Chronicles of Mexico 1962 Saturday, March 31

Chronicles of Mexico 1962 Saturday, March 31

Excerpts from a teenager’s diary/scrapbook

(The full names of locations have been added to the Transcript of the scrapbook for clarification.)

Saturday, March 31, 1962

When we were finished eating breakfast in the hotel, we got into our little groups  and left to see the shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe  (associated with a venerated image enshrined within the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe north of Mexico City.) On the inside , it was simply gorgeous, because everything was on such a large scale with minute detail, all in gold leaf. This cathedral is evidence that Mexico is sinking as one picture shows. The third picture shows the Bishop who built this cathedral.

Next, at the excavations of Teotihuacan, I marveled at the precision of the construction. Each corner pointed exactly North, East, South, or West. We asked Raphel how the Indians got the sacrificial platforms level. He explained that, before the rainy season began, they build the shells and, when the rain water had filled each shell, they simply marked the water level, which would be level all the way around.

West of Teotihuacan, there were pyramids of San Juan, which were the Pyramid of the Sun Moon. (photos) From on top of the Sun Pyramid, the equivalent of a five story building, you could see for miles around the country side, including the excavations and the road we came in on.

After lunch in the hotel, we went  to see the sights  in Mexico City itself. This included the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary into Heavens and the Monument to Independence (a victory column on a roundabout on the major thoroughfare of Paseo de la Reforma in downtown Mexico City). Everything about the Mexican Cathedrals have grandeur to them.

This cathedral has six altars on each side on the inside , dedicated to the twelve apostles and a smaller altar  at the fore-end on both sides of a larger altar. In the middle are two large altars. All three altars and each domed ceiling are fourteen carat gold leaf, which makes quite an impression. It’s well, so much.

I roomed with Marla in the Hotel Genevieve again.

Chronicles of Mexico 1962 Friday, March 30

Chronicles of Mexico 1962 Friday, March 30

Excerpts from a teenager’s diary/scrapbook

(The full names of locations have been added to the Transcript of the scrapbook for clarification.)

Friday, March 30, 1962

School couldn’t let out soon enough, because this was the beginning of spring vacation my Junior Year at Deerfield High School.  Tonight, Barb Z., Tita ., Carol DeP., Harry S., Patti Q., and I were to meet Miss Bogs and eight Highland Park students and five other Highland Park teachers at the O’Hare Airport to fly to Mexico City, Mexico.

The airport was one mass of people all trying to accomplish the same thing: to get their bags checked and weighed.

Once on the Golden Aztec airplane, we began introducing each other  to everyone. After we’d been in the air for about two hours, they served a delicious chicken dinner, but, unfortunately, it was then when we hit several air pockets. A few of the kids had to hit the bags, so, there was only one thing I could do: eat their desserts for them!

It had been raining in Mexico City before we landed and everything reflected the many colored lights , making a very beautiful sight from the air.

In front of the airport building, we were divided into  groups so we could meet our guide and go to the Hotel Genevieve, where we were to spend the night. In my group were Mr. and Mrs. Eaton, Marla W., Carol DeP., and our wonderful guide, Roberto V. C.. Pachuca 9-1 Col. Condesa , Mexico. DF, Mexico.

Later on, Mr. and Mrs. Eaton changed cars with Linda M. and Nancy ., so the adults were all in the lead car. I roomed with Marla in a room that was rather scary.

Kate’s 2¢: “A different kind of honor”, “An affair of honor”, “A dishonorable few: the continuing exploits of Lt. Peter Wake, United States Navy by Robert N. Macomber

“A different kind of honor”, “An affair of honor”, “A dishonorable few: the continuing exploits of Lt. Peter Wake, United States Navy by Robert N. Macomber

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

I’ve enjoyed many sailing adventures with Lt. Com. Peter Wake. Thank you, Robert Macomber.

From his website:

Robert N. Macomber is an award-winning writer, internationally acclaimed lecturer, and an accomplished seaman. Raised in Florida, Macomber’s work is admired across the globe; internationally recognized lecturer, history enthusiast, and avid researcher.

