Bandit Heaven: the true story of the infamous hangout of the Wild West

Bandit Heaven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and the Final Chapter of the Wild West by Tom Clavin is a thrilling true story of an infamous hangout for bandits, thieves and murderers of the Wild West and the lawmen who pursued them. Known collectively as “Bandit Heaven,” Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole and Hole in the Wall were remote locations in Wyoming and Utah that harbored the dangerous men of the 1880s and 1890s. The most famous of these bandits were the gregarious Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the silent sidekick. Everyone knows the famous 1969 film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, but who were the real Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid? As many outlaws of the time would be dead by the turn of the 20th century, only Cassidy and Sundance escaped to meet their infamous end in South America. 

Whenever I see Tom Clavin’s name on a book cover, I know it will be a detailed and engaging historical account of a time and place long forgotten and even romanticized through Hollywood. The actual Wild West only lasted approximately 30 years; however, it is a time most talked about and fantasized about especially in literature and on the big screen. Cowboys on the range and the outlaws who terrorized it. Bandit Heaven is a thrilling read, opening with a terrifying train robbery, then taking readers back in time to set up the characters. Where did these men come from? What brought them on the path of infamy? And who were the men who pursued them? Bandit Heaven is filled with action that will pull readers in and learn fact from fiction and legends. I highly, highly recommend Bandit Heaven. 

Bandit Heaven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and the Final Chapter of the Wild West 

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Nocturne: one young woman and a mysterious benefactor who will change her life forever

Nocturne by Alyssa Wees is a haunting story about one young woman and a mysterious benefactor which changes her life. Grace Dragotta grew up in Chicago’s Little Sicily and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. After losing her family, she finds herself orphaned and without a home. She chooses the North Ballet Company as her home and begins to imagine her life center stage. As the Great Depression is in full swing, Grace becomes the company’s new prima ballerina. Soon she attracts the attention of the mysterious and secretive Master La Rosa as her personal patron and she will learn the world is far greater than she ever realized. Who is Master La Rosa? What does he want from Grace? As she begins to learn about her patron, she discovers there is another way to find the excellence she desires. 

I don’t know anything about ballet but Nocturne has it all. It has a mysterious patron a la The Phantom of the Opera, a deal a la Beauty and the Beast and a mix of legends and myths woven into a magical story. As I started the story, it was hard to get into it; however, once I truly sat down to read the story opened up and I couldn’t put it down. The story flowed from the pages and would not let me go. I needed to find out who Master La Rosa was, who his equally mysterious assistant, Mr. Russo was and what role did Grace play within the mystery. It was beautifully lyrical with hauntingly detailed imagery. The beautiful cover drew me in and the story kept me there until the very last page. I highly recommend Nocturne. 

Nocturne is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Here's to pizza!

Pizza. A savory Italian dish of a round flattened base of leavened dough. In Italy, a formal restaurant setting, a pizza would be eaten with a knife and fork. In a causal setting, it is cut into wedges and eaten by hand, which is the way most of us usually eat it. A favorite food among many people around the world. It enjoys a wide variety of crust and toppings depending on regions. October is National Pizza Month. Started by Gerry Durnell, publisher of Pizza Today magazine in 1984, October has become a month to celebrate this delicious food from its humble origins to the crazy debates about which region has the better pizza and even what toppings are acceptable.

There have been foods like the pizza found throughout the Ancient World. In the 6^th century BCE, Persian soldiers of the Achaemenid Empire, during the rule of King Darius I, baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their shields. Ancient Greeks would use oil, herbs and cheese on their flatbreads. The term, pizza, was first recorded in a 10^th century in a Latin manuscript from southern Italy. According to legend, the modern pizza was invented in Naples in the 18^th to early 19^th century. The popular story goes, in 1889, the Royal Palace of Capodimonte commissioned the Neapolitan pizzaiolo (pizza maker) Raffaele Esposito to create a pizza in honor of the visiting Queen Margherita (1851-1926). He created three pizzas and the queen preferred the pizza which represented the Italian flag: red (tomatoes), green (basil) and white (mozzarella) which became the pizza Margherita. Pizza was brought to the US by Italian immigrants in the late 19^th century. The first US pizzeria, Lombardi’s, was opened in New York City in 1905 and it is still open today. The demand for pizza would skyrocket after World War II when servicemen were returning home from the Italian front and asked for this dish.

