Telling a Tale

Can you tell this tale? Has anyone ever told it to you?

No Sour Grapes! (Delmar Lemming)

We have been harvesting great bunches of pale green grapes this September. After grafting on some new branches last February, the old arbor is producing a new seedless grape that is so good for a mid-morning snack. At the EOI, the new crop has garnered rave reviews. Rosie has offered to make a jelly or jam with these gems but I fear they won't last that long. You can hardly stop yourself once you get started on a bunch. In fact, I wanted to enter a bunch in the Guiness Book of World Records, it was so huge and heavy on the vine. But soon as friends and families and work mates got hold of it, it as gone!

This morning, while digging in the garden, I uncovered some dark, dark Welch's type of grapes which were small and not quite ripe, but scrumptious. Their sweet flesh reminded me of the grapes my Aunt Mary Hanley used to grow in their Second Street garden. She turned most of them into jelly which she stored in the cellar in those portly jars, their lids sealed with wax and pectin.

Sweet memories and no sour grapes!

José and his María

José is an elderly resident of La Atalaya who enjoys strolling the winding country road that leads from his village to the main road. Like many of the Atalaya neighbors, this retired carpenter has walked the road toward Santa Brigida and then doubled back. Many take this walk and admire the breathtaking views of the great Atlantic Ocean on the eastern horizon. Now, however, José has developed respiratory problems and has to carry an oxygen tank. Today I saw him walking the La Atalaya road with his wife María. His lifelong companion toted his tank. Their gait was gingerly maintained but every step carried dignity. It was a blessed moment.

Skunks in the Alley (Delmar Lemming)

Cycling around Franklin County this summer, we were taken by the wide range of animal life in the trees, bushes, riversides and even in our bike path.
The biggest shocks were those stinky skunks who lurked about the Pioneer Valley's wooded corners and clamoring on the bulkhead of my babça's old homestead on Second Street in Turners Falls, city of magic, city of light!

Old Dog: New Tricks (Delmar Lemming & Son)

My son Robin has relocated for a time to Franklin County where he is often in charge of my sister Neal's big black lab Tucker. Our mission this summer was to teach this hefty trooper to swim. Although it took some coaxing to get our pal into the drink, he finally did his first dog paddle in the Connecticut River under the old train tressle in Montague City. It was quite hilarious!

Fan Mail from Some Flounder!? Delmar Lemming Summer Project

As the heat settles onto the hills and the green goes brown, I suggest some quiet summer pursuits that may take you back in time. In the days before instant communication. People sometimes sat down with a piece of paper and pen and wrote letters. Now if you can't think of anyone familiar to write to, I suggest fan mail.

I mention this because I just saw the Mike Leigh film All or Nothing which featured a premier performance by all the central characters, but particularly the taxi driver (played by Tim Spall) and his disfunctional family. All four of them are superb in this film. In fact, I was tempted to write to Mike Leigh himself as I do admire him inordinately. But instead, I have chosen Tim Spall as my subject.

After sobbing through the final scene of the film (don't worry, I am not going to give anything away --- you have to see it for yourself!), I resolved to direct a gushy fan mail to this amazing actor. I was reminded of the Bullwinkle cartoon moose line: "Fan mail from some flounder?" But I answered, as Rocky the Squirrel did in his day No, this is what I really call a message!"

So watched this space and tomorrow I will run my fan mail missive by you. Happy summer fun and diversion! Delmar Lemming

Angelique Kidjo Brings Magic to Las Palmas

Angelique Kidjo (http://www.kidjo.com/), the voice of West Africa, lit Las Palmas on fire last evening with her wonderful mix of soul, blues, pop and melodic African rhythms.
The great expanse behind Perez Galdós theater was packed with devoted fans, dancing and singing along with the magical voice of Benin.
Ms Kidjo and her exquisite band provided an amazing array of songs from her childhood in the 1960s. In addition to the infectious African pop beat, she sang a stunning tribute to James Brown. "When I was a child, I wanted to be James Brown more than anything in the world," she announced in lovely English. "But we all know that is impossible...everyone in Africa knows there is only one James Brown."
No sooner had she finished this tribute, then Curtis Mayfield's ghost appeared miraculously in the form of "Move On Up!" with its very positive wishes. This tune was dedicated to all the people of Africa, as Ms Kidjo called for unity for this great continent.