He is best known for his Honor Series novels, his storytelling style as a speaker, and many Reader Rendezvous around the world.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

An affair of honor: the fifth novel in the Honor series following the exploits of Lt. Peter Wake United States Navy DB74886

Macomber, Robert N. Reading time: 12 hours, 9 minutes.

Read by Ray Foushee. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Adventure

1874. Lieutenant Peter Wake patrols the West Indies, where he is accused of spying. Ordered to Europe, he becomes embroiled in politics, diplomatic intrigue, and a rescue mission to northern Africa. Sequel to A Dishonorable Few (DB 74603). Some violence and some strong language. 2006.

A different kind of honor: Lt. Cmdr. Peter Wake, U.S.N. in the War of the Pacific, 1879 DB75151

Macomber, Robert N. Reading time: 12 hours, 36 minutes.

Read by Ray Foushee. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Adventure

Lieutenant Commander Peter Wake serves as the official American naval observer during the War of the Pacific off the coast of South America, then goes to Panama, where the French are building a canal. Meanwhile, Wake’s family struggles back in Washington, D.C. 2007.

A dishonorable few: the continuing exploits of Lt. Peter Wake, United States Navy DB74603

Macomber, Robert N. Reading time: 11 hours, 6 minutes.

Read by Ray Foushee. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Adventure

1869. After the events in Honorable Mention (DB 73919), Lieutenant Peter Wake sails to Central America on a mission to restrain a U.S. naval officer-turned-mercenary. While dealing with hostile natives and pirates, Wake makes a decision concerning an enemy aboard his own ship that leads to Wake’s court-martial. 2005.

Kate’s 2¢: “Just reminiscing” by Lew Miller

“Just reminiscing” by Lew Miller

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

In my mind’s eye, I see Grandpa sitting on his cabin’s porch or near the stone hearth inside the cabin or even out on a log by the camp fire. His grand-children are sitting near him to hear his tales of the old days. The stories are fascinating, true (well, mostly), and special because Grandpa lived to tell the tales.

The problem comes when the spoken words are written into a manuscript. Translating the oral stories into text requires tightening of language, specificity of descriptions inferred from the innuendos, and sentence structure to convey the meaning and to facilitate the flow of the narrative.

I suspect people who are familiar with the locations he talks about, the farm equipment he relishes, and know some of the people or their descendants  he mentions could really identify with these tales. I did, however, enjoy learning about his trials, tribulations, successes, and his rewarding life ‘way back when.

From the web:

He mentions writing this book in 1981 for his grandchildren, but I couldn’t find any bio information on him  that fit corresponding dates.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Just reminiscing DBC14294

Miller, L. H, (Lew H.). Reading time: 6 hours, 15 minutes.

Read by Francis Ahquin. A production of Montana Talking Book Library.

Biography

The author chronicles his life and times in Montana from 1917 to 1982. He relates episodes from his past as a farmer, rancher and railroad worker. This is a lighthearted and sometimes humorous look at one person’s “reminiscing” through the years.

Cornucopia: Brooks and Streams

Brooks and Streams

By Kate Chamberlin

The billabong efflux originated on the Fairfield University Campus, ducked under Wakeman Road, sluiced through the culvert, and gushed into the brook traversing Nana’s Fairfield, CT backyard. She dubbed us the Eager Beavers, because, we had re-arranged the stones from the bottom and sides of the brook to dam up the stream. The resulting mini-pond riffled with little frogs.

I sprawled on my belly in the verdant, green grass under the lush grape vine. Slender blades of Red Fescue tickled my nose, but My 8ine-year old brother told me I had to stay stock still or he wouldn’t let me play the game with him. So, I dared not sneeze or squirm; not an easy feat for a 5-year old.

Behind me, the lawn stretched to the steep rise to the chunky granite steps up to my Grandmother’s back porch. My brother hunkered down on my right, beside the wheel barrow Pappy had left near the grape vines. The little black dog, Cindy, on my left, was poised to pounce and intently stared at the quarry. Could we catch it?

after waiting still and silent like statues for ages, my brother and the dog lunged at the same time. My brother grabbed at a frog, Cindy charged in front of him to snatch the snake that had been hiding in the grass with us.

Our Game of Frogs lost its appeal. We returned the stones to the banks, allowing Nana’s brook to babble on to become the neighbor’s plashing stream.

