Calling Rita

PHOTO: Pfänder mountain in western Austria, where I proposed marriage to my wonderful wife. ... I took this photo of the spot where I proposed a few minutes later. We could see Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. 

This early evening, I called my Austrian cousin Rita in western Austria from my wife's/my home in southeastern Florida slightly after 6 p.m., Eastern Time/U.S. Rita wasn't home, so I left a message on her answering machine in English and in German. I will try again tomorrow. 

Long ago, my father created this tradition. In the early 1980s, my father and I took a trip to western Austria to visit many of our Austrian cousins, including Hans and his wife Rita. We spent New Year's Eve at Hans and Rita's house. When we returned home, my dad started a new tradition where Dad would call Hans on the phone from Dad's house on Long Island, New York, and later in Maryland, every Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time/U.S., which was 12 a.m./Midnight Austrian Time/Central European Time on Jan. 1. My father wanted to be one of the first people to wish Hans and Rita a Happy New Year. 

After my dad passed away in February 1997, I continued the tradition from wherever I was living. Hans passed away in November 2013, so since then, I have been calling Rita directly. 

Since the early 1980s, I have visited my Austrian cousins across Austria seven times and have gone skiing in the Austrian Alps with several of them on many of those trips. 

On April 10, 2005, I proposed marriage to my future wife on a nearby snowy mountaintop with Hans and Rita just several yards from us. The four of us went for lunch and then returned to their home to celebrate with two more Austrian cousins (Blanka, Hans' sister, R.I.P.; and her son Markus). 

My wife and I continue our trip by train to visit with more of my cousins in Salzburg and in Grinzing, near Vienna. 

We wed in southeastern Florida on February 4, 2006, and we are still married.

December 31, 2025, at home

New Year's Eve Fare

My wonderful wife made this batch of split pea soup today. New Year's Eve split pea soup is a traditional dish symbolizing wealth (green peas = money) for the coming year. I will eat some his evening, as well as creamed herring. Eating herring on New Year's Eve is a European tradition, especially in Poland, Germany, and Scandinavia, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and abundance for the coming year because of the fish's plentiful nature, silver color (like coins), and forward-swimming movement.

December 31, 2025, at home

"Distractions"

No Interruptions Day today, specifically the last work day of the year, gives me the opportunity to share with you my favorite Paul McCartney solo song: "Distractions." I like this music video.

https://youtu.be/rGiSrVqFPDQ?si=Hdb0C5T8e-L79ymS

December 31, 2025, at home 

Today Is ...

I prefer Prosecco to Champagne.

December 31, 2025, at home

"Make Up Your Mind Day encourages us to quit wavering, to take a side, and follow through with a decision and stick to it." - National Day Calendar

December 31, 2025, at home

Cella's From Santa AKA Dad

Every Christmas for many decades, my dad would give me a box of Cella's chocolate-covered cordial cherries from Santa. (They HAD to be Cella's.) After he passed away in February 1997, I continued this heartfelt tradition by purchasing a box of them and giving it to myself from Santa (from my dad) every Christmas. (They must always be Cella's.) Here is this year's box for Christmas 2025.

December 30, 2025, at home

Today Is ...

From 1992 to 1996, I was a reporter, writer, editor, and researcher for an international weekly magazine on the financial and technical aspects of the chemical industry. We were based in the financial district of New York City, quite close to Wall Street.

In 1993, I was sent on a business trip to the town of Rifle in northwestern Colorado, near the border with Wyoming, to cover the opening of a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution mine. Hot water is pumped into the ground to dissolve the bicarb, and then the solution is extracted through another hole in the ground. The solution is then dehydrated, leaving only the powdered bicarb. The factory produced six grades of baking soda for various industrial and home uses.

I remember making the mistake of wearing black patent leather shoes in the factory. When I emerged, they were covered in white powder.

That was a nice trip. I flew into Aspen on the day before the ski season officially started. I wouldn't have been able to go skiing anyway. Also, after the opening, I traveled to Denver to spend the weekend visiting with my cousin Manuel (R.I.P.) who lived there.

December 30, 2025, at home

"Welcome Home" Cake

My wife and my mom got me this "Welcome Home" cannoli cake for my return home from my physical rehabilitation facility about two weeks ago. I just enjoyed the first piece. I returned home on Dec. 13, 2025, from my six-week-long stint, including at the hospital and my rehab facility following my two surgeries in early November 2025.

