Some might wonder why I chose the title of this blog, and perhaps concluded, erroneously, that it is some adulation of humble me. But no, it has more to do with the title Don than with me, I promise. Stick around and I will be happy to indulge your curiosity.
With the invention of film in 1890 by Thomas Edison and television in 1927 by Philo Taylor Fansworth; our American culture as been bombarded with cinema. For some of us it has been a window into how other people behave and solve their problems. It would not surprise me at all if in hearing the term Don the first inclination for most of us is to think of Don Corlene of The Godfather; or Don Quixote de la Mancha of literary fame. But no, my pretties, Don has a rich history that resounds in the medieval halls of Spain and her Mediterranean contemporaries.
Originally, the title Don was reserved only for God, Jesus Christ and the saints. Later, the Spanish medieval monarchy applied it to kings, high nobles and archbishops. Dueño or in the feminine Dueña has Latin origins, from the word "dominus" meaning "Lord of the house." Which is why if you have had the joy of watching one our "Novelas" (Soap Operas) on TeleMundo (now, now, there is no shame, we know Americans are hooked on them too), you will notice that the stern. middle aged, handsome man who is revered by all in the ranch is addressed as "Don Emilio" or "Don Juan." That reverence comes from the fact that he is a Landowner, a "jefe" (boss), and therefore, a decorum of respect is strictly followed.
Presently, in Spain, for example, the use has been gradually limited to writings, teachers and catholic priests. Don is more commonly used in the south of Italy and Latin America. Latin America is comprised of many uniquely and diverse countries. In some areas, Don is used for someone that has gain respect throughout their community. In others, only for those who have reached an advanced age. In a different aspect, "The treatment of Don or Doña is used for persons of Hispanic heritage, either by birth or marriage."* Meaning, when a woman marries she can gain or lose the use of her title. Also, Don is more commonly used in Hispanic regions when a person reaches legal age or is married. And in differentiating a person in a higher position in the workplace.
I started this blog believing that the term Don or Doña was strictly used as a connotation to being a landowner. An easily arrived conclusion since dueño in Spanish means owner. But in researching the term, I found that in the 1600's it was also used for those who achieved a great feat, or were counts or countesses, or were bishops or cardinals, or of military rank; and later evolved it's usage to those whom had children, or got a diploma, or reached an advanced age. My telenovela notion of being a Doña is shattered. Because according to it's discovered uses, I have been Doña Gladys for quite sometime now. Thanks TeleMundo!!!!
*Wikipedia - Don (tratamiento) {Spanish} Last edited August 2, 2019.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Finding Friends in Blind Places
I truly believe that there are no coincidences in this world. Whether you believe in God, a Higher Power or whatever is totally up to you. I choose to believe there is a Divine order to our lives. And with that in mind, believe that every single person you meet along the way has a purpose in your life. I read somewhere or heard somewhere, that sometimes a person comes into your life to teach you a lesson. And many times are not meant to stay. I refuse to accept that. I am greedy. I want to keep all my friends!!!
My journey into the National Federation of the Blind began with a phone call. Not from the organization itself but from my sister Marilyn. For those that do not know my sister, a phone call from her could last 2 hours. She was given the task of looking-after a blind friend (Israel) of her ex-husband. She had no idea what to do. So Marilyn did what she usually does when she doesn't know what to do, she called me. That set me on the path to learning about the NFB. But back to my present adventures and the subject of this blog.
Unless you happen to be blind or know someone who is losing their sight, you might not know of an amazing organization named the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This non-profit organization has been around since 1940. Organized by a group of blind individuals who believed that they had the same rights and responsibilities as any other person. People who believed they had the abilities to do anything anyone else could do. Can you imagine that? Actually, the only thing unimaginable should be that we still allow discrimination of certain individuals and that such organization had to be created at all!
Imagine being told that you are unsuited to raise your child due to losing your sight? And you have to go through the horror of a custody battle to prove your worth and keep your child. Or that you don't deserve minimum wage and are paid less for doing the same job as a sighted person? Only 32% of people who are blind are employed. Not because they lack skills or are unwilling. It is hard to convince a company to employ someone they believe will not be productive.
