Wishing on this Full Moon, Super Moon

 

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

This was not the original tema for tonight's post, but BB finds it so interesting,intriguing and intuitive que it begged to be written.  Tonight we go into the philosophy of the ancients. Perfecto para Babushka don't ya think?  

Tonight is a full moon which in itself is digno de estudio, but the luna esta noche is a Super Moon, and it being mid year, a perfect time for Super things.  Now, the reason it's called a "super moon" is  because of its brightness and closeness to earth.  La Lady Luna is showing off her belleza and teasing to kiss us, inviting us to follow her splendor. 

"Strawberry Full Moon" 

pic via CNN

Babushka will take the challenge. It's already midyear, there are cuatro full moons of the summer before fall is upon us. What a wonderful anology to la vida, of the rapid passing of each year. For her part, BB is coming out of her COVID coma and knows it's time to be again, tired of waiting for life to happen-or not happen. Blessed with a Full Moon Reiki & Sound Bath given by Shonne in The Light Haus Club on Clubhouse, the vision of what had to happen became clear. Ready or not, prepared or not, dreams are for following if you truly believe in them. If the calling is strong, the chances one takes must be just as strong. It is said that during a full moon dreams and desires are to be stated and declared. And so BB will state and declare the following:

Babushka's Gratitude and Wish Journal. 

After much soul searching and selftruth, the following is written 9x everyday:

Gracias for New House

Sponsors & Spokesperson.

Written down to validate one's true desire and to give thanks for its outcome. Nine times, 3 x 3,  to reinforce the belief , make conscious effort to set aside time for one's dream. BB does this upon waking, midday, and before sleep. It always assures and fills the night with good vibes.

List of Dream Sponsors. Notice they all start with B, like Babushka.

Porque Lo Bueno Starts with B.

😁👍

Aqui, laughing at the drawing, never the dream.

BB in between two giant "B"s, representing Bustelo & Badia.

They say "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" and "Niño que no llora, no mama"

So sin temor ni timidez, Babushka puts it out there.

To follow, be led, to believe.

Super Moon Crawfordville, Fl

May your wishes be clear and bright Beautifuls.

Babushka Besos a todos.

 Cuidensen.

PicaPica turns 5!

Conversation Monday night between PicaPica and his mother:

Mother- "Tomorrow you're turning 5 years old!"

PicaPica- "I know. I'm going to miss you when I'm a grownup."

And so the tone was set. PicaPica is 5 and is now a man.

Si, we know better, but by the way he strutted around on his day you'd almost believe it.

His dad asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner and he answered "Shrimp- at Red Lobster." Que crees? Pizza or a hamburger? JU SO FONI !!! A man with a man's appetite- nothing but the endless shrimp platter for him!

Of course there were presents, abrazos and lots of cake.

Mom giving PicaPica a hug, "Aw, I remember when you were a baby!"

PicaPica patting her condescendingly, "I know, I know."

He had a wonderful day, and Babushka hopes that he's right- that today will be the sign of what his life as a man will be.

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

Midnite Muse

Midnite, la medianoche, on Tuesdays, this is the time my Muse decides to be a minx and starts to meander in my mind.

Never mind that I know BB's blog comes out every Wednesday. Never you mind I need complete quiet... maybe that's part of the problem. Complete quiet? In a Cuban household? All together now- JU SO FONI !!!

I actually was able to have a post written a week before time, but that's like losing 5 pounds before the holidays. You lose it to look good but then start partying and gain back the 5 plus an extra 10 pounds. The time I wrote the early post I was up South, but I've been with family in Miami for almost a month now so I've gained those 10 pounds figuratively and literally.

Seriously though, what is it about waiting until the last momento? Is it perspiration over procastination that thrills me, or am I waiting for a better subject for my post? Perhaps it's both. I'm Cuban, so I'm always in a hurry to savor the good things in life. I know, Extreming.

My Midnite Muse- of course being Cuban she isn't always punctual. If I'm lucky she'll be running on time (which for Cubans is an hour late), if it's a milagro she'll be running American time (which is the actual time specified) but for the most part she starts cooking around 2 a.m. Si, 2 a.m. This is the hour she's had her cafecito and is positive hers is the only voice I hear.

Aha, a true CAP pero que vamos hacer?

Es mia, she's mine-

and besides, she's brilliant.

; )

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

So Sweet!

No, this isn't a post about mis nietos (my grandchildren). Well, not directly anyway. Ok, ok, kinda sorta. But it doesn't start that way!

Sweets- candies- one of the many goodies of the Gods. As I was wondering what music to play in today's post, I reached into my purse and pulled out a piece of dark chocolate. Oh yeah!

Instantly the day brightened , and as I was beaming with anticipation- inspiration!!

