The Mom & Pop Meatball Factory

My step-father Victor makes some of the best meatballs and sauce on the planet. He does it just 4 or 5 times a year, and when he's making his meatballs, it's an occasion in the neighborhood. He always makes enough to share around and to freeze for future use. No holiday or special occasion would be complete with Victor's meatballs and sauce. Victor is 87 and when he's gone his meatball recipe will go with him.

The Vatican and the Knights Templar

On October 25, the Vatican will release a nearly 700 year-old report on the holy warriors known as the Knights Templar. The report documents the the accusations of heresy against the order, the Knights' defense, and Pope Clement V's exculpation of the order.

"... the Templars must somehow have survived, adapted, or been subsumed into another, even more secretive trans-national group. Over the centuries, the allegedly still-extant order has been portrayed as malevolent, benign, heroic and occult."

The Vatican and the Knights Templar - TIME

Bocce Ball

Earlier today, my uncle Jim introduced me to the Italian game of bocce at the Buccinese Club in Altoona. I can recall as a little kid, going with my Dad when he played bocce outdoors in Coupon on Sundays.

My experience today was enjoyable. I didn't actually play any contests. My uncle met me there about an hour early and gave me some coaching as well as a chance to practice on the court. In some ways it reminded me a lot of putting. You have to read the surface and work out the speed and the break.

I then met most of the participants and watched a contest between my uncle's team and another of the club teams. I might be interested in getting into this when the winter leagues form.

This Would Explain Alot

It was reported Thursday that scientists have discovered particles of cocaine, marijuana, caffeine and tobacco, in the air of Italy’s capital, Rome.

Something in the air in Rome: cocaine - MSNBC.com

The Italian Solution

Leave it to Italian research to suggest such a pleasant and elegant solution

Imbibing may slow dementia in seniors - USATODAY.com

Many of the Italians in the study said they drank several glasses of red wine every day... And the good news from other research is this: Moderate drinking — one or even two glasses of wine a day — just might help stave off dementia and other ailments such as clogged arteries and heart disease ...