This Past Year

This past year was a tough one in many ways, enlightening and transforming in others, and frustrating all the same.  In the beginning of the year, we lost my Dad. He was born 1925 in Westbury NY, the 6th child of seven to Italian immigrants (Italian was dad's first language, but that is another story). Dad left high school to join the Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He was a tail gunner (E-6) in a B-17 and flew 35 missions over Germany as part of the 8th Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars. After the war, he worked for the County of Nassau as a Greenskeeper and did that job for 39 years. He married my mom in 1958, and had two sons as well as two stepdaughters. Dad was a quiet and reserved guy. He rarely drank, never got into trouble, and lived a respectable life. He was my father and a great dad. I will miss my Saturday morning phone conversations with my Dad, his counsel, and his love. He was preceded in death by his wife, and is survived by his sons and stepdaughters, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren. 

Dad never talked about his military service, and most things I know my mom told me or I learned from his military records. All I can tell you that is after getting on board a confederate air force B-17, I have no idea how those guys did it. I would have been very cramped, and by all accounts, I'd guess you would have to have nerves of steel. Politically, by today's standards, my dad would be considered a conservative and as far as national politics, he always voted republican. In fact, much to Eric Dondero's pleasant surprise, my dad always lamented Goldwater losing the 1964 election. :) Anyway, dad will be missed and is missed by all who knew him. 

when I lived in NY, I used to consult as a computer specialist, supporting print shops and photographers, as well as graphic artists. Basically I was a Mac expert. One of my clients passed away this year, a man by the name of Carl Limbacher Sr. Over the years I have had many clients, but only a few have kept in touch since my move to the mid-west. Carl and I kept in touch over the years and he and I were kindred spirits politically, and all I can say is that he was a great guy. A veteran of the 8th Air Force like my dad, he was also from the "Greatest Generation". He believed in hard work, and continued as such with his own business into his 80's. It was always a pleasure to go to his business and I looked forward to talking with his sons Carl and Chris. If only he had known I would have done it for free. All I can tell you is that Carl will be missed and is missed. You may know his son Carl from News Max, and as "Carl from Oyster Bay". A great guy as well. I only wish I had his abilities in writing and political commentary. 

This year was also my first year in a new job, which can be stressful, and I also started this blog. The combination of which has turned out to be problematic at one point, and I still have my doubts. I won't get into it right now, but all I can say is that I would rather do this, if it only paid... 

It also has been an exciting year to say the least. Presidential primaries, the general election, the election of our first black president. We've also had an economic crash, bailouts, high drama with banks and the car manufacturers feigning death to take money out of our pockets. Shakespeare would be in his glory. 

So, as we bridge the divide between 2008 and 2009, we must make sure not to get stuck in both places, and concern ourselves with the here and now with full knowledge of our past and plans for the future. Tomorrow will be here soon enough. What will 2009 bring? Heartache? Penury? Impecuniousness? Serendipity? Fecundity? All of the above? Who knows.  I am sure we will be equally entertained, but all I hope for is a better year than the past one. Oh yeah, Cannoli Numero 2 is coming up. Stay tuned. 

Thank you for reading this blog.