Newly married with our first-born, I remember the opportunity Janet and I had to bring our sweetie pie to Winter Park’s Central Park for his initial experience with an Easter-egg hunt. It was a beautiful…
On Family
Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100: STAY HUMBLE
Humility. Mom was born and raised in an aristocratic and wealthy family in Bari, Italy, educated by Montessori nuns in Rome and spending summers on the family’s almond farm in Puglia. Her life took a…
Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida 100: PANERA FRIDAYS
Since the week I began taking our oldest son Jordan (now graduating from law school) to Pre-K, our weekly routine included a Friday morning stopover at Panera for bagels and cream cheese. That routine continued…
The Game of Euchre
A few weeks ago, our family took a trip to Key West. In the midst of the deep sea diving, scuba, and all of the usual Key West activities, we had an opportunity to play…
Isabella’s Poetry
Enough politics for a while. I thought I would change the pace somewhat by posting some of Isabella’s poetry. She is in an eighth-grade composition class and was required to do four types of…
My Fifth Grader’s Wish List
So, my graduating fifth grader went on an absolute celebrity rampage, talking about Josh Peck, Lord, Selina Gomez, Victoria, and on, and on. In fact, it went so far, it was at the point of…
I Have Apparently Become my Father
And so, it was inevitable. My 4th grader, at the age of 9 – she is shortly turning 11 as a 5th grader – has developed the poise, self-confidence, and perspective to give me her…
Isabella’s Beach Story
Janet, Jared and Isabella took a quick trip with some friends to Sanibel for a few days of R & R over a recent three day weekend. Isabella came back with some starfish and a…
It’s All About the Belt
So, at 8 years old, my sweetheart Isabella, I suspect as a result of watching either Nickelodeon or Disney or both, is now into karate. She is chomping at the bit to get involved. Her…
The Prayer . . . by Isabella Maria Pino
So, I thought this was so cute, it had to get published. Since Jordan, at 16, and Jared, at 13, are feeling stronger as they get older, the challenge of dealing with a young 8…