Miguel Angel Yanez

 

September 17, 1932 - September 7, 2021

When I heard that my friend has passed away I began thinking of how we met, how I met his family, his advice on traveling on Mexicana Airlines where he was employed, when he married in Mexico and how he missed his wife after she passed away. I remember visiting them when they lived in Littleton, and the many conversations we had on the phone. His favorite saying was, "Now that we have straighten out the world what more is there to talk about about?" We talked about his family still living in Mexico, history of Mexico and the United States, current politics, our past adventures, our grandchildren and many  other topics. He was a reader and we would discuss books until he had problems with his eyes and could no longer read. He joked that the was "tuerto" (one-eyed) and how he had to wear a patch just like a pirate. He always wanted me to listen to Peter Boyle at five in the morning because he thought the man was very knowledgeable. I never did get up that early so he would tell me all about what the newsman had talked about. I have many wonderful memories of my friend.

When he talked about his children I could hear how proud he was of all three of them. A son lived in Scotland, a daughter in California and the son he lived with here in Colorado. He lived on the other side of town from me and would tell me he could look out his window and see deer in the yard.

In 2011 his sister came to Colorado to visit him and I took her to see him. This was the last time I saw him, though we did talk on the phone quite often. In the picture he is with his sister and son.

I will miss seeing his name come up on my phone because it was always a pleasure talking with him. May he rest in peace with God and his beloved family that went before him, especially his wife. I knew him for sixty-two years so even if he is has gone to a better place, I am left with many memories of him!

"The comfort of having a friend

may be taken away,

but not that of having had one."

Seneca

My Beautiful Friend

 I happened to be going through some of my pictures and came across one of my favorite pictures of my friend. It was taken at the funeral of her beloved husband. They were two of my favorite people and we spent many times together.

 My friend and I can no longer talk about the past and the fun times we had together. I pray that she is content in her world and not suffering any pain. Something I never told her is that I loved her, though I am sure we both knew that we were best friends!

Even though she may no longer remember our times together, I do, and I am happy she is my friend whether or not she remembers we were friends.

"Life is an awful, ugly  place

to not have a best friend."

Sarah Dessen

What To Do Or Not Do At A Catholic Funeral

A few days ago I attended a seminar given by Fr. Chris and Deacon A.J. The topic was on Catholic Funerals.

 There were around one hundred persons ready to listen and find out about the rules and regulations of a funeral mass. The meeting began with a prayer to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of a happy death. 

Growing up I knew that cremation was considered a mortal sin but at the meeting we found out that in 1962 the sin was removed and the ashes were now treated the same as a body. We were told that ashes should not be scattered, made into jewelry, or kept in a home. The urn with the ashes can be interned by putting them into the ground or in a mausoleum. Burial at sea is allowed by the church. Ashes or body do not need to be buried in a Catholic cemetery but the grave needs to be blessed. A private land burial, like in your back yard, cannot be done. This is not only a church rule but a Colorado law!

The church does not sanction assisted deaths and since 1960, suicides have been allowed. Growing up, I remember, a suicide was a big no-no! Organ donor deaths were discussed but since I am not donating my body to science I didn't pay attention. I did find out that after your parts are taken, the body is returned to the family or buried at Fairmont Cemetery.

A Memorial Mass is when there is no body and Fr. mentioned that the term "celebration of life" is not recommended and not to use the term. There can be a Vigil in the evening before the funeral but it is no longer called a rosary.  A rosary should never be before the funeral mass but if family wants a rosary it can be said at a Vigil. (Vigil means "bringing to God.") At Spirit of Christ, a Rosary can be prayed in the chapel and then move to the church for the funeral mass. I couldn't help but think that priests handle funerals and rosaries in different ways, some comply with the rules and others do not!

A eulogy is a talk about secular things and remembering the deceased though it should also speak about the deceased faith. It should be written and read and prepared ahead of time. One person will give the eulogy after the mass is completed and it should not be too long. I have been to funerals where five or more people get up to speak and basically say the same thing. Possibly a better time to speak about the loved one should be at a reception. With Covid 19 and its variables, the reception has been removed, though some families will have a small reception in their home or in a restaurant. I miss getting together and reminiscing with family and friends of a loved one who has passed away.

