Today's MOZEN: MY Nyack

Words and photos by F LoBuono

My love for my adopted hometown of Nyack, NY is (or, should be) no secret to my family, friends, and readers of this blog. In fact, they often chide me for my effusive praise of it, calling me the "unofficial mayor". That's flattering, but I respect those who serve as our elected officials and have no desire to hold public office. Besides, most would agree that I'm unelectable anyway! But, the fact remains that I wouldn't be anywhere else. I could live elsewhere. I choose to live here.

So, it begs the question: why?

Well, there is the obvious physical beauty of the place. Being on the banks of the mighty Hudson River and at the base of the majestic Palisades provides us with breathtaking vistas and an abundance of wildlife to observe. And, it never ends. I have been photographing sunrises and sunsets every since I came to this area over 35 years ago. They took my breath away then and still do. Just the other day I had the great privilege to photograph the blazing dawn of the summer solstice.

As if that weren't enough, Nyack's (I use the name generically and incorporates the villages of South Nyack - where I actually live - as well as Upper Nyack and Grandview), greatest attribute may be its people. Their commitment to caring about how they live and maintaining the considerable diversity of this village continues to amaze and inspire me as much as the breathtaking sunrises.

And, it's demonstrated on nearly a daily basis.

Last night I was dining at one of our many, fine food establishments, when it struck me just why I love the place so much: it truly is the best of what America represents. Or, at least should.

Allow me to elaborate.

I was sitting at the bar, enjoying my standard cocktail, a bourbon Manhattan, expertly prepared by George, one of the best bartenders in town, and savoring some delicious Italian food. Because I was alone it allows me to take in everything that's going on around me. It was then that I noticed something that was truly extraordinary and summarizes just why this village is so special. The restaurant is owned by an Italian immigrant. I, a son of Sicilian immigrants, was eating Italian food prepared mostly by Latino immigrants. My cocktail was mixed by an Egyptian immigrant. I had a wonderful conversation with a fair, blonde women sitting next to me. To her left, a bunch of George's buddies were having a great time and carrying on their conversations in Arabic - while to the right of me a group of waiters and busboys were holding their conversations in Spanish. And, all of this was happening while the Yankees were playing the Chicago White Sox on the television.

Wow.

THIS is Nyack, THIS is America. THIS is why I am proud to live here.

Today's MOZEN: A Little Perspective.

F LoBuono

In a restless mood, I was channel surfing in a desperate attempt to find something, anything, worth watching on TV. As seems to be the case for me lately, the pickings were slim at best. Finally, I arrived at ESPN II which was airing a segment from its documentary series, 30 for 30. In the past, I have found them well produced and informative. So, I staid to see what they were offering. It was a documentary on the University of Kentucky's successful, but polarizing, head basketball coach, John Calipari.

Now, anyone who knows ANYTHING about college basketball knows that the University of Kentucky Wildcats rank among the games elite programs. In fact, it may be considered the State's greatest export. With that in mind, the program is given EVERY resource imaginable to be successful. And, the coach is no exception. Coach Calipari's salary, not including bonuses, is $8 million/year. That's right - $8 million!

So, you can imagine my shock when, during one segment of the program, Coach Calipari is talking about how important that everyone realize that, despite the fact that some of his players may be 7' tall, but they are still just "kids". While he is saying how important that we respect their "vulnerability" they are boarding their PRIVATE PLANE to fly to their next game. While Calipari is talking about his solemn responsibility to get this kids to "live their dreams", the players are stretching their 7' frames across entire rows of seats in their PRIVATE PLANE.

Are you f'n' kidding me???

The hypocrisy made we want to puke.

I played college football on the so-called club level at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ. Club football meant that it was barely sponsored by the school. In other words, we were pretty much on our own. We had limited practice facilities and even fewer locker room ones. At one point, our locker room had only one working shower - one! Not only did our coach not make nearly $8 million - he made NOTHING - he VOLUNTEERED!!

So, why did we do it? We played simply for the love of the game. There were no high profile, controversial coaches. There were no scholarships. And, there certainly were no private planes to fly us around the Country to compete! All we had was one another and our desire to play the game we all loved.

We've lost the purity of what it means to compete simply for it's own sake. College sports is BIG BUSINESS - no, correction - it's HUGE BUSINESS. And, the hypocrisy associated with it is everywhere. The situation at the University of Kentucky is a classic example. And, they are not alone. The State of Kentucky can't find the money to support sick coal miners (the backbone of its society) but it can afford $8 million/year for it's University's basketball teams coach and private planes for its players - just so they can "live the dream".

