My Skeleton Dancers

Even though I had decided not to buy unnecessary items for the house, I broke my decision today when I saw Day of the Dead and Halloween items on sale for 70% off! Toward the end of October all the items were 50% off and even though I liked some of the items I was not ready to buy more "junk," even at half price.

Today, when I saw the two dancers, I knew I had to have them and paid $9.00 for them! Quite a bargain from the original $30 they were marked. They fill me with joy when I look at them, I love the colors and I think about what their lives could have been before they became skeletons! 

They are 14 and 1/2 inches tall and appear to be a couple of graceful skeletons!

When I think of a Day of the Dead altar, my dancers will look perfect on the altar for my dancing friend who passed away in 1998.

"If you cannot get rid

of the family skeleton,

you may as well make

it dance."

George Bernard Shaw

Preparing for a Fiesta

 For a few years, Spirit of Christ Catholic Community has not celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day. There was a time when a huge party was held on her day with music, processions, piñatas and food but for whatever reasons nothing has been done for about the past five years. This year the Liturgist decided to plan a Fiesta for Our Lady. She asked for volunteers and about nine people agreed to help in the planning. The first meeting was well organized and volunteers got their assignments. I did not volunteer for any spot but it was suggested that I be on the welcoming committee and I agreed. I would greet people attending and get them to their seat. 

The decorating committee of two began to plan how to decorate and when they saw that the flowers in storage from previous years were raggedy and not useable, they decided to make new colorful flowers. I found a kit on Amazon and ordered it and from there began the assembly line of making flowers. There are five of us that hang together and they were excited and willing to help make the flowers!

A total of nine persons made over 300 tissue flowers. I am excited to see how the decorations will turn out for the evening of the Fiesta because the flowers are so colorful! The decorating committee was also responsible for finding fresh roses and the best deal was through Costco.  One hundred roses will be needed for a procession to Her picture and the roses will be placed in empty vases until every vase is filled with the sweet-smelling flowers! The roses represent the roses that were in Juan Diego's tilma. (A poncho like covering). When he opened his tilma the roses fell out showing the miracle since it was winter and there were no roses growing at that time. He was finally believed that he had seen a beautiful lady and she had asked him to tell the church officials to build a church in her name.

I took a CD of music of the time she appeared to Juan Diego and it is solemn drumming and flute music recorded by the cathedral choir of San Antonio, Texas. Another person brought Las Mañanitas, the traditional birthday song in Mexico. In Mexico and parts of the United States, like Texas and California, famous artists gather around Her picture to sing Las Mañanitas at 12:05 a.m. Sometimes I watch it on television, yet no matter what my intentions are, I usually fall asleep and miss the beautiful singing!

There is a committee for food, kitchen, servers, drink purchases (beer, sangria, pop, tea, lemonade, water), set up, placing the empty vases, having fresh roses ready for a children's procession, audio, music, pinata fun, tickets, greeters, bar tenders, and take down. All in all, a lot of people will be needed to make the evening a success!

After each mass there will be ticket sellers and our hope is that 100 tickets will be purchased to celebrate Our Lady's Feast Day.

"Let not your heart be disturbed.

Am I not here who is your Mother?

Are you not under my protection? 

Am I not your health? 

Are you not happily within my fold?

What else do you wish?

Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."

Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan San Diego 

2020 vs. 2021

 2020 Thanksgiving Day - A Meal for One

Covid 19 has changed our way

on how we spend Thanksgiving day.

I plan to do what feels good,

with Netflix, puzzles, texting and food.

Alone can sometimes be a sad time

or relaxing in a mood sublime.

Whether it's cloudy or the sun does shine,

The traditional turkey will cook in the brine.

It's Thanksgiving again this year

pandemic keeping away those we hold dear.

Macy's parade in one thing to do

even though some may be battling the flu.

Sitting on the sofa, nice and warm

staying home has become our norm.

Today is a day to give thanks and be glad,

a day to be happy and not sad.

Family may be far away

yet, Zoom will keep us together today.

Filled with thankfulness galore

sending best wishes today will soar.

Those that can get together, will,

daring family and friends will eat to fill.

Others will virtually join in

drinking wine, tequila, beer or gin.

Whatever is done, enjoy your time.

eating a turkey meal as you dine.

Send a message by phone, text or call

to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all!

***********

2021 Thanksgiving Day - A Meal For Three

What a difference a year makes

still wearing masks, for goodness sakes!

Precaution is good advice

"Please be careful" are words so wise.

Covid has some variants sneaking in,

maybe to friends or relatives, all our kin.

We feel the dangers of that nasty Covid 

and this phenomenon, I do not kid!

We need to use our head

or we might end up being dead!

Yet, this year I was not alone,

I had no reason to cry and moan.

A friend invited me to eat

and eating with others cannot be beat.

Three of us enjoyed a meal

and Thanksgiving again began to feel real!

I felt loved this special day

because instead of being alone

love of friends with great food shone!