I remembered that same beam of joy radiating from La Princesa's face when I bribed her with a candy. A candy for a kiss. Whaaaaat? She doesn't know Babushka yet, so I tempted her with el caramelo; THAT she knows! Don't give me that tsk,tsk! and shake of the head as if I was the first to do that. How do you think those chocolates got the name of "kiss" ? Seriously! You think I'm the only long distance abuela? JU SO FONI !!!

Caramelos- sweets, staples of the Cuban Way, and like everything else, we like it rich and to extreme!!! This being a post and not a novel, I will name just two of the mucho, mucho, many sweets we love. Actually, I'm just going to mention drinks, because the cravings will start and I really don't think the bodequita is open.

Ambrosia #1 Guarapo.

The ever natural, original soda of our island. This is the juice taken from the sugarcanes; so special we even use special machinery to extract its' goodness. Fresh from the sugarcanes the flow of liquid sugar would entice us with it's coolness and jumpstart us with it's potency.

Ambrosia #2- Chocolate Caliente (Hot Chocolate-Cuban style)

On the rare nights it would go below 60 degrees in Miami, we'd trek to Moro Castle for their sickeningly sweet, super addictive hot chocolates. Yo se, I know, I promised only drinks, but Oh of course they had to be accompanied by churros, nice and fresh, looking like sticks of solid snowflakes from all the sugar glistening on them. Now, if you think ours is the regular hot chocolate that is mass produced, here I must say Sacrilegio!!! Cuban hot chocolate is made with the French (originally) Chocolate Menier, and that not being rich enough, evaporated and condensed milk is added. Again, oh yeah!

But sugar isn't just in our foods, it's in our souls and part of our history. And no one is more in our souls or part of our history than the late Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz who's signature word was sugar- "Azucar" and it fitted her importance to us perfectly.

BB surrounded by Azucar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtxZda3Q-E&feature=related

A post about Chocolate, Grandchildren, y Celia Cruz - SWEET!!

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

How to keep healthy in a Cuban household

Old time remedies, old wives tales. I'm sure every culture has them; I bet we even find similarities among them. But this belonging to Babushka, I'm going to list some of the major beliefs my Cuban culture imparts on health and how to maintain it.

1) NEVER GO BAREFOOT-

Apparently the feet are portholes of infirmary. Between the cold, animals,germs, and bugs, it was a given hospital stay if you were ever found barefoot. (Oh, and Lord forbid if anyone ever saw you like that- they'd think you were from "El Campo".) My poor parents tried for 17 years and finally had to give up. I LOVE going barefoot. Guess I was destined for the South.

2) DON'T GO TO BED WITH YOUR HEAD WET-

There we go, being extreme. First the feet, then the head. Besides being a recipe for bed head in the morning (which no self respecting Cubanita would allow) the air would bring about tremendo cold. If you think I mean a/c- no, no,no we don't need to be so drastic to have a cold. The culprit of many a Cuban malady- NIGHT AIR.

Yes, NIGHT AIR, the demon of diseases and destruction. Not only did this devil cause more sickness than the plague, but it also broke down and disintegrated anything left out in its' domain. People or patio furniture, neither are immune to its' powers.

This being a well known truth, we continue to-

3) COVER UP

Anytime there was a breeze, or heaven forbid you were going out at night, the head (especially in little children), the chest and back (covering the lungs) must be covered. The later in the evening the more and/or tighter you should bundle up.

If by some milagro you did catch something then they went straight to the cupboard for the Cuban Cure All.

Vicks Vapor Rub, or as we were brought up to say, VIX VAPO RU. The magical ointment was slathered on the bottom of the feet, the chest, the back (covering the lungs), the neck, the forehead, and VERY important- under the nose. The fumes alone brought people back from the dead.

Aha, I see you smiling. You know of what I speak.

Por supuesto this aromatic bath was done while a cazuelon of hearty homemade chicken soup with bolitas de FuFu was being made-to cast out the fever, the bad spirits and the hunger.

Old time remedies, a bit of history. I'm sure we all have our memories of "cures" and "wisdom" and we shake our heads. Let's just smile and remember the love they were given with. And to those who wonder if I've followed these and shared them ... JU SO FONI !!!

I'm a Cuban Grandma; need I say more?

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

Grandma is a Kindergarten Flunkie

I'm so glad to be old. Ok, esta bien, I'm not ooold, but as my father told me several years back, "You're no spring chicken." Lovely huh? Anyways, glad to be past school age K -12 (college I still plan to continue, but that's another story). Several years ago when My Little One ,the intense 19 yr old, was in 6th grade and I saw they were teaching her pre -Algebra I was a little taken aback, but I was in no way ready to see what they are expecting Kindergarteners to do.

