65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) United States Army

The 65th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed "The Borinqueneers" (a combination of Borinquén and Buccaneer), was an all-volunteer Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army.  Its motto was Honor et Fidelitas, Latin for Honor and Fidelity.  It participated in World War I (actually having the distinction of firing the the first shot of that war) , World War II, the Korean War; and as the combined battalion with the 92nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, PRARNG, in the War against Terrorism and Operations Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom.  "Puerto Ricans have participated in every major American military conflict, from the American Revolution, when volunteers from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico fought the British in 1779 under the command of General Bernardo de Gálvez (1746 -1786), to the present-day conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan."  Wikipedia  

The regiment first became the "The Porto (Puerto) Rico Regiment" in 1898 and served in World War I.  It also saw active duty in World War II but it was it's involvement in the Korean War which brought about most of it's casualties and even a mass court martial of nearly one hundred of it's soldiers.  This disgrace was later cleared up and all those involved were pardoned by the then Secretary of Army Robert Stevens but I am getting ahead of myself; let me tell you of the early formation of this most remarkable battalion first.

When it was first commissioned by the U.S. Congress, through The Army Appropriation Bill on March 2, 1889; it was to consist of native Puerto Rican infantry men and "continental" officers.  The term "continental" meant men that were from the continental United States, non-natives and therefore non-spanish speaking officers.  On June 30, 1901, the "Porto (Puerto) Rico Provisional Regiment of Infantry" was organized and with it the foundation of  complications which let to its tragic casualties in Korea and subsequent reassignment to the 92 Infantry Brigade fifty-five years later. 

Puerto Ricans of the 65th Infantry were subjected to segregation and discrimination because they were considered of a mixed race by their superiors. An Act of Congress, approved on May 27, 1908, reorganized the regiment as part of the "regular" Army.  Since the native Puerto Rican officers where Puerto Rican citizens and not U.S. citizens, they were required to under go a new physical examination to determine their fitness for the commissions in the Regular Army and to take an oath of U.S. citizenship with their new officers oath. This new physical examination was in addition to any regular training taken by any other "continental" officer.  And to require a U.S. citizenship oath, at a time when U.S. citizenship was still not granted to us, was literally forcing the recruit to give up his native citizenship.

Confidence in these new recruits; even after being put to use in the Panama Zone during World War I & II and successful campaigns in Naples-Fogis, Central Europe and the Battle of Rhineland, was not very high.  So an exercise (OPERATION PORTEX) was conceived whereas Vieques would be defended by the 65th Infantry Regiment against the combined forces of the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.  The liberators (American Forces) consisted of 32,600 combat troops from the 82nd Airborne Division's 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment and Marine Corps, who received support from the Navy and Air Force.  Despite the large number of troops deployed, the 65th Infantry (the aggressor) was able to halt the offensive forces on the beaches of the island. Colonel Willliam W Harris, the commanding officer of the 65th, stated:

     "Stopping the assault forces at the water's edge proved that the Puerto 
     Ricans could hold their own against the best-trained soldiers that the 
    United States Army could put into the field."  Wikipedia

The success of Operation PORTEX propelled the Army to deploy the 65th Infantry Regiment to Korea.

The Boriqueneers were lethal in their encounters with the Koreans, and later the Chinese, who entered the war on the side of the Koreans.  One of the first documented acts of bravery was when the U.S. Marines withdrew from the Chosin Reservoir and were surrounded by the Chinese close to the Manchurian Border, it was the 65th Infantry that went in to help them get out and kept the rear guarded enabling the Marines to escape to safety.  This encounter and others like it at Outpost Kelly and Jackson Heights, gave distinction and honor to many of the 65th Infantry.

As the war pressed on and the inability to communicate with their superiors continued, the 65th Infantry Regiment, suffers a great amount of casualties and a hundred and sixty-two are arrested for refusing to fight.  Ninety-Five are court martial and Ninety-One are found guilty.  The Army at first kept quiet over the affair but once information got out through soldier's letters to their families, the Army began secret negotiations with the government of Puerto Rico.  That is where information on the mistreatments inflicted by the officers which included the denial of special rations of rice and beans, not being allowed to call themselves "Borinqueneers", ordered to shave of their mustaches (an important symbol of maleness), combat exhaustion and other humiliations, came to light and is believed have contributed to some men refusing to fight.  Mind you, Puerto Ricans were not the only ones refusing to fight but were the only ones court martiaedl.  That is where Secretary of the Army Robert Stevens moved quickly to remit the sentences and granted clemency and pardons to all those involved.

As a consequence of these court martials, the 65th Infantry Regiment was integrated and infused into the 92nd Infantry Brigade. 

On February 12, 1951, the great General Douglas MacArthur was quoted in Tokyo saying the following:

     "The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry on the 
     battlefields of Korea... are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle
     and I am proud indeed to have them in this command.  I wish that we might
     have many more like them."   Wikipedia

I sure am proud of finding information on these proud and hardy men who sacrificed their lives for me and mine.  I thought it would be neat to show some of these brave men's hard fought for metals.  Below are some of the medals earned by the Borinqueneers in Korea:

Individual awards in Korean War

Distinguished Service Cross 10

Silver Star 256

Bronze Star 606

Purple Heart 2,771

Aqui Se Habla Moreno

My Dad, Benigno Echevarria Rodriguez, also known as Benny, is an funny character.  Raised in the old ways, with old fashioned values, he still finds a way to find humor and keep things up to date.