I give thanks that even if Covid hangs around

friendships are the best and still abound!

Thanks for my friends who invited me

to share Thanksgiving with their friend or family!

"Drink and be thankful to the host!

What seems insignificant when you have it,

is important when you need it."

Franz Grillparzer

November 28, 2021

E. Moscoso

A Play

 I had no intention of going to the Arvada Center to see the musical Elf but when I received a call from a friend with two extra tickets and she asked if I wanted to go on Friday, November 26, 2021, I said yes!  She asked me if I knew of anyone who might like to go and I called a friend who I have known for a long time but had not seen him for over two years. We sometimes talked on the phone so I decided to call him and ask him if he wanted to go. He said yes and on Friday we met at the Arvada Center to see Elf, The Musical.

Before we could enter the theater, I had to show proof of having all my shots, identification and everyone had to wear a mask while in the theater. It was a comforting feeling knowing that everyone was protected from Covid.

The music was great, the dancing exciting, and the acting good. I thought it interesting that there were some innuendos about gay couples.  One scene showed two men embracing and this is something I had never seen in an Arvada play! What amazes me is how talented the young actors are; acting, dancing, singing, tap dancing and skating! The sets were amazing as they moved from one scene to another and the lighting made the stage extra cheerful! The tall young man that plays Elf can do amazing things with his body as he spun around, flopped to the floor, moved his legs every which way and twisted his body in a fluid way. It seemed as if he did not have a bone in his body!

What a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season with this musical that ended in a happy and upbeat manner. The audience stood up and clapped as some of the actors gave their bows. When Elf appeared for his ending bow, everyone stood up to give him a standing ovation!

"The best way to spread

Christmas cheer

is singing loud for

all to hear!"

Buddy, The Elf

An Unfulfilled Craving

 For a few days I have been craving sauerkraut, that vinegary tasting shredded cabbage.  Yesterday I purchased a jar at the grocery store and could hardly wait to get home to eat some. I planned to eat it right out of the jar; just plain sauerkraut!

After putting my groceries away, I got the jar and tried twisting the lid. No luck. I then got a large spoon and tapped all around the lid. The lid would not budge. I poured hot water along the rim of the lid and it still would not open. I tapped the jar on the counter but the lid refused to open. I strained, held my breath, used a square rubber opener for traction and nothing moved. I held the jar in every position I could while trying to twist the lid and it remained unmovable. My hand and wrist cried out for mercy and even though I could see the sauerkraut inside the jar, I wondered if I would ever get to taste it.

The jar now sits in my pantry. If it could think it probably knew it had won the battle. Today is another day and I will try again. In the meantime, my craving is still there! 

"I've ordered some German food

through a mobile app.

The sauerkraut has arrived,

the wurst is yet to come."

From the Internet

A Day To Celebrate

 Today, November 8, 2021, I received a notice that my dispute at my credit card company had been settled and the money had been credited back into my account. Almost three months after I ordered an item and lots of phone calls, e-mails and letters, the dispute was finally settled. If the readers of my blog have followed my travails, today they ended with an e-mail from the credit card company. The dispute was settled and nothing further was needed from me! Yes, it's time to celebrate! 

I then ordered three bras from Kohls and when they arrived, I did not like the way they fit. On Saturday I returned them and got on the Internet to order three Bali bras.  I am waiting to see when they will arrive and am praying that they will fit and I will like them. This saga about the bras is becoming quite boring and tiresome.

Booster Shot

 Yesterday, November 4, 2021, I got my Moderna Booster shot. After listening to some of my friends who had also gotten the shot, I wondered what my reaction would be. Some felt a little soreness at the site of the shot, some felt tired, yet, I felt nothing at all. By the time I went to bed around 10:30 p.m. my arm was beginning to feel sore.

I slept all night with few bathroom breaks and when I got up, I felt achy, chilled, and was running a temperature 98.4. My stomach felt a bit nauseous, not bad but enough to keep me from wanting to eat. I ate some cereal and went back to bed. It seemed as if I could not warm up. I had a pullover sweatshirt and on top of that I had a zippered sweatshirt. I got under the blankets, fell asleep and when I woke up around noon, I felt better. The chills were gone and the achiness seemed to have vanished.

A friend had told me that the second day is the worse but by the third day she was fine! That's what I am looking forward to, that tomorrow I should be okay! Some of my friends just felt a sore arm and that was it. 

Because my stomach has been queasy all I had to eat today was granola cereal for breakfast, around two I ate ten raspberries and for dinner I am having chicken, green chile in a flour tortilla! So, I think my stomach has settled!

On the Internet these are some of the symptoms people felt after getting the Moderna Booster: I guess I can consider myself lucky that I do not have all the symptoms I could have had!

Pain or swelling at injection site,

fatigue,

headache, 

muscle aches,

joint pain.

fever,

chills,

nausea, 

vomiting,

diarrhea,

abdominal pain,

rash.

