Martha Rodriguez's Blog, page 3
November 2, 2011
Walking and Writing: One Hundred Steps at a Time
I spent a few minutes on-line this morning trying to find out how many steps the average person takes in a day. I knew it was a big mistake the minute I typed the words into the search bar, but I thought it would be a fun fact to know. Well, I was right: it was a big mistake. How can anyone really know? Who goes around counting their steps and posting the number on the internet, anyway? No one, but that doesn’t stop people from giving their opinion so, aside from finding out that it’s anywhere from zero to infinity, I found quite a few sites that told me how many steps I “should” take if I want to be healthy. That was not my question! I love you internet, but sometimes I wonder why I even invite you into my home!
You’re probably wondering what all this silliness is about… assuming you’ve gotten this far. Well, it’s about my latest writing project, a children’s book of short stories about the details we often miss as we take our few or many steps throughout the day. Each story is about taking one hundred steps. Where will they take me? What will I see, hear, or smell? Will I be surprised or bored? Will I meet people and their look-alike pets? Will a beat-up, old-fashioned car bring back memories from my childhood? I hope to share the answers to all these questions soon. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at part of the first story. I hope you enjoy it.
The First One Hundred Steps
I’m standing in the hallway just outside the front door to my apartment on the nineteenth floor. My back is against the door. It’s chilly in the hallway but warm right where I’m standing because the hot Hawaiian sun is streaming in through the window opposite my door. I haven’t taken the first step in my silly experiment yet but I will in the next few seconds. Standing here I can see a small portion of Koko Head, a tuff cone made of volcanic ash, in the distance and many buildings between Koko Head and mine. It’s a sunny day but there are a few puffy, white clouds in the sky. I can tell it’s windy because the palm trees are swaying softly back and forth. I’m anxious to see what else is waiting for me outside as I start my one-hundred-step walk. Will I even make it outside the building? What will I see? Will it be super exciting or super boring? I guess I’ll never know if I don’t take that first step. Here goes!
Wait! I don’t want to waste too many steps just to get on the elevator. I should plan a strategy. There’s no one else in the hallway so I can be as silly as I like. Well, even if there was someone in the hallway, I’d probably be silly anyway. I’m going to take giant steps until I get to the elevator button. One… two… three! Not bad, only three steps. I push the “down” button and wait. I’m not moving a muscle. Don’t want to use up anymore steps.
I realize I may have a slight problem. There are three elevator doors in the hallway. I’m standing between the two closest to my apartment. The “down” button is between these two doors. I’m close enough to both of them that it will probably only take me one or two steps to get inside either of the elevators when one arrives. But there’s a third elevator, further down the hallway. If that’s the elevator that comes first, I’m going to have to waste a few extra steps or wait for the next one. I cross my fingers and wait. Five seconds go by before I hear a familiar dinging sound, like a doorbell. It’s just the elevator telling me it’s on the way. I still don’t know which one it will be but it sounds like it will be the second one. Suddenly, the door to the second elevator begins to open. Nice! Only one giant step will get me inside.
Problem! There’s a video camera inside the elevator. If someone at the front desk in the lobby is watching the computer screen, they will see me taking that giant step. They’ll probably wonder if I’m crazy. It won't be the first time someone has thought that. I can’t worry about it right now because I have to save my steps. I take a big step, my fourth one, as the automated lady’s voice says, “Going down.” My body is just inside the elevator door. If I’m too close to the door, it won’t close so I tuck my behind in, just in case. Success! The door closes. I’m standing right beside the panel of buttons, from “L,” for Lobby, to 39. I won’t need to take any extra steps to choose. I press the “L” button and wait to start moving down.
The elevator is on the outside of the building and has a big window through which I can see the same things I saw from the window in the hallway. My stomach feels a little funny as the elevator begins to go down all nineteen floors. I lift my left foot off the ground a little and pivot my body around on my right foot as we get closer to the lobby. Now, I’m facing the door. It's very shiny, like a mirror, and I can see myself in it. I can also see the reflection of what’s outside the window. The palm trees are still swaying. I can’t hear it yet, but I know they are making a beautiful, peaceful sound. I’ve heard it many times.
As the elevator door opens onto the open-air lobby, and the automated lady’s voice says, “Lobby,” I finally hear the “Shhhhhhhh, shaaaaaaaa, shhhhhhhh, shaaaaaaaa,” as the wind blows the palm fronds from side to side and tosses my hair all around my face. Step number five takes me out of the elevator where another camera is looking at me. By the time I reach the front desk and greet the men working there, I’m on step number twenty-five.
I pretend that I hadn’t taken a giant step when getting on the elevator and cross my fingers that the men hadn't seen me on their computer screen. The nice men say, “Hello,” and ask how I am. “Fine, thank you. How are you?” I reply. Turns out they are fine, too. That’s nice. They are smiling big side-to-side smiles. I think they saw my giant step. I don’t mind. This is fun.
The lobby is beautiful. Some of the walls have pretty wood panels on them and the floor is made of tiles; some big and some small but all shiny and sparkling clean. The furniture is comfortable. I need to remember to come down and sit here more often, but today I’m on a one-hundred-step walking mission. I can’t stop now. I say goodbye to the men at the desk and walk toward the twelve-foot-tall doorway that leads to the outside of the building. The doors are made of iron. They are black. No, they are green. Actually, they are both. They look very heavy but they aren’t. They make a soft, creaking sound when I push them open to step outside the building with my forty-fifth step.
