Monthly Archives: December 2014

So The NFL Playoffs Are Here!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by toritto

I turned 14 in 1956,  was a sophomore in high school and the Dodgers had lost the World Series in 7 games to the hated Yankees. That was the year of Don Larsen’s perfect 5th game which I watched on my 12″ black and … Continue reading →

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“Thank You For Your Service”

Posted on December 30, 2014 by toritto

I’m a ghost of the ghost of my former self from a time we poked fun at the foibles of men laughing at Bilko and Navy McHale recognizing schemers without fail even in uniform. Not so anymore.  No need to … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Greeting

Posted on December 22, 2014 by toritto

Toritto at 40 in 1982  I’d forgotten my hair was so BROWN! . There is nothing I can give you which you have not but there is much I cannot give which you can take. Take Joy Take Peace Take … Continue reading →

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The Longest Night – A Re-Post for the Solstice

Posted on December 21, 2014 by toritto

This longest night come stay with me I’ll meet you near the trees out back You always visit in a dream a soft sweet kiss and then away Consider this an invite so fitting for the longest night expected with … Continue reading →

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Solstice – A Re-Post for the Shortest Day

Posted on December 19, 2014 by toritto

for this Sunday! Icy cold frozen moon hanging in a crystalline sky as it was foretold Tree skeletons appear if dead save pines and ivy holly berries red Snow falls on frozen water The sun is gone The fearful cower … Continue reading →

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Our Descent into Barbarism

Posted on December 18, 2014 by toritto

From the Huffington Post and the Senate Intelligence Committee Report: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/09/senate-torture-report-details_n_6295396.html “On Tuesday, the Senate Intelligence Committee released the long-awaited summary of its torture report, revealing horrific details about the CIA’s post-9/11 detention and interrogation program. Detainees were subjected to … Continue reading →

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Laughing at Mussolini

Posted on December 18, 2014 by toritto

 Originally published in 2011    A young Benito Mussolini It’s easy to laugh at Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini today. We see him in those old black and whites. Kind of fat. Bald. Overly dramatic and theatrical.  Silly. Chin thrust out. … Continue reading →

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Nochebuena in South Florida!

Posted on December 16, 2014 by toritto

A re-post for Christmas from last year Well it was Nochebuena, Christmas Eve in South Florida and Nochebuena in South Florida means pig roasting.  This Brooklyn bred, Staten Island New Jersey Italian guy was going to partake in a 500 … Continue reading →

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Reds

Posted on December 16, 2014 by toritto

Fine red cloth covering an altar in a corner of grandma’s room away from the window Old Italian woman wife and mother did you ever miss the tall windows of Naples in high Summer? Moonlight never shined o’er her bed … Continue reading →

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Toritto, Greeks, Turks and Ouzo

Posted on December 15, 2014 by toritto

Toritto at the Acropolis – 1994   It’s 1994 and the Great American Travel Company sends me off to Athens to take a look at local operations. I haven’t been to Greece since 1966; Athens was a stop on my way … Continue reading →

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