Our son is turning 17 this week! We started the celebration with a family dinner last night, and from April 11–13, we’ll be at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2)—a tradition we’ve kept for three years now. Back in June of last year, I had the privilege of publishing my first poem on Cindy’s … Continue reading A Beautiful Part of Me: Honoring My Son’s 17th Birthday
Author: Edward Ortiz
Rockin’ Thursday LVI and the Sunshine Blogger Award
Today, I’m doing something different. Along with today’s Rockin’ Thursday music video, I’m also responding to Kimberly Vargas Agnese, who nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much, Kimberly! She is a great blogger and you can visit her blog at Buckets on a Barefoot Beach. For today’s Rockin’ Thursday, I’m featuring "Every Breath … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LVI and the Sunshine Blogger Award
The Inept Hummingbird
Today, I’m sharing another poem by my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda. The poem, The Inept Hummingbird, comes from the Love Poems in Old Age section of his book. I hope you enjoy the poem. El Inepto PicaflorLlenándose de valor,Creyendo ser gavilán,Un imberbe picaflorde mi pradera riqueña,quiso un dia conquistarun corazón de mujerque le enseñaría a besar,que le enseñaría … Continue reading The Inept Hummingbird
Bird Migration through the Quad Cities
“Even migrating birds know that nature doesn't demand a choice between nesting and flight."― Gloria Steinem Nature is just amazing, and last Thursday, it was on full display. According to the BirdCast dashboard, 170,900 birds crossed our area (Quad Cities Illinois/Iowa) that day out of an estimated 1,207,900 birds in flight.1 To our surprise, while we … Continue reading Bird Migration through the Quad Cities
Rockin’ Thursday LV
For today’s Rockin’ Thursday, I’m featuring "Hotel California" by the Eagles and a Spanish version performed by the Gipsy Kings, which I love because of its Flamenco music style. "Hotel California" is a song by the American rock band Eagles, released in 1977.1 It reached the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard charts that same year. The Gipsy Kings were founded … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LV
The Tariffs Debate
"There is no better teacher than history in determining the future. There are answers worth billions of dollars in a $30 history book.”— Charlie Munger I’m not sure how much the state of Illinois paid for the history book my son is using in high school, but I found a copy for $6.79 on the … Continue reading The Tariffs Debate
Rockin’ Thursday LIV
This month is Women's History Month, so I wanted to do something special to highlight the enormous contributions women have made to Rock & Roll. During my research, I discovered four pioneering women who were early influences on the genre. These four women were Sister Rosetta Tharpe (the Godmother of Rock & Roll), Wanda Jackson … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LIV
Why Strategy Without a Good Coalition Is Doomed to Fail
The subject of leadership has always fascinated me—from the different theories behind it to the implementation of those theories and how to rally people behind change. Being an effective leader is incredibly difficult because you must demonstrate that you genuinely care and that following your lead is in the best interest of the organization. When … Continue reading Why Strategy Without a Good Coalition Is Doomed to Fail
Rockin’ Thursday LIII
With everything going on in the United States—the attempts to disrupt the pillars of democracy and the unique diversity of our people—it feels right to share this song today. I know there are those in this country trying to erase the concept of diversity, equality, and inclusion. And while, for now, they may remove the … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LIII
MY CHERUB “CHERUBERO”
Last week, I shared the poem Miriam Celeste by my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda. Today, I’m sharing another of his poems, a continuation of Miriam Celeste, dedicated to his granddaughter Melody, Miriam’s only daughter. In Miriam Celeste, you read the following lines: "And a cherub was born to me... An intelligent cherub indeed!" So, in honor of this wonderful … Continue reading MY CHERUB “CHERUBERO”
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 