Isle of Enchantment is written about my first visit to Puerto Rico.
2013 was the year, in the month of July, my oh my One of the hottest months to travel, by and by A scorcher, nonetheless, I had a blast Finally made it to my father’s place of birth, at last
In the summer we can be lively or carefree and idly The humidity can hit you like a wet rag in the face Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico is the place Clothes clinging to the skin, feeling sticky and intense
Deplaning in San Juan the weather warm, humid and sunny Cute, Burgundy, patent leather bag, or patent pleather Is no match for the tropical, summer and blistering weather A better choice would have been canvas, jute, or linen
Cruising through breezy Loiza and the beach, Isla Verde Next day in Old San Juan taking in a refreshing piragua Sitting and taking in the scene like a movie premiere People coming and going enjoying carefree tropical living
Street vendors amass with food to seduce the palette Fried codfish, aka Bacalaitos Alcapurria, deep fried fritter with meat And Empanadas filled with beef
Drinks that I never had before were enticing Mavi for one, made from tree bark Coquito, made with rum, condensed, coconut milk and spices Coco Rico, a coconut flavored soda
Alluring me with its sound, the native frog, a Coqui Serenading me at night, while calling out during the day Music soothing the ears, the body and soul People friendly making me feel right at home
Beautiful pastel-colored structures At every turn, beaming with pride Colors, sounds, people, food The heartbeat of Puerto Rico
El Morro is the next adventure, such colossal grounds History is tapping my shoulder as I explore Too much ground to cover, the fort is too big Have to plan this visit in more than one gig
Off to dance the night away at an outdoor restaurant The wind current keeps us semi-cool No matter, the music gets the feet and body moving In rhythm, I dance till the music stops
Cascading friendliness and genuine warmth Something that will remain in memory The summer of 2013 is kept in rich treasury Of my mind, now comes time to go forth
Heading back home with such vivid scenery Surreal trip that will last like well-oiled machinery The pictures, a keepsake for nostalgic moments Summer of 2013
March is national optimism month. It can be hard at times to be optimistic when life happens. Although, I think those are the times to have an optimistic outlook on things. Just think of the good you will be doing for yourself. In the long run, with a more positive attitude you will have lower stress levels, be more hopeful and have a more upbeat and cheerful feeling about life.
Optimism can be a challenge when the world spends so much time on social media. It is so easy for someone to see something on the internet and compare it to their own lives. We must remember that not everything we see on the web is as it seems. With that, know that we all have our separate paths in life and will not always arrive at certain destinations at the same time. It will take some of us longer to achieve certain things.
During March, we can start to take notice of our ways of looking at situations. If we take stock of how we perceive things we can then learn to change the negative thoughts into positive ones. Learn how to see the best case-scenario rather than the worst. We can team up with someone we trust and hold each other accountable. Help the other person change that negative into a positive.
March 12-18 Sleep Awareness Week
Did you know? Driving while drowsy slows reaction time just the same as driving drunk.
Sleep affects our health in many ways. Being well rested lets us excel mentally and physically. Lack of sleep has less than optimal effects on us. Try these simple things for better sleep; limit alcohol close to bedtime, no screen time before bed or while lying in bed, stop caffeine at least 4 hours before bed, try not to exercise close to the time you are going to sleep. Adequate sleep helps reduce stress, keeps our heart healthy and aids with weight loss. So, don’t forget to get your ZZZs.
March 12
Daylight Saving Time
Spring forward for Daylight Saving Time. It’s the time of year when we set the clocks ahead one hour. This practice allows for more hours of daylight during the warmer months of the year.
Celebrate the patron saint of Ireland today. People pay tribute to Irish history by attending mass and/or having a big meal. You will see a lot of the color Green. This represents the vast green land of Ireland. Although the 4-leaf clover is said to bring good luck, the Shamrock is one of the Irish symbols. Check out the web for some fun Green cocktails. You can make them with or without alcohol. Get the family together to make some recipes to commemorate Irish heritage.