I could hear them before I could see them; the construction workers and their trucks fixing the road just to the left of my building. This is usually a quiet street. I often sit on a bench here to listen to the birds chirping, smell the lovely aroma of the Plumeria flowers, and people-watch as folks go walking by. Today the sounds, smells and sights are different. The street has a big hole in it and there are men here to fill it, like a dentist fills a cavity or a scab forms over a cut.
There’s more to the story and I look forward to sharing it soon. Oh, and to answer my own question, “Who goes around counting their steps and posting the number on the internet, anyway?” I do, and it’s great fun! I hope you’ll read this sneak peek to your children and students and encourage them to observe the world around them and to write in detail about their one hundred steps.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
The First One Hundred Steps
Copyright 2011 Martha Rodriguez
You’re probably wondering what all this silliness is about… assuming you’ve gotten this far. Well, it’s about my latest writing project, a children’s book of short stories about the details we often miss as we take our few or many steps throughout the day. Each story is about taking one hundred steps. Where will they take me? What will I see, hear, or smell? Will I be surprised or bored? Will I meet people and their look-alike pets? Will a beat-up, old-fashioned car bring back memories from my childhood? I hope to share the answers to all these questions soon. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at part of the first story. I hope you enjoy it.
The First One Hundred Steps
I’m standing in the hallway just outside the front door to my apartment on the nineteenth floor. My back is against the door. It’s chilly in the hallway but warm right where I’m standing because the hot Hawaiian sun is streaming in through the window opposite my door. I haven’t taken the first step in my silly experiment yet but I will in the next few seconds. Standing here I can see a small portion of Koko Head, a tuff cone made of volcanic ash, in the distance and many buildings between Koko Head and mine. It’s a sunny day but there are a few puffy, white clouds in the sky. I can tell it’s windy because the palm trees are swaying softly back and forth. I’m anxious to see what else is waiting for me outside as I start my one-hundred-step walk. Will I even make it outside the building? What will I see? Will it be super exciting or super boring? I guess I’ll never know if I don’t take that first step. Here goes!
Wait! I don’t want to waste too many steps just to get on the elevator. I should plan a strategy. There’s no one else in the hallway so I can be as silly as I like. Well, even if there was someone in the hallway, I’d probably be silly anyway. I’m going to take giant steps until I get to the elevator button. One… two… three! Not bad, only three steps. I push the “down” button and wait. I’m not moving a muscle. Don’t want to use up anymore steps.
I realize I may have a slight problem. There are three elevator doors in the hallway. I’m standing between the two closest to my apartment. The “down” button is between these two doors. I’m close enough to both of them that it will probably only take me one or two steps to get inside either of the elevators when one arrives. But there’s a third elevator, further down the hallway. If that’s the elevator that comes first, I’m going to have to waste a few extra steps or wait for the next one. I cross my fingers and wait. Five seconds go by before I hear a familiar dinging sound, like a doorbell. It’s just the elevator telling me it’s on the way. I still don’t know which one it will be but it sounds like it will be the second one. Suddenly, the door to the second elevator begins to open. Nice! Only one giant step will get me inside.
Problem! There’s a video camera inside the elevator. If someone at the front desk in the lobby is watching the computer screen, they will see me taking that giant step. They’ll probably wonder if I’m crazy. It won't be the first time someone has thought that. I can’t worry about it right now because I have to save my steps. I take a big step, my fourth one, as the automated lady’s voice says, “Going down.” My body is just inside the elevator door. If I’m too close to the door, it won’t close so I tuck my behind in, just in case. Success! The door closes. I’m standing right beside the panel of buttons, from “L,” for Lobby, to 39. I won’t need to take any extra steps to choose. I press the “L” button and wait to start moving down.
The elevator is on the outside of the building and has a big window through which I can see the same things I saw from the window in the hallway. My stomach feels a little funny as the elevator begins to go down all nineteen floors. I lift my left foot off the ground a little and pivot my body around on my right foot as we get closer to the lobby. Now, I’m facing the door. It's very shiny, like a mirror, and I can see myself in it. I can also see the reflection of what’s outside the window. The palm trees are still swaying. I can’t hear it yet, but I know they are making a beautiful, peaceful sound. I’ve heard it many times. As the elevator door opens onto the open-air lobby, and the automated lady’s voice says, “Lobby,” I finally hear the “Shhhhhhhh, shaaaaaaaa, shhhhhhhh, shaaaaaaaa,” as the wind blows the palm fronds from side to side and tosses my hair all around my face. Step number five takes me out of the elevator where another camera is looking at me. By the time I reach the front desk and greet the men working there, I’m on step number twenty-five.
I pretend that I hadn’t taken a giant step when getting on the elevator and cross my fingers that the men hadn't seen me on their computer screen. The nice men say, “Hello,” and ask how I am. “Fine, thank you. How are you?” I reply. Turns out they are fine, too. That’s nice. They are smiling big side-to-side smiles. I think they saw my giant step. I don’t mind. This is fun.