Kate’s 2¢: “Beat the clock: Amelia Bedelia & friends, book 1” by Herman Parish

“Beat the clock: Amelia Bedelia & friends, book 1” by Herman Parish

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

I remember how my 3^rd Graders loved to read Amelia Bedelia; then, my own children enjoyed her misadventures and, finally, my grandchildren groan with the literal interpretations of Amelia Bedelia.

It’s still fun to share Amelia Bedelia’s life and times. Thank you, Herman Parish for picking up the pen to salute Amelia Bedelia.

From the website:

Herman S. Parish III is an American children’s writer, the current author of Amelia Bedelia children’s books and the nephew of the series creator Peggy Parish.

Having grown up with his aunt’s tales of Amelia’s humorous misadventures, Herman decided to carry on the legacy after his aunt’s death in 1988.

Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt, Peggy Parish, wrote the first book about Amelia Bedelia. The lovable, literal-minded housekeeper has been a member of his family ever since. Peggy Parish died in 1988.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Beat the clock: Amelia Bedelia & friends, book 1 DB97332

Parish, Herman. Reading time: 1 hour, 13 minutes.

Read by Brittany Pressley.

Friendship Fiction

School Fiction

In celebration of the one hundredth birthday of Oak Tree Elementary, Amelia Bedelia’s town throws a party. They even plan to dig up and open a time capsule that was buried for an entire century!Commercial audiobook. For grades 2-4. 2019.

Cornucopia: Quarantined (acrostic)

Quarantined (acrostic)

By Kate Chamberlin

Quietude of profound solitude

Understand the necessity of social distance

Ask myself and answer Philosophical questions

Re-edit old stories and poems

Anxious about other family members

Need to have accurate information to allay fear

Thankful for husband’s companionship

Internet down-load of books to read for my blog

Nine months from now, another baby boom?

Early detection of breast cancer

Death by cancer or Covid19?  Eeny, meeny, mynee, moe.

Kate’s 2¢: Land of Wolves by Craig Johnson

“Land of Wolves” by Craig Johnson

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

“Land of Wolves” is set in northern Wyoming, where Walter Longmire is sheriff of the fictional county of Absaroka. The descriptions of the snow covered Big Horn Mountain views and environs are impressive.

The voice of the narrator, George Guidall, certainly lent audio to the physical and mental pains the semi-hurt/healing Walt was feeling. The “older” voice added credibility to why Walt’s wound hurt and the contemplation about when to retire.

This is a well-crafted narrative arc that keeps the reader trying to fit the clues together to solve the suicide, or was it murder?

From www.craigallenjohnson.com

Craig Allen Johnson is an American novelist of mystery novels set in the West. His series is the Walt Longmire series.    Johnson became a published author in 2004 when he began the Walt Longmire series with The Cold Dish.

From NLS/BARD/LOC”

Land of wolves DB97044

Johnson, Craig. Reading time: 8 hours, 11 minutes.

Read by George Guidall.

Mystery and Detective Stories; Western Stories

Still recovering from the harrowing events in Depth of Winter (DB 92275), Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates what may or may not be the suicidal hanging of a shepherd in Absaroka County, and he becomes more and more empathetic towards an oversize wolf in the Big Horn Mountains. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Cornucopia: Chores Are Fun

Chores Are Fun!

by Kate Chamberlin

I’m a little robot,

Short and squat;

Here is my start button,

Here is my solar battery.

Just bop my head,

I’ll  vacuum the floor,

scrub the tub,

and dust the hall.

Chores are such fun.

I Toot my horn,

Blink my lights,

and squeak my wheels.

May my chores  never be done.

Cornucopia: Rainy Day

A Rainy Day

By Kate Chamberlin

The rain splats across the window,

Thunder rumbles ominous and low.

Pull the covers back up to your chin,

It will be a good day to stay in.

The plip plopping of a rain drop

Cascading from flower anther to leaf top,

Is like the lively volley of the tennis game

That will be postponed -what a shame.

Fill your mug with tea and cream,

Enter a realm of thought and dream.

Reach for the long forgotten book,

Curl up in a warm, cozy nook.