I decided to come visit my Dad in Puerto Rico and have him meet my Fiancé, Israel Lopez.  They both hit it off magnificently since they are both jokers.  Dad immediately declared that Israel is Morenito.  In this sense, he was simply stating that he liked him.

Now the word moreno, is the Spanish word for dark skinned.  Israel is not dark skinned, this is not the point.  My Dad uses it in a totally different way.  He uses it if you are misbehaving, dark skinned, of questionable character or taste,  you could be a good person or involved in an illegal or immoral activity.  He laughs it off but those that know him know that there is a deep rooted reason for his use of this word.  My Dad is racist.

It doesn't matter that Grandpa Hipolito, his father, was high yellow black.  Dad is jabao himself and has always made comments when darkies are around.  Benny has a bad habit of calling most people here on the island moreno; they assure me they don't mind when I scold him, but I still worry that someone will take offense and hurt him.  You see, Daddy is 81 years old and frail.

Being in his 80's didn't stop him from opening another Zapateria and re-establishing himself in his old profession.  Don't put your nose up, my Dad raised 15 kids (6 Antonia's, 4 Mery's and 5 His) repairing shoes.  He never stopped working.  He puts me and many others to shame.

Getting back to Benny's "moreno" ways.  When Israel informed him that I had stated I would be getting a life insurance policy out on him, since he is so accident prone, Daddy simply looked at him and stated "make sure you also name me as a beneficiary."  I almost fell out of my chair laughing!  This was on the first day that they met!

I have no idea how my Dad did not disown me when I married my children's father who happened to be both Black and Cuban.  That is what you call a double no-no in Benny's world.  But I am his only daughter and Daddy is one of those rare men that love daughters.

And finally with that in mind, Dad used his moreno charms and made me an offer I could not refuse and I am now relocating to Puerto Rico.  It seems to me that all is falling into place.  I have been advocating Statehood for my island for 2 years now, my genealogy work is mostly here and which better place to take care of business than in the heart of the matter?  After almost 50 years, I am back in Puerto Rico.  I am finally home.

moreno(a) = dark skinned
zapateria - Shoe Repair Shop
darkies = slang for colored.
high yellow black = a black person that has white blood and therefore light skinned black.
jabao = a black person so light skinned that you can't tell they are black.
Antonia = 1st Wife
Mery = 2nd Wife

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

There are some songs that are so poetic and profound that they are meant to be discussed in length, as is the song I am now going to post here and translate.  I hope you enjoy its lyrics and find it as truthful and poignant as I did.  Ricardo Arjona is of Guatemalian descent, a talented singer/song writer who writes about social injustices.  A former teacher and basketball player in his homeland.  He has been in the music scene since 1985; this song was released in 1996.

Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

(If the North Where the South)

Artist: Ricardo Arjona

Album: Si El Norte Fuera El Sur

El Norte, sus McDonald's, basketball y Rock n' Roll

[The North, with its McDonald's, basketball and Rock n' Roll]

Sus topless, sus Madonas y el abdomen de Stallone

[It's topless (bars), it's Madonnas and the abdomen of Stallone]

Intelectuales del bonceados, eruditos de supermercado

[Intellectuals of tanning, scholars of the supermarket]

Tienen todo pero nada han pagado

[Have everything but have paid for nothing]

Con 18 eres un niño para un trago en algún bar

[At 18, you are a child for a drink at any bar]

Pero ya eres todo un hmbre pa' la guerra y pa' matar

[But, you are already a grown man for war and to kill]

Viva Vietnam y que viva Forest Gump

[Long Live Vietnam and Long Live Forrest Gump]

Viva Wall Street y que viva Donald Trump

[Long Live Wall Street and Long Live Donald Trump]

Viva el Seven Eleven

[Long Live Seven Eleven]

Polvean sus nariz y usan jeringa en sus bolsillos

[Dust their nose and use syringes in their pockets]

Viajan con Marihuana para entender la situación

[They travel with Marijuana to understand the situation]

De este juez del planeta que lanza una invitación

[Of this judge of the planet which sent forth an invitation]

Cortar se lo a tú marido y ganarás reputación

[Cut it off your husband (as in Lorena Bobbit) and you will earn a reputation (become famous)]

Coro:

[Chorus]

Las barras y las estrellas se adueñan de mi bandera

[The stripes and stairs are overpowering my flag]

Y nuestra libertad no es otra cosa que una ramera

[And our liberty is nothing more than a whore]

Y si la deuda externa nos robo la primavera

[And if the external debt robbed us of our spring]

Al diablo la geographia se acabaron las fronteras

[To the Devil with geography, the borders are no more]

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, los Sioux los marginados, 
[If the North were the South, the Sioux would be the ones marginalized,]


ser moreno y chaparrito sería el look mas cotizado.
[being brown (mixed) and short would be the look most desired]


Marco sería el Rambo Mexicano y Cindy Crawford la Menchú de mis paisanos, 
[(Subcommander) Mark (Leader of the Zapatista Movement) would be the Mexican Rambo and Cindy Crawford the (Rigoberta) Menchú (Activist) of my countrymen]


Reagan sería Somosa.
[(Ronald) Reagan would be (Anastasio) Somosa (Marxist)]


Fidel sería una atleta corriendo bolsas por Wall Street.