At Spirit of Christ on All Soul's Day

The day was cold and deary, cloudy with light moisture in the air. The trees had lost most of their leaves and the landscape was fading. All Souls' Day sort if fit the scenery as I thought about all my family and friends who no longer lived on earth. I carried my candle to place in front of the Ambo along with many other candles brought by others for their loved ones. The candle was for my son who passed away five years ago. Above the entrance I also had a candle lit for five days during the week of when his death took place.  When I wrote his name in the large book for deceased persons, I added; my mother, father, brother, friends. I did not use their names because I figure God knows who they are!

The two priests from the parish concelebrated the mass along with a deacon. The music was appropriate for All Souls and the homily touched my heart. The reading of all the names of people who had died this year was long and from the list of many names I knew eight persons who had gone on ahead!

The lit candles flittered and were reflected on the shiny floor. So many deaths and each one left a sadness for the living. A heart hurts knowing that never will we see or hear the person who is gone. But. it is comforting to know that someday we will be reunited with our loved ones.

When you lose someone you love,

you gain an angel you know.

Unknown

2004 Trip To Las Vegas, Nevada

 October 22, 2004

(Found this handwritten letter to my friends on October 21, 2021)

Dear Louise and Jerome, it's too bad you were unable to join me to come to Las Vegas. Driving to the airport at five in the morning I pictured you with me and how we would have been laughing and talking.  After parking, a shuttle got me to Champion Airlines to check in. The flight took 1 1/2 hours and we arrived to a cool (43 degrees) in Las Vegas.

You gave your tickets to a chiropractor but I had no way of knowing who he was. As I checked into the Stardust Hotel there were two men in cowboy hats checking in also. I asked if one was a chiropractor and one said yes. They were the ones taking your place!

After checking in I went to Starbucks and had a hot chocolate and a bagel. The gift card was from Bishop Gomez and it was almost a year old. I walked to the Venetian and lost $25. I went to the Guggenheim Art Show with beautiful paintings by Degas, Picasso, Rodin, etc. Amazing how artists can captivate life on a canvas!

Played a 25-cent machine...put in $20 and won $53. Walking past the Imperial Palace an Elvis  impersonator was having his picture taken with people so I stood in line and had my picture taken with him also. Then, in order to get the photo, I had to walk through the casino, all the way to the back, and of course, I gambled along the way. I put in $100 in a machine and kept winning small pots. Suddenly, three of the same picture came up and after all the ringing I had won $530!

I walked to New York New York and by then I was tired. There was some news that the Flamingo had health issues with people feeling nauseous. I visited the M & M shops and the Coca Cola store. I was so tired I no longer was enjoying my walk. I purchased $65 ticket to go see the show Havana Night Club. I felt good that I was still $500 ahead! Ate a veggie baked potato at Tony Roma's and went to the show. It was excellent with great Latin dancing and I loved the music. Two couples sat with me in the huge booth and it was fun talking to them. Siegfried, of Siegfried and Roy. was there and as I walked by I asked him if I could take his picture. "You sit here with me and I will have someone take our picture." What a thoughtful and nice man, I thought. When I thanked him, he said, "My pleasure and may God bless you."

Decided to visit Barb and family. Took a cab for $16 to the airport. Barb and the girls picked me up and we went to Baja Fresh to eat. The girls and I went to a Halloween store and the girls did not like the spooky items but loved the boas, princess and sparkling hats. At home I watched the Nutcracker movie with them. They love Barbie dolls. They wanted to sleep with me and that made me feel good. In the morning I heard a noise around 6:30 a.m. It was Ariana standing looking at me. I do not know how long she had been waiting for me to wake up but when I put her in bed with me, she was ice cold! She chatted and any idea I had of sleeping was gone. 

On Sunday we went to mass at 9:30. Both girls wanted to hold my hand and sit with me. We went to brunch at Papa Mio's and had a great buffet. At home the girls put on costumes because they entertained me because they love to play dress up. I left for the airport at 3:30 p.m. and back to Las Vegas. I took a tour on a shuttle to see Stratosphere, Circus Circus, Sahara, Frontier and back to the Stardust. I purchased a $70 ticket to see Wayne Newton. He has lost his voice and uses the loud music to cover that he can no longer sing. I noticed he kisses a lot of the old ladies!

His show has great impersonators and one favorite was doing Tom Jones' Dalilah, He also did Jimmy Stewart, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and a great impersonation of Wayne Newton. Wayne is a musician and played banjo, piano, guitar and violin. I liked how he gave a tribute to all the veterans.

Back in my room I watched Sleepless in Seattle, got up the next morning at 7:30 a.m., walked to Starbucks and had a scone and hot chocolate, took a shuttle to the airport, and lost some more money at the airport. I enjoyed my mini-vacation; got to see my family, had fun gambling and I am sure it would have been more fun if you and Jerome had been with me!

Your Amiga, Erlinda

"Writing isn't letters on paper.

It's communication.

It's memory."

Isaac Marion