Red Onions = Cebolla Roja

The red onions have been harvested with only a few tears. We tied them in bundles and hung them in the barn to dry. It creates a great atmosphere in that shadowy space.
The sight of tose onions reminded me of another onion harvest in France many years ago. I had just finished reporting for the Greenfield Recorder and took some time out to milk goats, make cheese and buttermilk and till the soil.
Our onion crop was spectacular that year in southern France, near Montpellier. On one sultry summer afternoon in the blazing sun, my picking partner, Simone, and I found ourselves weary and without water way out in the field.
"My throat is parched," I complained. "And my mouth is as dry as a lime kiln!"
My friend Simone, an ever resourceful Swissman, picked up a big onion from the ground. He peeled that precious treasure and -- I swear to you -- took a big bite of that crunchy onion. He bid me to do the same. It was unbelievable, quenching our thirst with the juice of an onion! -- Delmar Lemming

What? You've Never Heard of Sue Grafton??

In case you have never heard of Sue Grafton, her detective novels begin with A Is for Alibi and run through the alphabet until they reach U Is for Undertow. This amazing author promises to finish her series with Z Is for Zero which will end in 1990 when Kinsey Millhone turns 40. I think that's it anyway.
I mentioned about the paucity of mobile phones and PCs but the novels are always interesting in that they are largely set outside the politics of their day. We do not get any references to the presidents of the day or much of that arena. There is some references to the Vietnam War in O Is for Outlaw but this is in reference to a Vietnam War vet who cannot get it together.
Anyway, I plan to use the Sue Grafton series in class next fall as I have gotten ahold of some of the CD audio readings of Judy Kaye. She brings the novels to life in a very compelling way and it should be fun to play short extracts in class throughout the academic year. Again, enjoy your summer reading! -- Delmar Lemming

Kinsey Millhone, Recommended Summer Reading

(Delmar Lemming, like most of his neighbors in Santa Brigida, is laying low with the heat this summer and recommends reading a good novel. We have been working our way through the Sue Grafton detective series with its offbeat sleuth Kinsey Millhone. In case, you have never heard of her, here is a little biography to get you started. Happy reading!!)


According to Sue Grafton's wonderful thrillers, Kinsey Millhone was born in 1950. Her unusual first name was her mother's surname before her marriage to Kinsey's father. Kinsey lived with her parents until they were killed in a car wreck when she was five and survived in the car for several hours before she was rescued. She then moved in with her aunt (her mother's sister) Gin, who was the only relative still in contact with her mother, the rest of the family having disapproved of the marriage and cut off contact with her. From her Aunt Gin, Kinsey took on eccentricities, including a taste for peanut-butter and pickle sandwiches. In high school, Kinsey was a self-described pot-smoking delinquent. After three semesters at the local community college she realized that academic life was not for her and she joined the Santa Teresa police force. After two years, Kinsey decided life in uniform wasn't for her, and quit the police squad to become an investigator for California Fidelity, an insurance company. Eventually, she became a self-employed private investigator, solving various disappearances and murders, clearing names and dodging hitmen. Kinsey is short and weighs about 118 pounds. She has short, dark, thick hair that she trims with nail scissors. She has little interest in her own physical appearance. Her wardrobe boasts mostly jeans and turtleneck sweaters, though she also owns an extremely wrinkle-resistant "little black dress" for those occasions when dressing up is unavoidable. As a typical Californian, however, she loves physical fitness and jogs three miles every day. She is also a junk food fiend. She is hampered by a ringing in the ears, caused when she shot an attacker from inside a trash can. Kinsey has been divorced twice. Her first husband, Mickey, an ex-cop, appears in O is for Outlaw and her second husband, Daniel, a struggling musician, appears in E is for Evidence.

You could term Kinsey a loner, with no children, she lives in an extremely compact studio apartment converted from a single-car garage. Her landlord is an octogenarian, Henry Pitts, a retired commercial baker who enjoys crossword puzzles; Kinsey harbors a crush on Henry. Henry's family are of durable stock, his siblings all being well into their 90s. Kinsey has had several relationships in the series, beginning with Charlie Scorsoni, continuing through Jonah Robb and Robert Dietz, until the more recent novels in which she has begun an affair with longtime friend Cheney Phillips, a police detective.
Having lived for most of her life with very few family members (for most of the series, her "family" consisted of Henry and his siblings, plus the local tavern owner, Rosie (who married one of Henry's brothers), and generous employees in nearby offices), Kinsey received a shock when her cousin Tasha reached out to her. Meeting Tasha and her sister, Lisa, for lunch revealed they are very similar in appearance. Kinsey and Tasha form a business relationship in M Is for Malice.
As Sue Grafton points out at the beginning of O Is for Outlaw, Kinsey and her world are all based in the 1980s, a pre-mobile phone and computer era. So there is a certain comfort in living with people who are not always connected, characters who live more by their wits, perhaps. --- Delmar Lemming

Blues, Gospel and Soul in Santa Brigida!

