Memoirs

Or How an Anglophile Teacher Found a Son in Siberia

This is a heartwarming adoption story of a middle aged, anglophile, New York City teacher of the blind who travels literally around the world to adopt a 2 1/2 year old boy in the far reaches of Siberia. Mother and son’s trials and tribulations parallel events in the lives of the Royal Family and its circle as the little, newly formed family forges a deep, abiding bond.

The life of growing up in a small North Carolina community called Shillingtown in a home of love, discipline, respect, and responsibility yet weak in education but rich in faith and religious beliefs. I am one who had an unfaithful father, a handicapped mother, a grandfather who was the apple of my eye, and a great grandmother who attended school only three weeks but knew the Word and lived the Life. Believe me, family life was great in my days!

After a face to face call from Jesus Christ to “be a missionary”, Finis left the security he had become accustomed to and moved forward in faith. The journey was a challenge, an adventure, and sometimes an unexpected and delightful experience as the Holy Spirit opened doors, and Finis simply stepped out with Shirley in faith and trust through a great 30 years of life as missionaries in South Korea!

Hooked on blogging is a compilation of short stories. They consist of memoirs and incidents both current and past in the life of the author. Some are funny, some are sad, many are thought provoking, all of them are true. The comments from others about each story are sometimes more interesting and meaningful than the story itself.

The True Story of Charles Falzone and Catherine Brogan-Falzone

Most of us as Americans know all about war; by watching TV or going to school or to the movies. Our history books and the foundation of our country were built on war. You could say that Americans are fascinated with war and the history of wars, believe it or not most of us will never be in a war. Our armed forces are there for you to enlist in or be drafted into in case of war. Only a small percent of us actually fought in our wars, except our civil war, which took only American lives.

Not many of us will ever live the lives that Charles Vincent Falzone and Catherine Brogan-Falzone lived. Their amazing lives were only something we saw in the movies, or read about in books. Out of war came a beautiful romance and love that bore three sons. This book is not about war, it is about love and dedication. War is the background; dedication and love also comes with war.

It is hard to believe that two people could meet and fall in love during a time of three wars. Not make believe love, but a special love that would last for over fifty years. They met in time of war and lived through the terrible events that go with war. He was a medic first and a Warrant-Officer/M-Sgt second. His dedication to saving lives came first. She was a Captain of Nurses dedicated to the care of her patients.

This book will take you on a journey of war, love, and peace. The lives of these two extraordinary people who lived for their country, would have given their lives to save their fellow soldiers. They were blessed with a dedication and love for their fellow man. Read on to discover Charles Falzone and Catherine Brogan-Falzone on their fascinating journey through life. They were soldiers.

This is a true story of a love between a young man and a much older woman. A love that defied all odds and would make two people feel each other’s thoughts even when they were miles and time apart. One that could cause them to hear the ring of a silent phone. It would create such a power that they would feel a physical pull to each other no matter where they were.

There were things that happened between them that could not be logically explained and would cause them to ask each other, “How do we do that?”

When you read this book, I hope you can feel the love they had for each other.

Tales from Camp Cupcake chronicles the misadventures of a military finance guy in war-torn Iraq. You are invited to follow along as the author describes life inside the wire during his four month deployment to western Iraq. Originally written as a private weekly diary for family members and a few select friends, the journal was soon shared with others and quickly became a Monday morning “must-read” for friends and strangers alike all over the world!

Written with a humorous and entertaining flair, this real life account brings a fresh perspective to behind-the-scene activities of troops performing support functions during combat. Experience firsthand the trials and tribulations of this “bean counter” as he attempts to support the greatest military machine the world has ever known!

Why should one want to buy and read this autobiography? This book is for you if you are one of those interested in any of the following:

• Genealogy
• The great depression
• Education
• Religion
• Choirs
• Choirmasters
• Organists
• Photoengraving
• Printing
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Sports
• World War II
• Selling
• Teaching
• Marriage
• Children
• Globalization
• Patriotism

All of the above was experienced by one man in his lifetime. A life of just one of the Great Generation as Tom Brokaw wrote of it. You may find many circumstances of a personal nature that are similar to what you have read here—one life, one American, one human being’s experience.

Tired of reading another celebrity chef story? Bored with those too-perky and out of touch with reality 25-minute meal makers? Cynical about the rags-to-riches kings who’s restaurant empires span the globe, never fail, and where everything turns to gold? Here is the first honest account of real life in the restaurant business, with all the joys and frustrations and madcap situations, plus more that you can never predict!

This is the heartfelt, incredible story of restauranteur Maria Bragalini, who owned and successfully ran three different dining establishments in New York City in the 1950’s and later, a time when dining out was an entirely different type of experience. Amidst the backdrop of a still-bohemian Greenwich Village, then later an upper-crust Rockefeller Center hot spot, and finally a quaint quiet upper east side locale, Maria takes us on a journey of not just culinary delight, but of joys, sorrows, loves, trials and tribulations involving her loyal patrons who became good friends.

Hear firsthand how Maria, a former fashion designer, went up against the authorities when they denied her liquor license and tried to stop this young woman from becoming a success. Listen to tales of the barons and business powerhouses who came to enjoy pasta and veal dishes at Maria’s tables, and stayed for more than the food. Learn about the mystical powers of Table #8, and revel in the beautiful descriptive interior design techniques that Maria used to transform each space from disastrous to exquisitely beautiful and comfortable cucinas. The story of the Purple Martini will leave you wondering for days about its secret ingredient. Meet Brag, her husband and partner forever, as they turn each place into successful culinary hot spots, through love and the magical “cin-cin” philosophy.

Living on the track for four years was a unique experience for me. It was rewarding to be able to help those less fortunate human beings. I was able to care for my husband while we gained knowledge of the various places we were assigned to work. I was protected by my faithful guard dog Princess.

The love and attention I gave to the track gang was returned to me one hundred fold.

When I left to move into a house it was like turning the page to a new chapter in my life. There were no loose ends and nothing to go back for.

We had travelled from the mountains to the seashore and the valleys to the deserts. Most of the time we were near one of the many packing sheds. This was my one chance in life to see the beauty of the state of California.