Perspective, my friends, perspective.

LIFE LESSONS WITH STELLA

Frank and Stella

It's no secret that my mother and I get along great. Let's face it, how many guys can get away with calling their mothers by their first name? I have always used what the rest of the world calls her -Stella, and always will. It's a lovely name and suits her perfectly. Besides, it just seems to come so naturally for me to use her name instead of her title. In a sense, it cements our very deep bond, not only as mother and son, but as people and true friends, too.

One of the things that we share is a disdain for formal religious ritual. Stella has never really had a need for a physical church. Her house of worship lies deep within her very being. Therefore, she carries her temple with her wherever she goes. She prays where and when she wants to and finds the catalyst of a formal setting unnecessary. She is deeply spiritual but not traditionally religious. I inherited this mind-set from her and we often discuss it's meaning and that of life itself together.

In fact, it came up in one of our conversations just the other day.

Stella is aging. She's 93 and must face the reality that most of her life is well behind her. I know that this frightens her a bit, and rightly so. How many of us want to face the imminent reality of our own demise? And, because of her age, she must also deal with fact that she is losing many of her friends. She is outliving virtually all of them.

After the recent death of a good friend's husband, she was feeling a little down. She wondered to me why there has to be so much pain associated with being alive. We are confronted with death and cruelty on virtually a daily basis (if you don't believe me, just turn on the TV). I agreed. But, I also said that life is beautiful, too. And, the best part is that, after all of these years of listening to Stella, she listened to me as I attempted to explain a life in balance - at least as I have come to understand it.

She concentrated intensely while I described the ancient concept (and, the beauty) of Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang was developed in China sometime around the 3rd Century BCE. The concept is embodied by this symbol -

It is perfect in form and concept. Black and white are perfectly intertwined with half the symbol in each color. Further, there is a dot of black in the white section and, conversely, a dot of white in the black. This, of course, represents the perfect balance that is life - it is neither ALL light nor ALL dark. And, even when it appears that it is, at least mostly, there is a spot of one within the other - BALANCE. Life contains ALL things. It's how we INTERPRET those events that makes all the difference. This balance will NEVER change. Therefore, the key to a happy life is in accepting ALL of what it has to offer. When we do this, our concept of what is actually good and what is bad changes - in the end, they really become one and the same. It reinforces the popular slogan: THE WORLD IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.

Stella nodded several times in approval. I believe that she understood and agreed. It certainly seemed to comfort her. She may be 93 but one of the keys to her longevity has always been her ability to listen and to accept new thinking. It's one of the things that she has so frequently said to me: when you close your mind, you're finished! Well, Stella is FAR from finished. We ended our conversation like we always do: I love you, Frankie. And, I replied: I love you, MOM!

Truly YIN and YANG.

Today's MOZEN: A Message to the Democratic Party.

F LoBuono

It's SO simple - the Democrats lose because they are weak. Their message does not resonate with common folk and, even if they did have a strong message, they have no one dynamic enough to deliver it. Hillary Clinton proved to be disastrous as a candidate and no one has stepped up to fill the void. Bernie Sanders had the message but was the wrong vehicle. Yes, he represented change but not in a package that so-called Main Street America was prepared to vote for. Let's face it, we still have a long way to go before most of America, frankly, would be willing to vote for a cranky, old Jew from Brooklyn! That's pathetic but, I believe, sadly accurate.

So, instead, we have a Reality TV Show Host as President of the United States.

WHY?

It's SO simple - because he crafted a message that people wanted to hear. Whether or not he spoke the truth is not important - at least not to them. He gave them hope. Democrats believe it to be false hope but have offered NO viable alternative. So, in a sense, we got what we paid for - a pathetic megalomaniac who at least has the balls to move his agenda forward.

During the campaign, the Democrats were completely tone-deaf as to what voters truly wanted, i.e. a path to economic viability. Why should they care for helping others when they can't help themselves? It's the logic of hunger. Social programs are worthless when they help others solely at your expense. But, they were too arrogant to listen and they paid the price - and, still are and do. At a time when we were speaking of the end of the Republican party the complete opposite happened. Now, the Democrats are reeling just to save their own asses. And, they have no one to blame but themselves.

I'm tired of hearing the Democrats whine - and, then continue to lose. And, they will continue to do so until they craft a message that reaches most Americans. Until then, the Orange Man will eat their lunch and all they can do is cry about it.

WAKE UP. PUT UP. OR, SHUT UP.

