K.B. Pellegrino's Blog, page 14

View of Art on a Gray Day...

I was so bored at one o'clock today. I am never bored. I needed a diversion. I wanted something different; but I am in seclusion much as the rest of the world. I said to myself, "If instead of being in quarantine, what would I do if I were traveling?" Voila, the answer appeared. I'd be at a museum, or castle, beach, river, theater, zoo, climbing mountains. Limited in my possibilities I chose reading a book on art on the works of Spanish Artist Eduardo Juan Gonzalez Arroyo. I'd had this volume at home for sometime and had scanned it frequently. He died not that long ago. What did I see. I saw art I would never display in my home. I saw caricatures of political people post the Civil War in Spain. I saw an artist who was wildly and at times obsessively political. I saw a man burning with negative passion and in the end perhaps finding himself. I found most interesting his original choice of career was to be in journalism; using words. His drawing and art career happened almost accidentally when as an emigre in Paris with language difficulties, art found him. Art for him was a better medium than words to work out his railing at political, church, and military yokes which had constricted him. My careers and many of yours found you also. It seems to me, LIFE chooses.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Sinners to Saints

I'm currently reading "The Seven Mountains of Thomas Merton". I have always felt compelled to understand the journeys of others. In this biography of Thomas Merton, the author of "The Seven Storey Mountain, I am able to look at an American life riding the roller coaster of faith. Merton helps me take the shine off historical saints whose lives are shrouded in perhaps history revision or at the very least some romanticism.

As a child, the story of Saul who converted to the Apostle Paul after previously serving as a hunter and killer of early Christians intrigues me. Evil is finally rejected only to become a saint and the major writer of early Christian text.

Next I met Saint Augustine, Olga of Kiev, Vladiimir and on and on.

I look around me today at the extremes in society. So many espouse hateful rhetoric and I wonder will they ever have regrets. I then think about the absolute and historically supported stories of the great saints in history and their personal turn-a rounds to sainthood and I have faith. What makes them change?
Read Merton's autobiography and biography by Michael Mott. Changing is a rocky road. Changing requires asking questions and accepting certain influences and listening to others and praying. In the midst of despair and depression, concepts may appear, and we must grab at the good, examine, and maybe...maybe... make changes in our lives

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

STAY SAFE OUT THERE!

I am an author of police procedural murder mystery novels. My characters are ordinary people from the good to the evil, from the rich to the poor, and of every race and ethnicity. I write using the current sense of culture and morality I have observed in western Massachusetts. It is fiction. I invent the setting, the characters, and interpret related culture; all nested in the reality of western Massachusetts. Why read my novels: for entertainment, for information based on research, to meet interesting characters, to explore holes in our justice system, and to remind us of the importance of good policing and good citizenry.

We have all seen television police stories where the police shift commander tells the troops, before they leave for duty and after they've been informed about existing situations and problems, "Stay Safe Out There!" Perhaps in reality other phrases are used, but that is the wish of the shift commander and should be our wish for the police.

In this time of COVID-19 the police have endorsed all the changes needed to support our medical and social efforts. It is not status quo. These men and women are truly social workers and more so at this time. "Stay Safe Out there" is an important statement. Despite this crisis and their yeomen's work, still we see
police deaths.

Wish them well.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Blood Type

I've noticed many companies offer DNA basis for individual health with eating tips. I did not have to wait for these recent informational tips nor did I have to send in any saliva. No, many years ago, I read Peter D'Adamo's "Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type" and then read the later and more current "Live right 4 Your Blood Type." When the first book was published it was touted and then attacked as all new ideas often are. These publications are based on many years of naturo-practices of both Doctor D'Adamo and his father before him. What I found most helpful is the historic development of blood types and the rationale for bodies needing different healthy diets. I am a blood type O and my husband is a blood type A. After reading these books, I recognized and discovered the explanation for the preferences Joe and I had relative to food. Later i learned I was sensitive to Gluten and dairy. Actually, I always knew I was sensitive to dairy. I was surprised when my DNA showed a celiac risk. A gluten free diet helped me rid myself of the problems I was having with my gut, while Joe stopped taking antacids and ate a touch more vinegar. We all have individual allergies or dislikes of some foods. The understanding of food displayed here explains some of that. Give it a read. Read the beginnings and the end and the portion on your blood type. You will gain some insights.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

COVID-19 and ?????

