Life - simple but, always complicated!!

Someone asked the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, “ Is there anyone richer than you in the world ?” Bill Gates replied, “ Yes, there is a person who is richer than me.” He then narrated a story. “It’s during the time when I wasn't rich or famous. I was at the New York Airport when I saw a newspaper vendor. I wanted to buy one newspaper but found that I don't have enough of change. So I left the idea of buying and returned it to the vendor. I told him of not having the change. The vendor said, “ I am giving you this for free.” On his insistence I took the newspaper. Coincidentally, after 2–3months, I landed at the same airport and again I was in short of change for a newspaper. The vendor offered me the newspaper again. I refused and said that I can't take it for I don't have a change today too. He said, “ You can take it, I am sharing this from my profit, I won't be at loss.” I took the newspaper. After 19 y...

Let us not leave our posts while the Church through our bishop is suffering the agony of Gethsamine. Each of you is a leader of your cohort of prayer warriors for the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. We have a governor who passes laws protecting cats' paws and authorizing the dismembering of infants. We have a society which is registering about half of its births out of wed-lock and redefining marriage, but like the Pharisees of old   they rend their garments and recklessly attack the church. We have a society which worries about climate changes and uses the incitement of divisive politics to achieve power. So for us we  must pray in the churches, in our homes, where we work, alone or in a group to Our Lady as the Mother of the Church and Our Lord. We must not flinch! We must stand fast and stand with our bishop, and support the hundreds of priests who service us so generously. This is the beginning of the beginning of our prayer initiatives. Ron B.

T. Boone Pickens Is Dead; Oil Magnate and Corporate Raider Was 91 A very rich man monetarily, but I guess not so much in family life. 😳😳 Mr. Pickens’s five marriages — to Lynn O’Brien, Beatrice Carr Stuart, Madeleine Paulson, Nelda Cain and Toni Chapman Brinker — ended in divorce. The saying goes that money cannot buy you happiness. I will always wonder how does a billionaire strike out 5 times in the most important aspect of life. Did he not know love enough to succeed ? Or did he treat wives as the same , he did companies he tried to acquire via hostile takeovers ? Sad.

Not my words today. But, the world would be a better place. Amen 🙏 Reading 1  Col 3:12-17 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Gospel  Lk 6:27-38 Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do g...

September 11, 2001 was a terrible day for all Americans. It was a day of terror attacks by foreign enemies. An attack on,  and destruction of landmarks that we all knew. The Twin Towers in NYC and the Pentagon in our nation's Capitol. Close to 3,000 people died that day, most of them our fellow US citizens. More continue to die due to 9/11 related illnesses.  On a personal basis , I knew (or knew their family members) 4 individuals who perished due to the 9/11 terror attacks. Peter Ganci was second in command of the FDNY. Peter was from Farmingdale NY, and I went to St. Kilians elementary school with his brother & sister. He died in the collapse of the Towers attempting to save people trapped in the tower. CORRECTION : At the time of the attacks, he held the rank of  Chief of Department , the highest ranking uniformed fire officer in the department John Wallice was a businessman with an office in the Towers.  John was a fellow classma...

9-14-17 Today, I attended the celebration of Chris Crandall's life. It was made up of sadness, celebration, tears, smiles, but more than anything love. I think most of you who knew Chris would agree that when you hear her name, the words that come to mind are friendly and smile. Caitlin, her youngest daughter, used both words to describe her beloved mother. Caitlin delivered a loving eulogy honoring both her mother and her late father, Gary. It was heart wrenching to see such a great group of young adults lose both their parents to cancer at young ages. Another thing that pops into my mind as soon as I hear Chris's name is St. Paul's Church in Webster. That is where I met Chris & Gary way back in 1988, when my wife and I joined St. Paul's parish with our newborn daughter. Another daughter to be born the next year. Chris was so welcoming and kind, Gary was quiet. Their three daughters,  Sarah, Elizabeth, Caitlin, and son Matthew were a few years older than...

