Thursday, May 31, 2012

Americana Visionary

Doc Watson.
A blind musician.
Internationally celebrated.

His natural ease as a storyteller.
His heartfelt baritone singing.
His vast repository of material.
His facility on guitar.
A rare combination
of authenticity and artistry.

He played country.
He played folk.
He played bluegrass.
He played gospel.

All those elements interwoven.
Doc Watson’s appreciation
for a broad spectrum of music
in the Americana world.


Doc Watson died on may 29th.  He was 89 years old.  He was blinded by an eye infection before the age of two.


© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pinkalicious

Tickled pink.
The deliciousness of dry rosé.

A cool glass of dry rosé
is a hot sell come summertime.

Rosé has dry white’s verve and snap.
Rosé has red’s fruity aromas and juiciness.

The juice of wine grapes is nearly colorless.
The skins of the grapes make pink wines.

Rosés have a history around the globe
as a delectable partner for alfresco dining.

A plethora of dry rosés.
Fantastic. Aromatic. Tangy. Zesty. Snappy.


A nice icy rosé, so good on a summer’s day.


© 2012 Catherine Giordano

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Obama Delivers for Veterans

Most Memorial Day messages from presidents
barely break through the barbecue smoke.

President Barack Obama took
a decidedly different tack. He noted
the end of one war, he promised
the end of another war, he sought
healing for a third war.

Obama reminded the families
of fallen American soldiers—he had put
an end to the Iraq war, he had put
a timeline on the Afghanistan war.

Later he spoke to Vietnam War veterans.
“Welcome home. Welcome home. Thank you.”

“After a decade under a dark cloud,
we can see the light of a new day,”
Obama said after laying a wreath of roses
at The Tomb of the Unknowns.

“Let us resolve that when America sends
our sons and daughters into harm’s way,
we always give them a clear mission,
we always give them a sound strategy,
we always give them the equipment
to get the job done.


The Afghanistan war is winding down and will end in 2014.  I trust that President Obama has made a careful study of the facts in making his decision about when to end the war.  It is a difficult call.  Too soon, and we are attacked again; too late, and we are attacked again.

 © 2012 Catherine Giordano

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day Events


Memorial Day Service:
Today at Veteran’s Park,
roll call of veterans.

Memorial Day Remembrance:
Flyovers and 21-gun salute,
followed by taps.

Memorial Day Ceremony:
Tolling of replica Liberty Bell
in memory of the dead of all wars.

Memorial Day Parade:
Placement of wreaths
at Veteran’s Memorial.

Memorial Day Speaker:
CLICK HERE to see more
Flags placed on veteran’s graves,
honoring the memory of fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day Service
American Legion and VFW.
Music. Cookout from 3 to 6 p.m.


© 2012 Catherine Giordano

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Memorial Day places upon us the solemn duty of remembrance. Remember to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m. today.



Sunday, May 27, 2012

Alien Hunter

Astronomer Jill Tarter—
real-life alien hunter.

Tarter has yet to intercept
a signal from another planet,
although she hopes that earthlings
will someday connect
with life out there.

She’s optimistic that contact
will be achieved.  Whom, or what,
will we connect with? Can we 
find a language for communication
among alien species?

We will have math in common.
We will have physics in common.

  
SETI, “The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence,” is a waste of time and money.  The resources should go to NASA for exploration and manned missions to other planets instead.   The universe is too vast, with respect to both time and space, for such life, if it even exists, to ever be found. 

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Champ: Stan Van Gundy

Stan Van Gundy:
He gave us
five years of winning seasons.
The now-fired Orlando Magic coach
also gave us honesty.
A plain-spoken everyman.
A proven winner.
We are going to miss him.



The management of the Orlando Magic has informed head-coach Stan Van Gundy that his services will no longer be needed.  A lot of Magic fans are perplexed and disappointed by this decision.  The best of luck to you Stan in your future endeavors.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Dragon Gets a "Go"

SpaceX Dragon launch
Click Here for SpaceX books
Dragon makes
the world’s first
private delivery in space.

Space X docks
its space craft
with the International Space Station.

Dragon flies
within thirty feet
of the orbiting station.

The robotic arm
grabs the capsule,
and mates it with the station’s dock.

Astronauts upload
a half ton
of food, clothing, and other supplies.

SpaceX becomes
NASA’s first
private space delivery contractor.

Private contractors
will ferry
astronauts to the station within five years.

NASA says
we’re looking at
regular services from SpaceX.


It’s a science-fiction dream come true. And you gotta love the name, “Dragon.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano


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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Who Gets Fido?

When a relationship ends,
what about the dog?
Pets are a piece of property
awarded to one side
or the other side.

Pet custody—
a tug of heartstrings
on one side
and purse strings
on the other side

The dog gets used as a bargaining chip.
Our furry friends are more than possessions.
Animals are close to the heart.