Just who thinks they know all the answers? Apparently many from the press to quasi-scientists to the many authors who in a very short time have written books on COVID-19; some only seventeen pages long and already published. I hear endless statements. Everyone's in the know; that is everyone but me. The following are some statements I currently believe may have some weight to convince me: 1. this virus is not the only Corona Virus but a version whose implications are not completely documented yet; 2. Elderly, especially those with underlying health conditions, along with all those of any age who suffer from cancer, auto-immune disease or are generally unhealthy may have higher rates of death than the general population; 3. Rates of death are not known because many will have the virus and not be aware they do or even if aware will not be tested. Thus the rates of death in any population stated in the news are not necessarily valid. 4. This virus started in the Wuhan district in China and its origin is still not agreed on. 5. We in the United States are now in the Mitigation phase. What can we do? Stay healthy. Stay away from crowds. Simplify our lives and focus on our own and our family's health. Take care of our elderly and try not to expose them to additional risk. Wash our hands after all encounters with others and potentially contaminated surfaces. Look for some of the known systems of the virus when they cluster: headache, chills, cough, and fever, Get tested if you suspect you have the virus.
Now relax and live within suggested published constraints. This will pass in time or at least find its place in our history of pandemics. Over one hundred years ago hospitals were being built for tuberculin patients of which one in seven died in the 1800s. Granted tuberculosis is a bacterial disease, but viral diseases are also serious. Best of all try praying. Our country is a vast land with a diversity of people. We have always worked together in a crisis. Disbelieve those who clearly are just creating dissent. Listen for the science and the truth. Health to us all.
K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Today at large...

How I spent today? Such a sunny and relatively warm day for March and yet did I enjoy it? No! Other than short walks from my car to my destinations; no! So, what was so important I could waste this weather. Doing mundane tasks is the answer. Like most of you, there are jots on my calendar letting me know what must be done each day. A good day is when there is nothing jotted down in the middle of the day. However, today, I drove to my doctor's office to get a needed shot in my knee. One hour duration plus another forty-five minutes total drive time. No problem with the drive time because I listened to part of an audio book. Sadly, I have to wait for the other nine hours to be split for other drives. Then, Lordy, I spent almost two hours at AAA for filling requirements for the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles for a new Real ID License. Fortunately I had all required documents. Still the time was almost lost; saved by a very nice woman who shared our time together. I do love to meet people and best when there is no need to be formal. I enjoyed my time conversing with her about nothing spectacular but letting me see another good person living her daily life well and with patience. By the time I reached home, I was decidedly hungry. It was almost four o'clock. Thank goodness, earlier in the day I clocked two hours writing. Now, I will relax and start a novel. When I'm tired, I read. If the read is interesting I awaken; if not, I fall asleep. Both avenues look good to me now.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Minor Catholic Basilicas

There are less than ninety minor catholic basilicas in the United States and I have visited only five. Why would I want to visit them; for one reason, each basilica represents the passion of its parishioners and their clergy. Each one has a feel that draws you into a religious culture, often representing a point in time. As a teen, I would frequently go out of my way to visit the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Roxbury/Boston, MA. I was mesmerized when I saw all the crutches and other physical representations of miracles. My mother had attended Mission High School, near the shrine, and was the first to suggest I pay attention to the concept of a Basilica. Later I visited the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in NYC. I was ready to appreciate its history. In Washington DC, we all have heard of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In Chicopee, near to my Springfield home, I visit regularly the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus, only recently added to the list of Basilicas and a monument to the Polish immigrants whose faith is legendary. One absolutely beautiful Basilica is Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, in San Juan, Texas notable for the 14 piece mariachi band and soloists enlarging the presence of the sacraments for its Mexican and other Spanish and non-Spanish parishioners. Faith is alive in the U. S. It would do me well to visit all the other Basilicas. I'm certain I would appreciate the testimony to all the faithful of these communities and be able to reflect on the history of passionate believers.

