Top posts
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The Search
I have wrestled with trying to put appropriate words on paper, but cannot seem to find a way. The best I can do is share my limited sentiments at this very moment. Eight days ago, an unthinkable crime took place, forever changing the lives of friends...
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Introspection
Cross-legged on my deck, I sit on a sunny afternoon in the house that will be home for God only knows how long. The white lattice fence with square or diamond shapes, depending on your perspective, faces me immobile. Sensing a state of introspection coming...
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Able-Bodies
In early October, my East Orange Veterans Affairs, Spinal Cord Injury doctor, posed a five-word question to me, "Do you like to exercise?" That's a no brainer, I thought. By the time I finished my monologue, with raised brows and eyes aglow, she asked,...
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Non-Adhesive Ways
In agony, he drives home from work dreading what he has to say, while the rain quickly falls on his windshield making it difficult for him to see clearly. Don't forget to replace your blades. He recalls his wife's reminder--two months ago, but he hadn't...
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From Hell to Hope
Children cry out from the pit of a living hell, but no one hears them. "S-s-a-a-v-e us!" Their anguished screams echo. How can any living creature--for they are not human--purchase a child, much less, have the intention of repeatedly beating, and raping...
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Public Servants Slighted
Police Officers and Firefighters throughout the state of New Jersey had been anticipating what was once an overfunded pension system to resume its course. Instead the opposite ocurred when the Pension and Health Benefits Reform was signed in 2011, reducing...
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Onix and Felo
Two great men I knew, died recently within days of each other: my high school friend, Onix Noa, and my uncle, Rafael Felo Fundora. Both were men of integrity who exuded quiet strength, and despite being sad that they are no longer here, I will not mourn...
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Bondage and Poverty
What is God to a non-believer? The answer to this question is evident by the conditions that envelop us. Depravity, greed, and selfishness, abide in minds that hold no belief in a Creator, leading them to indulge in their lustful nature by abusing the...
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The Home Stretch
Julia, when you're finished with a chapter, let it go. Here I am at home, in what I presume is our final snowstorm peering out the back door, when the words spoken not too long ago by my editor Barry Sheinkopf return. Writing is much like life, I have...
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Wisdom in College
Ecclesiastes is my favorite book in the Old Testament because of its practicality. It sounds like a course offered in educational institutions: Life 100 by Salomon. This class will begin by teaching you about different types of vanity, and the contrasts...
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A Friendly Swan
It was the summer of 2009 in Sherman Oaks, California, temperature hot, sun ablaze. It hadn’t been that stifling in fifteen years; natives complained, wildfires broke out, and I stood, cane in hand ready to leave an air-conditioned nail salon. Passing...
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Mother and Daughter
It's that time again: Camps & Travel! This summer, my daughter Mia wanted to try Envision's Broadcasting and Digital Media Camp at Fordham University before leaving to Connecticut for three weeks. At Fordham, she learned about film making, reporting,...
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To Encourage
Every year I get a brain and cervical spine MRI with contrast, to see whether or not there has been a progression of MS. The last one showed active lesions in both areas which medically speaking is not a good thing. Frankly, I was surprised about the...
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Circa: 1970s - 1980s
Rockland Lake Pool AKA 9W: The rumblin’ in our tumblin’ satisfied--lots of ketchup on a big, juicy cheeseburger, golden crisp fries just like the picture on the cups’ carton, soda that made me say aah after my first gulp--I eagerly said to my grammar...
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IMPACT
My good friend, Floyd Hood, who I wrote of previously in the Floydy Floyd post, has died. The news impacted me. It was totally unexpected. Words cannot express the way I feel. The last time we saw one another was in mid-July, 2013. Unbeknowst to us, it...
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The Source
At present, I'm working on two degrees: a Masters in Homeland Security with a certification in Terrorism and Security Studies, and a Bachelors in Theology. One would ask what these two majors have in common. I would say that understanding the latter helps...
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47 Springs
Here I am cruising from Key West to Cozumel, sitting on my balcony overlooking the vast waters. The ocean appears limitless, the horizon ongoing, the sound of waves relaxing. It was just what I needed--a birthday getaway by myself--to clear my head and...
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Jigsaw Puzzles
Scattered pieces from Colombia, Cuba, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, fell into place to form the puzzle. People whose lives had been touched by one person were linked together. Strangers became consolers, shoulders to cry on;...
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Power Outage
Recent power outages in Bergen County caused discomfort among residents. Some folks sought lodging at hotels, friends or families' homes. Although uncomfortable, it was not dire, rather, encouraging to know that one was not in the dark, nor alone. These...
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Protective Instincts
November night in San Fran: After a full day's work on a DEA meth-amphetamine case, I went with some of the guys to a local bar. Although loud voices cancelled each other out, they allowed conversation between two to remain private. As the bartender served...
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Where is the thrill?
As I look out the window on my return flight from a business trip, I wonder what other revelations my book's process will bring forth. Ten candid interviews with much video footage were completed and their frank dialogues were profound in nature. Some...
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CPT/Co CPT: Catatonic State
Julia & Mia's Log 6 Days, An Unexpected Turn Saturday, July 02 1:20pm Arrive @Grand Canyon. Am walking by faith & leave cane in car. Hop on shuttle to top of canyon. Upon arrival, we are awed. Not surprising that it's one of the seven wonders. 1:52pm...
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CPT & Co-CPT's Log: Changing Tires
July 07 8:30pm CST Time to eat. See Applebee's (haven't had it since FL). Exit: North Platte. Full house so sat @ bar table where Andrea (nice girl) waited on us. 9:30pm Checked in: Ramada. Lobby TV news: Casey Anthony verdict. Employees, guests & I agreed:...
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The Queen Of Disco
On May 17, 2012, I received a text that saddened me--"Donna Summer died." I immediately recalled how her music defined many of us from the 80s generation. We lived in Hudson County, and were proud to be from Union City, a multi-cultural area that taught...
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The Writing Process
Life and the circumstances that redirect our paths, never ceases to amaze me. We have our own agenda, and when God throws in His monkey wrench, which serves to stabilize our rocky foundation, we doubt it. However, He is gracious, and doesn't hold our...