Personal Electoral Nostalgia: I became an American citizen on April 17, 1975. I voted in my first presidential election the following year. No, I did not vote for the peanut farmer, but I did stop in Plains, Georgia while traveling cross country at the time, and bought some Billy Beer, just to say I did. I have been proud to ...
PSA
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." ~ Edmund Burke Do something good today. Go vote. Then get on your knees and thank God for that amazing privilege. ...
My Creative Process….
"Ladies and Gentlemen, make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened and place your tray tables in the locked upright position." "We're ready for take off!" Someone was asking about my creative process. As if it might be something easy to describe. I have to look at something for a long time before ideas begin to pop into ...
Who’s on The List?
I've got a list. It's a long and sloppy thing. I add things randomly and I cross them out occasionally. I have a list of things I'd like to do in my lifetime. Of places I'd like to go. Of performers I'd like to see. There are silly things on it, some serious, lots of fun stuff. I always ...
Es para miel cua…
The title of this post is the first line of our Cuban alma mater. (well... the way we sang it, anyway. It's really an inside joke in my family.) "Es para mi el cuatro de Noviembre...." Loose translation.. "For me, the 4th of November...." and it goes on to say how special a day it is because it is the birthday of our school in ...
It’s not you. It’s me.
So after I posted my "oh what a terrible businesswoman I am" speech this morning, about my Cuba to Go! business, I get an email from the fabulous and astute Marc Masferrer over at Uncommon Sense (who by the way, loves Cuban women) asking: "I was looking at your shirts, and I didn't see a place to designate the size? Am I ...
Taking care of business
I have a confession to make: I am a terrible businesswoman. Let me explain. I have my online store called Cuba to Go! It's pretty straightforward. I have come up with some fun designs for shirts and bags and things. My products are all about showing off your Cuban heritage. My husband is an Internet marketing guy ...
Maps of Cuba in the House
or "What it's like to grow up in a Cuban-American home" by Lucy Ruth DarbyThat is Lucy's working title for her memoirs. She insists that growing up in South Orange County with a surfer for a dad and a Cuban mother make her life a little...ummm...different. (and yes, "surfers" are an entire demographic down here.) Here's where ...
In omnia…
As we head downstairs each day, we are greeted by this: In omnia paratus. It is Latin. It means "prepared for all things." In other words... "Ready for anything." It is a daily reminder of an attitude I want for myself and my family. It resonates in me. I want to be prepared for whatever life throws our way. And it's kind ...
Japi Jalo Uin (Happy Halloween)
In October of 1961, having been in the states for about 8 months, we found out about the delicious custom of Halloween. At first there was the confusion of why we would be dressing up: "Is it like carnaval? Is there a parade we get to ride in?" ("Pardon me..... but your Caribbean roots are showing.") It was exactly like a Jerry Seinfeld ...