The lobby is beautiful. Some of the walls have pretty wood panels on them and the floor is made of tiles; some big and some small but all shiny and sparkling clean. The furniture is comfortable. I need to remember to come down and sit here more often, but today I’m on a one-hundred-step walking mission. I can’t stop now. I say goodbye to the men at the desk and walk toward the twelve-foot-tall doorway that leads to the outside of the building. The doors are made of iron. They are black. No, they are green. Actually, they are both. They look very heavy but they aren’t. They make a soft, creaking sound when I push them open to step outside the building with my forty-fifth step.
I could hear them before I could see them; the construction workers and their trucks fixing the road just to the left of my building. This is usually a quiet street. I often sit on a bench here to listen to the birds chirping, smell the lovely aroma of the Plumeria flowers, and people-watch as folks go walking by. Today the sounds, smells and sights are different. The street has a big hole in it and there are men here to fill it, like a dentist fills a cavity or a scab forms over a cut.
There’s more to the story and I look forward to sharing it soon. Oh, and to answer my own question, “Who goes around counting their steps and posting the number on the internet, anyway?” I do, and it’s great fun! I hope you’ll read this sneak peek to your children and students and encourage them to observe the world around them and to write in detail about their one hundred steps.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
The First One Hundred Steps
Copyright 2011 Martha Rodriguez
October 27, 2011
This Short Story Goes a Long Way!
Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo
by Jeremy Rodden
I recently read Jeremy Rodden’s book, Toonopolis: Gemini and loved it (read my review here), so I was very excited to learn that Jeremy had written a novella about one of the characters in that book. What a great way to meet this interesting character, to learn his back-story and to see how he fits into Toonopolis: Gemini.
Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo is the story of Yoshi, later known as Anchihiiroo and even later known as Han’Eiyuu. The novella introduces us to five-year-old Yoshi at the moment he becomes an orphan and we follow him until he becomes a man. Throughout his life, Yoshi suffers at the hands of evil men and is cared for by gentle ones. There’s an underlying tug-of-war in his heart between good and evil. He wants to protect his town from evil so the townsfolk won’t have to suffer as he has. He trains for years to be the hero they need. But, he also feels a need to avenge the death of his parents and the training he receives at the hands of his sensei will prepare him for battle.
Will he ultimately be a hero or an anti-hero? Will he use his mind, body and spirit strength for good or evil?
As in Toonopolis: Gemini, the characters in this novella are extremely well structured. They are so real that you forget that you’re reading about cartoon characters… well, until one of them says something wildly sarcastic and you quickly remember that you’re in a toon world! That’s the great thing about Jeremy’s writing, just when you think something is very serious, he gets all goofy on you. The comic relief is perfectly placed and always welcome. And just as quickly, you’re back in the action and loving it.
The story stands steadily on its own but, trust me, you’re going to want to know what happens next and what happens next is in Toonopolis: Gemini. Read separately or together, these are two great stories that everyone will enjoy.
You’ve done it again, Jeremy! I can’t wait to read more about your great characters. Keep the stories coming because we want to keep reading them!
Until next time... stay cool!
Martha
Visit Jeremy Rodden here.
Purchase Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo here. For pre-teens to 100+
Jeremy on Twitter: @toonopolis
Toonopolis Facebook Page here.
DISCLOSURE: I want to sincerely thank Jeremy Rodden for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to read and review.
by Jeremy Rodden
I recently read Jeremy Rodden’s book, Toonopolis: Gemini and loved it (read my review here), so I was very excited to learn that Jeremy had written a novella about one of the characters in that book. What a great way to meet this interesting character, to learn his back-story and to see how he fits into Toonopolis: Gemini.
Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo is the story of Yoshi, later known as Anchihiiroo and even later known as Han’Eiyuu. The novella introduces us to five-year-old Yoshi at the moment he becomes an orphan and we follow him until he becomes a man. Throughout his life, Yoshi suffers at the hands of evil men and is cared for by gentle ones. There’s an underlying tug-of-war in his heart between good and evil. He wants to protect his town from evil so the townsfolk won’t have to suffer as he has. He trains for years to be the hero they need. But, he also feels a need to avenge the death of his parents and the training he receives at the hands of his sensei will prepare him for battle. Will he ultimately be a hero or an anti-hero? Will he use his mind, body and spirit strength for good or evil?
As in Toonopolis: Gemini, the characters in this novella are extremely well structured. They are so real that you forget that you’re reading about cartoon characters… well, until one of them says something wildly sarcastic and you quickly remember that you’re in a toon world! That’s the great thing about Jeremy’s writing, just when you think something is very serious, he gets all goofy on you. The comic relief is perfectly placed and always welcome. And just as quickly, you’re back in the action and loving it.
The story stands steadily on its own but, trust me, you’re going to want to know what happens next and what happens next is in Toonopolis: Gemini. Read separately or together, these are two great stories that everyone will enjoy.
You’ve done it again, Jeremy! I can’t wait to read more about your great characters. Keep the stories coming because we want to keep reading them!
Until next time... stay cool!
Martha
Visit Jeremy Rodden here.
Purchase Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo here. For pre-teens to 100+
Jeremy on Twitter: @toonopolis
Toonopolis Facebook Page here.
DISCLOSURE: I want to sincerely thank Jeremy Rodden for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to read and review.
