Saturday, November 29, 2008
Memory Keeper's Daughter
As research for my Down But Never Out bio of former middleweight champion, Joey Giardello and his Down syndrome son, Carman, I watched Memory Keeper's Daughter. The movie based on a book by Kim Edwards tells the story of a doctor who gives away his new-born baby daughter when he sees that she has Down syndrome. He tells his wife the baby died and they go on with their life raising the "normal" twin boy. I read the book some time ago and now must read again. It was based on a true story told to the author. Watch or read it and be prepared to cry.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My wife need jewelry
A thought:
My wife needs jewelry
By Charlie Redner
My wife needs jewelry
But not like food and air.
No, no the wants much stronger there.
Her line between need and the desire
is infinitely closer than flame is to fire.
She follows the impulse to trade
or swapped the pin that somehow failed to inspire,
to exchange some earrings might be required.
A bracelet, a necklace, a ring or two
replaces the ones that now no longer do.
Will the search for gold and silver,
diamonds and pearls, ever cease?
This spouse can only hope that need and desire,
are distinguished some day,
one from the other, before we go broke, or I expire.
My wife needs jewelry
By Charlie Redner
My wife needs jewelry
But not like food and air.
No, no the wants much stronger there.
Her line between need and the desire
is infinitely closer than flame is to fire.
She follows the impulse to trade
or swapped the pin that somehow failed to inspire,
to exchange some earrings might be required.
A bracelet, a necklace, a ring or two
replaces the ones that now no longer do.
Will the search for gold and silver,
diamonds and pearls, ever cease?
This spouse can only hope that need and desire,
are distinguished some day,
one from the other, before we go broke, or I expire.
Monday, November 3, 2008
An eastern city man arrived in Old Pueblo
An eastern city man arrived in Old Pueblo to speak.
Will you read on if I utter what he professed to be,
or, least we judged, not to be?
I’ll take the chance -- a poet.
His name sounded like a south sea island,
Maui, or Bali, ahhh, no, no -- Mali.
Now, Mister Mali was a Letterman, more in the mode of the nighttime host than the singers or a campus jock.
His letters though, formed words that arrived in specific order.
An order that held one’s attention bound, bound as tightly as a body wrapped with duct tape smeared in super glue.
Words that moved -- or not.
Words that spun fasterthanSupermantryingtosaveLois,
where they arrived in a flash only to ricochet ‘round the head.
Words that -- c r a w l e d - in - s l o w - m o t i o n -- penetrating your mind a Technicolor, animated, Cinemascope, surround-sound, four-hour feature film.
On the spot he wrote a piece about a tractor guy,
then spoke of his Dad, the Yalie, who never attended the Ivy Tower of bushy presidents,but organized the keys to his glorious own universe.
Dining one night, Mali mentioned to his host how much he made teaching,while at the same time enlightening the clod how little -- money mattered when making a difference.
He told about tapping his dog on the snout, tough Love,
then heaping praise on a silly Lilly.
She a flower of an eighth-grade child who couldn’t,
but finally did, like, make up her mind.
Mali’s story about the student whose spell checker failed to correct and even added to the mess the boy made of his report entitled, A Tail of Two Tities, produced more unbridled laughter than the best-crafted,
perfectly delivered Leno monologue.
If, by chance, you were there -- you know of what I speak.
If not, then you may never appreciate this sentiment:
I just loved you, Taylor Mali. Thank you for sharing you.
And thanks, Society of Southwestern Authors for inviting an eastern city man to the Old Pueblo -- to thrill.
Will you read on if I utter what he professed to be,
or, least we judged, not to be?
I’ll take the chance -- a poet.
His name sounded like a south sea island,
Maui, or Bali, ahhh, no, no -- Mali.
Now, Mister Mali was a Letterman, more in the mode of the nighttime host than the singers or a campus jock.
His letters though, formed words that arrived in specific order.
An order that held one’s attention bound, bound as tightly as a body wrapped with duct tape smeared in super glue.
Words that moved -- or not.
Words that spun fasterthanSupermantryingtosaveLois,
where they arrived in a flash only to ricochet ‘round the head.
Words that -- c r a w l e d - in - s l o w - m o t i o n -- penetrating your mind a Technicolor, animated, Cinemascope, surround-sound, four-hour feature film.
On the spot he wrote a piece about a tractor guy,
then spoke of his Dad, the Yalie, who never attended the Ivy Tower of bushy presidents,but organized the keys to his glorious own universe.
Dining one night, Mali mentioned to his host how much he made teaching,while at the same time enlightening the clod how little -- money mattered when making a difference.
He told about tapping his dog on the snout, tough Love,
then heaping praise on a silly Lilly.
She a flower of an eighth-grade child who couldn’t,
but finally did, like, make up her mind.
Mali’s story about the student whose spell checker failed to correct and even added to the mess the boy made of his report entitled, A Tail of Two Tities, produced more unbridled laughter than the best-crafted,
perfectly delivered Leno monologue.
If, by chance, you were there -- you know of what I speak.