*Nov. 4, 2025: artery bypass surgery (three-foot-long blockage in the main artery in my left leg; removal of three-foot-long piece of the main vein in my right leg to be inserted within my left leg to bypass my blocked artery) ... I required 70 metal staples in my right leg; 16 in my upper left thigh; and 10 in my left calf above my left ankle. (Total: 96)

*Nov. 8, 2025: left foot surgery (Part of the 3rd and 4th toes of my left foot were amputated due to the artery blockage.)

I was receiving four bags of powerful intravenous antibiotics every day during a six-week-long regimen for a bone infection in the big toe of my left foot. I was also engaging in occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) at rehab.

My legs and left foot are healing well, but I still require a home nurse for the wounds of my missing toes and in the heel of my left foot. My three leg incisions seem to be healed, although they look like a series of reddish-purple division signs (÷) with the lines connected.

I no longer require further OT because I have remastered basic skills: getting out of bed, dressing myself, brushing my teeth, using the bathroom, etc. I do require further PT at home, because my legs are still weak. In my rehab facility, I performed exercises for my upper and lower body. I was able to walk short distances while using a walker.

I haven't been able to walk without support for about three years due to many recent surgeries. Between March 2022 and November 2025, I have endured eight surgeries: 1 open heart; 2 chest; 2 spine; 1 right ankle; and, last month, 1 both legs, and 1 left foot.

December 29, 2025, at home

AI Video(s) Of Myself

5 ai videos of myself (Dec. 28, 2025)

*** THESE VIDEOS OF MYSELF ARE FAKE. ***

I created, combined, and uploaded five 9-second-long, AI (Artificial Intelligence) videos of myself. I used an app titled Sora. (length: 59 seconds) ... My podiatrist told me about it. It's free to make 9-second-long videos, but there is a charge to make longer videos. I opted for the free version. NOTE: That is NOT my real voice, although it sounds somewhat similar to mine.

1. 1980s Sitcom

2. Boxing

3. Skydiving

4. Football

5. Magician

https://youtube.com/shorts/O2xO3W7uPeY?si=5NERrOsh9WsBwuY4

December 28, 2025, at home

Tick Tock & Pepper Pot

Tick Tock Day, observed annually on December 29th, reminds us to complete any unfinished business that might need addressing before the end of the year.

December 29, 2025, at home

Today Is ...

From husband Bill, December 28, 2025, at home

Holy Innocents Day, observed annually on Dec. 28 (sometimes 29), commemorates the execution of the innocent, male children in Bethlehem as told in Matthew 2:16. On this day, it is custom to give the youngest son in the household the power to rule the day. From what to eat, where to go, and what to do, the youngest son is in charge. In Mexico, it is a day for children to play practical jokes and pranks on their elders.

From husband Bill, December 28, 2025, at home

In the mid-1980s, while studying at Villanova University, I wrote and created an eight-minute-long movie for my film-production course. A few of my friends were in my film which was somewhat of an Alfred Hitchcock-type thriller. I also took courses in film analysis, television production, theater production, and print journalism. That was after two-and-a-half years, when I changed my major from pre-med to communications with a minor in the French language. I graduated in December 1984. Soon after, I would secure a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia in May 1988.

From husband Bill, December 28, 2025, at home

My favorite chocolate-related candies are chocolate-covered marzipan and chocolate-covered candied orange peels.

From husband Bill, December 28, 2025, at home

My preferred card game is Hearts. I used to play Euchre for a short time decades ago, but I have forgotten how to play. In the 1980s, I learned how to play the Swiss card game Jass (pronounced "yahss") in Austria. I have also forgotten how to play. Also, when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s, I used to play a card game called Boss with my maternal grandfather. We always had a bowl of figs from his fig tree right in the middle of his garden. When he won a hand, he would tell me to eat a fig. When I won a hand, I would tell him to eat a fig.

From husband Bill, December 28, 2025, at home

Back in the 1960s, when I was a young kid, at school, we would face the flag in our classroom and recite The Pledge of Allegiance every school-day morning.