October 18, 2011
An Angel Without Wings
I can’t see her wings but I know she’s an angel. Maybe she’s hiding her wings under her dress. I wish I could see them and touch them. Will they be as I imagine, soft and white as a cloud?
She is old because she’s lived on Earth for a long time. When I think about her as a young woman, I see her in black and white, like an old picture you find in a box in the closet. Her face is pretty, her skin is soft and her eyes are as black as the night. She looks like an angel.
Her face is soft and sweet but she is not quiet or shy. Her voice is loud and happy. I can hear it all over the house and it makes me want to talk and laugh with her. I’m not sure this is how angels are supposed to be. Maybe God was trying something new when he made her.
Her arms are strong but gentle, and always open. I come in close for her endless hugs, always feeling how much she loves me by how hard she squeezes me. When I hug her back there are no wings beneath her dress as I had hoped, but I know she’s an angel.
Her room is neat and clean. Her bed is made but she doesn’t mind when I sit on it to watch her sew. She tells me stories about when she was a little girl. My favorite story is about jumping over barrels on roller skates. I think that’s her favorite story, too. It sounds scary but I guess it’s easy to jump high when you have wings.
When she cooks, pots and pans bang together and delicious smells come out of the kitchen. She lets me taste the fluffy rice or crunchy homemade French fries. They taste good and feel warm in my stomach. Angels are great cooks. Haven’t you ever heard of Angel Food Cake?
She is not rich but she helps anyone who asks her for help. She even helps people who are too shy to ask. Sometimes she cries when she is hurt on the outside or on the inside. But she laughs more than she cries because she has been loved more love than she has been hurt. Everyone loves angels.
Sometimes, angels and kids can have a bad day but my angel knows how to fix that. We go for a walk or ride the bus to the pizzeria. My angel never uses her wings to get us there but that’s okay because walking and riding the bus is always fun.
I wish every kid could have an angel of their own because angels are pretty, sweet, funny, and silly. They also tell exciting stories and make great French fries.
I’ve heard that angels are supposed to earn their wings by doing good things on Earth just like kids earn stars for their charts by being good at school. I wonder what God is waiting for. My angel’s star chart is full.
A short story by Martha Rodriguez
Copyright 2011
She is old because she’s lived on Earth for a long time. When I think about her as a young woman, I see her in black and white, like an old picture you find in a box in the closet. Her face is pretty, her skin is soft and her eyes are as black as the night. She looks like an angel.
Her face is soft and sweet but she is not quiet or shy. Her voice is loud and happy. I can hear it all over the house and it makes me want to talk and laugh with her. I’m not sure this is how angels are supposed to be. Maybe God was trying something new when he made her.
Her arms are strong but gentle, and always open. I come in close for her endless hugs, always feeling how much she loves me by how hard she squeezes me. When I hug her back there are no wings beneath her dress as I had hoped, but I know she’s an angel.
Her room is neat and clean. Her bed is made but she doesn’t mind when I sit on it to watch her sew. She tells me stories about when she was a little girl. My favorite story is about jumping over barrels on roller skates. I think that’s her favorite story, too. It sounds scary but I guess it’s easy to jump high when you have wings.
When she cooks, pots and pans bang together and delicious smells come out of the kitchen. She lets me taste the fluffy rice or crunchy homemade French fries. They taste good and feel warm in my stomach. Angels are great cooks. Haven’t you ever heard of Angel Food Cake?
She is not rich but she helps anyone who asks her for help. She even helps people who are too shy to ask. Sometimes she cries when she is hurt on the outside or on the inside. But she laughs more than she cries because she has been loved more love than she has been hurt. Everyone loves angels.
Sometimes, angels and kids can have a bad day but my angel knows how to fix that. We go for a walk or ride the bus to the pizzeria. My angel never uses her wings to get us there but that’s okay because walking and riding the bus is always fun.
I wish every kid could have an angel of their own because angels are pretty, sweet, funny, and silly. They also tell exciting stories and make great French fries.
I’ve heard that angels are supposed to earn their wings by doing good things on Earth just like kids earn stars for their charts by being good at school. I wonder what God is waiting for. My angel’s star chart is full.
A short story by Martha Rodriguez
Copyright 2011
October 13, 2011
Leaving
The adults are crying and hugging as they come into the house and as they leave. One lady nestles my Mami’s face in her hands. It looks like she is trying to hold Mami’s face together. Another person gives Papi a big hug, the kind where they slap each other on the back really hard. The kids aren’t crying or hugging, we’re playing on the floor with a set of Jacks.
The cold tile floor feels good against my legs on this warm Cuban night. We are in the corner of the living room that doesn’t have furniture in it so no one can step on the Jacks as we spread them out on the floor. It’s my turn and I’m on twosies. I’m nervous because the Jacks are very spread apart. I’m not sure I’ll have enough time to scoop up two Jacks before that very bouncy little red ball comes back down. I know I have to throw the ball in the air high enough to have a few seconds to pick up those two Jacks, but not so high that it hits the low ceiling. I’m trying to concentrate on the force of the throw and the quickness of the swipe, but it’s hard. All I hear is the adult conversation in the middle of the room.
