Sherrie Miranda's Blog, page 147
February 29, 2016
Monday Funnies…
I think I figured it out now. I need to come to my PC just before midnight in order to get Chris’s Monday Funnies here as soon as it turns midnight on Monday morning!
I’ll try again next week! Thanks, Chris, for giving us laughs on the most difficult day of the week! ;-)
Peace, love & laughter to all,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda's historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too. It is under the same name on YouTube. Or on my home page! ;-)
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog
February 28, 2016
Review of “The Year I Fell in Love & Went to Join the Sandinistas”
Sherrie Miranda gives 5.0 out of 5 stars & says “Civil Wars And Revolutions Are Not All They’re Cracked Up To Be!” February 28, 2016
This review is for: Revolution: The Year I Fell in Love and Went to Join the Sandinistas
Although I agree with the criticism some have given this book, I also think that’s what makes this memoir so fascinating. Unferth and her boyfriend had no idea what they were getting themselves into!
I totally relate to this book and had similar ideas of my own to go join the Revolution. My boyfriend (who later became my husband, then my ex) was Salvadoran so he knew it was no joking matter to go join a guerrilla group or any other group during the civil wars in Central and South America.
We even had some friends who were in a punk rock band that went to Nicaragua after the Revolution. The more I heard, the more I wanted to go. I finally did go to El Salvador, but my boyfriend’s family made sure I didn’t get into any really bad situations.
It’s interesting that of all the people I met who had been to Nicaragua, not one of them told me the raw truth that Unferth tells here. I had no idea that it would have been so difficult! Yes, I knew there were very young soldiers who were indoctrinated to believe anyone who cared about the people were Communists (this was how it was in El Salvador). I knew that the Sandinistas were mostly young idealists who knew what hunger and violence was like (El Salvador too, that’s how both sides were able to recruit so many teens). But I never knew about the day to day difficulties of lack of food, money and jobs, and the abundance of diseases that could KILL you!
Unferth bares her soul like few have done, especially as it relates to Central America, idealists and trying to understand another culture.
One of my favorite facts that Unferth brings up is that the locals didn’t call us American and European idealists “Internationalistas,” but instead referred to us (or them, since I didn’t go) as “Sandalistas” because of the fact that almost all of them wore some kind of sandals! They may have arrived in Birkenstocks, but eventually had to wear whatever some local shoemaker with no resources could make for them.
I must admit that this memoir that rads like a novel made me very glad that my headstrong Salvadoran boyfriend never gave in to the silly whims of an American girl who, at that time, romanticized the entire idea of helping poor people make a better life for themselves. It truly was NO JOKE. Knowing me, I might not have made it back alive!
Sherrie Miranda is the author of “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador: Shelly’s Journey”
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
Loving my World
Although some of Miriam’s loves are different from mine (I’m not a good camper, for instance), we both share many loves in the world.
My mom has passed on but I will always love her with all my heart. Miriam doesn’t mention her dad, but my dad is my “Rock of Gibraltar.” He has fought for more than 40 years to stay alive for his family. And he’s still fighting the Good Fight! I appreciate him with all my being.
My hubby is also a really great guy & we were recently apart because I needed to go see my dad. Angelo is the reason I was finally able to write & publish my novel. He is always an inspiration to me!
I don’t have kids, but I have many nieces & nephews I love, as well as their parents, my sisters & brothers, and my in-laws too!
Thank you, Miriam, for this beautiful tribute to all those you love in your life.
Peace, love & life with all those we love,
Sherrie
P.S. I even have hummingbirds that visit, much like that unusual bird that posed for Miriam!
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
It’s Valentines Day and hubbs is half way across the country on a work trip but that’s okay. It’s given me time to reflect on all that I have and love in my life and how much I’m grateful for. So that’s what I dedicate this post to.
