Happy Halloween

A Beacon of Light Through New Eyes

     You ever wish you could go back in time and walk in the footsteps of your ancestors way before you were even a thought? How long does it take for a falling leaf to become one with the forest of family?This past Sunday, October 24th, I found myself 45 minutes north of Saugerties, NY where my great-grandfather Edward Pastorini was the last lighthouse-keeper at the Saugerties Lighthouse from 1950-1954. I arrived just after sunrise and was thankful that my Aunt Anna instilled the thought of me visiting her birth town. My mother Lisa and Anna lived there for a few seasons when they were two and one years old, only children with memories of their time here passed down through the stories Granny (Florence Pastorini) would speak of passionately.

     I parked the Jeep and prepared myself for the 1/2 mile walk hoping it was low tide like my grandmother Agnes (Oma) advised me. I walked anxiously along the trail, the tide low and I was not alone, for many people visit there on a daily basis. The once upon a time lighthouse is now a B&B with a waiting list already into 2012. I was so hoping for a cancellation that never happened. As the high tide receded, the next family eagerly awaited their chance to check-in after 3pm to walk the trail and enjoy their night on the Hudson River. I spent most of the day there as well as others picnicking along the rocks just in front between the lighthouse and cargo ships that still pass by delivering goods up river.

 As people came and went about their Sunday festivities I decided to put the kayak in and paddle out for a panoramic view of this majestic structure I only saw in pictures growing up. The stories seem distant like a light breaking through an early morning fog. I couldn't help but brag to every visitor I met of my heritage, and how proud I was that I made this a part of my glorious journey.

 I can still feel the quiet sun upon my face and see the smiles of my many new friends as they too took it all in. A day I'll never forget, a day I hope to share with the rest of my family that have only heard through stories of the past, and can now see through my eyes.

      A special thanks to Ruth Reynolds Glunt and Family for recapturing the spirit of the past from the Coast Guard and conserving and renovating this place of beauty, now listed with the National Registry of Historic Landmarks back to it's original state, for which none of this would be possible, and to Sarah whose smile continues to light the place up.

Niagara Falls

Swiftly I stumble onward my imagination continues to grow
Unspoken emotions in a rinse cycle the rivers flow
A broken tree reaches out to pull me to shore
My heart is an island beneath the clouds at war
Border of two nations to witness nature's point of view
Perspective rapidly changing the rush this water of blue
Colors of life dancing poetic within the mist
A journey across country rolls on crossing Niagara Falls off my list

There Is No Place Like Home

     I'm not in Kansas anymore; nor am I in an area that doesn't seem familiar to me. I truly enjoyed the unexpected delights I witnessed as I drove across the country up to this point. I am home now; though home is still a few weeks away in St. Pete Beach, FL. They say home is where the heart is; so no matter what part of this beautiful country I traveled upon, I was home. Presently I am in Albany,NY at Jillian's and the bartender Trevor is making me feel right at home as I catch up on the day in sports and update wheresjohnny.us. Speaking of home; West Virginia lost to Syracuse at home 19-14 and it was the Mountaineers Homecoming Game. Go Figure! The Tampa Bay Rays lost all three playoff games at home and are eliminated from their World Series hopes. Home field advantage never felt so bad. It's not where you live; but how you live. It's not where you play; but how you play.
   Growing up in Fairmont, WV was like riding a roller coaster. The seasons constantly changed as did the addresses. We moved around a good bit allowing me to make new friends in different neighborhoods; so when I come home I have some visiting to do. I seem to do the same things every time I come home; as well as eat at the same places (Yann's) with this visit being no different. There was something new to my arrival this time, something within myself that had me more relaxed, more eager to get as much done as possible. I wanted this trip down memory lane to be my most memorable; and it was. I wanted to change it up a bit; and I did.
      My first day home I spent kayaking on Rock Lake with Autumn in full bloom as I prepared myself for a book signing that took place at the Marion County Library on Oct. 16th in front of family and friends that were unable to be a part of the one held back home in Florida. An overwhelming joy to present my alma mater Fairmont Senior High with a copy of Days In Collision. The only sadness was knowing that loved ones who have gone home to the heavens above were there in spirit, their presence and love felt. Past trips left me feeling empty when I would return; but not this time. I was able to reflect upon my life the way a tree sees itself through a still body of water; slightly distorted yet full of beauty. Memories of their smiles and sounds of my laughter reminds me that home is where the heart is. Speaking of laughter; my nieces Ashley,Keelie, and Zuriah brought me back to my childhood days of playing outside, getting dirty with no regard coming inside just in time to get ready for bed. I truly enjoyed every second. You girls be safe and clean your rooms. I stayed at Sis and Billy Reid's place the rest of the time making their home my home while in town. My sister Elsie's ashes are spread on top of the hill there where the deer and wild turkeys roam freely like the wind year round. I never felt closer to her than I do now as if we were little kids again. My inner child really stood out every morning when Lucky Dog would wake me up for a game of fetch with a frisbee that has seen better days. So; no matter your age we all must DREAM-CREATE-EXPLORE in order to feel like we once did when we too were younger, healthier, and innocent. Whether it be a yellow brick road, a plush sandy beach, or even a pothole invested street; remember, there is no place like home, there is no place like home, there is no place like home.