Mami and Papi told me and my brother that we are going on a trip in the morning. Abuela ironed our clothes and carefully packed everything this morning. I guess we’re not taking too many things with us. Everything for six people fits in one suitcase. Hanging on the rod just inside the door of the chifferobe are two suits, one for Papi and one for Abuelo, a pair of pants and a shirt for my brother, and three dresses, one for me, one for Mami and one for Abuela. We’ve worn these same clothes to parties and weddings before. They are the nicest clothes we own. I guess this trip is important. I wonder how long we’ll be gone and what we’ll see when we get to New York.
I have to stop listening to the adults and start concentrating on the Jacks game. It’s not easy to do because there’s so much talking. I was able to pick up four sets of twosies and I only have one set left. If I can pick these last two Jacks up off the floor and then grab the ball before it bounces twice, I can move up to threesies. The Jacks are very far apart. Here goes. The ball is in the air, I swipe the two Jacks and let the ball bounce once. Oh, no! I didn’t catch it. My turn is over. It’s my cousin’s turn so I give her the ten Jacks and the ball and she takes her first shot at onesies.
While my cousin takes her turn I turn my full attention to the adults’ conversations. Abuela is giving her Saint figurine to her brother. She tells him that they won’t let her take it to America and asks him to pray to the Saint for health and happiness for our family. That’s not the only thing my parents and grandparents are giving away. Everything we own that’s not in that suitcase in the bedroom is being passed on to our cousins, aunts and uncles, or friends. I can tell they feel bad about taking our things. My uncle says he’ll hold on to Papi's watch until they see each other again. He’s looking forward to giving it back to Papi someday.
Neighbors and friends express their gratitude for the clothes and shoes for their children or grandchildren because it’s hard to get clothes and shoes these days. They talk about how they stand in line all day only to get to the front and hear that there’s nothing left to buy. They say it will be different in America; that we can buy, do and say whatever we want there. As they leave our house, they try to hide the items as best they can. Some things need to be stuffed into big purses and others fit in small suit pockets. I ask Abuelo why they have to hide our things before they leave our house. He says that the government is watching but I don’t understand what that means.
The man who is talking to Abuelo tells him that we’re lucky to be leaving the country as a family. Many families have been split up. The government has given permission for the children to leave but not the parents. Other Mamis and Papis have put their children on airplanes heading to America. They are sending them to live with other family members who were lucky to get out of Cuba months or years ago. Some kids don’t even have family in America and will go to foster homes. For some parents it has already been years since they’ve seen their kids. It makes me sad to hear that and I hope those kids see their families soon. I’m happy to be with my family.
My brother and cousins keep playing Jacks. They are laughing and having fun. I walk over to my other Abuela, the one that is not going on the trip with us. The minute I stand next to her she puts her arms around me and kisses my cheek. I can see that she’s trying to hold back her tears but it’s impossible. She wipes the tears away with her pretty embroidered handkerchief that’s already wet from other tears. I hug and kiss her back. She tells me how excited she is for me and my brother to go to Miami and then New York, our final stop on the trip. She reminds me to visit the Statue of Liberty, a big statue that stands on a little island in New York. I turn and ask Papi if we can visit the statue. He assures me we will.
I listen to more conversations as I walk from one side of the room to the other. Some conversations I understand and others I don’t. It’s getting late and there are just a few family members left in the house. The Jacks game has long been over. None of the kids got past twosies but they had fun trying. Some kids are asleep on the couch and others in the arms of their parents. We give and get final hugs and kisses as the last family members leave. The adults have to go to work in the morning and the kids have to go to school. It’s time to put our pajamas on and wash up for bed. Mami and Abuela prepare warm milk for us and it’s as delicious as always.
Before I go to bed I remember that I haven’t packed my Jacks. As I go to put them in the suitcase, Abuelo stops me. He says I can’t bring them with me, just like Abuela can’t bring her Saint figurine. That doesn’t seem fair. I should have given them to my cousin for safe keeping until I see her again just like Papi gave his watch to my uncle. Abuelo suggests I do just that. He helps me write a note to my cousin. I put it on the kitchen table and arrange the ten Jacks in a circle on top of it. I put the little red ball in the middle so it won’t escape.
I climb into bed while my parents finish picking up around the house and packing a few last things. I wonder what it will be like in New York. I hope there are Jacks there. I hope our family will be able to visit us there. Maybe when she comes to visit, I can take my other Abuela to see the Statue of Liberty. I think she’ll like that. I have to remember to ask Papi what liberty means.
A short story by Martha Rodriguez
Copyright 2011
The cold tile floor feels good against my legs on this warm Cuban night. We are in the corner of the living room that doesn’t have furniture in it so no one can step on the Jacks as we spread them out on the floor. It’s my turn and I’m on twosies. I’m nervous because the Jacks are very spread apart. I’m not sure I’ll have enough time to scoop up two Jacks before that very bouncy little red ball comes back down. I know I have to throw the ball in the air high enough to have a few seconds to pick up those two Jacks, but not so high that it hits the low ceiling. I’m trying to concentrate on the force of the throw and the quickness of the swipe, but it’s hard. All I hear is the adult conversation in the middle of the room.