Then again, this is the generation who knows how to work a Wii, an Ipad and a Blu Ray while I'm still mourning the end of the VHS. My mind boggles just looking at the number of remote controls my grandbabies can use and differentiate between. And the quick thinking needed for some of these apparatus? Me keep up? JU SO FONII !!! My cell phone (the basic kind- not even WiFi) has many a missed call because I couldn't find the correct button on time. But today's children? The technology, the languages (gracias to abuelos and to TV's Dora and Kai-lan), the information and senses bombardment,and the country trying to raise it's educational level to compete in a Global society has lead us to ask our 5 year olds to perform weekly book reports and presentations. De veras! I kid you not. We need gifted communicators and apparently good test takers, because here's El Dr. doing his homework which needs to be bubbled in!

Can you imagine?

The children of today will need to be full of

Self worth

Determination

Attitude

Oh yeah. O Si.

I would have flunked Kinder(garten), but they're gonna be just fine.

Babushka Besos a todos. Cuidensen.

Another Year, Another Candle- Almost 50

Last Thursday I turned 49.  Almost 50.  ÑO.

As I start this 49th year cycle towards 50 let me reflect.  I've completed 7 full cycles (cycles of 7 years each- a mystical, metaphysical grouping, which I'm  into, but more on eso another time) and just what have I done so far?  Bueno, let's break it down shall we?

0 - 7  Pre birth to 7    
I hear mi mamá had a good pregnancy, nothing extraordinary except for it being her first child, and of course it being me.  ; )   At school I  was very shy and quiet.  Yo se, no need to say it- I know what you're thinking; I definitely grew out of that one. JU SO FONII !!! Don't blame you though-  if I wouldn't have seen those teacher's comments I wouldn't have believed it either.

7 - 14  Child, Tween and Teen
Woah- what a span.  Is it just me or does it seem like my generation didn't have much variance between the groups?  I for one was still playing w/baby dolls at 12.  And still had my baby fat at 14.

14 - 21  True Teen and not too true Adult
Now 14 marked a real shift.  It was during this year that I decided I was no longer a baby, thus I no longer was going to need my baby fat.  No way was I going to be a  Quinceañera gorda.  So good bye baby fat and hello bulimarexia.  The rest of the cycle is the start of dating, social blooming and suffering.  Oh the poems I wrote during those years!  And let's not forget the nights of chocolates and  Diet Pepsi with girlfriends as we pondered the mysteries of life- and boys.  Then the college years.  Being a good CAP  (Cuban American Princess for the uninitiated) I went to a community college while living at home.  Truth be told I kinda liked this arrangement and kept withdrawing from classes because breakfast at Denny's with my BFF was infinitely more satisfactory than Algebra....

As in life, the following cycles will be quick.


21- 28  Adulthood and Motherhood- not necessarily in that order
Got a car, got a job, and since I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, got a husband.  Ok, ok, I feel your sejas raising and eyeballs popping, but I had already tried to go into the armed forces for "direction"  pero the jobs they offered weren't appealing so I took the traditional route.  Sooo Private Benjamin right?  Bueno, by the end of this cycle I had another car, another job and on the way to another husband, but my beautiful babies made everything worth it.

28 - 35  On A Roll-  up and down hill
Went back to college and actually graduated.  Go me!!   Life lessons were also in store as I remarried and had My Little One.  The marriage ended, and at the end of this very emotional and challenging cycle I was sustained by my children and strengthened by their love.

35 - 42  All a Blur - trio of teenagers
Who remembers?  It must be true, self preservation through memory blockages.  I vaguely recall this being the period my children hit puberty.  And we all know my view on that subject.  ::shudder::

42 - 49  Change of Scenery-  coming out of the trance
A trio of teens, a mini breakdown, and a feeling of perpetual claustrophobia, I had to move from CAP mecca Miami.   By this time my two eldest had their own families and it was just me and My Little One.  Both of us growing up in a little rural town south of the state's capital.  Que?  You thought I'd go farther than that?  Por fa-  once a CAP.... besides, with nietos no way I 'd stay too far away.

"In these years we move from old stereotypical roles with a new found confidence in our individuality. We are prepared to please our self, rather than society and gain a real understanding of our uniqueness, accompanied by a sense of urgency to express our true self before it gets too late."

 http://dreamhawk.com/body-and-mind/every-seven-years-you-change/

49 - 56  I've Gotta Be Me-  what else can I be?
The above quote describes perfectly my past year.  I left a "steady" state job ( oxy moron perhaps?) to pursue my inner calling.  I am a performer, a storyteller, a believer in beauty in all its' forms.  And I'm ready to blab it too!  Be it in person, in blog, or over the airwaves, I will follow my music, singing and sharing.  Y siempre, te lo voy a decir BAILANDO.


So all in all?   I done good!  And looking forward to the next round.





Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.




P.S.  Plans for this cycle start off with a radio show for BB, so if you are so inclined please donate towards this, humbly speaking, very worthy cause.  Corporate contributions and sponsorships are also very welcomed.

Don't you just see it now?  ""BB Bailando con Bustelo"    Oh SI!!!


P.P.S.  If you are truly inclined and "no quieres perder la costumbre", donations for BB are also greatly appreciated.  Mil Gracias.