If not, then you may never appreciate this sentiment:
I just loved you, Taylor Mali. Thank you for sharing you.
And thanks, Society of Southwestern Authors for inviting an eastern city man to the Old Pueblo -- to thrill.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Tribute to a Fallen Agent
Border Patrol agent, Luis Aguilar was killed during the line of duty in January 2008. On Saturday, October 11th, his comrades, family and friends paid tribute to him during the dedication ceremony of the new Buttercup Ranger Station located in the California sand dunes just west of Yuma, Arizona. Mrs. Aguilar attended with her two children and delivered a brief, tear-filled eulogy.
Every off-duty BP agent, ranger, state trooper and deputy sheriff within a hundred miles attended. I haven’t seen so many cannons since leaving the 50th Armored Division. “Luis Aguilar” street, named for the fallen hero will now serve as a permanent reminder of the agent, father and loving husband.
Every off-duty BP agent, ranger, state trooper and deputy sheriff within a hundred miles attended. I haven’t seen so many cannons since leaving the 50th Armored Division. “Luis Aguilar” street, named for the fallen hero will now serve as a permanent reminder of the agent, father and loving husband.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A word from Timothy Shriver
Rosalie Tilelli, Joey Giardello’s wife received a beautiful letter of condolence from Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics. He mentioned how much Sargent and Eunice Shriver appreciated Joey’s contributions in time and fund raising efforts on behalf of the Special Olympics.
This letter reminded me that St. Martin’s Press requested blurbs, an introduction and/or a foreword for Down But Never Out. Letters from me will soon go out to Timothy Shriver and John C. McGinley, star of SCRUBS who is the 2007-08 national spokesman for Buddy Walks, which raises money for Down syndrome organizations.
This letter reminded me that St. Martin’s Press requested blurbs, an introduction and/or a foreword for Down But Never Out. Letters from me will soon go out to Timothy Shriver and John C. McGinley, star of SCRUBS who is the 2007-08 national spokesman for Buddy Walks, which raises money for Down syndrome organizations.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
SSA Tucson Conference 2008
The Society of Southwestern Authors just concluded its 2008 Conference (September 27 and 28). A better time for any writer could not have been experienced anywhere, anytime.
My sides still hurt from laughing at the genius of guest speaker, teacher/poet, Taylor Mali. The ‘can’t miss’ future poet laureate will stand beside Billy Collins (2001-03) as one of the two quirkiest poet laureates in recent history. He kept his engagement with SSA even as an urgent call from Norway beckoned him across the big pond immediately after.
Corey Blake, screenwriter and co-author of 12 books dazzled a lunchtime audience with his dynamic talk, “Your Book. Your Legacy.” Corey is a television actor, development producer, writer and inspirational speaker who woke up any would be sleepy attendee with his rousing energetic presentation.
Award winning author, Deborah LeBlanc shared her thoughts with a dramatic talk called, “When Everyone Else Says You Can’t.” Drawing from her sometimes tragic, personal life experiences and her troublesome publishing efforts, one left the room after hearing her knowing that “Yes, I can.”
Thirty professional writers, editors, agents, publishers’ reps, presented a variety of workshops on topics ranging from “Fixing Stories that Stink” to “Branding Yourself” plus everything in between. These experts were also available for fifteen minute one-on-one discussions.
Even food service showed up with its ‘A game.’ Once when the kitchen door swung open I swear I saw Wolfgang Puck high-five Rachael Ray. Cheers to the Holiday Inn - Palo Verde staff.
In summary, the 2008 SSA Conference was a big league experience for any serious writer.
Take a deep bow, Penny Porter and Barbara Stahura, conference committee co-directors.
My sides still hurt from laughing at the genius of guest speaker, teacher/poet, Taylor Mali. The ‘can’t miss’ future poet laureate will stand beside Billy Collins (2001-03) as one of the two quirkiest poet laureates in recent history. He kept his engagement with SSA even as an urgent call from Norway beckoned him across the big pond immediately after.
Corey Blake, screenwriter and co-author of 12 books dazzled a lunchtime audience with his dynamic talk, “Your Book. Your Legacy.” Corey is a television actor, development producer, writer and inspirational speaker who woke up any would be sleepy attendee with his rousing energetic presentation.
Award winning author, Deborah LeBlanc shared her thoughts with a dramatic talk called, “When Everyone Else Says You Can’t.” Drawing from her sometimes tragic, personal life experiences and her troublesome publishing efforts, one left the room after hearing her knowing that “Yes, I can.”
Thirty professional writers, editors, agents, publishers’ reps, presented a variety of workshops on topics ranging from “Fixing Stories that Stink” to “Branding Yourself” plus everything in between. These experts were also available for fifteen minute one-on-one discussions.
Even food service showed up with its ‘A game.’ Once when the kitchen door swung open I swear I saw Wolfgang Puck high-five Rachael Ray. Cheers to the Holiday Inn - Palo Verde staff.
In summary, the 2008 SSA Conference was a big league experience for any serious writer.
