Victor D. López's Blog: Victor D. Lopez, page 42

Unsung Heroes #6: Lita 1929-2018 (Mom)

You were born five years before the beginning of the Spanish civil war and lived in a
Modest two-story home in the lower street of Fontan, facing the ocean that gifted you its
Wealth and beauty and robbed you of your beloved and noblest eldest brother, Juan,
Who was killed while working as a fisherman out to sea at the tender age of 19.

You were a little girl much prone to crying. The neighbors would make you cry just by Saying,
“Chora, neniña, chora” [Cry little girl, cry] which instantly produc...

Free only on 2/20/2021 — Copyright Law: A Practical Guide

This is a general reference for authors, artists, musicians, librarians, entrepreneurs and others interested in learning about copyright law. The material is an edited and expanded version of the relevant chapters from my Intellectual Property Law: A Practical Guide to Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Trade Secrets. It is designed as a brief but informative reference for lay persons who need practical and accurate information that is easy to understand. The main text provides an orientation t...

Héroes Desconocidos: Parte V – Felipe 1931 – 2016 (Papá)

Héroes Desconocidos: Parte V: Felipe 1931 – 2016 (Papá)
© 2016, 2019 Victor D. López

Naciste cinco años antes del comienzo de la Guerra Civil Española que vería a tu padre exiliado.
El lenguaje llegó más tarde a ti que a tu hermano pequeño Manuel, y tartamudeaste por un
Tiempo, a diferencia de aquellos que hablan incesantemente sin nada que decir. Tu madre
Confundió la timidez con la falta de lucidez un trágico error que te marcó por vida.

Cuando tu hermano Manuel murió a los tres años de la m...

Unsung Heroes #5: Felipe (dad)

You were born five years before the Spanish Civil War that would see your father exiled.
Language came later to you than your little brother Manuel. And you stuttered for a time.
Unlike those who speak incessantly with nothing to say, you were quiet and reserved.
Your mother mistook shyness for dimness, a tragic mistake that scarred you for life.

When your brother Manuel died at the age of three from meningitis, you heard your mom
Exclaim: “God took my bright boy and left me the dull one.” You we...

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Héroes Desconocidos – Parte IV: María (Abuela Paterna)

Fue una joven gentil cortejada por un hombre trece
Años mayor que usted que la cortejó galantemente
Cabalgando orgullosamente encima de su gran corcel, y que le ofreció
Seguridad personal y económica, su buen nombre y su corazón.

Le dio cuatro hijos —dos niños y dos niñas— y la dejó con ellos,
Justo antes de que la Guardia Civil viniera por él. Les dijo que
Su marido había emigrado a Argentina y era un hombre honrado.
La interrogaron pero se fueron con las manos vacías y no la molestaron mas.

Du...

Unsung Heroes #4: Maria (Paternal Grandmother)

You were a gentle, genteel young woman swept away by a man
Thirteen years your senior who gallantly courted you,
Riding proudly atop his great steed, and who offered you
Safety, security, his good name and his heart.

He gave you four children—two boys and two girls—and left you,
And them, just before the Guardia Civil came for him. You told them that
Your husband had emigrated to Argentina and was an honorable man.
They questioned you but left empty handed and did not trouble you again.

For the next...

Héroes Desconocidos — Parte II: Manuel (Abuelo Paterno)

También vinieron por usted en medio de la noche,
Pero descubrieron que se había ido a Buenos Aires.
La Guardia Civil cuestionó a su esposa en su casa,
Rodeada de sus cuatro hijos pequeños, en tonos fuertes pero respetuosos.

Apoderados de ametralladoras se quedaron un tiempo,
Pero no dejaron cicatrices visibles en sus hijos,
Ni en su joven esposa, a quien
Dejo atrás para criarlos sola.

Habías sido un pez grande en un pequeño estanque,
Un empresario exitoso que se gano la vida muy bien,
Comprando ga...

Unsung Heroes #2: Manuel (paternal grandfather)

They also came for you in the middle of the night,
But found that you had gone to Buenos Aires.
The Guardia Civil questioned your wife in her home,
Surrounded by your four young children, in loud but respectful tones.

They waved their machine guns about for a while,
But left no visible scars on your children,
Or on your young wife, whom you
Left behind to raise them alone.

You had been a big fish in a little pond,
A successful entrepreneur who made a very good living,
By buying cattle to be raised by ...