Do you know when you are getting old? Well, it’s when you eat a hot dog and less than 24 hours later you find yourself in the operating room and without a gallbladder. The story started on Friday at noon. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to get the grill out and do … Continue reading Getting Old
Switching to In-Depth News
A little over two weeks ago, I embarked on an experiment to change the way I consume news. As most of you know, I retired from the military a little over a year ago. I was used to receiving and consuming a lot of information in various forms, and as the news junkie that I … Continue reading Switching to In-Depth News
Rockin’ Thursday XXVI
For today’s Rockin’ Thursday, I’m posting two music videos. The first one is from Blondie, an American rock band formed in New York City in 1974 by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. They have several great songs, but two of my favorites are "Call Me," released in January 1980, which reached the #1 … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXVI
To the Colón Park of Aguadilla
Today, in our ongoing series of poems by Pedro (Pellín) Rodríguez Miranda, my grandfather-in-law, we feature his twelfth poem, "To the Colón Park of Aguadilla," written in December 1947. I’m adding a picture of the park so you can get a sense of the place and imagine what the poet saw and experienced. Parque Colón … Continue reading To the Colón Park of Aguadilla
Reflecting on Puerto Rico’s 72-Year Constitutional Legacy
Yesterday, the people of Puerto Rico commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which technically is the controlling document of Puerto Rico. In reality, however, the United States Congress has constitutional powers over the island.1 Here is a brief history of the creation of this document: The United States … Continue reading Reflecting on Puerto Rico’s 72-Year Constitutional Legacy
Rockin’ Thursday XXV
Today, I’m doing something a little bit different. I’m posting two versions of the same song: one released about a month before I was born and the second one released in 1991, which I heard many times while I was in Army Basic Training. I really love both versions. First Version (Original): Sir James Paul McCartney … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXV
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Learning grammar can be fun sometimes. I read an outstanding book about grammar a while back, titled "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Lynne Truss. I’m definitely not an expert in grammar, English or Spanish, so I’m always looking for ways to improve my grammar skills in both languages. Anyway, the book contains a joke that … Continue reading Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Rockin’ Thursday XXIV
Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. They have achieved twenty-one Top 40 hits on the US Hot 100, nine number-one Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.1 I … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXIV
Philosophical Reflections: on Life, Freedom, and Governance
I’m currently reading The History of Philosophy by A.C. Grayling1 and am at the part where the author describes the philosophical thoughts of Baruch Spinoza, born in 1632 in Amsterdam. Grayling explains Spinoza’s ideas about the best life and the purpose of the state (or government). Below are some parts that caught my attention. Regarding … Continue reading Philosophical Reflections: on Life, Freedom, and Governance
Letter to My Wife
Continuing our series featuring poems by Pedro (Pellín) Rodríguez Miranda, my grandfather-in-law. Today, I’m sharing his eleventh poem titled “Letter to My Wife,” written on July 15, 1952, while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Carta A Mi EsposaEsposa del Alma:Vivo esperando que lleguen tus cariciasA revivir este amor que sufre y muere,A darle vida … Continue reading Letter to My Wife
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 