March 20
First Day of Spring
Hello Spring! Milder days ahead. Also, the time of year when trees start to bloom. The pollen count rises also. Get your allergy medicine ready for those who are affected by this. In the Spring we have a lot more time to go for walks before or after work and enjoy some sun and outdoor time.
March 22
Ramadan Begins
Ramadan is a religious Islamic holiday observed by Muslims. From sun-up to sun-down Muslims fast and try to avoid eating, drinking, smoking and any impure behaviors and/or thoughts. Ramadan is when you will see increased prayers, time worshipping at the mosque and reading the Quran. This time of self-reflection helps to clean the soul and show empathy for those less fortunate. Fasting is a way to acknowledge that some people around the world are hungry. Those who practice the Islamic religion can find places of worship in virtually every state in the United States. Even though there are millions of people in the U.S. who are Muslims, the largest Muslim population can be found in Indonesia.
March 22
DĂa de la AboliciĂłn de Esclavitud
Did you know? It was once illegal to own or display the Puerto Rican Flag.
Emancipation Day (Puerto Rico)
March 22, 1873 marks the end of slavery in Puerto Rico. After colonization, disease and mistreatment wiped out most of the native people, this resulted in a major labor shortage. Gold mining was the popular trade at the time, so workers were needed for this reason. After gold mining stopped bringing in profits, sugar cane was the next thing to bring in money for the island. African slaves were used for enrichment of the land on plantations for the production of sugar. The African slave trade in PR lasted over 30 decades. Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico is an important day to celebrate freedom. Bomba and Plena music has strong African roots. Dancing to this music, along with native meals, festivals and parades are some of the ways to celebrate Emancipation Day.
Afro Puerto Rican flag and Resistance Puerto Rican flag
Puerto Rican Flag
Save Your Vision Month
Take the time to give your eyes a little extra TLC. It is better to preserve our eyesight as much as possible, rather than letting it get so bad that it creates things that cannot be reversed. Our eyes are precious. Besides, we only get one set. Try some preventative things like, limiting screen time. When reading make sure the room is well lit. Wear sunglasses to help against UV sun rays. Schedule that much needed eye exam. You know who you are… If you catch yourself squinting or needing to use extra bright light just to read certain things.
Black Love Day is about all kinds of love. Be it love of Black culture, romantic black love, love of African American people. Any kind of admiration for Black creatives, musicians, performers, inventors, entrepreneurs, etc. Alternatively, some will celebrate their special someone on this day instead of Valentine’s Day. Show love on this day and think about how we can instill more peace and less hate in the Black community. We have Ayo Handy-Kendi to thank for this celebration of Black Love. Practice self-love and forgiveness. Take a moment to share your personal stories of affection/admiration for African American people on social media. Volunteer, educate others and/or support African American businesses. Celebrate in a way that is the most meaningful for you.
February is the time of year we focus on heart health. Even though we focus on taking care of it all year long. It is an important organ and I know we don’t think about it, but it works hard for our entire body. The heart pumps blood through our arteries to all the vital areas it needs to go. Without proper heart function, we can have health problems. Some of these may not be obvious at first. The heart symbolizes love, so we should show our bodies some love. Nourishing ourselves with healthier foods to contribute to better functionality is the key. Exercise also helps to keep the blood flowing and bring oxygen to our heart.
Feb 14- Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is usually a day for couples to celebrate and show their love for each other. February 14th is one of the top spending holidays. You will see people wearing red or pink. A lot of flowers, candy, balloons, jewelry, personal gifts and dinner dates will be had on this day. Everyone shows their token of love in different ways. You may have a personal ritual that you partake in on Valentine’s Day to show your love. Send you Valentine’s Day wishes to yoru closest friends, relatives and loved ones.
