Who knows where Piscitello Square is located?  This memorial square is in honor of Sgt. Salvatore J. Piscitello who was killed in action while a member of D Co, 4th Bn, 9th Infantry, in South Vietnam on November 27, 1968.  He is remembered on the Vietnam Wall at Panel 38W Line 079.

There is also a SALVATORE J. PISCITELLO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP given each year by the Friends of Sgt. Salvatore J. Piscitello in the amount of $200.00 to a Gloucester High School student exhibiting leadership, scholarship and character, with preference given to a student entering the technical field.

E.J. Lefavour

From: http://www.goines.net/Writing/what_is_artist.html

What is Art?

Is it a dumb Ocean Rock with Sharpie Drawing on it? or………….

“Obviously, an artist is someone who creates art, just a baker is someone who makes bread, and a plumber is someone who installs and repairs plumbing. These are simply trades and professions; that is, means by which different people make their livings.

Unlike plumbing or baking however, the difficulty lies in defining “art.” Art is pretty much whatever anybody says it is, and an artist is similarly anybody who says he is one. This leaves any definition of “artist” and “art” so vague as to be meaningless. Does the act of creation, be it ever so humble or idiosyncratic, suffice to allow one to lift the laurel of “artist” to his brow? Anybody can call himself anything, but the test is whether or not you actually are qualified. A plumber would not dare to call himself a plumber unless he were qualified in the opinion of others to do plumbing, and had experience and credentials to prove it, and actually got paid good money for his work. The same is true of an automobile mechanic, elementary school teacher or newspaper reporter. You can’t just call yourself a college professor or medical doctor and expect anyone to take you seriously. You need to have something to back it up. The term “artist,” unlike “electrician,” or “dog trainer,” neither conveys qualification, nor is it specific enough to shed much light on what a person may actually do.

There are classes of activities that often fall under the term “art,” such as the lively arts, the performing arts, and the like; thus a dancer could reasonably be called an artist within the context of dance. But if you were to ask a dancer what she does, and she were to reply, “I am an artist,” you would not be much the wiser concerning her activities. It would be far more illuminating for her to say, “I am a classical ballerina,” or “I am a choreographer.”

A person may be exceptionally good at something, so much so that he may be called “a culinary artist,” or “a musical artist,” or “a con artist.” This implies that he transcends the ordinary, and does something creative in his trade, so much so that by the standards of cooks, or con men, he is an “artist.” But it would be misleading for that person to say, “I am an artist,” when asked what he does for a living. Far better to say “I am a cook,” and …….

leave it to others to call you an artist.”

click below for more

http://www.goines.net/Writing/what_is_artist.html

Joey,

Jenn just showed me your new GMG sticker, which has a black and white homie. It reminded me of the attached photo I took this spring in Jensen Beach, FL. The best looking gull I’ve ever seen. It’s a Laughing Gull in summer plumage.

Bob Cullen

Coming up on my first time off in 8 months and I’m looking for some book recommendations.

Let me tell you what I’m not interested in reading-

Murder mysteries, true crime mafia books, how-to books, I’m not interested in any history books or anything like that.

In the past my favorite books were mafia books, but I’d read about Whitey and Sammy The Bull and Gotti and I’d lose a little bit of faith in humanity every time I read those true crime books.  Not exactly feel good stories.

I’m looking for the male versions of Chelsea Handler- comedy.  Last year the Mrs had one of Chelsea’s books and I couldn’t put it down and literally busted out laughing every time I turned the page.

So does anyone have any suggestions for some humorous books for light reading?

This was the coolest thing my sister gave my nephew for Christmas.  It is a remote control helium filled shark that cruised around the house all day looking for people to attack.  It was very lifelike and alot of fun for all ages.  I wish we’d had cool stuff like this when we were kids.  A major advancement in Christmas day fun from etch-a-sketches, playdough and slinkies.

E.J. Lefavour

THE JOY WITHIN

 

It’s hard for a foul mood to light around here,

no matter the cause:  a personal slight,

feeling poorly, some minor frustration or

irritation that binds my mind from time to time.

 

How can the joy within not be brought to a brilliant

glow when I start the day by walking the dog

to the cadence of the gong  in Ipswich Bay

or the  sound of the horn at the  Annisquam Light;

 

when, in summer, at night, I drift off to the

music of the sibilent surf, like a great

white- sound machine that calms my busy

monkey brain when it swings from one thought to

another, from one worry to another.

 

It’s hard to be morose when a walk on the

beach brings me the ocean’s incense, the

busy shore birds, the breezes  tinged with salt;

when the sun setting on a dune and a tree shaped

by the sea wind has me on my knees in awe.

 

Marty Luster

Happy Christmas!!!!

Shot with the new Camera.  On a tripod.  24mm f/1.8  24p 1080.

Banged this out quick.  Looking forward to doing more!

Christmas Eve

Lots of L O V E to you this Christmas Eve!

Blessings from Thailand, hoping you are enjoying good health, good love and all the goodness life has to offer.

Enjoy the good moments of each day.

Much love and PEACE!