A FAMILY THAT KNITS TOGETHER...

I was greatly inspired yesterday, as I watched my sister Diane teach her 10-year-old granddaughter to knit.  They went to Michael's Craft Store and Smiley's Yarnshop, and stocked up on yarn and knitting needles.

Diane is working on a sweater, while Joliz is starting with a vest.  They have done quiet a lot in the past two days.  Of course, Joliz was upset -- tearfully so -- when her granmother unravelled most of her work because she dropped a couple of stiches eight rows back.  Ouch. But Joliz is back on track and hoping to finish her vest without any more mistakes.

They've inspired me to get out my knitting needles and make a scarf of my own.  And I also saw a pattern for a cute pair of gloves with fur bands.  That will most definitely be project number two.

So what other kinds of projects can we do to inspire our children, grandchildren and, in my case, nieces and nephews?

Project #1-- Flower Power
Play photographer with your kids.  Armed with cameras -- or cell phones -- you can take pictures of flowers, find their names and paste them in an photo album on flicker.

Project #2 -- Dog Run
Walk around your neighborhood and count the number of dogs you see.  Try to guess their breeds and their names.  Guessing is half the fun.

Project #3 -- Crazy Collage
I haven't done one of these since college.  I did one as a birthday present, and my friend still talks about it, though he threw it away after graduation. You start by cutting out pictures of faces, places, items you like and sayings that are funny.  They you put them all together on a sheet of cardboard, in all kinds of ways, overlapping, upside down, etc.  Or you can use pictures that you've taken throughout the summer.  Print out paper copies. Cut out the fun parts and put them all together with sayings or phrases you like.


What other fun projects can you think to inspire yourself, your kids, your friends?  Share them with us here. ---mcf

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love always.

THE BORINQUENEERS

  
The 65th Infantry Regiment was created in 1899 by the U.S. Congress as a segregated unit composed primarily of Puerto Ricans with mostly continental officers. The 65th fought in three wars: World War I, World War II and the Korean War. The unit was nicknamed the “Borinqueneers” after the island of Puerto Rico. The native Taino Indians called their island Borinquen, which means “land of the brave lord.”

The 65th performed impressively in all the wars, particularly the Korean War for which they earned high praise from General MacArthur for always giving 200%. The 65th Regiment showed outstanding resilience and legendary fierceness as combatants, even as they faced discrimination within the Army.

In the fall of 1952, the Borinqueneers were at the center of a series of dramatic events that threatened their very existence. At the heart of it all, the fact that because Puerto Rico is only a commonwealth, its men could be drafted but they could not vote in the U.S. elections. And although thousands of Puerto Ricans have served courageously in the Armed Forces since WWI, their contribution and sacrifices have gone largely unnoticed.

The film, “The Borinqueneers,” explores the rich history of this unique regiment and its darkest hour through extensive historical research and interviews with over 250 veterans and commanding officers from the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“The Borinqueneers” film was produced, directed and written by Noemi Figueroa Soulet, co-produced and directed by Raquel Ortiz, and narrated by Hector Elizondo. It has won numerous film and documentary awards, including Winner, Award of Excellence, Insight Awards 2009; Winner, Best Professional Documentary, Reel to Reel International Film Festival 2008; and Winner, Award of Execellence, Accolade Television Awards, 2008.

“The Borinqueneers” one-hour television version is being shown on PBS. See http://www.pbs.org/ for listings. To order the FULL documentary and find out more about the 65th Regiment, visit http://www.borinqueneers.com/.

MIL GRACIAS.

Que Dios los bendiga.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VETERANS.

And to the men and women who continue to serve to protect our Liberty:

God bless you and bring you safely home.

CATCH ME OVER THERE....

I am blogging over at RWANYC on how E-Piracy Hurts Everyone. 
To read my post, click here. 




I also have another blog on Latino Authors.  Check out my Latino Summer Reading List by clicking here. 

COMING SOON!

Thank you for stopping by.  We will be up and running soon.

Until then,  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Happy New Year....

....HAPPY EVERYTHING!