Sherrie Miranda's Blog, page 180
September 19, 2015
blowing in the wind
Fall will be here soon and if it doesn’t feel like Fall now, it will next Saturday at 5:30 when we touch down in Rochester, NY! ;-)
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&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on J M Lysun:
how like fallen leaves
clouds gather only to be
scattered by the wind
September 17, 2015
Review of “For Colored Girls,” both the movie & the Broadway play (seen in New Orleans 30 years ago)
I may be opening a can of worms with this, but . . .
I had the movie “For Colored Girls” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Colored_Girls)
recorded and waiting for me to feel ready to move through the emotions in Tyler Perry’s written, directed & produced version of the play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf”
I saw the play in New Orleans about 30 years ago and I remember that I felt a profound sadness at the time. So I knew I had to be ready to go through a roller coaster of emotions while watching the movie. Emotions that did not include a lot of joy or peace.
I thought this was the cast I saw in the New Orleans production, but they would have been a long way from home.
It should be noted that “Colored” doesn’t stand for the skin, but the colors of the rainbow. Each woman/girl represents a different color.
I was surprised that a man (Tyler Perry) made the movie as I know that this is the kind of film that some like to call “anti-black male.” But Tyler had the understanding and foresight to see that these negative images of the male are about men conforming to what a Black Man “is supposed” to be in our society. So, the war vet who (accidentally) drops his kids out the window when trying to convince their mother to marry him is what society turns a man into after convincing him that he will be a hero if he goes and fights for our country. Like many of these “heroes,” he comes home broken, with no job in sight, which eventually has him turning to alcohol. (Do not read the plot in the first link. It will only confuse you. They also claim the vet only wants to marry her so he can get more benefits – I don’t remember anything about this statement from watching it)
The other stereotype is the black man on the down low, who gives his wife the HIV virus. He finally admits to his wife that he isn’t gay, but he has sex with men because “Nothing else is expected of him.” It’s just sex.
Interestingly, many people criticized the movie for being too dramatic. Well, he couldn’t have the women talking to the audience like they do in the play. So they talk to other characters or to themselves. If it is dramatic, it is because the play is dramatic. Besides, aren’t movies and plays supposed to be dramatic?
Some people may say the women were too dramatic. Or the storyline was too dramatic, but I think the role of black women has changed so much since the 70’s that you would hardly recognize these women today.
Somehow, without even seeing many of these dramas, black women became strong. Or maybe some of them went through one or more of the situations depicted and became strong because of that process. Or maybe some black women taught other black women that they need to stick together & support each other. However it happened, black women have become stronger, more enlightened and more in control of their own lives.
Now, we just need a play/movie/book “For Colored Men.”
P.S. The book is available if anyone wants to make the play. Although there are some teens in the story, this would have to be done somewhere other than a high school. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58098.for_colored_girls_who_have_considered_suicide_when_the_rainbow_is_enuf?ac=1)
Peace & blessings,
Sherrie
Sherrie Miranda is the author of the historically based, coming of age, Adventure novel “Secrets & Lies in El Salvador.” It 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:
September 16, 2015
Review of “Smaller and Smaller Circles” by F.H. Batacan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Batacan’s novel is skillfully written! Hats off to the priests of the world who refuse to let a murder go unsolved!
Reviewed by Sherrie Miranda
Verified Amazon Purchase
This review is for: “Smaller and Smaller Circles” (Hardcover)
Yes, this is a dark story because of the murders of these “throw-away” boys. But the love from the two priests trying to help the incompetent police comes through loud and clear.
Ms. Batacan’s understanding of police work and crime scene investigation is extensive, which only makes the book that much more believable.
My guess is that Batacan has fictionalized an actual serial killer’s murders as she makes the reader understand how two priests who wouldn’t give up forced the police to keep looking for the murderer even after they had already pinned the murders on someone else.
This novel made me appreciate the Catholic clergy serving low-income communities all over the world even more than I did before. (I wrote about a few in my own novel.
It never occurred to me how well educated and well trained these men and women of the cloth had to be by the time they got to the country they were going to serve. I assume these priests were from Spain, but nowhere is it said outright.
Wherever these priests are from, I ma just glad to know there are people like them in the world: people who won’t give up on the oppressed and downtrodden even when the rest of the world has long forgotten their struggle.
Thank you, Ms. Batacan, for telling us this beautiful love story, the love between two priests and a people that no one else seems to care about. Excellent work, all the way around!
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:
Maria, Maria
One of my favorite artists/musicians along with a lovely painting by my newest favorite artist!
Thank you, Rob!
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&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Art by Rob Goldstein:
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula
Maria Maria – Carlos Santana
Review for: The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War
5.0 out of 5 stars A Memoir That Reads Like A Novel! Outstanding! 
September 16, 2015
By Sherrie Miranda
Verified Amazon Purchase
This review is from: The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War
by Gioconda Belli
I thought I had long ago written a review for this great memoir. After all I used Belli’s understanding of the struggle for a character in my novel.
I apologize for not posting this sooner, especially since I read it in just a few days as it was full os suspense and steadily brought the reader to the understanding of a Revolutionary woman who was soon made to feel her services weren’t needed anymore once the Revolution had happened. Perhaps that explains why the changes didn’t last?
Belli’s story is one of great courage, fortitude and understanding. Belli, obviously loved her people very much, since she was one the the few who could have escaped but didn’t.
Belli is talented, not only as a poet, but also as a storyteller. I sincerely hope we get some more prose from this amazing woman and writer.
Thank you for writing such a beautiful and eye-opening book.
