As many did after the 9/11 attacks, my husband, Dave, and I hung an American flag on our front door. We were proud and emotional in this show of solidarity and love of country. It was particularly meaningful as the flag had belonged to Anthony Sylvestro, Dave’s father, a World War Continue reading “The Flag: For Country or Self?”
If there could be only one word to describe Eastonites, it would be “independent.”
So on this Independence Day, so bleak in many other parts of the nation, residents can and should celebrate this holiday with an abundance of pride.
By dint of self-restraint and respect for others, Continue reading “Easton Observes Independence Day”
My emotions often well up when I witness what I consider perfection. Really, and anything goes, from watching a Disney animation to a civil rights protest on CNN. Any outward display of genuine human love tugs at my heartstrings. Listening to the Beatles or Beethoven or anything Continue reading “Love In Action”
When my wife Barbara and I fell in love at college in 1971, we never talked about marriage or having children. Enraptured by becoming stars, making beautiful music together, there was little room for much such minor details. We knew we loved each other.
Becoming a father was not Continue reading “Happy Father’s Day”
My apologies for the long absence. We are living in unusual times and I didn’t think that many people were interested in town governance as we entered the Age of COVID-19. But we adjust to everything in due time, and town business must go on. A tad late, but no less useful: a bit Continue reading “Civics 101: On Selectmen Boards”
It’s been said that there are only two types of people, Italians and people who wished they were Italian. We La Valles always knew we were Italian, and figured we were at least 100% if not more. My mother’s parents were straight off the boat, yet dad’s folks were born in New York Continue reading “Video: Bobby Bakes No Knead-e Bread”
I recently attended a marketing meeting of my Connecticut Chapter of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). During that meeting, several board members expressed concern regarding the deaths and mass outrage following the murders of George Floyd and other African Americans. Continue reading “Easton Life Coach Addresses Civil Unrest”
Under broad daylight,
not even the darkness of night
another black man
murdered in full sight.
Handcuffed face down
pinned between police car and ground
another true life example
of the black man’s plight
Crushed to the floor
by not just one, but all four
“I can tell by your eyes that you’ve probably been crying forever
And the stars in the sky don’t mean nothing to you, they’re a mirror
I don’t want to talk about it, how you broke my heart
If I stay here just a little bit longer will you listen to my heart?
If I stand all alone, will Continue reading “The Glory of Love”
When life may be uncertain …
As flowers blossom and the oceans swell,
so shall the sun cast its spell.
Hidden by clouds or plain to see,
this sun shall always shine on me.
Winds must blow and rain must fall,
providing opportunity to stand tall.
And if I must endure the stress of Continue reading “A Mother’s Love”