Today's MOZEN: LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

Words and photos by F LoBuono

It sure seems easy to get depressed these days. One just need turn on the television to see an almost endless barrage of bad news. Terrorists of all varieties take human life indiscriminately. The cops are killing innocent people and people are killing innocent cops. Our Country seems to be not only in a state of confusion, but split ideologically as rarely seen before. Then, the Spring weather in the Northeast simply SUCKED. Throw in a few personal issues like selling a home, resolving relationships, getting older, commuting through insane traffic into NYC, trying to make ends meet financially, and its not hard to get down.

When this happens, its easy to focus on the negative - the things that are wrong in our lives - instead of taking of moment to observe what is beautiful and, therefore, right with them.

And, if you let it, it can happen at the most unexpected times and in the most surprising places.

Like yesterday.

First, it started on a most positive note: after strong storms the previous day, it dawned sunny and bright - not a cloud in the sky. I had the day off which meant I could spend it with my dog, Rexie which always makes me smile. I jumped in my truck to make my way up 9W and the house where he lives on a daily basis (it's a "joint custody thing" LOL). My windows were down and the radio was blasting - the throbbing drum beat of Bob Marley's Exodus was carrying us on the wind. After that, Neil Young's Like a Hurricane had such meaning for me at that moment that it brought me to tears - literally. At a spot where the road makes a hard right turn, there is a grassy meadow that you must pass. As I made the turn, the meadow exploded in white. It was almost as if it was snowing - upside down. I then realized that they were tiny, white butterflies - hundred of them!

I picked up the dog and we continued our way together. And, my mood had changed completely. I became more and more aware of ALL the beauty that surrounds us: a swallow swooping low right over the top of my truck. A field of hap-hazard wild flowers graced one side of the road. I looked up to see a lone cormorant, long neck leading the way flying furiously towards the River. We took the scenic route through town, passing gracious homes and well-kept gardens. The village was alive with window shoppers and sidewalk diners.  The River glistened like quicksilver in the distance. We spent a good portion of the day walking, working in my garden, and, overall, taking the time to allow life to come to us.

Then, after a serene evening and long sleep, we walked to the River to catch the dawn of the Summer Solstice - just in time to witness this. The Summer Solstice is upon us:

The Summer Solstice

The ugliness in life will never go away. It provides yin for the yang. But, it is just as important that we know life is beautiful, as well. We just need take the time to notice. All of it.

Today's MOZEN: His Roar Was Long and Loud

Photo: National Geographic/Words: F LoBuono

His roar was long and loud. 
     Description of King Leonidas in "300".

Male, or pride, lions (Pantehra leo) are awesome creatures. It is not unusual for us to associate power, strength, and magesty with the image of an adult, male lion.

Weighing as much as 450 lbs., they can still reach speeds of nearly 50 mph (in short bursts). They are capable of attacking and killing animals that can weigh as much as 1,000 lbs. Males reach sexual maturity at about 2-3 years of age before they are driven out of the pride by the older, more powerful males. Females tend to stay with the same pride for their entire lives. At this time, the males form alliances and wander the countryside to attempt to find a pride of their own. Of course, the existing males of any given territory are not about to give up their pride ownership without a fight.

And, fight they do - often to the death. Even if the existing pride leader is not killed, he is diposed and forced to make it on his own, usually a death sentence anyway. After ruling the pride where his main duties consisted basically of only fighting and fucking, his skills as a hunter become so completely eroded that if the hyeneas (the lion's ancient and deadly enemy) don't get him, starvation will. And, this is after an average of only 6 years! So, their existance is, in a sense, fast and furious.

I suppose the lesson here is that there is a price to pay to lead. But, if it's in your blood, there can be no ther way. A lion can only be a lion, and makes no excuses for it.

Today's MOZEN: The Color of Justice is GREEN.

F LoBuono

They say in this Country, when it comes to justice, there are only 2 colors: white and black. And, to take it one step further and read between the lines, it really means that white Americans receive fair treatment while black Americans get little or no justice.

I disagree, at least partially.

The ONLY color that ultimately matters in the American justice system is GREEN!!!!!!

As in the color of cold, hard cash.

An example supporting my claim just happened again this past week. One WEALTHY and FAMOUS BLACK MAN, Bill Cosby, was granted another trial for sexual offenses against a woman (women) after the first one resulted resulted in a hung jury. Despite STRONG evidence that Mr. Cosby actually committed the crimes he was accused of, his HIGH POWERED and VERY EXPENSIVE lawyers used their considerable skills to make this happen - and, I might add, not for the first time (see OJ Simpson).