In planning a funeral one should think about pall bearers though in this time and age they are not needed because the funeral people can move the coffin themselves. Lately, honorary pall bearers will  be named. Readers are needed for the mass, religious music can only be used and should be approved beforehand. There cannot be recorded music. Floral bouquets that go around an urn and cover the altar should not be used and if flowers are used they should be placed so the altar is not covered.

They did mention that the musician's fee is $150 and if there is a singer that is also $150. Clergy does not expect payment but if family wishes to give a donation, that is all right. When and if we can begin the Touch Committee again (volunteers who prepare/buy food for reception) can be give a donation but it is not necessary. Only parishioners of SOC can have the Touch Committee prepare everything for a reception but that is something we do not have to worry about this year. 

We were all give a booklet, Preparing a Catholic Funeral, by Rev. Kenneth Koehler, to review and forms to fill out to register our names. At the time of our death, the funeral will be ready with readings,  music, etc. and our family will not have to be wondering what they should do.

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,

to heal the brokenhearted...

to comfort all who mourn..."

Prophet Isaiah

Beware

 When you order from the Internet, you never know whether an order is legitimate or where it is coming from. You can't even trust when a celebrity or a doctor recommends it. Or maybe the company just decides to use a picture of a celebrity making the buyer think that a celebrity is recommending the item! A few years ago I ordered a face cream endorsed, I thought, by Barbara Walters and Savanah Guthrie. If they were recommending the face cream I thought it was a legitimate cream. Come to find out it was a scam and neither celebrity endorsed or even knew about it. I vowed never to order anything on the Internet no matter who was endorsing it.

Until one day, searching for a bra, I found one I liked, the color I wanted and because Dr. Andrew Orton from the television show, The Doctors, was pictured on the ad, I ordered three bras. Two weeks later I had not received my bras. At this point I realized that I had never been sent an e-mail letting me know about my order, a tracking number or when I might possibly receive the items.

I called my credit card company because there was an amount I did not recognize on my bill and was told the charge had come from Hong Kong. I told them to take it off because I had never ordered anything from Hong Kong. They could not do anything without more information. That is when I wondered if the charge could be the bras I had ordered. I looked for the ad on Facebook and saw a company name of Dodier.com. I wrote to them asking about my order. They responded with needing more information and when I sent them my tale of woe I was informed I had not ordered from them. 

In the meantime I received a tracking number from China but when I put in the number, the response was "not available in the carrier system yet and to check back later." Somehow, I felt as if I was slowly moving forward but who knows when I will receive my items! In one of the suspicious looking e-mails I did find another Invoice number letting me know the items were on the way with this message, "If coming from England it could be up to 20 days."  Today is the 20th day and nothing has been left on my porch!

By the different e-mails I now think that my order is beginning in Hong Kong, China, going to England and then to the United States. So my package may arrive by Christmas!!

Maybe this time I will learn a lesson of being more careful when I order from the Internet. Also, I need to carefully read the fine print on what I am ordering.  Another order of t-shirts I liked and later found out that with my order I was becoming a member of the company for $12.95.  I sent them an e-mail canceling my membership and the e-mail was undeliverable. Live and learn is a good motto and I hope I have learned my lesson to beware when ordering from the Internet!

In the meantime, I will patiently wait to see if my items come and if not, I will have to inform my credit card company to cancel the charges and I hope they can.

 This morning, September 16, 2021, there was another ad endorsed by Dr. Orton. I wonder if he even knows his picture is being used? This is an entirely different bra and in the information I read that it comes from a warehouse in the United States. Says nothing about where it originates and where the bra travels on its way to the warehouse!

"Shopping on line is fine 

 as I wait for my goods to arrive

and I pray that they do arrive!"

