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 ...
This is Halloween.
We are preparing for Halloween around here. It has been unseasonably hot, but we are undeterred. We live in a wonderful peanut-butter-and-jelly neighborhood. There are tons of kids and everyone decorates their homes with jack-o-lanterns. And as a friend pointed out yesterday, Halloween is one of the few times we experience actual community in ...
Beisbol and Urban Legends
HEADLINE: The Cardinals ended a 24-year World Series title drought with a 4-2 win over Detroit in Game 5. That's baseball speak for "the World Series is over and the St. Louis Cardinals won." I like baseball. I'm Cuban. I'm pretty sure it's a federal mandate of some sort - "if you're Cuban, you must like ...
Cuban-Americans. Version 2.0
I get compliments on my kids. People say they are charming and handsome and pretty and funny and well-mannered and talented and smart. I always say, "thank you," and secretly take a bow. (as if I could really take credit for their accomplishments - I'm not that delusional)For the most part, I'm still in "active ...
Was it worth it for the apple pie?
I went because it was important to him. He doesn't usually do stuff with me and the younger kids. But today he wanted to take us to Julian, California. Just for the day. Adam is 20 and his real life doesn't include a mother and siblings. This is why we made the extra effort to go with him. (that, and we took Eric's Mustang) Julian is a ...
Las Hermanitas Verdés
Because some of you were curious. Here is our "recently arrived from Cuba" picture. I can see that we obligingly smiled for the camera, but I can also see past the smiles to the pain and confusion we were experiencing. My sisters, from left to right: Miriam, Ofelia, Alina and Helen. That's me with the mop of curls clutching my ...
Easily entertained…
I know this is going to sound shallow, but I went to Disneyland last night to have dinner and see the decorations.... WITHOUT MY KIDS. I know. I know. I was raised Catholic and I don't know who did it, but I know someone declared this to be a Mortal Sin. (I can see myself writing: "I will not feel guilty" - 100 times on the ...
