I've written before about how my family spent summers in Varadero Beach in pre-castro Cuba.My grandmother's birthday was in late June so we would be out of Havana and not with her to celebrate. So we would call.... It seems like such a simple thing, making a phone call from Varadero to Havana, but it was quite an elaborate operation because the ...
When in Rome…
It was a TOGA party we had last night for Adam's birthday.(And yes, we did a sing along - to Disney's Hercules)I dressed in a toga.I cooked dinner in my toga.I became quite attached to my toga.They're very comfortable and I think I look spectacular in RED. Heck, this might turn out to be our Christmas card picture this year.... (that wouldn't ...
Nuclear power
When Adam was a toddler, he picked up the nickname "Adam Bomb."He was kind of a big, cuddly, brute of a toddler and the name fit.He was an amazing phenomenon....just like the atom.If atoms are so small, I've often wondered, how can they release the kind of energy needed to create a nuclear explosion?I wondered the same thing as I was attempting to ...
Helen…. Wheels?
My sister, Helen, has a daughter, whom she named... Helen. I know. It was a totally Cuban thing to name children after their parents back in the day, but that's not important right now. Technically, she named her Helen del Carmen.So in order to differentiate between them, the family thing has been to call the younger Helen by her full name: ...
Caught in the moment
Our kids get such a kick out of the way Eric and I interact.There's always a lot of eye-rolling and sheesh-ing when we are affectionate in their presence.But I know they like it. They like that we are always holding hands and giving each other meaningful looks.Lucy especially likes to photograph us candidly. It's probably comforting to think that ...
Bilingual in the Bubble
DISCLAIMER: The following post may not be completely understandable to my non-Cuban blog readers. I apologize in advance. I often refer to South Orange County (where we live) as The Bubble. This is white whole-wheat bread capital of So Cal.I miss my Bilingual in the Boonies friend, Carrie. Unlike my (lovely and fabulous) American friends, ...
Yes, I do live in a Pottery Barn catalog. (I wish)
I'm not jealous. I'm not.I know what it looks like. A spread from a Pottery Barn Catalog.But you're wrong.This was our Fourth of July picnic. Here in Orange County.Yes, that is teak furniture. And Tommy Hilfiger quilts. And fresh flowers. (not jealous at all!)I felt like I had fallen into a fabulous Lifestyle Magazine. (Heavy Sigh)And no, I had ...
Because fireworks always make me cry (but that’s not important right now)…
We're taking the day off, of course.We'll swim today. It's hot here in Southern California.Later we're meeting some other families to share food and a picnic at our local lake.We'll wait until the sun has set and we'll all watch the fireworks together.Just a typical family celebrating a typical 4th of July. With one small exception.When I typically ...
Thinking of you
The Hallmark people are so clever.You can pretty much get a card for just about any occasion. So if you're thinking of someone, you get them a "thinking of you" card and sign it and send it off. The recipient opens it and thinks, "Ah, someone's thinking of me." It's a very sweet exchange all around. However, I think I can one-up Hallmark ...
Island girls blog, too.
The Balboa Island Ferry.Just one of those local historically charming things we have here in South Orange County.Since 1919 the auto ferry has been taking 3 cars at a time (plus pedestrian passengers) back and forth between Balboa Island and the Fun Zone at the Balboa Peninsula. To my complete excitement and delight, my Cuban friend, Carrie, of ...
