passages, the ancient Romans would hang the image of the frowning/angry Janus above the entrance looking out, while hanging the laughing/happy one peering in. This was thought to be done so that the god's angry countenance would keep evil spirits away from the home while the friendly face would keep the good ones in.

Janus is a very versatile god, embodying many positive attributes like inner vision and acceptance. But, the one I relate to best is as the god of doorways and passages because I believe it to be a metaphor on how we should live our own lives: we should look to avoid the evil in the world, keeping it as a safe distance while, at the same time, looking inward to keep and hold the better angels of our nature.

So, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, be a good god. Be like JANUS.

F LoBuono