We were pleased to catch the Sharrie Williams concert the other night in Santa Brigida. This wonderful singer from Michigan blessed us with her beautiful voice, accomplanied by a first rate band of guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.
Ms Williams began her concert just after Spain's World Cup victory. "I know your national team has just won a big football game, so let's celebrate!"
I mention this because I was impressed by how seamlessly this singer drew the crowd into her magic web of mirth and music. She made us feel truly blessed, part of a sacred community.
Sharrie had travelled a long way to that stage, she told us. "Some 13 years ago I was a all strung out on crack and coke," she recounted in unbidded testimony. "But the Lord entered my life and now I revel in that glory."
She mixed soulful blues with a gospel edge that stunned even those who did not understand English. Sharrie Williams showed that language is the least of our obstacles in life, we all danced to the same beat: her sacred rhythmn,

Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack... (Delmar Lemming)

It was so great visiting Patricia's nursery school class in Valsequillo, up on that mountain ledge looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. Out in the mist, the coast of Africa loomed on the horizon ... or was it Fuerteventura?
Anyway, besides tinkling the twinkle twinkle out of the guitar, I was taken back to the patty cake clapping rhymes games that are so wonderful for children at this early age. We did a Mary Mack contest which was a scream.

Mary Mack (repeat!) Dressed in black (...)
Silver buttons (...) Up and down her back (...etc)
She combed her hair (...) She broke the comb
She's gonna get a pipping
When her mama gets home!




Gracias a Patricia y todo el profesorado de CEIP Los Llanetes por su maravillosa acogida. Volveré pronto!!!! David

Book Review of "FLIGHT IN FEBRUARY" by Philip Kraske

(This is a book review of a new novel by author Philip Kraske. I have tried to keep to the limits that we generally set in class, particularly regarding word count. It is about 300 words long! -- I hope you like my recommendation. -- Delmar Lemming)

Flight in Febrary is not Philip Kraske's first book but it ranks among his best efforts. Having read some of his manuscripts over the past quarter century (he started young!), I would say Flight in February demonstrates the maturity of a diligent, first-class wordsmith. This struck me when I got five chapters in and heard how "the rusty caster giggled and heckled" at poor Reilly, whose only response to his gray officious surroundings is a sneer and a Playboy magazine! The book abounds with tremendous details, every word chosen with care but provided with seemingly effortless writing. Canadian author John Marlin once said "to be a good novelist you have to love people." Kraske shows genuine affection for his characters. I worked as a police reporter in the Midwest and found the author's depiction of law enforcement officials in these environs rang true. The dialogue drives the story along with precision and, at times, humor and wit. These are truly believable characters.

I won't compare Philip Kraske to Jonathan Franzen or Paul Auster, but I am sure others will, given the breadth and ambition of this work. Sue Grafton's punchy prose came to mind in some passages of Flight.

Just one question haunts me. Why February in Minnesota? I am far from that frozen wasteland now but I recall it as being pretty darn chilly! Although the author assures us in the final credits (his acknowledgements, p 433 in the first edition) this work is not going to inspire more prison breaks, he sure made me wonder at the things humans can get up to, even in the dead of winter.

But the best recommendation I could give Flight in February is that it is a great read. As another reviewer has stated, once you are caught up in this thriller, you won't be able to put it down.

Barnstorming in the Mountains of Valsequillo (Delmar Lemming)

We enjoyed the singing and chanting enthusiasm of both pupils and teachers at CEIP Valsequillo and Los Llanetes recently.

I fancy this mini-tour of the mountains above Telde as a "barnstorming" in remembrance of the theater companies that used to perform in the hill towns of upstate New York in the early to mid 19th century, travelling from barn to barn.

The pretext last week was to celebrate the Canary Islands' celebration which takes place on May 30th each year. Having said that, I would gladly return to sing with these wonderful pupils. I also want to acknowledge the fond welcome afforded by the respective staff and administrations. Thanks for all the music and fun. Now in Spanish...