Often couples fight for custody of their pet as fiercely as they fight over custody of their children.  Although the law considers pets to be property, people feel that their pet is a member of their family.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano


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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Distant Planet Turns to Dust

A newly discovered exoplanet.
orbiting a distant star,
boiling away.

Heat from its sun melts rock,
turns it into dust,
dust that trails the planet in its orbit.

The planet, orbiting close to its sun,
heated to high temperatures,
by the orange-hot parent star.

The planet melts, evaporates,
forming a wind
that carries dust and gas into space.

The dust cloud
trails the planet
like the tail of a comet.

The complete destruction of the planet
will take about
one hundred million years.

I find the vastness, and the weirdness, of the universe endlessly fascinating.


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© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Horoscopes

Handle your pennies carefully.

Recognize the difference between fact and fantasy.

You might consider a sense of wonder.

Dance to the beat of a different drummer.

Social conflicts can’t be escaped easily.

Your path ahead may be filled with bliss—
remain realistic.

A romantic encounter:
Too good to be true?
Not good for you?

This is a good time for an important change.


Horoscopes give random advice, but often it is very good advice.


© 2012 Catherine Giordano


Monday, May 21, 2012

Protestors Rally

Anti-war demonstrators near the NATO summit.
Several protestors bloodied, dozens arrested.
A line of police in full riot gear;
police and protestors nose to nose.

Veterans among the protestors
threw their war medals to the ground.
“I choose human life over
imperialism and materialism.”

Peace! Peace! Peace!
NATO’s policies—
spending on war, not human needs.
It seems like priorities are upside down.

“Our message will get out to NATO.
Our message will get out to the people of the world.”
 
Thousands showed up for a massive anti-war rally. The protest was mostly peaceful and calm; the violence occurred at the end of the rally when some protestors refused to leave.

Back in the 60's we thought we would put an end to war. Will there ever be an end to war?



© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Disco Nostalgia

The soundtrack of my youth.
The music summons
waves of nostalgia.

The Queen of Disco,
Donna Summer,
died Thursday,

Disco—
slick, polished,
relentless, visceral,
all about music’s primal element,
the beat. 

Donna Summer
had the pipes to sing
and something to say.
“Bad Girls,” “Hot Stuff,”
“She Works Hard for the Money.”

Anthems
to female empowerment
and sexual liberation.

Celebrate
the legacy of this legend.
Get up and dance.


I love disco dancing.  The energy of the music, the romance of the dance.  It was the music of my youth. Well, not exactly my youth. Perhaps the music of my farewell to youth. Regardless, when I hear music I feel young again.  And I want to get up and dance.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano


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Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Blushing Bride

Paint the runway red.
Bridal designs in
scarlett, crimson,
and vermillion.

The symbolism of red—
Boldly romantic,
charming, productive,
grand, seductive.

Sexy gowns.
Sexy aesthetic.
Sex appeal for brides.

 Here comes the bride. All dressed in … Red.



© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Friday, May 18, 2012

Storms Forecast

Biggest challenge for tropical meteorologist:
Convince residents to brace for a storm,
even if it is not coming right at them.
Hurricanes don’t always go where they’re forecast.

Be aware of all of a storm’s dangers:
Strong winds, flooding,
tornados, storm surge.
Storms have a cone of uncertainty.

The warning process starts about seven days out.
From there it ramps up with increased advisories.
When a storm is two to three days away,
forecast accuracy still can be off target.

Forecasters must warn people without scaring them.
"If we always relay the worst case scenario,
we’re crying wolf;
people with tune us out."

 Which is worse—hurricanes or earthquakes?  At least with hurricanes, we have a warning. Six weeks after I moved to Orlando in 1995, Hurricane Erin hit.  I had no idea about what to do.  Fortunately, it was only a category 1. 



© 2012 Catherine Giordano


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Jesus Christ: The Video Game

From the people
who brought you “Diablo”,
a video game centered on demons,
comes “Journey of Jesus: The Calling.”

Follow video-game Jesus,
experience life in ancient Israel.
Just like “Diablo III, “
Only the opposite.

Walk in the Messiah’s steps;
experience Israel in Christ’s time.
with high quality graphics, music
and all the latest features.

Log-on to Facebook,
register at no cost,
travel back in time,
to the days of Jesus.

 First “The Holy Land: The Theme Park” and now “Jesus Christ: The Video-Game.’  At least the video-game is free.

© 2012 Cathrine Giordano

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Your Beach Getaway


Now is the perfect time.

Daytona Beach has never been better

The best Florida has to offer.

All the sun, sand, and surf.

All summer.

Discover Daytona Beach.



If you can’t get to the beach, consider this poem to be your 30-second getaway.



© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Cherry Lips. Peachy Skin.

Please don’t take this wrong.
You look absolutely fine the way
you are. It is just that …
you might look even better.

Buckle down and try to eat better.
Scarf down a few extra
fruits and vegetables
to up attractiveness.

The same pigments that give
fruits and vegetables
their color—carotenoids—
can give your skin color.

To look healthier,
to look more attractive,
eat more servings a day
of fruits and vegetables.

It takes about nine one-half cup servings a day of fruits and vegetables to produce healthier, more attractive looking skin.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Monday, May 14, 2012

King of Late Night

Johnny Carson has never really left us.
He remains the exemplar,
the late night gold standard,
the patron saint of comics.

He’s the model of what
a TV host should be
cool, yet warm,
ironic, yet sincere,

smart, effortlessly funny,
and very sharply bespoke.
Johnny Carson,
The king of late night.

In American life, many people
good or bad,
famous or infamous,
are self-creations.

Carson transformed himself
from a shy kid
into the Carson
we all knew and loved.

Smart, witty, urbane,
charming, razor-sharp,
and the best damn late night host
that ever was or ever will be.

A documentary, “Johnny Carson: The King of Late” night is airing on PBS as part of the American Masters series.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Swimming


Swimming.

In the water.

Gliding weightless

Slicing a silent trail through a patch of blue.

Carving long languorous laps.

It’s sensual.

The silky feel of liquid on the skin.

It’s an inward journey.

A time of quiet contemplation.

The silence is stunning.

It’s healing.

Water soothes every muscle.

Swimming restores sanity.

Swimming provides an escape.

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

Today’s poem comes from Parade magazine which is included in the Sunday Orlando Sentinel.  I love swimming.  The sentiments expressed in this poem match mine entirely.

©2012 Catherine Giordano

A picture of a young lady swimming.




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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Hate is Alive and Well

Hate GroupsRacism is pushing up daisies?
Marcus Faella didn’t get the memo.

The self-proclaimed “protector
of the white race” was whipping
his troops into shape for Helter Skelter.

On Faella’s Osceola County’s
 “Aryan compound,” the white supremacist group,
American Front, was stockpiling
AK-47 assault rifles, was engaging
in para-militarty training, and was plotting

Hate Crimes book
Order Here
to develop bio-chemical
weapons of mass destruction.

The reputed end game: killing
Jews, immigrants and minorities,  
during the “upcoming race war.”

Racism  is over?
Only it isn’t. 
And sadly, never really has been.
Racial-hatred like crab grass,
keeps coming back fouling
America’s neatly manicured
melting-pot curb appeal.

Obviously, hate mongers
are a breed apart.  Yet their toxic beliefs
can infect larger elements of society.

It’s naïve to believe we can conquer
racial hatred by denying its existence.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

Members of the American Front, a hardcore skinhead hate group, were arrested on May 8th due to the efforts of an infiltrator.  They were plotting to blow up Orlando City Hall among other things.

9/8/Update:  Mark Faella's trial starts this week. He could get life in prison.


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Friday, May 11, 2012

Fringe is in The Air

Dodging clowns and burlesque dancers
Nervously glancing at their watches,
Anxiously cross checking schedules,
Frantically rifling through tickets,
Plopping down with a beer—
All the normal signs of Spring in Orlando.

 It’s time once again for “The Fringe.”
The oldest Festival of its kind
marking its twenty-first year.
There’s an air of childlike wonder
as thousands of “Fringers”dive
into eighty short staged offerings
never quite sure what they will find.

Drama, dance, spoken word, performance art.
See the shows.
Anything goes
at this theatrical extravaganza.


An annual Orlando tradition, the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival runs from May 15 to May 28.  See the official website for details.
www.OrlandoFringe.org


© 2012 Catherine Giordano.


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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Obama Endorses Gay Marriage: Historic Declaration



CLICK HERE to look inside
CLICK HERE to see wedding rings









President Barack Obama endorses same sex marriage
a milestone for gay rights,
a first from a sitting president,
and a powerful tail wind for same sex marriage.

President Barack Obama’s support of gay marriage
drew strong reactions from both sides of the issue.

“President Barack Obama bravely exhibited leadership.
It is refreshing to see a world leader take a firm stand.”

“President Barack Obama is definitely pandering.
He’s trying to reach out to his left base.”

“I respect his honesty; this is his true view.
I respect that he’s willing to say what he believes.”

This is an amazing and historic day.
The majority of people across the country
support equality and fairness under the law.
Gay couples want to marry because they love each other.

It is an amazing and historic day. I knew that my poem today had to be on this topic.  I combined two news stories for this poem—the first stanza come from the story above the fold, the remainder comes from the story below the fold.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

May 14, 2014: Gay marriage is now legal in 17 states and is awaiting court decisions in other states.

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