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I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE
In celebration of The Fourth, I like to watch “patriotic” movies, like “PATRIOT” or “INDEPENDENCE DAY” (OK…that one’s really about aliens, but it’s still a good movie). One of my favorite...
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SHOOT FOR THE MOON
It’s difficult to believe that 55 years ago (July 20th) Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, the first to do so? I remember where I was, I was staring at our black and...
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GARBAGE DAY GOSPEL
Because ”THE BLOG” is always written on Wednesdays, and Wednesdays used to be “garbage day” at my old house, and because I’m always the most sensitive to what God is...
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A RICH MAN
It was a tragic story, to begin with. He was a young father, in construction. He was a high school jock who hadn’t lost his physical peak with age. His...
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MICHAEL
Each June I think about my friend, Michael. Michael was a conductor, chorus master, lecturer, author, musicologist, accompanist, and my vocal coach when I performed opera. He was also, more...
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INSIGNIFICANT
In the last few days I have had the remarkable pleasure, and privilege, to be in Rome and see the almost 2000-year-old Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Arch of...
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FRAMES & PHOTOS
When my parents passed away in 2013, I had a lot of boxes, furniture, and “memories on film” to go through. “Memories on film”/photos. In this new world of digital...
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SONO QUI | I AM HERE
When I travel, which I love to do and am doing now, I am constantly surrounded by the beautiful tapestry of life: on all sides, families and children. As I age,...
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THE HILL, AND GETTING OVER IT
Another “trip around the sun” is coming up: and I am continually “feeling” my age. Now that I’m officially on the “other side of the hill” birthday gifts are intangible moments,...
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HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR BURGERS?
A BLOG by Rick Vale “I don’t believe in God anymore,” I overheard her say to a friend on the phone, while we were both in line at KROGER, “I just...