Firstly, of course, I love my man. He makes me laugh, he’s funny, kind, caring, my best friend and my constant. He sees me at my best and my absolute worst. He’s supportive and always by my side, even when he’s not physically with me. I’m grateful for the 26 years he’s been in my life and I look forward to growing old with him.
I love my two gorgeous, crazy, chalk and cheese different kids who often drive me nuts but keep me grounded, forever on my toes and who give my life purpose.
I love to travel every chance…
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Today, I choose Happiness
There is another school of thought I learned from the movie “Amistad.” The translator for the African tribe stops translating and the Matthew McConaughey character, Roger Baldwin says “Why did you stop translating. Tell him what I said.” The translator says “I can’t. We don’t have the word “should.” Either you did or you didn’t do something. We don’t know that concept.” (This is paraphrased as it’s been years since I saw the movie &/or showed it to my students.)
But in this context, it’s more like self self-talk, or even more like your intuition speaking to you.
Peace, love & listening to our intuition,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
The Neom Happiness Programme got me thinking…all the little daily tasks in the program are things we already know are good for us and things most of us probably know we SHOULD be doing. Our bodies and our instincts constantly send us messages and feedback… “I am so stiff, I should really be doing some yoga today”, “I feel so bloated, I should eat a little healthier”, “I feel so exhausted, I should take a nap”, “My shoulders are so tight, I should go for a massage”, “My mind won’t shut up, I should really try to meditate daily”…
Deep down we know what we need, but we tend to ignore, postpone, procrastinate, find a million excuses until we BREAK DOWN completely…Then, when our health is in a state of emergency, that is when our SHOULDS turn into SHOULD HAVES and then we are forced to turn them into MUSTS. But why…
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Weekly photo challenge: State of Mind – Safe Harbour
We all need a Safe Harbor where we can speak our mind & know that no one will attack us for our opinions, no matter how different than the norm!
Peace, love & peace no matter what is happening out THERE,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda’s historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador” is about an American girl in war-torn El Salvador:
http://tinyurl.com/klxbt4y
Her husband made a video for her novel. He wrote the song too:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/P11Ch5chkAc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
You know what I realised this morning. It’s easy to choose happiness and have a positive and upbeat attitude when everything is going smoothly and the seas are calm. But it’s more of a challenge when the waters feel tumultuous and grey clouds are overhead.
That’s how it seemed yesterday for me. The dark clouds have been lingering lately, like murky puddles in my mind. It hasn’t helped with things blowing up around me, physically and emotionally, then in the morning we had a minor accident while reversing the car.
It was nothing serious and no one was hurt but it was close to home, and it felt symbolic of my life. And things just went downhill from there. I lost it a bit. I went quiet for a while, and then I reflected. Then I took a deep breath, a really deep breath and I came up for air.
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February 27, 2016
Vacancy
Another lovely post from Tosha! If you like the poems of hers that I’ve posted, mosey on over & follow her.
February 26, 2016
Una historia en dos palabras
I just thanked my dad for struggling to stay alive these years. He is almost 85 & had his first heart attack at 43. I told him I used to fear losing him (even before I knew that his heart was weak). I thanked him for fighting for us cuz he knew. We needed him. We both got choked up & I cried a little & finally my dad managed to get out “I need you too.”
Life is amazing sometimes. ☺️
My Thought of the Day – 2/25/16
I will keep this quote in mind as I arrive home after the assurance that my dad’s health issues are being managed. It will finally be time to work in earnest on this 2nd book, the prequel to my debut novel. The title of this novel is “Crimes & Impunity in New Orleans.”
Thanks, Dray!
Grappling
Another amazing post from Tosha Michelle! Thanks, Tosha!
February 25, 2016
Writespiration #81 When Something’s Not What It Seems #1000speak
Sacha, you are my kind of bitch! I love to tell people who don’t know the people I am talking about ALL about how crazy they are!
I guess I am a bit of a bitch myself too, cuz I so love to hear their gossip.