K. B. Pellegrino, Author

Recovery and Editing

I am recovering from an injury suffered on the 14th and would have gone stir crazy. Yes, I had a bit of a concussion and was told to rest. I was so tired. On the third day following the injury, I was energized and listened to eighteen hours of mystery novels. I'd been told not to strain my eyes, but the ears were never mentioned. I have new respect for the place of audio books in our lives.

Someone was listening to my complaints about my not being productive. On this past Monday, my editor Mike sent me my fifth MCU Captain Rudy Beauregard mystery novel for me to review. Oh, I was so grateful for work to do. I reviewed his edits and made new changes and reviewed until even I recognized the need to rest. But I loved getting back to work and the work made me feel better. Life has its setbacks and then we recover and live and work and love. I am able to share that the incident and its recovery period did force me to do what all artists and writers must do periodically: stop, smell the roses, and dream.

K. B. Pellegrino

Valentine's Day Face...

Yesterday, while leaving a library in Connecticut, my left foot caught on the three inch curb and my body lurched forward and landed with a loud thump. As I lay there on the macadam surface of the drive through, I didn't immediately move to get up. Logic prevailed as I moved each and every bone in my body. It seemed to me that because I had no pain, then, that I would be fine. Fortunately no car drove over me in the more than 30 seconds I lay there. Gingerly I raised myself and noticed blood dripping from my face, a tender left foot, scraped hands, and sore knees. Determined to go home for safety (don't you all think home implies recovery when you are traumatized?) I reached my car. It is a new car and I had promised myself I would keep it nicer than my old car. What did that mean? It meant I had no napkins or tissues or wipes. I looked in the mirror and was horrified at the vision. I bled from my nose, both inside and outside. My eye was certainly hit. My forehead had a massive bump at least 3/4 of an inch out from my forehead with lacerations there, on my cheek, nose and chin. Now, consider my lack of good sense in this situation. Because I seemed to be able to assess my injuries, I thought I was fine; just ugly. I used my designer scarf to mop up the blood. Believe me, the more you pay for a scarf the less absorbent it is. I drove home 12 miles to safety.

It was there that I faced Joe and Julian in full force telling me to go to the ER. I resisted. They prevailed. Seven hours later I came home. I was now out of shock and suffered from pain everywhere and feelings of systemic cold lasting to this morning. I am okay. Another day I will tell my story on my stay at the ER. It is worthy of a novel with sick people, brave nurses, logical doctors, and great supportive staff.

So, dear readers, I will be celebrating Valentine's Day dinner tomorrow at the Irish Cultural Center in a luscious cranberry dress accompanied by a face scabbed in matching color. I am so lucky. It could have been worse. I am grateful when my days are good. I'm also grateful that my bad days aren't worse. We all know what a really bad day is.

Wishing you a better face on Valentine's Day.

K. B. Pellegrino

Mary Higgins Clark

Loss of a Legend in Mystery Writing
Author Mary Higgins Clark has died at the age of 92 years. She lived a full and fruitful life filled with highs and lows. A young widow with five children, she struggled to survive economically. Her early life had left her without a father at a young age.
From her later successes, we are able to state she was filled with optimism and determination. She loved to write and wrote at an early age. She was gregarious. She practiced her Catholic faith. And she wrote and wrote and wrote with an eye to her readers. She developed characters well. And she loved writing in my chosen genres: suspense, murder mystery, and thriller.
From my perspective, I love that she loved what she wrote. Writing about fictional murder appears to many unnecessary. However, both I and this wonderful author place some emphasis in showing the impact of murder on characters and society at large. .Fictional murder allows the reader to understand horrible acts from a 'safe place.'
Clark lived a full life filled with important associations and was honored internationally as well as in the U.S,
K. B. Pellegrino, Author