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Amedeo Clemente Modigliani (1884 – 1920)  Italian painter and sculptor known for portraits and nudes in a modern style characterized by a surreal elongation of faces, necks, and figures that were not received well during his lifetime, but later became much sought-after. Modigliani spent his youth in Italy, and moved to Paris in 1906, where he came into contact with such artists as Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brâncuși. More

"Hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars have been spent on what was sold as a revolution in transparency and accountability. Instead, police departments routinely refuse to release footage — even when officers kill. More at ProPublica ➜

It was a slow day
at the station. He was
passing the time,
thumbing through magazines.
It was getting close to quitting.
He was ready, believing,
he needed some R & R, or
rest and relaxation.

He was a lonely, widowed man.
Having lived alone for these
past years of his life.
His first love, his wife had
passed to the ravages of
Alzheimer Disease. He was living
alone, in an independent
living facility but needed more interaction.
It was why he took the job.
He had family but visits were
intermittent. Life presents challenges
and this once introverted young man,
now relished talking with people.
Friends or strangers, it mattered not
(to be continued)

He was observant and saw many
people from the window of his
workplace. He had noticed a
young lady, every day and remarked,
She seemed energetic and always smiled.
One day she came and looked sad.
Her eyes were red.
He took a break to have a cup
of tea. The tea shopped where e
went was full. There was an open
spot. As he approached, asking if he
could sit. He realized it table was
occupied, by the same young lady,
he had observed earlier that day.
He sat and exchanged pleasantries.
Slowly, they began to talk. Both lonely
souls, lost in reverie.
He told her his story about being
married and losing his wife from
Dementia-Alzheimer. She began
with a sad story of a lost love. She
had been married, when a tragic
accident happened she lost her husband,
of 12 years.

They talked of the many things,
they enjoyed doing when married,
in their past lives and how difficult
it was when memories reminded them
of what they had lost and would never
again, enjoy with their partners.
The Holidays were approaching and
neither had plans nor the desire to
celebrate. They did agree to meet,
once a week and establish a friendship.
They met several times during the month
and it kindled a sweet relationship, like
father and daughter. The Holidays came,
and they gathered, just the two of them
to celebrate the importance of lonely lives,
into one. They shared happiness. A gift
of love and respect for each of their lives.
They were now embarked with a gift of
love and friendship.
This world can be a lonely place for many
but by talking about their past, they found
a new life and relationship.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Massive stars in our Milky Way Galaxy live spectacular lives. Collapsing from vast cosmic clouds, their nuclear furnaces ignite and create heavy elements in their cores. After only a few million years for the most massive stars, the enriched material is blasted back into interstellar space where star formation can begin anew. The expanding debris cloud known as Cassiopeia A is an example of this final phase of the stellar life cycle. Light from the supernova explosion that created this remnant would have been first seen in planet Earth's sky about 350 years ago, although it took that light 11,000 years to reach us. This sharp NIRCam image from the James Webb Space Telescope shows the still hot filaments and knots in the supernova remnant. The whitish, smoke-like outer shell of the expanding blast wave is about 20 light-years across. Light echoes from the massive star's cataclysmic explosion are also identified in Webb's detailed image of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. Tonight watch: The Geminids

This sweet potato casserole is easy to make, with a creamy filling and crunchy topping. It's loaded with sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and spices, and topped with a crunchy pecan and oat mixture. Enjoy a delicious holiday dish! More at Oh Sweet Basil ➜

Bells ringing on the corner,
red kettle, in hand.
Collecting coins,
throughout the land.

Long will I remember,
praying up above,
for salvation
of the one I love.

This time of year,
this time is sought,
to help others with
those things or have nots.

The days this week,
as my birthday nears,
will crawl by.
No shedding of tears,

for I approach another
event with joy no fears,
for the big occasion,
celebrating eighty-nine years.

A curl of smoke,
clouds the air.
What say you,
it's your hair.

Must not smoke,
in bed at night,
when fun of your smoking,
is not a delight.