[Fidel (Castro) would be an athlete running bags for Wall Street]

Y el Ché hara hamburguesas al estilo Double Meat.

[And Che (Guevarra) (Revolutionary Rebel) would be flipping hamburgers to the order of Double Meat]

Los yankees de mojados a Tijuana.

[The yankees (Americans) wetbacks to Tijuana]

Y las balsas de Miami a la Habana, si el Norte fuera el Sur.

[The floats from Miami to Havana, if the North were the South]

Seríamos igual o tal vez un poco peor

[We would be the same or perhaps a little worst off]

Con las Malvinas por Groenlandia

[The Falkland Islands by Greenland]

Y en Guatemala un Disneylandia

[And in Guatemala a Disneyland]

Y un Simón Bolivar rompiendo su secreto

[And a Simon Bolivar breaking his secret]

Ah les va el 187, fuera a los yankees por decreto

[Oh, there goes the 187, outcast the yankees (Americans) by decree]

Coro:  2 X

[Chorus] 2 X

Si el Norte fuera el Sur, sería la misma porqueria

[If the North were the South, it would be the same rubbish]

Yo cantaria un Rap y esta canción no existiría.

[I would be singing Rap and this song would not exist]

Once again, thank you Wikipedia for information on these comparisons; www.musica.com/letras.asp?letra-93672 for the lyrics; Google Translate for help with the translations; Yours Truly for translating the song to English; and Ricardo Arjona for this inspiring creation.

The Influence of Your Name

Most people go around their whole lives not knowing that the significance of their name has a great bearing on who they are and who they will become.  There are whole libraries dedicated to the etymology (study of origins of words) and onomastics (study of proper names) research of names.  I am a true believer that a strong name develops a strong individual.  With this in mind, I have researched the names of those in my extended family, since we are numerous enough to nicely fill in a page; I will ask that you patiently go down the list.  I hope this is a blessing to my family individually and collectively.

Our matriarch, Antonia, a very strong name indeed.  It means Praiseworthy and Priceless.  The Queen Bee of the Family.  Very appropriate.  Very popular in Greece and Italy; of Spanish and English origin.

Next comes our second mother, Aida.  She is the eldest of us eleven.  The one who took it upon herself to care and watch over us as we multiplied around her.  I could never be able to tell her how much I truly love and appreciate her.  Aida means Helper, Happy Bearer and Wealthy.  It is mostly found in Latin America, of Spanish, French, Italian and English origin.

Lillian is no longer with us.  Extremely bright and beautiful.  We lost our dear sister in 1994,  a victim of her own vices.  She is sorely missed.  Lillian is a blend of Lilli and Ann.  Of English Origin.

Now the third child Marilyn, she is quite a character.  Prone to exaggerating every single little thing and lives in constant dramatization of her life and those around her.  Marilyn means descendant of Mary and is derived of the name Mary; which means "wished for child."   Origin: Israeli, Hebrew and English.

Edwin's name is quite interesting.  It means Prosperous Friend, Rich in Friendship or Happy Friend.  He certainly has lived his life with gusto.  It is of English and German origin.

Vernon.  Now his name does fit him quite well.  Vernon means, Youthful and Young at Heart, Alder Tree Grove; an Aristocratic name brought fought to England from Normandy.  Vernon has always had a smile on his face and laughter has always followed him around.  Found largely in Latin America; of French and English origin.

Now, Juan, spanish for John, was truly a wonderful surprise.  I had no idea it meant "God is Gracious" and a "Gift from God."  I can't wait to tell my brother.  He needs to hear this now.  Mostly found in Spanish countries; Juan is of Hebrew origin.

Benigno is a derivative of Benign which means Good.  Also found it to mean Friendly and Kind.  I love my brother Benny, he is truly kind and very intelligent. The first of the Echevarrias.  The head of our clan.  Origin: Italy.

Elvis means Wise and Sage.  Elve wise; belonging to the Elves.  My brother Elvis is one of those complicated souls, and I will leave it at that!!  Of Scandinavian origin.

Gladys has several meanings and it really depends where you look which meaning you will find.  Feminine name from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys which bears the meaning of Royalty or Rulers.  Of Welsh origin,  it seems to mean Territorial Ruler, as in Royalty and Princess.  On the flip side, if associated with Claudia or Claud it would take a whole other meaning as in Lame.  That one I never liked and am happy to have continued researching the name and found the one meaning Royalty.  That one I like.  :)

William means Protector.  Funny, I always thought it meant Willful, as in Will I Am, and I was hoping to bring that to my brother's attention.  But it was not to be and once again my dear little brother navigated under my radar and was not to be scolded.  William is quite the Protector and his name is quite fitting.  It is of German and English origin.

And finally our baby brother, Ismael which means the "Lord will Hear" and "God Listens."  I had no idea.  Ish is truly blessed and we have all cuddled and loved him throughout his life.  Of Israeli, Hebrew and Spanish origin.

All these wonderful names.  All these beautiful blessings we are not reaping. Everyone should look up and live up to their name.  There is power in your name. Harvest it.