Gracias a todos los profesores y alumnos del Colegio de Valsequillo y Los Llanetes por la cálida acogida, la comida y la amistad. Me encantaría volver a sus centros en un futuro no muy lejano y compartir más canciones y cuentos. Un saludo desde EOI Santa Brigida .... David Shea

Uncle Frank's Adventures in France (Delmar Lemming)

One of my most colorful and endearing relatives was Frank Bergeron, my Uncle Frank, who was a renowned butcher for most of his adult life. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, which was about halfway between our town and Boston. He settled in Franklin County with my Aunt Gertrude, who was always his beloved "Trudy." Though they never had any children of their own, Frank was the local butcher up Federal Street and everyone loved him. Frank's success with us kids was partly related to a stash of penny candy that crowded the shelves opposite his butcher display window. Those treats kept many children busy while their folks were ordering meat.

In the 1940s, Europe was bombed and in tatters, an estimated 20 million Russians died,some with a name on a stone, others just left by the wayside in the frozen waste. My dad was called up to be a soldier and duly served on bases in Florida and Texas before being shipped out to France. Years later, my father would recall guarding German prisoners in Texas. Though they could not communicate with him, he commented on what nice people they were. Family guys. It was a terrible time for all concerned. A world war that reached even the Orient.

Frank enlisted too but because he was a butcher, he was ordered to take charge of feeding the multitudes on a troop trip headed for France. We have photos of Frank cutting big slabs of beef as hungry mess hands watch with glee. One of them, who fancied himself an artist, sketched Frank a dedicatory cartoon (attached). Although it was war, Frank seemed to have the time of his life. Could you blame him? He was doing what he did best. He knew prime rib like he knew his name and made the most of the adventure.

By the way, although Frank was born in Eastern Massachusetts, his family originated in Quebec and he spoke fluent French. So once he was stationed in France, he won the hearts of everyone he met. He found it easy to woo the locals with his command of their language, particularly in the sing song cadence of Quebec.

I will never forget my dear Uncle Frank who passed away in his mid 80s just a year after my Aunt Gert died. They were a colorful team who always had time for their beloved relatives, just like adopted grandparents to my four sibling Sheas and me.

Want to Avoid Stress? Nancy's Advice

Our NI 1B student Nancy, a computer programmer originally from Venezuela. She offered some great advice for avoiding stress:

"Don't take your work home with you! Keep work at work and enjoy your family at home!"

Thanks, Nancy!

Adventures in Bilingualism in Valsequillo (Delmar Lemming)

We had a great time singing in the hills above Telde. Some teachers were asking me about the bilingual rhyme about Mickey Mouse. It is the only song in my repertoire devoted to this revered rodent so I am happy to pass it along! All the best and keep singing! Now in Spanish...

Esta es la cancioncita que entonamos el otro día. Gracias por aquella cálida acogida!
-- Delmar Lemming
--( David Shea)

Mickey Mouse
Was building a house
How many nails does he need?
One, two, three, etc!**

Mickey Mouse iba a hacer una casita,
¿Cuántos clavos necesita?
Una do-la, te-la, canela,
Be-lillo Velón,
Que toquen las cuatro
Que ya casi son!

(**Learned many years ago. ** Aprendido hace muchos años!)

Queso pa' el Día de Canarias, ¡muchas gracias!

Tuve la enorme suerte de cantar en dos colegios públicos esta semana, el de Valsequillo y el de Los Llanetes (un poco más cerca de Telde). Cantamos la famosísima oda a Mariqilla del Pino (la de San José), para el Día de Canarias. Pero en honor a mi querido compañeros de Mixti Fori - Marcos Hormiga y Phil Jordan -- la cantamos en inglés.

Gracias a Patricia y María Dolores por organizar estos dos maravillosos encuentros con sus alumnos. Y gracias por el suntuoso almuerzo en Valsequillo (con esta plantilla tan chachi!) y por el queso y dulce de leche de Los Llanetes. Qué detallazo!

Un saludo desde el EoI de Santa Brigida
Delmar Lemming
(David Shea)

Of Pencils and PCs (Yaiza, our resident engineer!)

(Editor's note: Yaiza, a third year student, is a prominent engineer and formidable mathematician who was asked to compare how work has changed with the advent of the computer and communication age.)

I am an engineer and I do not know how my work would have been ten years ago because I just recently graduated from university. I only know that my teachers did their projects with a pencil, an eraser and a piece of paper. They calculated their installations with their own hands and they spent two or three months on an installation perhaps. Nowadays, I can use certain software on a PC and carry out an installation project in four or five hours. On the whole, if you use the computer in your work, you will finish it almost before you can think.

