The elderly folk, limbs perched on their wheelchairs like limp birds, their frames broken and patched over years, carefully examined every act that went through their make-shift cafeteria stage. My family, along with the bilingual program at the local high school, was putting on a show at a nearby nursing home. The nursing home residents didn't seem interested, or perhaps their frail bodies dragged down their excitement.
My dad and two of my uncles performed some Ramon Ayala songs that evening. A week or so before the performance, they had made instruments out of card board, aluminum foil, and shiny stars. These were their props for the performance. The song "Mi Golondrina" reminds me so much of this evening, of my dad, the serious expression on his face as he played the accordion he had made.
Here is the song. Enjoy.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Hoarder?
I have been cleaning in preparation for moving to Louisiana and it is chaotic. I never realized how much pointless crap I own. Should I get rid of my Pez dispenser collection?
There are so many things in my room that I should probably throw away, sell or donate, but, have an emotional connection with.
Exhibit A: There is a doll in a drawer that is rarely opened. Her hair, distressed, frazzled, stands stiffly. Her face, with that complacent smile, has a few dirt smudges on it. I couldn't run a comb through her hair anymore if I tried. I was walking out of the post office with my dad in Michigan one day many days ago. We found this doll at the post office. Abandoned. Lost. I took her in and cared for her for many years. Now, she is abandoned again, but I refuse to throw her away. I mean, she never stops smiling. How can I get rid of that?
Exhibit B: A Donald Duck holding what seems to be a box of chocolates with the word "Daisy" on it. He is worn and his paint tired. He was my mom's toy when she was a little girl. She wanted to trash it some years ago. I rescued it.
Exhibit C: A little tan skinned boy doll with red hair and freckles like a map. My first toy ever, according to my mom. Gifted by an aunt. To be honest, I don't recall playing with him;, but will not trash him because he is special.
Exhibit D: Awards/medals/certificates from high school and elementary. Most from writing. I know they don't matter now, but they take up so little space. Why should I throw them away? I will be trashing trophies (journalism stuff from high school) that are in the closet since they do take up more significant space. At least trashing them is the plan right now.
The cleaning will continue this weekend, with a garage sale next weekend and a trip to the Salvation Army to donate stuff.
Oh and I have a roommate now. Check out her awesomeness here.
besitos y abrazotes,
n
There are so many things in my room that I should probably throw away, sell or donate, but, have an emotional connection with.
Exhibit A: There is a doll in a drawer that is rarely opened. Her hair, distressed, frazzled, stands stiffly. Her face, with that complacent smile, has a few dirt smudges on it. I couldn't run a comb through her hair anymore if I tried. I was walking out of the post office with my dad in Michigan one day many days ago. We found this doll at the post office. Abandoned. Lost. I took her in and cared for her for many years. Now, she is abandoned again, but I refuse to throw her away. I mean, she never stops smiling. How can I get rid of that?
Exhibit B: A Donald Duck holding what seems to be a box of chocolates with the word "Daisy" on it. He is worn and his paint tired. He was my mom's toy when she was a little girl. She wanted to trash it some years ago. I rescued it.
Exhibit C: A little tan skinned boy doll with red hair and freckles like a map. My first toy ever, according to my mom. Gifted by an aunt. To be honest, I don't recall playing with him;, but will not trash him because he is special.
Exhibit D: Awards/medals/certificates from high school and elementary. Most from writing. I know they don't matter now, but they take up so little space. Why should I throw them away? I will be trashing trophies (journalism stuff from high school) that are in the closet since they do take up more significant space. At least trashing them is the plan right now.
The cleaning will continue this weekend, with a garage sale next weekend and a trip to the Salvation Army to donate stuff.
Oh and I have a roommate now. Check out her awesomeness here.
besitos y abrazotes,
n
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