There are only 31 days left in the year 2014.  Whatever your goals were for this year, if they have not been accomplished, you have just a short time to get them done.  Or, you could renew them for next year or maybe just forget about them and set a new set of goals. When I wrote the first column for 2014, back in January, December seemed a long way off.  Now it is here and will be gone in just 31 days.  I still have a lot of observances for this month; first to observe Advent, then to celebrate Mike and Marty's birthdays, Hollie and Hunter's birthdays and Miranda's birthday.  I will be getting ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and then I will be observing New Year's Eve. It is ironic how quickly the year passes by as we observe these important earmarks of our lives.

 

On Sunday, November 30, Marty and his family came to dinner to enjoy my spaghetti and meatballs, one of Marty's last for a long time.  I was feeling so sorry for myself and for my family until I visited the Signorelli family and knew that no situation is so bad that it cannot be worse. Surrounded by my family and friends I know "that this too shall pass." David Signorelli was such an integral part of our family for so many years.  He and Mike had been great friends as young men. Just a month or so ago, David attended one of Michael's political gatherings and he and I had such a great conversation. My sympathy to the entire Signorelli family.

 

It is now Pita Piata baking time.  I know that several of you families have already made yours and that there are several church groups making them and selling them.  However you get them, it is never Christmas without at least one.  I hope that our family will be able to get together this week and make a few for our use.  It is not all about this delicious desert as much as it is getting together.  We all need to do more of this.  By the way remember that the Pita recipe is in my cookbook, Arrivederci.  If you do not have one, you can get one at Tomaro's Bakery or at James & Law. You can also get one from me by calling 304 842 2662. They make great gifts and the proceeds from the sale of each book supports scholarships.

 

I am going to close the column this week with message I received from my good friend and former classmate, Larry Jett.  He says; "As you know I studied Chinese.  Because I was first in my class, I earned a piece of Chinese art; hand painted by one of my instructors, the artwork is calligraphy that indicated that I obtained the #1 position in the class.  Learning the language spurred me to learn as much as I could about the area's culture and I have enjoyed studying Taoism, a philosophy that is the basis of Asian culture today my thought of you (Michael) became part of my knowledge of this ancient school of thought.  This morning I thought about one of the verses. "Why is the sea king of a hundred streams?  Because it lies below them.  Humility gives it power.  Therefore those desiring to lead others must speak and act humbly. Those desiring to lead must follow.  Imagine yourself a great ocean that allows and encourages the streams to come to you."

 

I urge all of my readers to think about this message and how we can apply it in our own lives. Every time I read it I get a different message.  Thanks Larry for this message.

 

Now is the time to get into the holiday spirit, but don't overdo it.  Don't get so busy that you cannot enjoy it and plan on doing things with your family and friends.  There is so much to do in the area that will put you in the spirit. It is not all about giving gifts, the best gift we can give is ourselves.  Let’s all get ready to have the best Holiday ever, no matter what our circumstances are and remember it could be worse.

 

Don't forget about the local Christmas parades this week.  The annual Clarksburg parade is this Friday night at 6pm.  Bridgeport's parade is at 10am on Saturday.

 

Take care, keep in touch and I love hearing from each and every one of you.  Until next week, "Now You Have Heard It through The Grapevine."