In a previous post, Italians, The First Latins, I discuss how Latin has become a shortened term for Latin Americans. The issue I have with this evolution of terminology is that it excludes the original Latins, Italians. Unfortunately, some have interpreted that post to mean that I felt the term was too inclusive, that the word should be limited solely to Italians, which is not the case. My point was for a broader view, not a narrower one. As I had noted in that previous post, I have encountered more and more people lately who, when I say I am a Latin, will respond, “you are not Latin. You’re ..read more

This past May, I was fortunate enough to walk the Camino de Santiago. One morning, I headed out a couple of hours before dawn, hoping to reach my destination before the sun became too strong. There was no moon, so it was very dark. If there were any stars, I could not see them through the canopy formed by the trees. Although I had a headlamp, walking through an inky black forest was unnerving. I worried about what might be hiding in a clump of bushes farther up the path. Worse yet, what was behind me? I started to sing, hoping to frighten anything that might be nearby. Then I wondered, would ..read more

With Father’s Day approaching, I am reminded of how things were in the old days, back when I was a boy. In those prehistoric times, there were a limited number of phone lines, especially those that ran from coast to coast. On Mother’s Day, the lines would be overwhelmed with callers. Frequently you would get an automated message; all circuits are busy. So, good luck in trying to call mom in New York from LA. But on Father’s Day, no problem. I have come to learn, from at times, painful experience, that fathers come second in the hearts of their children. I guess it just comes with the job. Thi ..read more

Today, May 9, 2022, I begin my pilgrimage in Saint Jean Pied de Port with the intent of walking the approximately 476 miles to Santiago. A pilgrimage. Me, the agnostic. What am I nuts? Over the past few weeks, I have been asking myself what on earth possessed me to make such a commitment. It all began innocently enough. About ten years ago, while cycling with my friend Robert, we talked about the Camino de Santiago. Of course, we discussed the movie The Way that had been released the previous year. After promising to make the trip together, I promptly forgot the commitment but continued envis ..read more

“Mother? Where are you, mother?” If you have seen Disney’s Bambi, you know this scene. In the interests of those who haven’t, I won’t go into more detail. That scene, as well as the others between Bambi and his mother, depict a very American, twentieth-century image of motherhood. She is the personification (deerification?) of a loving, nurturing mother, willing to protect her fawn at all costs. If she had opposable thumbs, I am sure she would have been baking Bambi apple pies. Unfortunately, the cleansed and sweetened Disney version ignores the depth of the original story, including the char ..read more

This April 28th, the Paramount+ streaming service will premier its limited series, The offer. The series is about making the film, The Godfather, with the title referencing one of the most famous (infamous?) lines from the film; I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. Most people have heard this phrase more than a few times; most Italian-Americans have listened to it and other quotes from the film ad nauseam. The popularity of these expressions only proves how ingrained The Godfather has become in American culture. This creates, for me, as well as many Italian-Americans, a dilemma. On the one ..read more

I don’t mean to be irreverent, but Easter Morning strikes me as kind of an epilogue, the final concluding bit in a movie. You know, like in a movie where the villain seems to have won, to have defeated the hero. Then, from out of nowhere, the good guy comes out of nowhere, unexpectedly saving the day. That’s Easter. The setup for the exciting, action-packed ending happens in the week leading up to Sunday, Holy Week. My interest in Holy Week began when I was a kid at Saint Agnes School in Utica, New York. During lent, they ended the school week with the Stations of the Cross. For those who may ..read more

In the past few weeks, the world has witnessed a historic example of tenacity and strength in the Ukrainian people. Their courage and resolve are inspirational. They stand with other past heroes who were willing to give their all for liberty, for the individual’s rights. If real life were like the movies, their theme song, the music that plays in the background whenever they appear on screen, would be Bella Ciao. The words to Bella Ciao are: One morning I awakened Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye! One morning I awakened And I found the invader Oh partisan ..read more

In the United States, a holiday that passes almost unnoticed by most is the Epiphany. I hardly ever hear any American talk about the Epiphany. For the most part, even Italian Americans let the day pass without much fanfare, which is surprising when you consider in Italy La Festa dell’EpifaniaI is a national holiday. Just as Christmas involves a visit from Santa, La Festa dell’EpifaniaI includes Befana, a witch who flies around the world on her broom visiting homes with children. Like Santa, Befana leaves treats for good children while those who did not behave well receive coal, garlic, or oni ..read more

The fish. That is what we called it when I was a kid. When someone asked if you were making the fish for Christmas Eve, you knew they meant a large feast with no meat. A meal for which my mother deployed all her cooking skills. After spending days getting ready, when the big day finally arrived, she would have two kitchens (we had a second kitchen in the cellar, like all good Italian American families) working at total capacity. While some aspects of the dinner would vary, every year began with aglio e olio. We could also count on finocchio, fried baccala, and stuffed calamari. The fish was a ..read more