Christmas Eve Piano Improv

I created and uploaded a video of myself improvising on my digital piano onto my YouTube channel: "Bill Santos: Piano & More." (length: 2'15") ... Although I haven't properly played the piano in quite a while due to medical issues, I sound relatively OK.

I like to sit at my digital piano and just start playing whatever is in my head at that time. I make it up as I go along. This is my method with all of my piano improvisational videos.

My wife and I visited my mom at her home for a celebratory Christmas Eve dinner and festivities. We live less than a mile from her. We opened presents, and I played the piano.

Christmas Eve Piano Improv (Dec. 24, 2025)

https://youtube.com/shorts/yNUeOIaWAGM?si=Dh9g22IUHtyoCwht

December 27, 2025, at home

National Fruitcake Day

I like fruitcake: the regular version; Italian panettone; and Austrian/German stollen (pronounced shh-TOH-lenn).

December 27, 2025, at home

"Silent Night" Video

I created and uploaded a video of myself playing the Austrian song "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" ("Silent Night, Holy Night") on my digital piano onto my YouTube channel. (length: 3'04") ... Although I haven't properly played the piano in quite a while due to medical issues, I sound relatively OK.

My wife and I visited my mom at her home for a celebratory Christmas Eve dinner and festivities. We live less than a mile from her. We opened presents, and I played the piano.

"Silent Night" (Dec. 24, 2025)

https://youtu.be/XggwNOB0AxM?si=UgemC-M_NfAkkzUS

December 26, 2025, at home

Gold Cornicello From My Mom

Many thanks go to my terrific mother for giving me this cornicello and gold chain as a Christmas present. 

"The Italian horn (cornicello) signifies protection against the evil eye (malocchio), good luck, fertility, and strong Italian heritage, acting as a talisman to bring fortune, deflect negativity, and connect wearers to their roots, often seen as a twisted horn or phallic symbol representing abundance and strength." - Google 

I asked my mom to give it to me as a gift. Heritage states that it is ineffective if you buy it for yourself. I am half Italian (all on my mother's side of the family). I will turn 65 years old in February 2026, and I have never worn a cornicello. I thought that now is an auspicious moment in time to start wearing one. Actually, I should have been wearing one much sooner. 

Between March 2022 and November 2025, I endured eight serious surgeries. I got the idea during this Christmas season that I need protection and some good luck regarding my physical condition. I am blessed in so many other ways. 

Happy Christmas !!! 🎄

December 26, 2025, at home

MMT on Boxing Day

From husband Bill, December 26, 2025, at home

58 years ago today on Boxing Day (December 26, 1967), The Beatles movie "Magical Mystery Tour" ran for about an hour and was broadcast in England. I have watched this movie many times, mostly at the many Beatles conventions that I attended in New York City as a teenager in the 1970s, and into the 1980s, when the convention moved to New Jersey.

For my high school prom in June 1979, I dressed like The Beatles from this movie, well, as close as I could get. I wanted to wear tails like The Beatles and a black carnation like Paul McCartney, but my mom said no. Also, as a teenager in the 1970s, I often wore my T-shirt with the photo in the bottom right photo from the movie on the front of the shirt. Back then, photos were transferred onto thin sheets of rubber and then glued onto T-shirts.

While the colorfully striking movie was basically a flop because it was broadcast on one of the BBC channels in black and white, the double-EP (extended play) vinyl records and accompanying booklet of photos sold exceptionally well. (Part of the cover can be seen in the upper right of this composite photo.) It was later turned into a vinyl album with the six songs from the movie on Side One and five songs that were released as singles on Side Two. The German album, which I used to have on vinyl, was released in true stereo, while the U.S. album, which I also had on vinyl, was released in fake stereo. I have the U.S. release on CD. I also have the German release on a bootleg CD, which also contains the mono version of The Beatles 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." I also have the "Magical Mystery Tour" movie on DVD and on VHS videotape.

Long ago, I met Neil Innes (R.I.P.) at a Beatles convention and got his autograph. He appeared in the movie as a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He also played "Ron Nasty," the John Lennon-type character in the 1978 parody TV movie "All You Need Is Cash," starring The Rutles. As a 17-year-old, I watched the initial broadcast on TV in 1978. I also have the movie on DVD.

Today Is ...

From husband Bill, December 26, 2025, at home