Research and Information taken from  www.meaning-of-names.com/ and Wikipedia (Gladys(given name)).

How to Best Walmart at their Own Game

So, here I am at Walmart getting ready to buy some detergent, dryer sheets and get coins to do my laundry ... but wait.  Let me not get ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning.

For the last 3 days, Israel and I have been staying at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, on Congress, in Boynton Beach, where their motto is "wandering encouraged" and I felt as if I have arrived at home.  Their hospitality is amazing and their service more so.  We only intended to spend one night, since we are transitioning, relocating and trying to purchase a home.  Oh yes, we are seriously involved.  :)

As I am heading out trying to catch a few errands, while allowing Israel to get a few extra minutes of well deserved sleep; I ask the attendant about Laundry Services.  At least that is what I thought I was asking.  He interpreted my question as "where is the Laundry Room" and instructed me to the "Laundry Room" where you can do your own Laundry!!!   I know, I am getting excited about Laundry!!!!  :)

Anyway, here is the kicker and the reason for this blog.  So, I run, no drive to Walmart on Old Boynton Road, and get a few things along with Detergent, ect., ect. ect.   No cashiers.  Only the automatic self serving machines.  Which is fine, only I needed change for the washing machines.

I see whom looked like a Floor Manager and asked,  "I don't mind using these machines, but I also need change to do laundry.  Can you help me with that?"

To which she replied, "we don't give change."  I was like, "go figure.  It couldn't have been that easy. " And then bang, it hit me like a lighting bolt.  I answered, "You know what?  There is more than one way to skin a cat!"  "I will pay each item individually and get my change like that!!!"

And that is what I did.  And that is how I got my change.  Without going crazy, losing my temper nor going to jail.

The End.

If Life Were Perfect

If life were perfect,
I would have married a Preacher Man
Instead I married a Fast Talker
Kind of like the same thing, eh?

If life were perfect,
I would have caught on to your lies quicker
but youth was on my side
and you counted on that, didn't cha?

If life were perfect,
My Treasure Box would have contained one more
I got a Rock
And a King
And a Jack
You would have been my turn to name
Your name would have been something strong and meaningful.

If a boy, named after a Prophet perhaps.
If a girl, maybe Ruth or Ester,  or Deborah the Female Warrior.

If life were perfect,
a 31st Anniversary would have been
around the corner

Yet, God is merciful
And instead of 4, he gave me 3
and for that missing child
I have many, yes, many that call me mom.

Yet, God is even more merciful
That everything is brand new
And a New Love is Blossoming around the corner
And the Preacher Man myth
Might still come true.

The doubt,
if life were perfect
has turned into,
I am so happy with my life as it is today
and my happily ever after
might happen just yet.

For David, my son and King.

His Daughter

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
I look at Dreamy Brown liquid, so soulful, so bright
so mysterious, so kind
the eyes of promise, of future and flight.

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
The Daughter of the One I gave my Heart to
the One I gave my solemn Vow to
The Daughter I nagged God for
And made Promises that I would Die for

Sometimes I truly forget You are His Daughter.
The One who broke my Heart and Soul
For Whose treachery I fought Padded walls
And Lived to see the Sun of Day
You Child, a third, the power
that Helped me get away.

Sometimes I forget You are His Daughter.
You are so unlike Him
You are so like Him
And so Stubborn like Me.
And it's so easy to Forget.
That you are a Soul all of your Own.
A Soul so Old and Wise.
A Soul so conning and elusive.

Sometimes I just forget.

For Neo.

State of Grace

It's not that I am not grateful;
For the graceful ways that we be today,
When you came our way we were of simpler minds
and even more simpler ways.
We dreamt of coffee fields on mountainous hills,
Of colorful mornings and wondrous sights.
We looked forward to the sounds of nature's abide
welcoming us into La Isla Del Encanto;
yes,  paradise.

It's not that I am not grateful;
For the learnt way we be today.
You brought with you fine institutions of wisdom
and established them in our small little island.
And our knowledge grew of the things you knew
For before you came
We knew only of our Mother Spain and of
our African and Taino ways.
Of 500 years, of the Old Lady's pain
and of becoming masters of healing
and music, and dance, while still appearing
humble and compliant.
Of dancing ballads from all three nations
and graceful names throughout creation.
A thousand years of Moor influence
propelled our task masters; and maritime
conquests abounded.
Of Don Quijote and fine composers,
of fine wines, architecture and fine perfumes.

Oh, what?  That is not what you heard?

You were told we were a population of illiterate peasants?
That poverty and disease ran rapid?
That we were unsophisticated and uncouth?
Void of any true culture and therefore, in need of total
revamping and Americanization?
It is true what they say,
"Don't believe everything you read".

It's not that I am not grateful;
That our agricultural lands were paved over
and industrial buildings where erected
in place of our sugar cane, coffee and tobacco crops.
And over a century of one way trading
has left Puerto Rico totally dependent on
the United States' unilateral trading practices.
Cultivating trade with other countries is
forbidden.  Reminds me of that saying;
"First you make thieves and then you punish
them for stealing?"