Then you have the case of a POOR BLACK MAN in Minnesota shot to death in his car by a WHITE POLICEMAN, despite the fact that the victim was following the policeman's orders. The policeman was acquitted on all charges.

So, let's summarize: Two trials involving black men - both seeking justice through truth - end with completely different results. So, what's the difference - both men where black?

Well, it seems that one had the power of GREEN, i.e. $$$$$, while the other only had his good reputation to aid in his families' quest to get justice for him. And, against a white cop that just ain't good enough. Without the GREEN behind him, he was just another nigger who got out of line.

Until we level the playing field, unfortunately, I fear the ONLY color that ultimately matters is GREEN.

Father's Day 2017

Joseph LoBuono, circa 1943

People who read my posts (those rare individuals) know I can, at times, pepper my entries with a healthy dose of sarcasm and, hopefully, some humor. Today, for Father's Day, I thought I would fill that bill by saying something like: Father's Day is the easiest holiday of the year for me - I'm not one and I don't have one any more either.

In addition to my rather twisted sense of humor, I am also NOT very nostalgic (I don't think that I even have a photo of me and my dad together).  Nor, am I particularly religious. You will never catch me posting memes that says something like: Daddy, missing you in heaven everyday. I don't mock people who feel this way, I just don't. I simply do not know where my father's soul is. All I know is that he has been physically gone from my life for nearly 30 years.

And, before you think me cold and thoughtless, let me add: I may not know where my father's soul resides but I DO know that his spirit lies within me. I AM the essence of what HE was. The lessons that he taught me have provided the basis for the man I am today. I'm sure that I will forget some, but here are the most important lessons he gave to me:

Respect for others begins with respecting yourself.
Treat everyone equally.
There is no one greater, or lesser, than yourself.
The greatest joy in life is family. Cherish yours.
Always strive to be the best, but accept that you will fail - often.
Never raise your hand to a woman or anyone less physical than you.
Always be brave, but never fear to be gentle, too.
Walk away from a fight whenever possible, but never let anyone lay their hands on you.
Be educated.
Speak your mind, boldly.
Seek out adventure.
Don't marry too young.
Listen to your heart.
No one loved me more than he did.

The last lesson is the one that I will always keep to sustain me. I can see his face and how he smiled when he would call to me and say, hiya, Frankie! And, at that moment and time, there was nothing in the world more important to him than my presence. And, that my friends, makes him immortal.

Happy Father's Day.

When You Think About It: SENSIBLE Gun Control -NOW!!!

F LoBuono

Now that most of the smoke has cleared from the horrific shooting incident in Alexandria, Va. this week (6/14/2017), I feel it important to say a few things.

First, and foremost, violence of any kind, on any level, directed against any individually is simply unacceptable. Period. I abhor violence in all its forms and manifestations. It has no place in our politics or our society. We must reject it totally and completely.

Next, we can look for a silver lining within the dark clouds of this heinous crime. And, that is a renewed sense of unity that has been so lacking since that last, brutal election season. Both sides of the aisle have put aside their differences, at least temporarily, to unite in support of their comrades who were attacked and seriously wounded. This is a good thing. I hope that it lasts, although I have my doubts.

Last, and, perhaps, most controversially, I hope people, without malice, will see the irony in the entire situation. It is obvious that a deranged man was able to LEGALLY purchase an ASSAULT WEAPON and use it to gun down the VERY people who support the legislation that ALLOWED him to LEGALLY purchase the weapon in the first place -that's right out of the Irony Handbook! Let's face it folks, the NRA is the largest supporter of GOP candidates and Representatives of any lobbying group in the Country. So, in a sense, the GOP got what they paid for.

Now, this is not my attempt to be glib, especially when people were so seriously hurt. But, rather, I would ask people to see it for the insanity it is and DO something about it by INSISTING that our legislators. We need UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS and close the GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE. These things are both REASONABLE and DOABLE. Now, the Republicans can choose: pass the legislation or continue to eat their own children.

Today's Mostly True Short Story: Their Lucky Day

It was a blistering hot day, perfect for a ride up Route 9W on the Harley. I had just crested a steep hill when I saw the little buggers - two of them - chipmunks with their tails sticking straight up and running hell-bent-for-leather to make it across the highway. It must have been their lucky day because I saw them just in time to slow down, laugh, and yell, run you little bastards, RUN!! Almost as quickly as I saw them, they disappeared into the thick brush at the side of the rode. They made it. And, I smiled.

EPILOGUE: After I got home from my ride, I took a walk in my backyard to rest and reflect, and who do you think I see but this little guy hiding out on my pear tree! Must be some kind of harbinger of good luck - I hope!!