Take a deep bow, Penny Porter and Barbara Stahura, conference committee co-directors.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Lost Joey Today
We lost Joey Giardello today, but his life will live on in my words. Here's an Open Letter to his lovely, devoted wife who had more to do with Joey's success in life than all his boxing skills.
OPEN LETTER TO ROSALIE TILELLI
September 4, 2008
Dear Rosalie,
What can I say after I say that I’m so very sorry to hear of Joey’s passing?
Plenty for I know a great deal more about the man than most as I have spent the past year researching and “re-living” his entire life.
He was not only as reported by the boxing historian, Mike Casey and others, a great boxer, but what those historians didn’t know was that boxing was only a portion of his life. A smaller than would be expected part of his life. There was a lot more to Joey Giardello than boxing.
He was truly a great man.
I take pride in saying that I never met Joey Giardello. In 1982 I met Carmine Tilelli and was told that he was a famous boxer -- a world champion. And while he related some insider boxing stories he talked mostly about his family and the remarkable deeds of his number two son, Carman.
I learned that Carman, while born with Down syndrome had accomplished more in his life than most “normal” people. He met more celebrities; maintained a full time job; and imitated Elvis, Jimmy Durante and Ed Sullivan better than most impersonators. Carman won gold at the Special Olympic for a 300 yard race. He won a weight lifting contest. Carman as a Boy Scout went to Theodore Roosevelt Camp. He received a trophy for never missing a Little League Baseball game.
Now there was a proud papa.
Carman also met more celebrities than seen on a red carpet night in Hollywood. Famous folks: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Durante, and Frankie Avalon; in politics, Richard Nixon, Ted Kennedy, Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver; in sports, Tommy LaSorda, Mark Gastineau, plus too many Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles to name; boxers, Rocky Graziano, Willie Pep, Chico Vejar, Jake LaMota, Carmen Basilio, and too many more to list here.
Joey became involved and raised more money for charitable organizations that helped children with special needs than he probably earned for himself after leaving the ring. He held boxing exhibitions in 1969 and 1972 with many of the aforementioned boxers who squared off for charity. Many fans would attend these events just to see the referees, Jersey Joe Walcott, Jack Dempsey and James Braddock.
He met with Sargent and Eunice Shriver and volunteered his time to help launch the Special Olympics in 1968.
Joey was never more proud than when Carman retired from his job after 28 years at Cherry Hill Township, The Township named a building in his honor – The Carman Tilelli Community Center.
Joey was so much more than a boxer. He was a true humanitarian, a fund raiser for special needs children, a loving father and a husband,
And yes, middleweight champion 1963-1965.
With affection,
Charlie Redner
OPEN LETTER TO ROSALIE TILELLI
September 4, 2008
Dear Rosalie,
What can I say after I say that I’m so very sorry to hear of Joey’s passing?
Plenty for I know a great deal more about the man than most as I have spent the past year researching and “re-living” his entire life.
He was not only as reported by the boxing historian, Mike Casey and others, a great boxer, but what those historians didn’t know was that boxing was only a portion of his life. A smaller than would be expected part of his life. There was a lot more to Joey Giardello than boxing.
He was truly a great man.
I take pride in saying that I never met Joey Giardello. In 1982 I met Carmine Tilelli and was told that he was a famous boxer -- a world champion. And while he related some insider boxing stories he talked mostly about his family and the remarkable deeds of his number two son, Carman.
I learned that Carman, while born with Down syndrome had accomplished more in his life than most “normal” people. He met more celebrities; maintained a full time job; and imitated Elvis, Jimmy Durante and Ed Sullivan better than most impersonators. Carman won gold at the Special Olympic for a 300 yard race. He won a weight lifting contest. Carman as a Boy Scout went to Theodore Roosevelt Camp. He received a trophy for never missing a Little League Baseball game.
Now there was a proud papa.
Carman also met more celebrities than seen on a red carpet night in Hollywood. Famous folks: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Durante, and Frankie Avalon; in politics, Richard Nixon, Ted Kennedy, Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver; in sports, Tommy LaSorda, Mark Gastineau, plus too many Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles to name; boxers, Rocky Graziano, Willie Pep, Chico Vejar, Jake LaMota, Carmen Basilio, and too many more to list here.
Joey became involved and raised more money for charitable organizations that helped children with special needs than he probably earned for himself after leaving the ring. He held boxing exhibitions in 1969 and 1972 with many of the aforementioned boxers who squared off for charity. Many fans would attend these events just to see the referees, Jersey Joe Walcott, Jack Dempsey and James Braddock.
He met with Sargent and Eunice Shriver and volunteered his time to help launch the Special Olympics in 1968.
Joey was never more proud than when Carman retired from his job after 28 years at Cherry Hill Township, The Township named a building in his honor – The Carman Tilelli Community Center.
Joey was so much more than a boxer. He was a true humanitarian, a fund raiser for special needs children, a loving father and a husband,
And yes, middleweight champion 1963-1965.
With affection,
Charlie Redner
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