It's not that I am not grateful;
For allowing us the opportunity to fight in all
your wars.
Yet be seen as solely a mestizo race
and given our own little special place
called segregation and isolation.
That our beautiful, strong, lovely women
were chosen in medical experimentations
and thanks to them, we now have contraception.
Political prisoners where given radiation
and mental patients cancer cells.
If you believe we were the only ones;
And that that could not happen here?
You need to open your eyes and recognize.
The drug infestation in major cities
like New York, Chicago and California, of the
1930's, were orchestrated by vile men who wanted
to exterminate spics and niggers.

Yes, you and me.

It's not that I am not grateful,
I still believe in our forefathers' vision and still believe in
their promise.
That in this land, over here, things were
going to be different, better, and all inclusive.
That race, language, sexual preference, religious ideology
and theology, mental capacity and/or monetary deficiency
or abundance;
none of it,
none of it would matter.
You could still have a chance at the pursuit of happiness,
only if you are brave enough to chase it.
I believe in this country enough to hand over my only two sons
and say, "Now go fight for our Nation".
I tell them, "No matter where you are; Remember who you are" and
sleep soundly knowing,
that they take those words to heart.


Dedicated to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, "Good looking out Girl!"

An Open Letter to Congress

It's not that I am not grateful, but when will it be our turn?  We have waited over a century for the assimilation process to come full circle, to be called a State of this Great Nation and patiently we continue to wait.

Why are we treated like a Red Headed Step Child?  A Red Headed Step Child is that one curious child that doesn't particularly look like his father.  You know, the one whose paternity is questioned but never in public?  Boricuas, Tainos, Latinos; us the other Americans, Puerto Ricans.

It's not that I am not grateful.  Because of the U.S., I speak the language that I speak, got the education that I got and am able to communicate with you, right here and right now.  But did it have to come at the expense of an invasion?   What was that all about?  Your history books say it was in response to the Spanish threat in the Caribbean.  I found other books that said it was a strategic military decision in preparation of the Panama Canal project.  Was it really a matter of national security?  So many unanswered questions.

I am American.  Let me make this clear, let me say this again, I am American.  I did not submit an Entry Petition Application with INS.  My finger prints did not accompany this non-submitted Application nor was a Police Search made of any Criminal activity I may have been a party of due to the same phantom application.  I did not stand in front of a judge, pledged allegiance to the United States of America and swore for all eternity to forsake my previous nationality.  I was born an American.  There is no Puerto Rican citizenship.  There is no such thing.  All Puerto Ricans are born Americans.

Yet, someone, in some southern state, wondered why I didn't have a green card.  Americans don't need green cards.

It's not that I am not grateful, it's just that the process that was commenced 114 years ago is not complete.  I really don't want to be evil in my thinking, but why make us Americans so that we can be drafted into American wars and not make our homeland a State?  America, you have proclaimed to the whole world that we are as one,  yet have refused to close the deal.   Make this Red Headed Step Child legitimate.  Stop procuring stalling tactics in the form of multiple Status Ballots for the approval of the Puerto Rican population on the island while at the same time demanding a majority of 75% or higher outcome.  That is ludicrous and unattainable.

U.S. Congress we are not ignorant.  Puerto Ricans are aware of your stalling tactics, we know what you are doing, the time has come to do what is right and just.  Stop passing the buck.   With the passing of a Majority Congressional Vote, Puerto Rico will become the 51st State.  Punto y Aparte.  (translated, Finished and Put Aside; meaning. let's put an end to this already)

The Language of the Fan

As a female I love fans, don't you?  I love going into a place, no matter where, inside or outside and while I am waiting, I fan myself.  Whether it's a cold 60 degrees or a smoldering 105 degrees Fahrenheit; I fan myself. With a pretty pink fan my sister Marilyn gave me for Christmas, I fan myself.

Sometimes it's not about the need to cool down.  Most times it's the feel of the wind on my face that I crave.  I even sleep with a fan directed to my face, whether the A/C is on or not.  Yes, I am the first one to admit, I am special. :)

Most people look at me and I can just imagine what they think;  "Oh, she must be Menopausal."  Well, I am not.  Carrying and using a fan is one of those time honored traditions that has been replaced by the fast technology of the "I don't have enough time to wait" and the "If it is not powered by electricity, then it is not for me."

Most people don't realize that 19th century ladies created a whole language involving the use of their fans in an attempt to secretly communicate with young men while at social events.   Restrictive social norms and stern chaperons created the need for such behavior.  I myself, would have revolted at such draconian treatment of my civil liberties, but then again, maybe not.

Many years ago I remember reading about the definitions of some of these hand/fan gestures and thought it appropriate to include some of the more whimsical ones I found.   I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, as I list them below:

• Fan slowly across chest: "I am free and available, I don't have a boyfriend."
• Fan in fast, short movements over her chest:  "I have a partner or boyfriend, so keep going."
• Opened or closed fan and touched her cheek:  "I like you!"
• Fan on her temple and looked up:  "I think of you day and night!"
• Saw her boyfriend talking to another girl or suspected he was being unfaithful; she would touch fan to her nose, meaning:  "Something doesn't smell good here."
• Walked side by side hitting the palm of her hand with fan:  "Be careful, honey, the chaperon is coming."
• Opened and closed fan and then pointed with it towards the garden:  "Wait for me there, sweetheart.  Soon, I will be there with you."

