Life - simple but, always complicated!!

In Jean Edward Smith's biography of George W. Bush, he wrote about what President Bush thought of President-elect Obama during the transition period. On page 650, it states: “As part of the presidential transition, Barack Obama asked Bush if it would be possible for him to meet all the ex-presidents. Bush was happy to oblige, and organized a White House luncheon in the Oval Office on January 7. Bush and Obama were joined by Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush. The luncheon lasted over two hours, each former president ordered his lunch à la carte from the White House mess, and the tone was convivial and friendly. “All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office,” said Obama before the meeting. “For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary, and I just want to thank the President for hosting us.” Bush was equally effusive. “We want you to succeed,” he re...

They're from Gloucester,  they're always from Gloucester , but not always. Those who die early in life, are not always from Gloucester. They're from everywhere. God Bless . THE PERFECT STORM, a great movie that often plays out real in everyday life. GLOUCESTER, THEY'RE ALWAYS FROM GLOUCESTER  👂👂 Listen , remember that line .?  The loss of life on the Emmy Rose , is just like the movie, The Perfect Storm . That movie sticks in my head,  because it was the last movie my family & I watched with Mom a few days after Christmas , 2000. Wow, almost 20 years ago, but I remember the sequence of events well those last few months of Mom's life. I rented the movie from Blockbuster video, we all liked The Perfect Storm, based on a true story. I read the true accounting of the incident in a book of the same name this summer. Less than 2 1/2 months later Mom died of leukemia, buried the day after I turned 43 years of age, suddenly I felt much much ol...

Always , always say thank you! 👍🤎 & Again no matter the time gone by. Joe Tobin remains a friend that I first met way back in 1976, but more important he is a spiritual adviser. Simply , Rev. Joseph W. Tobin C.S.s.R. , 36 years ago. Today Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin C.S.s.R. He is still the same man I first met, in November 1976, in a SJFC dorm room,  the same in July 1980 at first of a few 4th of July celebrations at Tobin family compound in Stoney Pointe, ONT, the same in November 1984, and same in April 2018. Just simply a fellow Christian disciple. 🙏🙏 God Bless Cardinal Tobin & his large large family.

I'm very proud of this fellow RIT Tiger. True champions don't let anything deter them. The love that is shown by others when Cliff DeVries  overcomes adversity 25 years ago, and again on his  dive last year, is heartwarming & inspirational. Many could learn a life lesson both on Cilff's determination , & to love those who are brave & strong enough to climb the diving or life ladder  again. Watch "A tumor ended Cliff Devries’ Olympic dreams, but paralysis can’t stop him from diving | E:60" on YouTube https://youtu.be/myz9Bq_ZSbc Powerful, inspirational, amazing. Congratulations Cliff you represent RIT as well as anyone.  👏👏 When you think you can't do it, think again, you can,  with the right determination & mind set. Anthony J. Schmitt III   RIT MBA '86

In sports there are many more important things then the contest itself. It's about the friendships, dedication, support , hard work, love, fight, and never giving up. We heard that almost 30 years ago from Jim Valvano. Now, we hear people describe the UK assistant football coach John  Schlarman. Coach Schlarman has died after a two-year bout with cancer. He was 45. Watch the video;  https://twitter.com/UKFootball/status/1326892504667496448?s=09 Read the story; https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30302215/kentucky-o-line-coach-john-schlarman-dies-45 An inspiration to all. 🙏✝️

A NYJ lifetime ago, same for the Buffalo Bills fans, except JETS & BILLS headed in opposite directions this year. That's a vast understatement. 😢😢 2008 season It was NYJ HC Eric Mangini  vs. Bills HC Dick Jauroun  , NYJ QB Eric Favre  vs. Bills QB Trent Edwards. The Jets won on Nov. 2, 2008, 26-17 in Orchard Park, NY when the stadium was called Ralph Wilson stadium. I attended with St. Fisher College alumni buddies, Lou Fuchs , Armando Santiago, John Butt. 6 weeks later,  Dec. 14, 2008,  I again was in attendance in NJ @ Giants Stadium as Brett Favre leads Gang Green to a 31-27 victory, and a 9-5 record. Again, I had a fun time with some old Fisher pals; Ed Keough, & Larry Yetman. Jets in playoffs , right ? NO WAY JOSE ! They lost the last two games to finish 9-7.  Mangini was booted, and the one year Favre reign was over, as he never again took another snap for the J-E-T-S,  JETS, JETS . The next season be...

" Now is a time for unity,” said James Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co. “We must respect the results of the U.S. presidential election and, as we have with every election, honor the decision of the voters and support a peaceful transition of power. ” - WSJ Ye of little faith remember this or read it again, and reflect, then pray for a united USA.🇺🇸  Matthew 19: 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible ." There is much change in life that we cannot control,  or maybe at first, not appreciate. We're assigned an unpopular teacher or professor in school, get a new team athletics coach, a boss from hell, or heaven forbid a difficult neighbor moves in next door. Either you learn to deal with it in the best possible way, or you will be a miserable human being. Bickering, and undermining the ...

I had two friends die recently, one on Saturday night, one on Wednesday, one penniless (literally,he lived in a tent in Fairport near canal) , one worked at the executive level of a major financial firm, one never married, one married with four children, one I knew for less than a year, one I knew from hs, and for over 47 years. Though I didn't see him often over the years. Both very friendly, both humourous, both men of Christian faith, both avid sports fans, one 60, the other 61. One died suddenly & tragically, the other lost the battle with cancer. I considered both Mike & Steve friends, though not very close with either. If I called for help they would both help as much as they were able. I think it's a race as to who got to heaven first. Maybe they bumped into each other and are kibitzing about  the tall LI farm kid, who played hoops for a bit, but treated each as the Christian neighbors they were. A toast 🍻🥂to both,  and RIP my friends. 🙏 P.S. Steve is far rig...

Police Identify Body Found in Erie Canal in Fairport Over the Weekend PUBLISHED 12:34 PM ET Nov. 02, 2020 FAIRPORT, N.Y. — Police have released the identity of a body that was pulled from the Erie Canal over the weekend. Someone walking along the towpath made the discovery on Sunday. Police are currently awaiting autopsy results on Michael Parry, 61, of Fairport. They do not believe foul play was involved in his death. So, I even helped Mike Parry on the last day he lived. He called me on Saturday afternoon, if I could read a letter from housing authority. He was put on waiting list. I gave him some butane for his lighter.  I sat at the Perinton Park pavilion with Mike & his buddy for about 1hr 15m, talking about World Series, the Bills, The Jets, the weather change , the religious inspirational text messages I sent, him going to Mass at COTA , etc. Last I saw him was at 6pm , as they were walking on canal path to village . I called the Fairport PD & gave them that info. Mi...