I added this comment to a review that suggested Belli should explain why poets are so important to her people:
Actually, poetry has had a “more political function” all over the world, including the U.S. But one would only know that if one were involved in the politics of the oppressed and Making political change from the bottom up. Ever hear of the first rap “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”? Even many of the songs of the sixties were about political change. And of course, the folk music before that.
In Latin America, many of the great poems that were made to create social change have been made into songs, including in El Salvador, Roque Dalton’s “Poema de Amor,” Love Poem, an homage to the Salvadoran people and their struggle. I am sure this has happened all over the world, I just am not that familiar with the tradition in other countries.
You make a good point, though, perhaps we shouldn’t assume that the reader is already a convert to the cause. After all, reading is how many of us came to be enlightened. Many of us were fortunate to have others around to help us understand, but in this day of people staying at home in front of their PCs, we may need to preface work that has an important political impact.
Anyway, bravo to you, Poniplaizy, for wading through the memoir and finding the gems that were there. I imagined you must have “googled” a lot to figure out what happened in Nicaragua in the 70s. Let’s hope others will do the same.
Peace,
Sherrie Miranda
P.S. My novel has a translation of “Love Poem” by Roque Dalton and his presence is felt throughout the novel. LONG LIVE THE POETS OF THE WORLD!
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:
September 15, 2015
Contentment
Wonderful words on Contentment as opposed to Happiness.
My addition: Accept life as it is & better will come. Enjoy what you have and be grateful for you will find more of that which you are grateful for.
Another famous saying: Whether you are sad or happy, it will pass, so enjoy life for what it brings you today!
Or, as the song says “Don’t worry. Be happy!” ;-)
Originally posted on SPEAKZEASY:
CONTENTMENT is a mental or emotional state of satisfaction drawn from being at ease in one’s situation, body and mind. It is a state of having accepted one’s situation and is a for of happiness. Contentment and the pursuit of contentment are a central thread through many philosophical or religious schools across diverse cultures, times and geographies.
Quotes :
(1) Ten poor men sleep in peace on one straw bed, as SAADI sings, but the biggest Empire is too narrow for two Kings. —– William R Alger.
(2) Health is the greatest gift. Contentment is the greatest wealth. A trusted friend is the best relative, NIBBANA is the greatest bliss. —— Gautama Buddha.
(3) A joyful heart makes a cheerful face. A sad heart makes a despondent mood. All the days of a poor person are wretched, but contentment is a feast without end. ——- Rabbi Meir Leibush.(4) Where…
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September 14, 2015
870. A hug makes you feel good all day. ~Kathleen Keating
‘Nuff said. The pics say it all!
Peace, love & joy to all!
Sherrie
Originally posted on Sacred Touches:
A hug delights and warms and charms;
that must be why God gave us arms.
~Author Unknown
A hug is the perfect gift:
one size fits all, and
nobody minds if you exchange it.
~Irvin Ball
Love is a circular emotion
that surrounds you, like a hug,
~Jarod Kintz
One word can end a fight;
One hug can start a friendship;
One smile can being unity;
One person can change your entire life!
~Israelmore Ayivor
Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. ~Proverbs 4:8 ✝
**images via Pinterest; collages by Natalie
MONDAY FUNNIES with MAXINE…
We got political funnies today! Well, except for the first one. Sorry, Maxine, but I will not put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and have dirty water spraying all the dishes! What? So they are equally dirty?
HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE! ;-)
Peace, love & happiness to all!
Sherrie
Originally posted on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog:
POLITICS ANYONE?
September 13, 2015
868. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~Mother Teresa
Such lovely thoughts & images, I had to share! ;-)
Wishing everyone a wonderfully happy week!
Sherrie
Originally posted on Sacred Touches:
Let my soul smile through my heart
and my heart smile through my eyes,
that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.
~Paramahansa Yogananda
Too often we underestimate the power of
a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
~Leo Buscaglia
A smile is the light in your window
that tells others that there is a
caring, sharing person inside.
~Denis Waitley
After every storm the sun will smile;
for every problem there is a solution,
and the soul’s indefeasible duty
is to be of good cheer.
~William R. Alger
Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life,
The evening beam that smiles the clouds away,
and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.
~Lord Byron
A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile
can work wonders…
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September 12, 2015
Marie, Barb & the Buffalo: My Most Random Book Sell Ever
I am from Upstate NY & we love the artsy-ness of Buffalo!
We will be back there Sept. 26-Oct.11 (the 10th is my nephew’s wedding). Any chance we can meet up? We haven’t gotten new passports yet (actually, not sure if my hubby ever had one – after all he used be able to go to CA & MX without one!). Otherwise I would suggest a meet-up in Canada.
Also, I know an author in Albany if you want to visit that cool city (at least it’s cool to us Californians as they tear down any bldg. that needs a paint job!)
Let me know. My favorite part of being an author is meeting other authors.
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&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent
Originally posted on Claudette Melanson, Author of Dark Fantasy:
Ron with the buffalo at Trader Joe’s in Buffalo, NY
Almost two months ago, my husband drove me down to Buffalo, New York for a book signing at a popular café. I’m kind of new at all this, given Rising Tide is my first novel and all, so I’m learning a lot about the world of publishing…and marketing. It turned out we were at the café during a very slow time for business. The book signing wasn’t a huge success—and I do count every, single sell as a success—but I was still happy we got to go on a road trip, listening to the blog of the phenomenal author Lindsay Buroker on the way and soaking up some awesome promo tips. We ate a really nice lunch out, which is something we don’t do a lot. I had a Huevos Rancheros brunchy-style dish that was simply to-die-for. And yes, of…
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