Luis Muñoz MarĂn was the first governor to be elected in Puerto Rico. He was re-elected 3 times. The Puerto Rican native was instrumental in efforts to improve farming and housing on the island. In addition to his political pursuits, he was a journalist. The airport in PR is named after him, as well as part of 116th Street in Spanish Harlem, NY.
Feb 20- Presidents Day
In 2023, President’s Day is February 20th. Take this day to learn about the past presidents. Finding out what happened and how these men changed America will help to understand some of the customs of the present day. Do you know how cherries are associated with today? Hint; think George Washington.
Feb 26- Pistachio Day
Pistachios are nuts that come in several varieties. Buy these shelled, roasted, unsalted or without the shell. Although these nuts provide health benefits, be careful not to eat too many. Pistachios are packed with protein and fiber. Therefore, they help in losing weight. By keeping you feeling full, they help you to consume less. Pistachio’s aid in lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Try incorporating these into your diet and see the changes in your health. They are also good for heart health.
The first Friday in December is recognized as Farmer’s Day in Ghana. This day is to recognize the farming and fishing industries. Agriculture is an important part of this region of Africa. It is a week-long occasion marked by festivals and networking events. Not only is agriculture important in Ghana but also in other parts of the world. Bushfires in the early 80s led to food shortages. The destruction of crops is what prompted the government to get involved. Let us honor farmers and fishermen that bring us nutritious food. Agriculture provides a strong foundation for the well-being of everyone. Also, it has a great impact on the economy.
Happy Birthday Jay Z! He is an American Rapper married to recording artist Beyonce Knowles. His music career started with Reasonable Doubt in 1996. He is an example and an inspiration for anyone who aspires to change their life around. He started from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, NY and look at him now! ” What more can I say?”, from The Black Album.
Denzel Washington (Dec 28)
Happy Birthday Denzel Washington! Who doesn’t know Denzel? He is a talented actor with a long and successful career in movies and TV. He has such a presence about him in his roles on the screen. It doesn’t hurt that he is easy on the eyes. He is the first African American actor to win two Academy Awards.
“Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency.” – Denzel Washington
The jury is still out on this one. I found that National Re-gifting day occurs on the third Thursday in December, which would be the 15th. Also, I have found some sources say it falls on the Thursday right before Christmas, which would be the 22nd. There is an actual day set aside for this, who knew? I learn something new all the time. Anyway, I asked the question about a month ago; What is your take on re-gifting? Not a lot of people expressed their opinion on the subject. I suspect, it may be out of fear of being judged by others. National Re-gifting day is a chance to recycle or re-use some items that may not otherwise get to be enjoyed by someone.
December 21 is National Coquito Day. Coquito is a Puerto Rican holiday drink. You will not find two coquito recipes that are alike. It is the island’s version of eggnog. Rum, cream of coconut and condensed milk are the main ingredients. This drink is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Please enjoy in small quantities, as this is a potent holiday concoction. Small sips only, don’t get a big mug or glass and think you are going to get up and walk afterwards ;-)Not only can you enjoy this with family and friends but also Coquito can be given as a gift.
National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Don’t Drink, Drug and Drive
December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month. There are an increased number of impaired drivers on the road around the holiday season, Christmas, New Year’s Eve. The spike in accidents and deaths attributes to people thinking they are ok to drive after getting together for parties and celebrating with libations. Although, there is nothing wrong with enjoying alcoholic beverages, do it in a responsible way. If you are out and know you have had one too many, take a taxi, Uber or have someone else drive you. If you are in walking distance, walk home. Have a designated driver. Getting behind the wheel after drinking and drugging has proven to be fatal, time and time again. Give everyone the chance to live life and have fun by not driving while impaired.
The day Jesus Christ was born, also known as Christmas. Christmas is celebrated in many ways. For those who do observe this day, it holds a special significance. Some people go to church, some families gather around the Christmas tree and exchange gifts. Christmas dinner is also a tradition on this day. The country has strayed a little from the religious aspect of December 25th and its meaning. This day has become very commercialized. Different countries have their own way of celebrating this holiday. One thing that is notable is all the decorations, inside homes and outside. Check out a local Christmas light display in your area. This is a very uplifting time of year, with the songs, lights, decorations, and gifts.