Unfortunately, the first thing the public thinks about when they encounter a blind person is that they are "helpless". I have been part of my local chapter, the National Federation of the Blind, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, since 2013; and let me tell you this group of wonderful individuals that I have grown to love and respect, are anything but "helpless". They work and attend school. They take care of their babies and husbands and wives. And it is in this aspect, the changing of our nation's perception of what a blind person is capable of, that I have committed my energy and passion.
I invite all my family, friends and acquaintances to go to the National Federation of the Blind website nfb.org and read about this organization and all that it does for so many people, not just those that are blind.
Dedicated to: Israel, Marita, Andy, Russ, Georgi, Joe, Latoya, Liz, Erica, Gina, Kirk, Quasia, Sue, Larry, Kaye, Glen, Ronasita, Toni, Doug, Carol, Jay, Levi, James B., James H., Bobby, Jessica E., Tracie, Cheryl, Fallon, Sherry, Mary M., Mary Kay, Heather, Carla, Keisha, Sharon R., Johnny, John F., Jessica M., Sister Elizabeth, Kathy.
My journey into the National Federation of the Blind began with a phone call. Not from the organization itself but from my sister Marilyn. For those that do not know my sister, a phone call from her could last 2 hours. She was given the task of looking-after a blind friend (Israel) of her ex-husband. She had no idea what to do. So Marilyn did what she usually does when she doesn't know what to do, she called me. That set me on the path to learning about the NFB. But back to my present adventures and the subject of this blog.
Unless you happen to be blind or know someone who is losing their sight, you might not know of an amazing organization named the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This non-profit organization has been around since 1940. Organized by a group of blind individuals who believed that they had the same rights and responsibilities as any other person. People who believed they had the abilities to do anything anyone else could do. Can you imagine that? Actually, the only thing unimaginable should be that we still allow discrimination of certain individuals and that such organization had to be created at all!
Imagine being told that you are unsuited to raise your child due to losing your sight? And you have to go through the horror of a custody battle to prove your worth and keep your child. Or that you don't deserve minimum wage and are paid less for doing the same job as a sighted person? Only 32% of people who are blind are employed. Not because they lack skills or are unwilling. It is hard to convince a company to employ someone they believe will not be productive.
Unfortunately, the first thing the public thinks about when they encounter a blind person is that they are "helpless". I have been part of my local chapter, the National Federation of the Blind, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, since 2013; and let me tell you this group of wonderful individuals that I have grown to love and respect, are anything but "helpless". They work and attend school. They take care of their babies and husbands and wives. And it is in this aspect, the changing of our nation's perception of what a blind person is capable of, that I have committed my energy and passion.
I invite all my family, friends and acquaintances to go to the National Federation of the Blind website nfb.org and read about this organization and all that it does for so many people, not just those that are blind.
Dedicated to: Israel, Marita, Andy, Russ, Georgi, Joe, Latoya, Liz, Erica, Gina, Kirk, Quasia, Sue, Larry, Kaye, Glen, Ronasita, Toni, Doug, Carol, Jay, Levi, James B., James H., Bobby, Jessica E., Tracie, Cheryl, Fallon, Sherry, Mary M., Mary Kay, Heather, Carla, Keisha, Sharon R., Johnny, John F., Jessica M., Sister Elizabeth, Kathy.
Friday, May 27, 2011
God Has a Wicked Sense of Humor!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love God, I respect God, I fear God!! But come to think of it, I have come to the conclusion that He has a wicked sense of humor!!!
Women are gifted with many good attributes. Physically pleasing. Soft spoken (except Caribbean women). Extremely intelligent. Outrageously resourceful. But what does God decide to do, just to keep the playing field interesting? He decides to give the male the penis!!! Think about it ladies. What would men be without the penis? Nothing!!! That's what. But then, poor dears, if we also had that, what a one sided world this would be?
