History Tidbits

Where did the name HOT COFFEE come from?
In the late 1800’s a man opened an Inn along a highway in Mississippi and sold HOT COFFEE to travelers.   This sign outside said “HOT COFFEE”.   Everyone remembered the place because of the drink, and started saying things like “Let’s stop at HOT COFFEE”.   Eventually, the name came to be used, not just for the Inn, but for all the farms and houses in the neighborhood.
--David Crystal
A LITTLE BOOK OF LANGUAGE

October 9, 1988
I rode my bike to mom’s house.  Mom had some cinnamon rolls, so I helped myself.   They tasted so good with HOT COFFEE.  
My brother, Tony, dropped by with my sister-in-law, Helen, and their ‘cutie-pie’ daughters (Lauren and Leigh).   Once again it was photo opportunity time.   My favorite shot of the day was the one of Lauren in the green wagon.   The green had great contrast to her purple dress.Later that afternoon mom came over to my place and did her clean-up routine.    She simply has the magic touch.   She is always so willing to help make things better for me. 

October 11, 1988A few days later I was at mom’s house again and she was showing me this photo of (my 2ndcousin once-removed named) JOHNNY TAPIA of New Mexico.   Johnny Tapia’s mother was Virginia Tapia.   She was murdered and he was raised by his grandparents (Esther Martinez-Tapia and Michael Tapia).   Esther was my mom’s first cousin.  Esther’s mother was Carlota Leyba-Martinez (my maternal grandmother’s sister).  

Johnny Tapia is making a popular name for himself in the State of New Mexico as a prize-winning boxer.   His first professional fight was held this year in Irvine, CA on March 25th  (1988) when he fought Effren Chavez.    I never met my cousin Johnny but mom let me keep the photo.   I found it odd that he would have a tattoo of the Virgin Mary on his chest.   Mom explained, “His mother was named Virginia Marie…like me…and because she was murdered when he was a little boy the tattoo is his way of keeping his mother close.”
“Wow…that’s cool.  I love all of the family history tidbits from New Mexico.”

PHOTO:   JOHNNY TAPIA, 1988: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Tapia October 14, 1988Paloma wrote me again and included two cool postcards.  One of the boats in her town of AGDE and the other was a silhouette image that actually looked a little bit like Paloma!

Hello Michael, Thanks for the tape and the postcards.   I recognized some of the tunes like RED RED WINE by UB40, of course…and MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL by XTC (I really like this one)…and INDOCHINE is one of the most famous groups here.   I didn’t know they played their songs over there.  That’s funny!    I recognized some other songs too but I don’t remember right now.   The tape is in the car.

I really liked the postcard of CARMEL BY THE SEA.   I just drove by that place once when I went to L.A. with Carmela and I thought that was a gorgeous place.Michael, are you on drugs or are you trying to commit suicide?   This is my last advice…my son’s name is JonathAn with an ‘A’ and not with an ‘O’.   I’m starting to think you’re doing this on purpose.   From now on I’m going to call you MICHOEL…this is your last chance.
I’m not too excited about Halloween this year because on November 2nd Jonathan is going to some daycare program.   I’m going to start working again.   It’s going to be the first time he isn’t going to be with me all day long.   I’m afraid it’s going to be hard for the both of us.

I got a letter from Lisa yesterday (remember her?).   She is now twenty years old and she lives in a recovery home in San Leandro.   She just got out of a drug/alcohol rehabilitation program (some news!).   I didn’t know anything.   Her mother didn’t tell me. I’m getting some really bad news from the States.   I learned an ex-friend of mine (I was mad at him when I left) has got AIDS.   I can’t believe it.  

I hope I get some of your ELITE MODEL pictures soon. We’ve got 501’s over here too but not for little boys like Jonathan.   They cost about sixty-dollars for my size.   I don’t need any right now but one of these days I might send you some money so you can send me a pair for Alexandre.   First I’ve got to ask my mom how she sends money to my brother in Albuquerque.   There is no way you’re going to pay for me.   Are you kidding?  That’s nice enough if you send them to me!   Could you tell me what is the smallest size (for a baby) you can find?   I don’t want them faded for Alexandre.  He fades them fast enough.

I’ve got something else to ask you.   Since you work for PACIFIC BELL do you think you could find out if there is some club (or whatever) for sample perfume collectors in the States?   Wherever I go I can write and make some trades.   Thank you. If you want something from here just ask me, of course.

Do you know I am still not smoking?   It’s been two years now.   I stopped and I don’t think I ever will again.   I can’t stand it now.   I hardly drink either.   Pretty good, huh?   The only thing I can’t stop is sweets!  How is your girlfriend?  The one who works for an airline… I don’t remember her name. 

Well, I hope to read you soon.   I miss you.Love,  Paloma

‘The trick was to keep love going.  It might work if you gave enough love.’--Darcy O’Brien
A WAY OF LIFE, LIKE ANY OTHER