Upside Writer

I awoke moments before the wind first blew

When the reflection of the morning already knew

A day of color wades along the autumn of the land

Cheering up humanity nature's kind command

Slowly drifting with a cool gentle breeze

Traveling now like the wind flowing where ever I please

Span of Unity

    Day 67 and here I am on top of the highest peak in the tri-county area, high enough to see Pennsylvania and Maryland join West Virginia under a sky of far away stars that shine brightly down upon a not so unified world. The beauty I have witnessed across this great land of ours is indescribable at times; whether it be by photograph, memory, or words I utter on paper. I have driven nearly 18,000 miles, 33 state capitols, and 13 national parks, and have come to the realization that unity is based on trust, the belief that together we can change the world; even if the world seems unchangeable. Each effort, every prayer, from all individual participants regardless of religion, nationality, race, or gender can and does make a difference.
    I was at my friends' wedding this past Sunday held on the rooftop of the Ravel Hotel overlooking the skyline of Manhattan to share in their unity of holy matrimony. The gathering of both individuals family and friends brought joy to this unification of love, this collaboration of happiness, becoming one, becoming a team. A team can experience many hardships together throughout the course of a season. Earlier I was watching the Tampa Bay Rays play the Texas Rangers in an elimination game in St. Petersburg, FL with the winner advancing to play the New York Yankees. Being down 3-1 in the ninth I thought the Rays were out hustled up to this point between the bases, and they were. What I didn't notice was another game being shown on CNN now had my full attention instead of the MLB Playoffs.
   The first  of 33 miners trapped in a Chilean mine was about to be hoisted up 2,300ft (nearly 1/2 a mile) in a capsule just barely big enough for an average human being to be re-united with the world for the first time in 69 days, united with their family and friends. So when someone noticed a few tears rolling down my cheeks; they replied "it is only a game""why the sad tears". Those were tears of joy for the miners and their loved ones who never gave up hope; never stopped believing.
    Life isn't a game! You never know when tomorrow will never come!

Justin & Molina - enjoy each new day together - thanks for sharing your special day with me
Tampa Bay Rays - there is always next year - thanks for the great season
Texas Rangers - beat the Yankees - sorry Steve and Mike
Chilean Miners & Family - may the blessings from around the world continue to keep you safe

Free 2 B Free

Well, enough of the photos for now-Farmland, the heart of this country surrounded by tourism, home cooked food compared to fast food, country music to rap, pick-up trucks to sports cars, boots to flip-flops; a nice blend called America. There are so many differences across this great land of ours, some political, some religious, and some based on morality, beliefs, cultures, and upbringings. The one thing we all have in common as the people is our freedoms; though we tend to disagree in what manner at times. Every household, street, block, neighborhood, township, city, metropolis, county and state is incorporated on the basis of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Along this journey of mine I have witnessed wealth and poverty like day to night, families picnicking together and homelessness in the same parks. Does it go unnoticed or deliberately ignored? When did the communities stop being neighborly, stop caring, stop being fair. Remember, we are all the nucleus of our freedoms. Is it too late to get involved, too late to do the right thing. At what age do we start teaching the children to preserve their own freedoms? I myself have to work on getting involved more. Together, if we all work together, not only do we build character personally; but as a nation. Life is contagious, we must preserve tomorrow.