If we were having coffee this morning, I would bring you into the warmth of my living room. Anderson spent the night and wanted to sleep on the couch instead of in his bed (because he slept on the couch at his other grandma’s house in Tacoma last week and liked it) and he’s currently watching Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree so we could sit away from the TV and chat a bit.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that today, December 12, is the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. It was on this day in 1531 that she made her fourth apparition to Juan Diego (a young indigenous boy) and the day on which he delivered the bundle of roses (which were not only out of season in December but also did not grow in Mexico) to the bishop as a sign of a miracle from la virgen de Guadalupe. When Juan Diego put his tilma (a type of shawl worn for warmth) down before the bishop and opened it up, out tumbled the roses, leaving behind the imprint of the virgen de Guadalupe on the tilma. It was then that the bishop agreed to the virgen’s wishes, that a church be built in her name. Today, the Basilica of Guadalupe stands on the site where Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in Tepeyac. She has great significance for Mexico as a country and for Mexican people all over the world. She is found in just about every home where people of Mexican descent live. She is prayed to for everything, especially for pregnant women, children, and issues having to do with mothers and their children.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that you can find another story associated with Mexico over at Solveig’s blog where I’ve contributed to her Advent Calendar posts with a legend of the poinsettia, which comes from Mexico. Thank you for having me, Solveig.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’m glad I don’t have any travel plans for a while. I’m tired. It has been non stop activity of some sort here since summer. Let’s see, road trip to California in August, a trip to the Oregon coast for three days, a trip to Bend for another three days (both in August), then off to Seattle in September. October was a travel-free month. Then November took us on another road trip to southern California for a funeral (seven days). And the latest trip was to Omaha, Nebraska just this last week. Yup! That’s why I am so tired.
I am finally feeling better but still wake up with itchy eyes and some congestion. I am beginning to think it has a lot to do with the kitty. She is a long haired one and leaves her hair all over, including on my face where she like to rub up against me and lick me while I sleep! I hope I am wrong but if I’m not, this kitty might need to find another home. 😦
I’m currently reading a book called In the Heart of the Dark Wood by Billy Coffey. It is a sequel to the last book I read, When Mockingbirds Sing. It is very interesting, so far. I’m hoping to get through it soon so that I can read my traditional Christmas book (traditional since I discovered it in 2010), O Little Town: A Novel by Don Reid, which I highly recommend. What are you reading? Do you have a favorite Christmas read that you dust off and enjoy every year?
I think I’ll cut it short. Anderson is beckoning. He is working on a jigsaw puzzle that is kind of tough, even for me, and wants some help. Later this morning and afternoon we’re supposed to go to a few Christmas events in the area, if the weather doesn’t wash the day away. We’re in Portland, Oregon where we’ve had A LOT OF RAIN this week! And tonight I have to clear room in the living room to set up a small Christmas tree.
So tell me what is new in your neck of the woods? Books? Movies? Christmas activity and traditions? Do tell!
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#WeekendCoffeeShare is a weekly blog hop hosted by Diana at Part Time Monster. Go see what others are sharing and maybe you will join us?
I miss that Oregon rain! Plus, I don’t know which parishes have mañanitas here in Georgia. Happy feast day!
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The rain this week has been even more than we usually get. Everything is flooded. Johnson Creek. Flooding in Milwaukie, too. Mudslides. Foster road is closed in a few places in the SE 100’s. And more rain in the forecast.
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I heard about that. Sounds like ’96 all over again?
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I didn’t know any of that about our Lady of Guadalupe. Interesting.
As for what I’m doing here, today… well, I’m reading all sorts of new-to-me blogs thanks to this Coffee Share and I’m thinking about how I’m going to get everything done next week. Planning, you know. Not actually doing, yet.
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Planning is important! I don’t usually get that time. I just run and do it!
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I know! That’s why I’m grooving on the possibility of being organized. Can you even imagine?
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I saw all a bunch of flood coverage–it’ll be interesting to come home to!
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I wondered how you were doing with all that rain. I know what you mean about the traveling. Seems like I’ve done a lot of that, too, this year.
I enjoyed your little bit about la virgen de Guadalupe. Although I’ve heard of her, I didn’t know the story.
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We missed the really heavy rain at the beginning if the week while we were out of town. If course, Mother Nature didn’t leave us out completely. It’s still raining. More heavy rain in site this week.
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Enjoyed your story. It is always fun to read about othervareas
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Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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You are welcome!
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Thank you so much for this post and the coffee. Really feel like I learned something here. It’s so beautiful how we can connect with bloggers from countries all around the world and appreciate those subtle and not so subtle differences. xx Rowena
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You’re very welcome, Rowena. It is definitely a bonus to blogging.
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We read the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe when I was studying Spanish, and I always quite liked it. Maybe when Little Jedi comes back today we can find a Spanish version of it—I bet he’d enjoy it. He already speaks far better Spanish than I ever will.
Good luck with the maybe-kitty-allergies. Hope that’s not the case! I’m very allergic to cats, which has always made me a bit sad.
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I hope you found a Spanish version! Kids enjoy this story.
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Still looking–I might ask his teachers. I bet one of them would know of a good one that is accessible for his reading level.
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I enjoyed reading the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe, thank you for sharing it with us! And just to let you know, I am extremely allergic to cats (tested by an allergist) and the symptoms you described are exactly how I figured out I was allergic, I’m sorry to say. I love kitties, but the only way I’ll ever be able to have one again is if we get a farm and I have a barn cat. My goodness but you’ve done a lot of traveling. I hope you have a calm and restful holiday!
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I’ve had cats before, usually with no problem, but this one is a super long haired one, think Maine Coon. I think that’s the difference.
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I’ve watched the news about all the rain and flooding you are having and wondered how you were surviving it all. We are having the warm weather (for us) with records being set in the high 60’s. Our high is usually 25…and snowy.
Loved your post on Solveig’s blog too!!
Take care,
Deb
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Glad you liked that post. I love poinsettias.
We’re in for a lot more rain. It’s not bad if it stops for some hours to give the rivers a chance to recede. Even up here in Oregon we need rain so I won’t complain.
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Reblogged this on Wasted Days And Wasted Nights and commented:
This weekend coffee share post is from two years ago but I am reblogging it because it talks about Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. Today, December 12 is her feast day.
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