Mami and Papi told me and my brother that we are going on a trip in the morning. Abuela ironed our clothes and carefully packed everything this morning. I guess we’re not taking too many things with us. Everything for six people fits in one suitcase. Hanging on the rod just inside the door of the chifferobe are two suits, one for Papi and one for Abuelo, a pair of pants and a shirt for my brother, and three dresses, one for me, one for Mami and one for Abuela. We’ve worn these same clothes to parties and weddings before. They are the nicest clothes we own. I guess this trip is important. I wonder how long we’ll be gone and what we’ll see when we get to New York.
I have to stop listening to the adults and start concentrating on the Jacks game. It’s not easy to do because there’s so much talking. I was able to pick up four sets of twosies and I only have one set left. If I can pick these last two Jacks up off the floor and then grab the ball before it bounces twice, I can move up to threesies. The Jacks are very far apart. Here goes. The ball is in the air, I swipe the two Jacks and let the ball bounce once. Oh, no! I didn’t catch it. My turn is over. It’s my cousin’s turn so I give her the ten Jacks and the ball and she takes her first shot at onesies.
While my cousin takes her turn I turn my full attention to the adults’ conversations. Abuela is giving her Saint figurine to her brother. She tells him that they won’t let her take it to America and asks him to pray to the Saint for health and happiness for our family. That’s not the only thing my parents and grandparents are giving away. Everything we own that’s not in that suitcase in the bedroom is being passed on to our cousins, aunts and uncles, or friends. I can tell they feel bad about taking our things. My uncle says he’ll hold on to Papi's watch until they see each other again. He’s looking forward to giving it back to Papi someday.
Neighbors and friends express their gratitude for the clothes and shoes for their children or grandchildren because it’s hard to get clothes and shoes these days. They talk about how they stand in line all day only to get to the front and hear that there’s nothing left to buy. They say it will be different in America; that we can buy, do and say whatever we want there. As they leave our house, they try to hide the items as best they can. Some things need to be stuffed into big purses and others fit in small suit pockets. I ask Abuelo why they have to hide our things before they leave our house. He says that the government is watching but I don’t understand what that means.
The man who is talking to Abuelo tells him that we’re lucky to be leaving the country as a family. Many families have been split up. The government has given permission for the children to leave but not the parents. Other Mamis and Papis have put their children on airplanes heading to America. They are sending them to live with other family members who were lucky to get out of Cuba months or years ago. Some kids don’t even have family in America and will go to foster homes. For some parents it has already been years since they’ve seen their kids. It makes me sad to hear that and I hope those kids see their families soon. I’m happy to be with my family.
My brother and cousins keep playing Jacks. They are laughing and having fun. I walk over to my other Abuela, the one that is not going on the trip with us. The minute I stand next to her she puts her arms around me and kisses my cheek. I can see that she’s trying to hold back her tears but it’s impossible. She wipes the tears away with her pretty embroidered handkerchief that’s already wet from other tears. I hug and kiss her back. She tells me how excited she is for me and my brother to go to Miami and then New York, our final stop on the trip. She reminds me to visit the Statue of Liberty, a big statue that stands on a little island in New York. I turn and ask Papi if we can visit the statue. He assures me we will.
I listen to more conversations as I walk from one side of the room to the other. Some conversations I understand and others I don’t. It’s getting late and there are just a few family members left in the house. The Jacks game has long been over. None of the kids got past twosies but they had fun trying. Some kids are asleep on the couch and others in the arms of their parents. We give and get final hugs and kisses as the last family members leave. The adults have to go to work in the morning and the kids have to go to school. It’s time to put our pajamas on and wash up for bed. Mami and Abuela prepare warm milk for us and it’s as delicious as always.
Before I go to bed I remember that I haven’t packed my Jacks. As I go to put them in the suitcase, Abuelo stops me. He says I can’t bring them with me, just like Abuela can’t bring her Saint figurine. That doesn’t seem fair. I should have given them to my cousin for safe keeping until I see her again just like Papi gave his watch to my uncle. Abuelo suggests I do just that. He helps me write a note to my cousin. I put it on the kitchen table and arrange the ten Jacks in a circle on top of it. I put the little red ball in the middle so it won’t escape.
I climb into bed while my parents finish picking up around the house and packing a few last things. I wonder what it will be like in New York. I hope there are Jacks there. I hope our family will be able to visit us there. Maybe when she comes to visit, I can take my other Abuela to see the Statue of Liberty. I think she’ll like that. I have to remember to ask Papi what liberty means.
A short story by Martha Rodriguez
Copyright 2011
October 5, 2011
Aaaaah, That New Book Smell
A comforting, calming feeling came over me the day Joey and I picked up the copies of A Reel Cool Summer from the printing house. We had been working on our little book for about nine months. Being separated by 5,000 miles and who knows how many time zones wasn’t easy but we made it work. We spoke almost every day and emails flew back and forth by the minute. Many times we emailed each other while on the phone. I think we said, “I’m emailing it to you right now,” and, “Okay, I just got it, let me look at it,” a million times… at least it seemed that way.
It was an amazingly stressful and joyful time. We worried a lot and we laughed a lot. We made fun of each other and of ourselves. One of us would ask, “Who writes and illustrates a book and publishes it themselves?” The other would answer, “Apparently, crazy people like us!”