Kwanzaa (Dec 26-Jan 1)
Kwanzaa Image by RODNAE Productions on Pexels
Kwanzaa is an African American celebration. However, you don’t have to be African American to take part in the festivities. Children are very much a part of this celebration. Even though gifts are given during Kwanzaa it is primarily based on the seven principles. Purpose, creativity, economics, unity, faith, self-determination and responsibility. Each day a candle is lit and families talk about one of the seven principles. Every principle has a corresponding symbolic gift which consist of ears of corn, a mat made of straw, a communal cup which stands for unity, fruits and veggies. Some people don traditional African clothing during Kwanzaa. On New Year’s Eve, Dec 31 a communal feast called karamu is held.
The celebration is back! The Puerto Rican Day Parade is a celebration of the Puerto Rican culture and heritage. You will hear music, see dancing, and smell good food! The parade is a long tradition in NYC. It showcases Puerto Rican pride, and you will see the different Latino dances and costumes. You will have a chance to see a glimpse of Puerto Rican people. Enjoy and have a good time! WEPA!
Juneteenth is an important day in history. June 19, 1865 was the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas found out that they were free. Juneteenth also known as Freedom Day, Black 4th of July, Emancipation Day or June 19th is now a federal holiday declared by President Joe Biden in 2021. Celebrate Juneteenth in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some things that people do are to patronize black owned businesses, have a cookout, gather with family/friends or go to Juneteenth events held in their local area.
Happy Father’s Day! Let’s celebrate all the dads out there. This is an important time to recognize the fathers out there who are taking care of business. Thank you!! We need the men who have children to realize the important role they play and how much they are needed in their children’s lives.
LGBTQ- June is Pride Month
In the month of June, we can learn about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community. This is a time to acknowledge the challenges they face and learn about how society can help to overcome the stigma surrounding people of this lifestyle. The LGBTQ community faces discrimination, hate and inequality. They just want to enjoy basic human rights and be themselves FREELY, like everyone else.
This month celebrates DJs (disc jockeys). A lot of DJs don’t get the shine they deserve but they are a vital part of the entertainment industry. DJs get the crowd moving and ensures that everyone have a good time. Disc jockeys showcase their spin skills for radio, TV, public/private events, and parties. Music is a universal language and when you have someone who knows how to play some vinyl it’s a win-win for everyone. When we dance it releases endorphins and helps to reduce stress too.Thank your favorite DJthe next time they play something you can shake your booty to.🙂
National Headache and Migraine Awareness Month
A headache and migraine are two different things. A headache is not as debilitating as a migraine. Some people with migraines can be sensitive to light, sounds and even smells. Usually, you can take over-the-counter medicine to relieve a headache. Migraines on the other hand require a bit more medical care. One way to show support for sufferers of migraines and chronic headache is by wearing Purple. Also, learning more about this and talking about it helps to raise awareness. For information about causes and how to relieve these symptoms click the link from the National Institutes of Health.
Today, January 6th is Three Kings Day! Today is also known as Epiphany or El DĂa de Reyes. I just want to take a minute to recognize today since I am Boricua too. Although, I am still learning about the traditions of this holiday. I have my Titi in Puerto Rico to thank for keeping me up to date with the culture. This day marks the end of the Christmas holiday celebrations. Three Kings Day is celebrated in Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Peru, just to name a few.
As you can imagine, the celebrations involve family. It also involves gifts for the children. During this holiday some traditional dishes are arroz con gandules, pasteles, and roasted pork. Add to that, Puerto Rican eggnog which is called Coquito (little coconut). Another tradition is caroling (parrandas) while singing aguinaldos or Christmas songs. Some musical instruments used during a parranda are maracas, guitar, cuatros and guiros. Wepa!