And finally, if she covered her mouth with the fan and looked at him very suggestively, she was sending him a kiss, and obviously, the gentleman knew he was the chosen one!

This post was born from the experience of encountering a fellow fan enthusiast at the nail salon.  She proudly showed me her cute chinese, round black and white fan and protested at how her husband and most people, didn't comprehend her need for her fan.  I sympathized and quite possibly made a friend.  Let's see.  Janice, if you are out there, I am still waiting for that Facebook friend request.  :)

I borrowed the title and definitions from an internet web page by the same name:  The Language of the Fan, www.ladanza.com/language.htm

A Blessed Mother's Day Post

This Mother's Day is a little different than most Mother's Days of the past in that this holiday is no longer marked by little ones making breakfast for me, or jumping in my bed startling me with homemade presents and giggling with expectant delights that were awaiting us throughout the day.  My little ones are now grown men and a woman who fill me with joy and happiness at the thought of the privilege to have spent my youth with them.   For in a way, I literally grew up with my children and am content to be a young hip grandma because of it.

I look forward to seeing what my children will accomplish and are yet to become.  I am at a place in my life where I feel fearless and ready to face whatever life has in store for me and mine.  I am not trying to tempt faith or anything like that, it is just, I remember being so afraid when I was a young mother.  I was afraid for my children health.  I was afraid for their welfare.  I was afraid for their future.  But in all this fear, I was not afraid in one aspect, I was sure in my faith in God and that I had dedicated my children to Him and for Him.  Meaning, I saw my children as a temporary gift God had bestowed upon me, so that I might instill in them the will to become anyone they wished to become.  I saw them as people that I was raising not for myself but for society.  And that, unlike some mothers, my own to be more specific, I would not hinder their paths by being so selfish as to try and keep them for myself; and in doing so, limit their potential.

One of my favorite sayings to my children was that "I was raising self sufficient children" (along with "God punishes disobedient children" which by the way worked wonders!!!).   I taught each one to cook, clean, iron, type, budget their money and drive a car.  All the skills that I possessed, I in turn, made it a point of passing it along to them.  I smile when from time to time, one of them mention that they do something a certain way because it was something I taught them to do. I had to be strict and unconventional in a lot of ways and must admit they didn't always love me because of it.  But I accepted very early on that as long as they respected me and followed my advice, I could wait for their love later in life.  I have not been disappointed and feel very blessed.

To all the young mothers struggling with their own small children, please know this,  our children are worth every sacrifice, delayed dream, strength and effort. Don't despair.  Don't give up.  Seek those that have been there and can relate and can advise.  Doesn't matter if you have a wonderful husband, companion or baby daddy at your side.  If you do, more power to you.  If you don't, you can still do it. Plenty of us have.  Find the strength, that wonderful unique strength that God has given women, and carry on with your battle.  Once your children have become adults, then you can breathe and smile and enjoy the many little blessings that come your way.

Dedicated to all the wonderful strong women in my family and in my life.


Happy Mother's Day!!

Parents: Be vigilant.

Being a parent is not easy.  It never has been and I suspect it never will be.  Recently I heard the disturbing news that the minor children of a dear friend have been engaging in sexual activities with each other.  Most people might approach this as a scandalous, unsavory kind of subject which should not be talked about much less discussed in such a public forum as this blog.   Well,  I promised my readers to broach all subjects without fear  and if I was to think as most people, I would be the type of person, I really don't care too much about.

As a survivor of sexual child abuse myself, I can give a unique first hand perspective as to why children would venture into childhood sexual behavior, and perhaps shed some light into what type of emotions and impulses are driving such behavior and finally how you can best help your child if you are ever found in the nightmarish scenario my sweet kind friend finds herself in right now.

My heart broke when I heard my friend lost control upon discovering her children in sexual play and beat all three of them.  Violence is not the way to solve this problem.  Parents need to remain in control if they are to get a positive result to any situation regarding their children.  Children involved in such activities need to be secluded, interviewed and protected.  They will need counseling and parents need to prepare themselves because the road back to normalcy will be long and hard.  Children involved in sexual activities are children that have been exposed to sex in an unhealthy and damaging way.  They either have seen it or have experienced it through a sexual predator.

Most children do not understand that they have the right to refuse something that does not feel right to them.  Sexual predators will use guilt, manipulation, fear, or any other means available to them to reach the child and break down their natural defenses.  That is the main reason I advocate speaking freely to your children about all subjects and keeping that communication flowing freely so that parents realize what is going on in their children's lives.  Don't assume that your well adjusted intelligent child will not fall victim to a vile adult, make sure they don't, speak to them.

Sexually abused children have to deal with their own feelings of guilt and culpability.  They often wonder what they have done to have provoked such actions from the sexual predator.  They are easily confused with feelings of pleasure and the forbidden.   Once ensnared into participating, the cycle of abuse becomes more elaborate since the sexual predator will use those same feelings of guilt and culpability against the child to secure their future cooperation.

My advice to my friend is that she seek counseling for her children.   Comfort your children and let them know that you over reacted and that their inappropriate behavior does not diminish your love for them.  Let them know that the nightmare is over.  That you are there to protect them.  I will let my friend know that she is not alone and she has friends and family who will help her through this.  I will advocate patience, love and understanding.  Let us who love you help you and your children.