E. Moscoso

Today (September 20,2021) has been around twenty-five days since I ordered the bras and they have not arrived. I called my credit card company and they will dispute the charge and credit my account because I really do think this is a scam. The name of the company is Fujiansheng and no where on the ad did that name appear. I should know within two days regarding the dispute.

1840 Rendezvous and Spanish Colonial Art Market

Colorado Frontier Army Band 

 Musicians dressed in uniforms representing 1860 to 1880 played music using instruments from that era at The Fort near Morrison on September 12, 2021. Some of the tunes sounded like some I had heard before but with a different twist. Before the Star Spangled Banner became our national anthem, the music was written by John Stafford Smith in 1773 and Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics to our national anthem. It was adopted officially as our anthem in 1931.

The instruments by the band looked dull colored and not the shiny brass instruments we currently see. Some of the horns were backwards and it was explained that when soldier marched in parade, the ones in the rear could not hear the music. Instruments were then made to fit over the shoulder backwards. I couldn't help think how clever those musical instruments were made so soldiers in the rear could still hear the music to march to it!

The band had five tubas of different sizes, four horns, one flute, and a drummer. In the group I saw three women among the men. Together they played mostly marching type of music that made me feel like tapping my feet and they played one waltz! One musician picked a lady out of the audience to waltz with her. We were told that the waltz was played when a commanding officer inspected the troops!

Lots to See and Hear

There was an old cannon that was fired twice while I was there. A loud booming and cracking noise  that made people jump if they weren't expecting it! A Native American in a large tent explaining how life was like in the past. Many beautiful Santos and wheat art. One artist was from Arvada and I liked her work. A Barn Owl had dark eyes, beautiful tan speckled feathers and dangerously long claws. John Steinle talked about pandemics in the past but the worst illness that killed many Native Americans was smallpox.

Fandango with the Southwest Musicians

 

I have known the leader of the group, and his wife, for many years and am always happy to hear the  Hispanic type music from olden days.  Two graceful dancers entertained while the band played. Some of the music reminded me of my father when he would play tunes on his harmonica.

The lady dancer also put on an act about La Llorona, a scary story told to children so they will behave.  

A woman has two children that she drowns so she can win back her husband's love but later regrets what she has done and goes up and down the river bank crying and calling for her babies. Sometimes at night one can hear her crying.  She laments her act and cries mournfully as she searches for her children. Evidently, she is scary enough to frighten children into behaving!

The band leader's wife and I worked together in the past so today we caught up on some of our mutual friends. It was so nice seeing her and hearing what has been happening in her life. My friends are both multi-talented,  attorneys, have a variety of awards, teach, and hope to get youth interested in Hispanic music; either New Mexico music of the past or Mariachi.

"My heart is in my music.

It's been part of my inner soul

that has always fed me, and

I like it, so I still do it to this day."

Lorenzo Trujillo

What Is Really True?

 Watching carbs in the food I eat I wonder about the labels. I stopped buying bread until I found the Bavarian Farmer's Rye bread made by the Bavarian Bakery in Longmont, Colorado. It is pricey at $4.99 a loaf but it only has 8.5 g of Carbohydrates and 2 g of fiber. I like the texture and the flavor but sometimes I wonder if the label is correct. Would "they" put something on the label if it wasn't true? Other breads show 20+ carbs. I found out that English muffins are also low in Carbs, if I believe the label, and I may begin eating the English muffins also for a variety along with my rye bread. The lowest carb bread, per the Internet, is Pumpernickel though I haven't tried it. 

A few years ago I was buying some green chili in bulk and the salesperson told me that the "chili is from Hatch, New Mexico and it's the best chili around!" Every year I purchase the Big Jim chili, I let everyone know it is New Mexico chili, how delicious it is and how it has a little bite but does not burn forever. Today I happened to be chatting with the man that was bagging the freshly roasted chili and he mentioned that the Big Jim was from Pueblo, CO. "What," I said, "I was told it was from Hatch, NM. He said, "This is from Pueblo," and showed me the box it had come in. I asked him if in the past had it been Hatch chili and he said he did not know but for the past few years it had been from Pueblo. Makes me wonder how I can believe what is told to me. And to think I passed false information to anyone inquiring where to buy Hatch green chili!