There are many variations of pizza. In Italy, the pizza napolitana remains a popular style which contains San Marzano and mozzarella di bufala.  Pizza is extremely popular in the United States in which 13% of American eat pizza on any given day. There are regional pizzas which developed in the US. Everyone is familiar with the New York style which is a hand tossed crust with a light layer of tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese and toppings such as pepperoni. New York pizzas usually measure between 18-24 inches in diameter and cut into eight large pieces. You may also be familiar with the popular Chicago style deep dish pizza. However, were you familiar with the other regional styles. First, the California style which is a thin crust and topping which unusual toppings such as chicken and goat cheese. This style was popularized by California chefs, Wolfgang Puck and Ed LaDou. Second, the Detroit style is a rectangular pizza with a thick crisp crust topped with sauce, cheese, pepperoni and mushrooms. Lastly, the St Louis pizza, which is a very thin, cracker like crust commonly topped with Provel cheese, which is made with cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses, and cut into squares instead of wedges.

The world record for the largest pizza was in Rome in December 2012 which measured 1,261 square meters (approximately 13,570 square feet)! And the world record for the longest pizza was in Fontana, California in 2017 which measured 1,930.39 meters (approximately 6,333.3 feet)! That’s almost a mile and a quarter long! Of course, with the popularity of pizza, there are many debates which occur. New York will always claim their pizza is better than other regions. While style of pizza is dependent on region and personal taste, one topic sparks a large and louder debate: toppings. More specific: is pineapple an acceptable pizza topping? Most people will state that pineapple does not belong on a pizza because it is not an Italian ingredient. However, this argument is week as many different styles use toppings which are not Italian. I personally love a pizza with pineapple and Canadian bacon. However, that is the only combination I will use with pineapple. Pineapple does not belong on a pizza with pepperoni or other toppings. According to Debate.org, 59% of respondents said yes, pineapple is an acceptable topping while 41% said no. And the debate goes on.

In conclusion, pizza is as simple or as complex as consumers wants. Regardless how you enjoy your pizza, it is a food which has had a long and successful history. From early forms in the Ancient world to the legendary beginnings in Italy, pizza will continue to be favorite around the US and around the world. So next time you enjoy your favorite pizza, remember its humble beginnings to its worldwide success. May even try a type of pizza you have never had before. You never know, you may find a new favorite. Here’s to pizza!

St. Patrick: the stories behind the legends

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland along with Saint Brigit and Saint Columba. According to the Confession of Patrick, he was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 from his home in Great Britain. He became a slave in Ireland until he was able to escape and return home 6 years later. After becoming a cleric, he would return to Ireland. However, little is known about where he actually worked in Ireland, By the 7^th century, Patrick would be revered as the patron saint and March 17^th would be honored in his name.

The shamrock is one of the symbols associated with Patrick. It is the national plant of Ireland due to its association with Saint Patrick as well as it grows in abundance on the island, According to legend, Patrick taught the doctrine of the Holy Trinity with a shamrock. There is little evidence to indicate if the Irish Celts held the shamrock in high regard; however, many of the deities in their mythology were in threes. For instance, Brigit (or Brigid or Brig) is a goddess depicted as a triple deity. She is associated with the spring, fertility, healing, poetry and smithcraft. The idea of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could have been an easy concept that the Irish Celts would understand.

Another legend linked to Saint Patrick is the banishment of all snakes from Ireland. According to legend, Patrick chased the snakes to the sea after they attacked him during a 40 day fast. The absence of snakes in Ireland have given rise to this legend; however, all evidence suggests that Ireland never had snakes. The simple answer is geography. Snakes can be found virtually everywhere on Earth except Ireland, New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica. All these areas are surrounded by water. The theory is that no serpent has successfully migrated across the open ocean to these areas. Even when land bridges were created with the falling ocean levels, snakes would not have survived the Ice Age of Ireland. Why the legend? Snakes present evil in Judeo-Christian traditions as well as paganism. The image of Patrick banishing snakes from Ireland in a sense he banished evil and paganism from the Emerald Isle.