Farewell Sembach

In a few days, I head on back to the United States from my 4 month vacation with my son Pedro and grandson Julian in Germany.   And although I am excited to go back home, and reunite with other family members, the feeling is bittersweet.  I have meet some wonderful people here both military and civilians.  They welcomed me with open arms and I became like a second mother to most.  I thrive on such an environment and the experience will last me a lifetime.

Besides the precious time spent with my two boys, in between shoe lace tying,  reading and math lessons,  I was able to take in the gorgeous countryside view the village of Sembach has to offer.   I also enjoyed the contrasts in architecture and found it charming that a small family farm with horses could be next to a car dealership.

This voyage has allowed me to experience a different world, one which I only knew existed by the reading of books, but one which is not fully appreciated until actually lived.  Life is simpler here.  People actually make it a priority to spend time with each other.  So often, I looked out a window and saw families walking by speaking to each other for no other reason that to do so.  Little things we take for granted with our busy lives back home.

While here I visited London, England; Paris, France; Frankfurt, Germany and the many smaller towns that are sprinkled throughout this land of Germania.   I have learned some Deutsch  words like ausfahrt, eingang, bitte, danke, zahnarzt, jüdisch; and the use of euros as currency.  After four months,  I actually assimilated some signs and knew basically where I was at all times.  My uncanny ability to figure out some words on my own actually drove my son insane but what can I say, I am a natural born decipher.  I had fun.
 
To my first born, I could never fully express the love I feel for this child of mine.  The fact that we can disagree yet end the day with no hard feelings is priceless.  It was that way while he was young and nothing has changed.  I hope it never does.  Just as the day he gifted himself into my life, he has once again made another of my dreams come true.  Thank you love.

To his friends, who now have become part of my family, I say, thank you.  Thank you for the fun times and the attentions that you all graced me with.  To Jessica & Tristan Nunn, Yivi & Jose Mejias, Bianca Beckham, Castro, Chiquita Whiting and even the incorrigible Hamilton; I say, you made my time here interesting and pleasant.   To Ms. Shaw who I met tonight, it was a blast having dinner and making you laugh with my philosophy on life and men.

Of course, I could not write this post without mentioning Aliona Dubravina.  My knowledgeable tour guide, translator, hair dresser, gourmet cook and dear friend.  She always made sure to make me feel special when she was around.  I hope life will be kind to me and let me keep you as a friend.  Thank you for being so sweet.

And on that note I say, farewell Sembach, Germany, with all your too delicious pastries, chilly weather and pleasant tschüss.   I hope to travel more often to this part of the world, but only God knows what is in store for the future.  I can only hope and pray; plan and persevere.

Germania - ancient name for Germany.
Deutsch - German language.
ausfahrt - exit (highway exit)
eingang - entrance
bitte - please
danke - thank you
zahnarzt - dentist
jüdisch - Jewish
tschüss - (good)bye [everywhere from grocery stores to restaurants you hear this word which sounds so much like cheers]

President's Day in Puerto Rico

On February 20, 2012, Puerto Rico decided to celebrate President's Day by unveiling life-sized bronze statues of President Barack Obama and former President Lyndon B. Johnson to its "Avenue of Heroes" just outside San Juan's neoclassical Capitol Building.  These two new additions become part of an exhibit which aligns the avenue with bronze statues of previous U.S. Presidents who have visited Puerto Rico dating back to Theodore Roosevelt.  President Obama becomes the ninth U.S. President to grace our island with a visit.


The Associated Press covered the story of the ceremony (which was picked up by many other prestigious news outlets) and was presided over by Pedro Pierluisi, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico (a non-voting and Puerto Rico's only member of Congress), Kenneth McClintock, Secretary of State for Puerto Rico and various other Puerto Rican officials.  Ceremony speeches gave mention to Puerto Rico's political status and lack of voting power in electing the very Presidents that were being honored that day, despite being Americans. This caused quite a backlash of negative comments on the website the article appeared in and the main reason I am writing about this topic today.


Actually the ignorance, racism, intolerance and just plain ugliness of the comments displayed by my fellow Americans caused me pause and I decided to wait a while before commenting on the whole issue.  There was no way I could have written this post before today without becoming as calculating and callous as most of the commentators who spread their hate that week.  I decided a long time ago, I would never stoop down so low as to any bigot's level; I pride myself on accepting people by their character and not much else.


The article itself was a tribute to President's Day.  Originally celebrated in the month of February as Washington's and Lincoln's Birthdays but combined, appropriately in my opinion, to commemorate all U.S. Presidents.


That the simple act of honoring President Obama with a statue can evoke such fierce personal racists attacks shows a lack of respect, commonality and unity. Disrespecting not only our President but also the people that honored him.  The fact that both of these Presidents happen to be Democrats gave some the excuse to label Puerto Ricans "leftist liberals" among other choice words I will not stain my blog with.  I understand that we are in an economic crises.  I understand that we are war weary.  I understand that we feel "used and abused" by our elected officials; but must we regress to pre-Civil Rights mentality in the process?   We, all of us, are better than that.


