Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 8/25 - Steps

RIP Neil Armstrong, 62, American hero. What a thrill it was watching the moon landing way back in 1969. I had tears in my eyes. The event manifested the greatness of which man, despite his flaws, is capable. It was inspired by a President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, whose flaws have been well documented in recent years, and achieved by the brain-trust at NASA. "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That quote will live as long as humanity does.

I went to the Santa Rosalia Feast on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst last night. I only just realized that I omitted it, not even mentioning it in passing, from my novel, Killing. My bad. I got to wondering who Rosalia was, and found the following at Wiki, editing it a bit: "According to legend, Rosalia was born of a Norman noble family that claimed descent from Charlemagne. Devoutly religious, she retired to life as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, where she died alone in 1166. Tradition says that she was led to the cave by two angels. On the cave wall she wrote 'I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ.' In 1624 a horrible plague struck Palermo. St Rosalia appeared first to a sick woman, then to a hunter to whom she indicated where her remains were to be found. She ordered him to bring her bones to Palermo and have them carried in procession through the city. The hunter climbed the mountain and found them. He did what she had asked and, after the procession, the plague ceased. St Rosalia was venerated as the patron saint of Palermo and a sanctuary was built in the cave where her remains were discovered." I wonder how many people know any of this. My sister, at least, knew that Rosalia's origin was Palerman. It's similar to how our major holidays are celebrated - fun and food, with little thought to their real meaning.

My thanks to Rick, who purchased a copy of Killing last night, and to the kind folks who bought books today on Bay Parkway.

Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3