Saint Patrick has become synonymous with Ireland and the Irish heritage identity. That associations was brought to America with the Irish immigrants of the 19^th century. Despite its religious origins, Saint Patrick’s Day is primarily celebrated as recognition of Irish and Irish Americans. For one day, everyone is Irish. The color green is seen everywhere. Chicago, Illinois dyes the Chicago River green every year. Pubs serve green ales and beers. McDonald’s often will promote their shamrock shakes during March in honor of the holiday. People wear green in order to avoid being pinched. I remember those days in school. Corned beef and cabbage is a popular dish to make in honor of Saint Patrick, although the dish is considered an American addition to the holiday.

To everyone, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!! 

A little history and why I don't want gifts on Valentine's Day

Today is St Valentine’s Day. A day for lovers. A day of roses and chocolates. The advertisements are over the place. Its big business for florists, chocolate companies and more many more retailers who are urging men, in particular, to go out and find the perfect gift. But who is St. Valentine. The story of the patron saint is shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church actually recognizes three saints called Valentine although only one is honored on February 14th. Even the origins of our Valentine’s Day traditions are mysterious. And why I don’t want any gifts on Valentine’s Day.  

Valentine is emphasized as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic figure. There are two legends that I could find which tell the story of St. Valentine. One legend says that Valentine was a priest in 3^rd century Rome when Emperor Claudius II (268-270) decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. It is said that he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine defied the emperor and continued to perform marriages in secret. When Claudius discovered this, he had Valentine put to death. However, there is no evidence that Claudius ever made such a decree and it is unlikely that he would. First, marriage was seen as beneficial to society. Second, military service was voluntary and the poor often joined the army for the steady income Lastly, Claudius was also known as Claudius Gothicus spent his very short reign fighting the Goths. He would have been far too busy with war to pursue the alleged policy. Another legend states that Valentine was imprisoned and executed for attempting to free Christians from torture in Roman prisons. He sent the “first valentine” after he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Before his death, he signed his letter, “From your Valentine.”

There have been claims that the observance of St. Valentine’s Day has its origin in a Roman pagan festival. Lupercalia was celebrated on February 13-15^th. It is a fertility festival decided to Faunus, the god of agriculture and Rome’s founders, Romulus and Remus. According to legend, all the women in a village would place their name in an urn and the city’s bachelors would chose a name and the two would be paired together for one year. The matches often ended in marriage. The festival would be outlawed with the rise of Christianity by Pope Gelasius who declared February 14^th St. Valentine’s Day. This date is said to be the date which Valentine was buried. There are also claims that the link to romantic love and St Valentine’s Day was made by Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) in his poem, Parlement of Foules (1382). He wrote this poem in celebration of the anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia. He wrote, “For this was on St. Valentine’s Day when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.” There have been much debate about the truth of this. Regardless of the origins of Valentine’s Day traditions, it translates to big business. Valentine’s Day generates approximately $ 13 billion profits.

Now comes the not for fun part of my blog. I can almost hear retailers scream and other women call me crazy. I don’t ask or expect gifts on Valentine’s Day and here’s why. First, to relieve my husband of the obligation. I don’t like my husband to give me fancy and expensive gifts just because a calendar says so. I know my husband loves me. I don’t need a card to tell me so. Plus, I enjoy the bouquet of roses better when they are given “just because” rather than as an expectation. Second, the pressure! I googled “why I don’t want gifts for Valentine’s Day” and I got results which didn’t match my search at all. I got what women really want on Valentine’s Day and what not to give for Valentine’s Day. One site suggested that household appliances is a horrible gift. Now, my husband knows me. He know that I love to cook and bake, so why would buying me a something that I could use in that capacity a horrible gift?.Also, I don’t want jewelry. I wear very little jewelry. My wedding ring is my only constant piece which I wear on a daily basis. I have plenty of other rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. I don’t need more. Third, why the focus and the pressure on men? Why aren’t women advertised to about gifts? Men enjoy romance too.

Day of love and romance has become another reason for a sale. Another reason to pressure men to buy expensive flowers, jewelry and chocolates. Our love for our partners should be celebrated and honored every day. Husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, give gifts from your heart. Don’t break the bank to get the expensive gift because you think you have to. Think about the person who you are buying the gift for and think what he/she would like and/or want. I may be unconventional when I say I don’t want anything for Valentine’s Day. I truly don’t. I’m a simple women with simple wishes. I may be in the minority on this but I feel that gifts given in obligation spoils the gift. However, you celebrate today, do so with love and affection.