For those that erroneously believed that we have only honored "weak Democrats",  below is the list of Presidents that are enshrined in our beloved city of San Juan with a bronze statue, political affiliation and date of visit:


     1.  Theodore Roosevelt, Republican, November 21, 1906.
     2.  Herbert Hoover, Republican, March 24, 1931.
     3.  Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democrat, July 7, 1934.
     4.  Harry S. Truman, Democrat, February 21-22, 1948.
     5.  Dwight D. Eisenhower, Republican, March 4-7, 1960.
     6.  John F. Kennedy, Democrat, December 15-16, 1961.
     7.  Lyndon B. Johnson, Democrat, March 2-4, 1968.
     8.  Gerard R. Ford, Republican, June 27-28, 1976. (For the G6 Summit).
     9.  Barack H. Obama, Democrat, June 14, 2011.


I am proud that my little island celebrated President's Day in such a grand way and I personally apologize to Lyndon Johnson for the delay but money is tight right now. :)


For me, it is hard to accept that we are still "red headed step children", my humorous way of saying, not yet allowed to sit at the Master's table, with the big boys, yet Puerto Ricans can still make a marvelous meal out of almost anything. We will wait patiently and work diligently, for the time will come when our contribution will be acknowledged and appreciated.  After all, after over a century of weaving together the great fabric that is America, it is going to be difficult to determine which thread is yours and which is mine.

A Peek into My Trip Overseas

I landed in Frankfurt, Germany, on December 31, 2011; as the guest of my eldest son Pedro.  I always dreamed of visiting Europe, I believe anyone who is not European does at some point in their lives.  It happened in a blink of an eye, as a last minute decision and yet, aren't those sometimes the best adventures?  The ones that are not overly planned and fussed over?

That first night, the sky was made daylight with fireworks.  It seemed all of the inhabitants of this little village of Sembach, left the warmth of their homes at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the New Year.  The bombardment was spectacular.  It took my breath away.  I imagined being in another time, a time of war and what I heard and felt was not a celebration, but an invasion.  I must admit, it was thrilling.  My only concern was my grandson, Julian, sound asleep in his room.  He slept through the many hours of marvelous lunacy that I witnessed.

As of the writing of this post, a month and a half into my three month stay, I have visited a few small towns; Saarbrucken, Otterberg, Landstuhl and Melingen, among others.  Each with quaint little houses, local churchs, boutiques, mom and pop stores and friendly people.  I would take advantage of photographing whatever caught my eye to the chagrin of my son.  Post signs (Ausfahrt being my favorite), factories, lamp posts, churches, hills, restaurant menus, billboards, building decor and sometimes even soup labels.  He just doesn't understand there is a photographer hidden in me and I see beauty and humor in everything. Besides, I may never set foot in Europe again; so I am recording my future memories now, so as to have something precious to look at when the Alzheimer's kicks in.  (A history of Alzheimer's runs in the family; I frequently make reference to it in a humorous fashion).

As far as, major tourist attractions I have visited a Dinosaur Museum in Neunkirchen, Saarland. World of Fun, indoor family entertainment facility, in Zweibrucken.  And Burg Nanstein Castle in Landstuhl, Kaiserslautern; built in 1162 A.D., that makes it a 150 years shy of a millennium!   All of these places mentioned are in Germany.   I have been promised more sightseeing in the weeks to come.

I have sampled my first tastes of German cuisine and realized that Germans really, I mean really, like Mexican food.  Who knew?   I have found that things taste different here.  A pastry is not as sweet.  Not everything is buried in sugar and salt.  And because of that, what you eat is more true to its natural flavor.  Which is a good thing, in my opinion.  On the other hand, local canned products do not have the same quality as back home and on that account, I stick to American brands.

But what I am truly impressed with, so far, are the windows in this part of the world.  They are not the common ones we use in the States that simply open up or down.  These windows are a masterpiece in and of themselves.  They have pulleys and open in several stages.  One can half pull the lever and they open at an angle, if you wish to open them completely, then just continue pulling the lever and the window is separated from its main setting.  I smile at how ingenious our German cousins are.  I have never seen anything like that back home.

As a side note, I did deliberately state German cousins in the previous paragraph, in that, I received the DNA results I ordered to help establish the paternal side of my genealogical gene pool; and the Echevarrias in our family happen to have a strong connection to Germany, more so than any other European country, including Spain.  That I happened to be in Germany when I received those results just tickled me pink!!  I know, I am a nerd.  :)

Getting back on subject, another thing I must comment on is don't believe those Visa commercials back home.  It is not accepted worldwide.  I am not sure if its the present world economic crisis, or that the commerce is not as standardize here as in the United States, or just the local common practice, but in Germany, currency rules.  Make sure you get some euros from the ATM before you attempt to go and pay for something with credit.  I have had a couple of embarrassing incidents.

I did not want to wait until the end of my trip to actually write something about my experiences overseas, therefore, here is a glimpse of what I have been up to so far.  I am sure once I visit Paris, and a couple of other places I have in mind, I will mesmerize you with some brilliant insightful writing, but for the moment, this post will calm my guilty conscience and hopefully give you, my loyal readers, something to smile about.

*Ausfahrt = Exit in German.  Exit signs at the Autoban (Highway).  
*The American joke here is to ask "Did you Ausfahrt?"  As in, "Did you(r) As(s) Fart?"  They have T-Shirts.  I plan to get one!!!