Oh, wait, that's not the half of it. Not only are we forced to keep them around, for obvious reasons, but to add salt to the wound, women blossom into their sexual peak in their mid forties. Men? Men go down hill after their twenties. Unfair, isn't it? Just when we figure out what to do with ourselves, men start looking at the younger, unattained specimens.
If you ever wonder why men are so driven to make their fortunes and make their marks in life, I just gave you the answer. They need that money and charisma to attract that young female. Sad but true. Because if they really thought with their brain, they would come to the conclusion that finding a mate closer to their age, intelligence and similar tastes would, in the long run, be more beneficial to a long lasting mutually satisfying relationship.
In all this, I blame God. (Don't worry, me and God are cool, I won't be struck by lightning, right, God, hello, you there?!) :) He, in His infinite wisdom, wanted to see how females would overcome such a dilemma. Such a conundrum.
One temporary solution, is the Cougar mentality. Women who are willing to pass their wisdom and patience to younger, more virile men. Men who are willing to experience the sensual, intellectual, spiritual side of lovemaking. And in finding these men, these older, wiser women find a more physically compatible partner. This Cougar relationship flourishes until the younger man reaches a plateau of comprehension, of self awareness, which he then wishes to bestow on a subject of his own. The thorn in every older woman's side, the younger, unattained specimen.
If you have gotten this far on my blog, you are probably waiting for my solution to this problem, right? Well, if this has been going on since the beginning of time, what on earth makes you think I can come up with a solution? I can't. I can only advocate self love.
Ladies, love and respect yourselves first. It's amazing the admiration one can acquire when people see those qualities in you. This is pertinent, regardless of what stage of life you happen to be in or your economic status. Don't ever let these two facts of life define who you are. We have to live and strive with the cards that we are dealt. And the ultimate poker player is the Big Guy above. And boy, can He be a wicked character sometimes!
Women are gifted with many good attributes. Physically pleasing. Soft spoken (except Caribbean women). Extremely intelligent. Outrageously resourceful. But what does God decide to do, just to keep the playing field interesting? He decides to give the male the penis!!! Think about it ladies. What would men be without the penis? Nothing!!! That's what. But then, poor dears, if we also had that, what a one sided world this would be?
Oh, wait, that's not the half of it. Not only are we forced to keep them around, for obvious reasons, but to add salt to the wound, women blossom into their sexual peak in their mid forties. Men? Men go down hill after their twenties. Unfair, isn't it? Just when we figure out what to do with ourselves, men start looking at the younger, unattained specimens.
If you ever wonder why men are so driven to make their fortunes and make their marks in life, I just gave you the answer. They need that money and charisma to attract that young female. Sad but true. Because if they really thought with their brain, they would come to the conclusion that finding a mate closer to their age, intelligence and similar tastes would, in the long run, be more beneficial to a long lasting mutually satisfying relationship.
In all this, I blame God. (Don't worry, me and God are cool, I won't be struck by lightning, right, God, hello, you there?!) :) He, in His infinite wisdom, wanted to see how females would overcome such a dilemma. Such a conundrum.
One temporary solution, is the Cougar mentality. Women who are willing to pass their wisdom and patience to younger, more virile men. Men who are willing to experience the sensual, intellectual, spiritual side of lovemaking. And in finding these men, these older, wiser women find a more physically compatible partner. This Cougar relationship flourishes until the younger man reaches a plateau of comprehension, of self awareness, which he then wishes to bestow on a subject of his own. The thorn in every older woman's side, the younger, unattained specimen.
If you have gotten this far on my blog, you are probably waiting for my solution to this problem, right? Well, if this has been going on since the beginning of time, what on earth makes you think I can come up with a solution? I can't. I can only advocate self love.
Ladies, love and respect yourselves first. It's amazing the admiration one can acquire when people see those qualities in you. This is pertinent, regardless of what stage of life you happen to be in or your economic status. Don't ever let these two facts of life define who you are. We have to live and strive with the cards that we are dealt. And the ultimate poker player is the Big Guy above. And boy, can He be a wicked character sometimes!
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