Vela Patria

Deadline Culture

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We all face deadlines. That final project due by midnight, that proposal completed by Wednesday, the last day to sign up for that trip.

I do not work well under pressure. But I have been there at the last minute, frantic like a bird trapped in a house. However, what inspires me about deadlines is I start and finish projects. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

We have all heard about the vacuum of time. For example, when I don’t have a time limit on breakfast and a shower, I take all the time I want. However, if I have to be somewhere at a certain time, it’s funny how I make that morning routine fit.

What reaction do you have to deadlines? Do you work well under pressure? Are you a planner who breaks big projects into digestible pieces?

A Riddle or A Griddle?

Daily writing prompt

What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

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I can’t help but smile at today’s writing prompt. It sounds like the beginning of a riddle. The oldest thing I own that I still use daily is my mother’s cast iron frying pan.

I inherited this pan about eight years ago when my mom sold our house. She is in her nineties and not able to run the household the way she used to. My brother lives near her and I live in another state.

On one of our visits to before she sold the house, she begged me to take them. They were a nested set of three cast iron frying pans. My favorite one is the small one. That’s the one I use for breakfast.

As a child, I always enjoyed coming home from school and making myself and my best friend an omelet sandwich for snack. I have fond memories of these pans, especially the small one. That’s my favorite.

I use it to cook a variety of breakfasts like home fries with russet potatoes, refried beans, eggs, plantains, pancakes, tortillas, or Swiss chard. The food definitely tastes much better when I cook it in this pan. Seasoning and such over the years really makes a difference.

Books I Enjoy:

I have recently enjoyed “My Italian Bulldozer” by Alexander McCall Smith. Warning, I am an avid fan. Feel free to check out my review on Good Reads. Click the link below.

What Are You Reading?

Welcome! Come on in. Tell me of places you have explored and what you like to read.

Vela Patria is a play on the word velar in Spanish which means “to watch.” Patria is the Spanish word for the country where one was born or descended from. We all have a place we come from and here is where we can share common experiences.

Deaf Culture

What is Deaf culture? When it is spelled with a capital D, it represents a community and a culture that spans different ethnicities and races. What prompted my curiosity was Nora, the main character in “Silence Roars.” She suddenly loses her hearing. As I began writing this short story, I realized I would need to do some research. In my travels seeking background information, I stumbled across this video.

I like the myth busting in this video. Especially the part about individuals in Deaf culture not seeing themselves as disabled. The Deaf Culture Center in Toronto Canada’s Distillery Historic District is a place that showcases the many ways Deaf culture has influenced itself and society at large (Cripps & Small, 2016).

Some of the permanent exhibits trace the history of sign language from France to the United States and to Canada. There are interactive spaces in the Deaf Sports exhibit that document inventions such as Paul Hubbard’s football huddle and baseball signs.

References:

Cripps, J., & Small, A. (2016). Deaf Culture Centre : How the community takes its rightful place in history. Sign Language Studies, 17(1), 101–110.

Lamdeffamilia. (February 20, 2023). What is it Like to Be Deaf? [Video]. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60lzVhXW_0U

Are you a part of Deaf culture? What would you like to explore about it?

Steady and True

Daily writing prompt

What quality do you value most in a friend?

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The quality I value most in a friend is loyalty. Someone who stands by me through my “terribles” and bests. Someone who is true to themselves and not afraid to tell me the truth. Someone who sees me and understands.

Culture

Welcome readers! Have a seat at the table of life experiences and pull up a plate. The topic served on today’s blog is culture. Culture spans the human experience. It includes customs, traditions, art, literature, cuisine, ceremonies, and social norms. Culture touches each one of us. Learning to appreciate our differences and sharing similarities builds community.

As a first-generation Afro Cuban American, culture has always fascinated me. My aunt who lived in New York City knew so many people from different places. As a child, I loved to hear their life stories. I still love to hear people’s life stories today from all walks of life. Let’s jump in and explore as we learn about each other.

I enjoy reading Alexander McCall Smith for the variety of cultures that his characters span. I got a kick out of reading his “Ladie’s First Detective Agency” series as he explores Botswana. I have recently read his novel, “My Italian Bulldozer,” which takes place in Montalcino Italy. Feel free to browse his website for a pleasant and satisfying experience.

https://www.alexandermccallsmith.com

I have recently reviewed “My Italian Bulldozer” on Good Reads

Those Questions

We ask ourselves thousands of questions each day. Will I get up when I hear the alarm go off? What will I eat for breakfast? Am I going to work today? Am I going to be late? Should I exercise first today or skip it?

We make decisions daily about small things. Sometimes these tiny choices lead to big results. Would you have met that special person in your life if you decided to stay home and make your coffee instead?

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Would you have met the CEO of said business if you decided to skip your morning swim that day?

Labyrinths are paths that let us walk through our thoughts. We go in with a dilemma and wonder it out.

What are some decisions you are glad you made? What are some you regret?

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