Throughout those nine months we worked hard to move things forward with the hope of getting the book “there.” We were thrilled when the “there” day came and after a few changes to the proof, we were ready to give the printer final approval – or were we? That meant no more wondering if an illustration could be improved or if the story was lacking somehow and no more chances to proofread or make one last change to the cover. It was hard to let go but the final proof did look great. The colors were amazing and the illustrations were detailed and clear. The cover was perfect, the pages were in the correct order, and the text had been proofread to death. We hoped so, anyway! It was time to click the send button on the email and give the order to print. Wait for it. Wait for it. Click! It’s done.
The wait was only about ten days but it seemed like ten eternities. On the one hand, I wanted it to be over, but on the other, I didn’t. Thank God I didn’t have another hand! Then, the call came from the printer. The books were ready. Joey and I jumped in the car and headed over there. Nerves, excitement, nerves, excitement… why is this light red!
Finally, I held in my hands the first copy of the book. I smelled it. Doesn’t everyone do that? Aaaaah, that new book smell. Every doubt and worry melted away. The months of hard work and nervous jokes seemed like they had never existed. I was calm and excited. I didn’t cry, but it was close. That new book smell defined our journey. All our stinky blood, sweat and tears came out smelling like roses. Here was our little book, ready to jump into the hands of little ones eager to read it. Our hope is that the kiddos will enjoy reading it so much that the new book smell will soon be gone and replaced with whatever that smell is that brings back memories about reading a good book.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
We'd like to share more of our writing and illustrating journey with you on the GoodReads website. We're having a Q&A session through November 3rd. Please stop by and join the conversation with me and Joey at Q&A with Martha Rodriguez.
It was an amazingly stressful and joyful time. We worried a lot and we laughed a lot. We made fun of each other and of ourselves. One of us would ask, “Who writes and illustrates a book and publishes it themselves?” The other would answer, “Apparently, crazy people like us!”
Throughout those nine months we worked hard to move things forward with the hope of getting the book “there.” We were thrilled when the “there” day came and after a few changes to the proof, we were ready to give the printer final approval – or were we? That meant no more wondering if an illustration could be improved or if the story was lacking somehow and no more chances to proofread or make one last change to the cover. It was hard to let go but the final proof did look great. The colors were amazing and the illustrations were detailed and clear. The cover was perfect, the pages were in the correct order, and the text had been proofread to death. We hoped so, anyway! It was time to click the send button on the email and give the order to print. Wait for it. Wait for it. Click! It’s done.
The wait was only about ten days but it seemed like ten eternities. On the one hand, I wanted it to be over, but on the other, I didn’t. Thank God I didn’t have another hand! Then, the call came from the printer. The books were ready. Joey and I jumped in the car and headed over there. Nerves, excitement, nerves, excitement… why is this light red!
Finally, I held in my hands the first copy of the book. I smelled it. Doesn’t everyone do that? Aaaaah, that new book smell. Every doubt and worry melted away. The months of hard work and nervous jokes seemed like they had never existed. I was calm and excited. I didn’t cry, but it was close. That new book smell defined our journey. All our stinky blood, sweat and tears came out smelling like roses. Here was our little book, ready to jump into the hands of little ones eager to read it. Our hope is that the kiddos will enjoy reading it so much that the new book smell will soon be gone and replaced with whatever that smell is that brings back memories about reading a good book.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
We'd like to share more of our writing and illustrating journey with you on the GoodReads website. We're having a Q&A session through November 3rd. Please stop by and join the conversation with me and Joey at Q&A with Martha Rodriguez.
Aaaaah, That New Book Smell
A comforting, calming feeling came over me the day Joey and I picked up the copies of A Reel Cool Summer from the printing house. We had been working on our little book for about nine months. Being separated by 5,000 miles and who knows how many time zones wasn’t easy but we made it work. We spoke almost every day and emails flew back and forth by the minute. Many times we emailed each other while on the phone. I think we said, “I’m emailing it to you right now,” and, “Okay, I just got it, let me look at it,” a million times… at least it seemed that way.
It was an amazingly stressful and joyful time. We worried a lot and we laughed a lot. We made fun of each other and of ourselves. One of us would ask, “Who writes and illustrates a book and publishes it themselves?” The other would answer, “Apparently, crazy people like us!”
Throughout those nine months we worked hard to move things forward with the hope of getting the book “there.” We were thrilled when the “there” day came and after a few changes to the proof, we were ready to give the printer final approval – or were we? That meant no more wondering if an illustration could be improved or if the story was lacking somehow and no more chances to proofread or make one last change to the cover. It was hard to let go but the final proof did look great. The colors were amazing and the illustrations were detailed and clear. The cover was perfect, the pages were in the correct order, and the text had been proofread to death. We hoped so, anyway! It was time to click the send button on the email and give the order to print. Wait for it. Wait for it. Click! It’s done.
The wait was only about ten days but it seemed like ten eternities. On the one hand, I wanted it to be over, but on the other, I didn’t. Thank God I didn’t have another hand! Then, the call came from the printer. The books were ready. Joey and I jumped in the car and headed over there. Nerves, excitement, nerves, excitement… why is this light red?!
