Category Archives: Just Me

Personal thoughts

My Personal Coalition of the Righteous

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We are living in turbulent times gripped by a worldwide pandemic, dealing with racial injustice, unemployment levels not seen since the depression, burgeoning homelessness, food scarcity and the lack of adequate healthcare for not only our most vulnerable but more and more the so called middle class. Through it all we are trying to navigate these tough times with a leadership that is bereft of empathy and looks to divide rather than unite.

Yet despite these troubling times the last week has brought something remarkable. We are seeing a significant portion of Americans coming together, refusing to allow themselves to be torn apart by the devise minority that sadly refuses to let go of the hate in their heart. Those that seem to exist on hate. I call this The Coalition of the Righteous and it is growing more powerful everyday. As a people we appear to finally listening to each other . To be willing to put aside our differences and to take the first steps as a society to understand each other.

For myself personally I have been experienced racism and seen the ugly side of policing but I have also been fortunate to say I have friends of all colors, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations.

I grew up attending a grammar school 95% Italian in the little Italy section of the Bronx, during a time when tolerance was not the word of the day. Yet I made life long friends I met there. We do not look like each other, we do not share the same culture but we do share a bond of brotherhood. We have always been our own Coalition of the Righteous and each of us is keenly aware that above all we can count on each other and we are not afraid to say we love each other. In my darkest days, when my heart literally stopped beating, when my recovery was long and hard they were right there. I did not have to ask them to be, I did not have to wonder if they would be, they were my family so I knew they would be.

We don’t look alike
We don’t share the same culture
But
We are brothers
The Coalition of the Righteous – it’s a beautiful thing.

The Most Amazing Woman

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The first three lines of this post were intentionally left blank because in reality words can not state what I feel about the most amazing woman I have ever known my mother Frances Cooke. Such an extraordinary woman nothing can ever match a mother’s love. A shoulder to cry on when you come on as a child with a scrape knee. A shoulder to cry on when you come home having been rejected by a girl when you’re an teenager. A shoulder to cry on when you’re an adult when life throws you an unexpected curve. My mom was always there for me and even today I know from above she is still there for me.

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Happy Birthday Mom – I love you

The perfect coffee table books

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Enjoy reading the blog then you and you’re friends will love reading the perfect coffee table book for Valentine’s Day- Listen Intently, KIss Passionately, Love Intensively, Respect Eternally. The thoughts and musings of an ordinary guy about love

Plus feel inspired and get your motivation on with-A God for Us  The thoughts and musings of an ordinary guy.

Both available now at Amazon.com

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Can I really be a part time Pesco-Vegetarian?

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So I’ve been able to control my blood sugar over the last few months without relying on meds so in an effort to continue that trend. Plus it can’t hurt my heart health I decided to try and be a part time pesco-vegetarian, a diet which includes plant-based foods and fish. Because let’s be real I’m not going meatless full time, so two maybe three times a week I’m trying this.

This week was week one three of the dinner meals include:

Broccoli Rabe and Mushrooms sautéed in garlic, olive oil and red wine vinegar. Along with Eggplant (cubed) sautéed in Hunts diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano No Salt Added.

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Swordfish, sautéed garlic asparagus and roasted cinnamon garlic butternut squash.

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And who’s says it just for breakfast. Scrambled eggs with kale and tomatoes.

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All very tasty. Wish me luck on this new diet and let’s see how this goes.

True Italian

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I grew up around many Italian families and NYC’s real little Italy Arthur Avenue and was honored to have a number of delicious homemade Italian meals and eat at some of the best Italian restaurants and pizzerias.  So let me be clear:

1. Deep dish is not pizza it’s a casserole 

2. The Olive Garden is not an Italian restaurant it’s a  store that sells something that looks like pasta and taste like… well I’m not sure because I’ve only been there once begged forgiveness after going and swore never to go again

3. Dominos, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut are not pizzerias it’s a storefront version of a supermarket freezer storing those frozen pizzas in a box

4. A slice with pineapple topping is not a slice it’s an abomination. 

5. The real little Italy in NYC is not in Manhattan it’s in the Bronx and Arthur ave & 187th Street is still the epicenter

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It is He

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Did you think you could break me?
That you could convince me that earthly possessions were more valuable than spiritual ones, strip me of my compassion for others by exploiting inherent fears and prejudices that reside within us all,
drive a wedge between my savior and me, cause me to abandon my faith and turn my back on him.
Look again and understand this:
My faith is strong in Him, not you.
He who forgives me of my sins and loves me unconditionally, not you.
He who I give praise to, not you.
He who I thank each day for allowing me to wake to this beautiful world that He created, not you.
He who am a child of not you.
He who has blessed with the promise of eternal life not you for as it is written in John 6:40
For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
It is because of Him, the Lord, my savior, that you could never break me.

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Dear Momma – Happy Mother’s Day!

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Dear Momma

They say a bond between a mother and a son can never be broken.

That the comfort a mother can offer her son with just a single touch can never be duplicated.

That no love can match the love between a mother and son. No matter the physical distance between them.

For a mother will always be there for her son. Be it physically, mentally or spiritually. Her soul will never let her son walk alone.

And while this is true of most mothers and sons a son can only have one mother. Only one special soul to look out over, to comfort, to guide and to love them. You Frances Cooke are that special soul to me and everyday I thank God for that. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day

Your son Carl

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Flaws and all I am who I am and I’m ok with that

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When I look into the mirror of my soul and am brutally honest with myself I see flaws. Imperfections that annoy some people. But here’s the thing, not one of us is perfect and if the whole of ourselves is righteous and kind then at the end of the day we’re ok. Of course I strive to better myself each day but fundamentally I am who I am and I’m happy with that. If you choose to accept who I am join me on my journey if not I wish you good luck on yours.