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Not many of my original words today, but in life it is surprising when people when tested ususally chose the love of money & thus evil. Don't fall to the temptation, & the hypocrisy that accompanies it. Contrary to the famous line that Gordon Gecko spouts in the movie Wall Street, " Greed is NOT good." It causes disharmony in human relationships, not good, but evil becomes life's compass.  I can attest I have witnessed the love of money corrupt people up close & personal. The love caused them to trade in Christian morals, for selfishness, ugliness, and animosity to those who questioned their acts and intentions. Mr. Gecko would be smiling that his philosophy of greed lives on. 😥  Timothy 6:10 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs .Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the...

Okay, I'm back at blogging. It's been a long time since I last wrote, almost 7 years. I have been encouraged by a few to go for it. So, my first blog and its about a very important subject. Much has happened in those years. I started a graduate program at Fordham University. I quit the Fordham graduate program after two semesters. Although, I found it interesting and enjoyable, I also discovered I underestimated the time commitment for the next 2 1/2 years. The knowledge I gained is valuable in everyday life. I moved back to the Rochester area after living for almost 5 years on Long Island. The last time previous  that I was a Long Island resident was December, 1980. I moved to Rochester to accept a job offer, then married, bought a house, and had two wonderful daughters, da..da. Rochester was my college town. I relocated back to Long Island in November, 2009 due to health problems, specifically depression (that's another blog). I moved in with my father for two years,...

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Tues. Aug 16th Finally, the deluge of rain has ended. On Sunday parts of the NY metro area received in excess of 10 inches of rain. WOW, LI farmers are not happy these days as this much rain in such a short period of time is only conducive to rice farmers! Many major highways and secondary roads were flooded, OK I'm not a news reporter but a blogger. I needed to catch up on my rest as the three days in DC were emotionally draining. On Saturday evening, I went to Mass and then to the Sweet Hollow Diner for a bite to eat. I was pleasantly surprised to see Theresa Schmitt (Rottkamp) enter the diner, and we shared dinner together. Theresa's  late husband, Ferdie is/was first cousin to my father. My grandfather Anthony Sr., and Ferdie's father, Ferdinand, were brothers. They were the last two sons on the old Schmitt homestead in Rosedale. Theresa's sons, Ferdie III and Billy remain in the agriculture business. They raise floral stock in the spring, recently entered the sod...

Abby Wambach scored the game winning goal to put up USA 2 -1. Abby Wambach is from Rochester NY!!    OLE ! OLE!!

Another summer is racing by. I've been making sure to slow down and smell the roses. The LI ocean beaches, free concerts, friends & family!!

23-June -2011 Father's Day was a good day. I gave Dad a nice card with some deep meaningful thoughts. I also gave him a restaurant gift certificate. ❤ Kristen & Lauren both called and wished me a Happy Father's Day. They both mean the world to me. I do miss not seeing them on Father's Day. I feel more like a "son", than a "father". Living in Dad's house is appreciated, but it isn't "home". Actually, I have not had a "real" home since 2007. Sure, I've had a place to sleep, eat, and watch television, but that is what they are just places. So in my my view and definition, I've been homeless the past four years. I feel homeless or without a family at many events or places, going to Church, family get togethers, etc. It is a difficult feeling and not easy to get rid of. I'm stuck in neutral at the moment, I cannot get excited about looking for a job. It was a similar feeling, I had in my Fairport apartment. Wor...

22-May-2011 Today is Lauren's graduation day from college. The time has gone by so quickly. I have both happy and sad feelings, thoughts, etc. Very happy that Lauren has accomplished her goal to obtain a medical nursing degree. She is very passionate about nursing, and I have no doubt she will become an outstanding nurse. I'm sad as this signifies the "real" end of parental responsibility, and she becoming an independent adult. I'm also sad because it is another event, that is marked by the separation of our family. Tru dat !!