quiltersmuse.com Blog

Tonight, I recorded the song, “Guantanamera,” in honor of José Martí, Cuban’s most well-known freedom fighter. The song file links to another file that I set up last year that provides more information and a glimpse of a Crazy Quilt tribute block that I made.

http://www.quiltersmuse.com/Guantanamera.htm

My 40th high school reunion is this year. I studied four years of high school Spanish, and then studied advanced literature courses during four years of Spanish at the collegiate level, both in the U.S. and Spain. I also took a graduate level course in Spanish History, and a summer history course in Latin American History, both fascinating subjects. Within my course of study, I learned about the art and architecture of Spain, which I experienced first hand.

From time to time, I pick up the guitar, and tonight was one of those nights.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

A lovely story about the origins of the Poinsettia’s associated with Christmas is one that I wrote about in an article for The Quilter magazine, and which also was re-published on my website as follows: http://www.quiltersmuse.com/christmas-stockings.htm

The Poinsettia and its connection to Christmas are rooted in Mexico, where it was customary to bring gifts for the Christ Child to Christmas Eve church services. Legend has it that two poor children had nothing to bring for the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. All they could do was to pick some green weeds that were growing by the side of the road. When the reached the village church, they lovingly placed the weeds around the altar. Miraculously, the scraggly weeds turned into bright, beautiful red flowers because of the purity of the love of the children.

This year, Gerald Erichsen, the about.com guide for Spanish language, offers more information and historical details about poinsettias, in Spanish, “La Flor de Nochebuena.” The about.com Spanish language site is a terrific resource for learners. If you are interested in improving your language skills, check out the site! Gerald puts a lot of work into it! (Thank you!)

No matter in what language Christmas stories are retold, there is something comforting about tradition, from the Christmas tree to holiday gifts and other celebratory engagements. I make no apologies for mentioning Christmas often. It’s “my” holiday. At the same time, I respect others who have different faith traditions and will make it a point to learn more about them, as I go through life.

My best … de mi casa a tu casa,

Patricia Cummings

The first time I heard the expression, “Así, se puede,” was in conjunction with public demonstrations regarding immigration. While I realize that not every presidential candidate is required to know how to speak Spanish, it would behoove anyone in the United States to learn those three simple words that mean so much to the Latino population of this country.

Translated, the words mean, “In this manner, it is possible that it can be done.” The intended meaning is that “Working together, we can change the lives of Latinos in America for the better.”

Recently, I was amazed to hear a candidate say, “Así, se pueda.” With slipping in one wrong vowel, the intent of the three words is changed. “Pueda” is the subjunctive form of the verb “poder,” the infinitive of the verb that translates as “to be able to.”

The subjunctive form of the verb denotes an event that may or may not happen in the future. We are not sure. It is the mode of possibility.

Therefore, when Hillary Clinton said, “Así, se pueda” she turned a very affirmative statement into one of doubt and unsure possibility.

I like Hillary. I will vote for her … again. However, I just want to point out that a person’s language is sacred, and people should be more careful before blurting out what turns out as sounding like nonsense to a native speaker, or one who knows the language.

Surely, someone as intelligent as a political candidate can render three words of a foreign language correctly. ¡Así, se puede! People are forgiving or else may not have even noticed the slip. After all, she did win Texas! Now, I’m waiting to hear the three little words delivered correctly, in Spanish, and in a convincing manner. Yes, together, “In this way, we CAN do it!”

Patricia Cummings, http://www.quiltersmuse.com