Talking New Mexico

My husband and I were fortunate to spend most of our summer in New Mexico this year. We stayed in Santa Fe, Taos and the Albuquerque area, where my husband’s family lives. We also drove far north, which we usually don’t have the time to do, visiting the picturesque mountain town of Chama and theContinue reading “Talking New Mexico”

Springtime Rituals

Our part of Northern California received heavy rain this winter. While lots of rain is a blessing to this often-parched part of the country, it resulted in quite a few gloomy days after the initial, exuberant rain celebrations had worn off. Now it’s officially spring here in the Northern Hemisphere – we made it! ApartContinue reading “Springtime Rituals”

Dichos

¡Feliz otono! – Happy fall! What have you been up to so far this season? I’ve been enjoying the changing weather and getting outside as much as possible. I like to take a mid-morning walk to break up my workday, and even here in California there are changes in color and in the air atContinue reading “Dichos”

Renacimiento/Rebirth: Strengthening Weaving Traditions in Guatemala

I recently translated a great loan for Kiva.org in which a Guatemalan woman was seeking a loan to purchase traditional huipiles (tunics), fajas (wraps), and cortes (skirts) to sell. The very next morning while listening to the radio I learned about a revival and strengthening of weaving traditions in Guatemala among a group of youngContinue reading “Renacimiento/Rebirth: Strengthening Weaving Traditions in Guatemala”

Biscochitos

It’s cookie time! Biscochitos are traditional anise-flavored cookies from New Mexico. You can find them around the state and they are a special holiday staple. Biscochito is the diminutive form of bizcocho in Spanish, which basically means “biscuit”. The biscochito is New Mexico’s Official State Cookie! They were first introduced to New Mexico by Spanish colonists who settled inContinue reading “Biscochitos”

Poema del Amor

To celebrate the month of love, here is a poem by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto). Scroll down for the English!   “Si tú me olvidas” Quiero que sepas una cosa. Tú sabes cómo es esto: si miro la luna de cristal, la rama roja del lento otoño en mi ventana, siContinue reading “Poema del Amor”