Clothing labels are also confusing because I never know exactly what size I wear. Sometimes I have to go to larger sizes and then other times I am surprised when a smaller size fits me. I believe that the current sizes are not the same size as of past years. Clothes I bought years ago still fit me but I have to buy a larger size today. Okay, so the argument can be that I have gained weight but then why do clothes purchased years ago still fit me? Clothing hanging in my closet range from size  M, XL, 2X, and XXXL  and they all fit me! 

"To be persuasive we must be believable;

to be believable we must be credible;

to be credible we must be truthful."

Edward R. Murrow

A Mystery About A Forgotten Story

 A book club friend told me she had just finished reading A Long Petal of The Sea by Isabel Allende. I looked on my bookshelf where I have many of Allende's books that I have read. That particular book has the copywrite date of 2020 so it is a fairly new story.  I flipped through the pages and noticed it was brand new and looked as if it had never been read or even opened.  I wondered if I had even read the story and I began to read A Long Petal of The Sea. As I read, every once in a while I knew what was going to happen. Some of the names struck a chord in my brain. Surely I must have read the story so why could I not remember reading it? As I read I became fascinated with the characters. I  continued reading hoping that something would click and I would recall the story.

I enjoyed how the characters developed, how the story moved along following a doctor's life, the history of Spain and continuing in Chile and South America. The description of the wars and political cruelties brought to mind how awful wars can affect civilians who had nothing to do with anything. The hunger, the rations, and the mistrust among people saddened me. Prisoners in concentration camps and how they suffered made me angry that humans could treat other humans in such a cruel way. Allende brings an era I know nothing about to life!

The historical part is illuminating because I have no clear concept of what was happening in Spain beginning in 1938 and what had happened to many lives of exiled people. Pablo Neruda poems are quoted, dictators come and go or life in Spain while Franco was in power.  Refugees fleeing to Chile and the civil wars in South America all add to the suspense of the doctor's life and family. The involvement of  Pedro Neruda ,the poet, came as a surprise because I knew of him but not much of his life. Allende must do a lot of research to get her characters living and reacting to the times. 

The love story and the love in the family are beautiful to see though sometimes difficult to understand. Isabel Allende is one of my favorite authors and I have fourteen of her books in my library.

I finished the book tonight. It was as if I had never read the book though I did remember bits and pieces of the story, especially some of the characters. The good thing is that if I had read the story before,  I still enjoyed the story all over again and I was surprised at parts that were brand new for me. Makes me wonder how I could have forgotten the story that kept my interest now, and I am sure it also kept my interest whenever and if, I read it before.

Suddenly, like a ray of sunshine peeking into my brain, it came to me why I did not remember the story. It was because I had never read the whole story.  For Christmas I purchased the book as a gift for a friend. Before I wrapped the book, I began reading the story but did not finish the book before it was time to give the gift away. I then purchased another copy of the book and placed it on the shelf thinking I would read it at a later date but never got around to reading it. Today when I finished the exciting story, I remembered why the book was brand new and why only certain parts rang a bell. The mystery was cleared up and I felt better that I am not losing my mind!

"In terrible moments, 

in moments of revolution,

of war or repression, 

of illness or death,

people react with incredible strength."

Isabel Allende

Lemonade Apple

 I love shopping at Sprouts because there are usually some strange fruits on display! Yesterday I purchased one Lemonade Apple just to see if it would taste like lemonade. It is the same size as a regular apple and the color is yellow. The small tag let me know it came from New Zealand. 

Today I decided to eat the yellow apple. I bit into a crisp apple that had a slight sweet taste. It was as juicy as any other apple and it was not tart at all. It did not taste like lemonade and the name is probably because of the color! I enjoyed the crunchiness of the white meat and if I had been blindfolded I would have known it was an apple!

"Autumn seemed to arrive

suddenly that year. 

The morning of the 1st of September

was crisp and golden as an apple."

J.K. Rowling