Finally, I held in my hands the first copy of the book. I smelled it. Doesn’t everyone do that? Aaaaah, that new book smell. Every doubt and worry melted away. The months of hard work and nervous jokes seemed like they had never existed. I was calm and excited. I didn’t cry, but it was close. That new book smell defined our journey. All our stinky blood, sweat and tears came out smelling like roses. Here was our little book, ready to jump into the hands of little ones eager to read it. Our hope is that the kiddos will enjoy reading it so much that the new book smell will soon be gone and replaced with whatever that smell is that brings back memories about reading a good book.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
We'd like to share more of our writing and illustrating journey with you on the GoodReads website. We're having a Q&A session through December 31st. Please stop by and join the conversation with me and Joey at Q&A with Martha Rodriguez.
It was an amazingly stressful and joyful time. We worried a lot and we laughed a lot. We made fun of each other and of ourselves. One of us would ask, “Who writes and illustrates a book and publishes it themselves?” The other would answer, “Apparently, crazy people like us!” Throughout those nine months we worked hard to move things forward with the hope of getting the book “there.” We were thrilled when the “there” day came and after a few changes to the proof, we were ready to give the printer final approval – or were we? That meant no more wondering if an illustration could be improved or if the story was lacking somehow and no more chances to proofread or make one last change to the cover. It was hard to let go but the final proof did look great. The colors were amazing and the illustrations were detailed and clear. The cover was perfect, the pages were in the correct order, and the text had been proofread to death. We hoped so, anyway! It was time to click the send button on the email and give the order to print. Wait for it. Wait for it. Click! It’s done.
The wait was only about ten days but it seemed like ten eternities. On the one hand, I wanted it to be over, but on the other, I didn’t. Thank God I didn’t have another hand! Then, the call came from the printer. The books were ready. Joey and I jumped in the car and headed over there. Nerves, excitement, nerves, excitement… why is this light red?!
Finally, I held in my hands the first copy of the book. I smelled it. Doesn’t everyone do that? Aaaaah, that new book smell. Every doubt and worry melted away. The months of hard work and nervous jokes seemed like they had never existed. I was calm and excited. I didn’t cry, but it was close. That new book smell defined our journey. All our stinky blood, sweat and tears came out smelling like roses. Here was our little book, ready to jump into the hands of little ones eager to read it. Our hope is that the kiddos will enjoy reading it so much that the new book smell will soon be gone and replaced with whatever that smell is that brings back memories about reading a good book.
Until next time… stay cool!
Martha
We'd like to share more of our writing and illustrating journey with you on the GoodReads website. We're having a Q&A session through December 31st. Please stop by and join the conversation with me and Joey at Q&A with Martha Rodriguez.
August 2, 2011
A Reel Cool Summer Book Giveaway
Wow, that was terrific!! We had 473 Goodreads members enter the giveaway in just two short weeks. Congratulations to the winners!
Thank you to everyone who entered and to everyone who has listed the book as "to read". As a self-published author just getting started, it's nice to see that people are interested in your book.
I hope to see you back here soon and look forward to your reviews of A Reel Cool Summer.
Until then... stay cool!
Martha
Thank you to everyone who entered and to everyone who has listed the book as "to read". As a self-published author just getting started, it's nice to see that people are interested in your book.
I hope to see you back here soon and look forward to your reviews of A Reel Cool Summer.
Until then... stay cool!
Martha
July 29, 2011
First Book and First Blog
Hi! Glad you're here!
This is my first blog post... ever. I'm a little nervous.
I really just wanted to tell you a little bit about my new self-published picture book, A Reel Cool Summer.
The book features my three children when they were younger and it's loosely based on what happened one long and boring summer day when they asked, "We're bored, what can we do?" Moms and dads all over the world know what that's like! Well, I answered with another quesstion, "Why don't you make a movie with our old video camera?"
They took off with the camera and throughout the next few days they wrote a script, found costumes to wear and filmed their movie. They even edited it on two VCRs... poor things!
As you can imagine, we loved it (as parents tend to do with anything creative their kids do)! We still have that movie in our collection and really enjoy watching it with them from time to time. It gets better and sillier every time!
In my book I try to capture the feeling of kids being free to pretend and imagine as they wish. My oldest son, Joey, illustrated the book and really captured the quirky nature of the kids. I think both children and parents will enjoy the story. I hope you do!
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...
Martha
P.S. We're having a book giveaway until August 2, 2011 so click on the below link to enter.
A Reel Cool Summer
This is my first blog post... ever. I'm a little nervous.
I really just wanted to tell you a little bit about my new self-published picture book, A Reel Cool Summer.
The book features my three children when they were younger and it's loosely based on what happened one long and boring summer day when they asked, "We're bored, what can we do?" Moms and dads all over the world know what that's like! Well, I answered with another quesstion, "Why don't you make a movie with our old video camera?"
They took off with the camera and throughout the next few days they wrote a script, found costumes to wear and filmed their movie. They even edited it on two VCRs... poor things!
As you can imagine, we loved it (as parents tend to do with anything creative their kids do)! We still have that movie in our collection and really enjoy watching it with them from time to time. It gets better and sillier every time!
In my book I try to capture the feeling of kids being free to pretend and imagine as they wish. My oldest son, Joey, illustrated the book and really captured the quirky nature of the kids. I think both children and parents will enjoy the story. I hope you do!
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...
Martha
P.S. We're having a book giveaway until August 2, 2011 so click on the below link to enter.
A Reel Cool Summer