Another example is the way you draw out your plans. To use the PC is better than using a ruler, the former is cleaner, easier and quicker by far. So computers have improved my work but we still need to understand the basic concepts involved and work with great care. Yaiza NI 1B

Mosquito Coast reviewed by Vanesa N1 1B

Our third-year student Vanesa read Paul Theroux's novel The Mosquito Coast. It is also a movie (though neither Vanesa nor her teacher has seen the film-- sorry! Anyway, thanks to Vanesa for recommending this contemporary novel. It is obviously quite thought provoking.-- David)

The Mosquito Coast: Civilization versus Barbarism

Allie Fox decides to go to the jungle with his family. The idea is to leave behind the capitalism, consumerism and corruption of his country, United States. But he doesn’t know that wickedness is born with men.
He buys a village called Jeronimo, where he wants to create an independent, simple and happy life. But early on all the family –except for the father- realize that the place is unsafe and living there is very hard: they must do everything (build a house, cultivate vegetables, hunt, fish). Life is not comfortable in the jungle and for a child it is even harder.
The family follow their leader, Allie Fox, but soon they question if living there is worthwhile, the way to reach happiness. But this situation doesn’t bother Allie Fox, he continues following his ideals, his dreams, although he starts going crazy.
They suffer fire, theft and accidents, and the part bad of nature, so these horrible things show that life in the jungle is not so different from life in civilization. Modern life offers stress, envy, robberies, hurry, pollution, lower quality of life,… but then life in a small town or even in the jungle can offer the same. All the things depends of the point of view. We can live far from the city and have annoying neighbors who steal your food, or also we can have problems to get food or build a house. Life in the city is complicated, but offers security and comfort.
Finally, the most important things – our basic needs is to sleep, eat and love. Maybe, it’s not necessary go to the end of the world peace and happiness. The important thing is the way that we walk through our life.

Carla: Dreams of Snakes and Car Wrecks!

(After reading The Dream, we have had a lot of interesting essays about this topic. Carla is an engineer and a very practical person. Maybe this tempers the way she looks at her dream world. Anyway, it is a good piece of writing.)

The Dream
The meaning of dreams has been an interesting topic for me since I was a child. I remember that I wanted a book about this topic but my mother refused to get it for me. In spite of everything, I think she made the right decision. I cannot imagine what I would have made of my first dream about snakes!
It is said that if you dream about a person’s death, you are giving this person a year more of life. But I have never known anyone who wakes up happy after a dream like that! I think that we dream about situations that could happen in our life because of feelings we have. Our past and our present shape us .
I do not think that dreaming about having a car accident means that you will have one. But maybe in your internal world, you realize it is not necessary to drive so fast. My real life is definitely not connected to my dreams, unless I have dogs with two heads and monsters hidden in my garden!
Carla NI 2B

Greetings from a Canary Islander in Asturias!

(It is great to get postcards from students when they are on vacation. Here is post card I forgot to post a couple of months back. It is from Miguel Angel)

Dear David,

Greetings from wonderful Asturias, I came here for to visit my friend Raul. He has been living in Oviedo since he got his first job working in the national police force.

Oviedo is a little city, its Catholic cathedral is impressive, its historical centre is more than five centuries old. You might say it is like travelling back in time to the Middle Ages.

The food here is delicious, you can eat a wonderful beef-steak in Tierra Astur restaurant or enjoy a French bean with hard pork sausage in Casa Amparo at Fontal market.

The nightlife is the best part of Oviedo, If you like to drink cider, you have to visit Gascona street, full up with cider bars. A glass of cider is only 40 cents, it is great.

There is only one problem, in March this is a cold place, but the bad weather is less important with hearty food and even better cider .

Well that is all that I can tell you, I hope to see you soon and to tell you more.

Bye.

Miguel Ángel NI1B

DREAMS: MAKE THE MOST OF THEM!

Frank Tilsley’s short story The Dream (from a Penguin collection) inspired this thoughtful essay by Esther (NI2A).

In THE DREAM, the author describes a dream in which a man is driving his family along in a car when he realizes that is on the wrong side of the vehicle, The steering wheel was on the right instead of the left. Someone he did not know was driving the car. They suffered a terrible accident when they collide head-on with a huge lorry. For any driver who is spending his holiday time crossing the country by car, this could be a very worrying dream!
In general many dreams are closely related to matters that occur in our daily lives. Sometimes we spend a long time thinking about the solution for some problem in family relationships, with a colleague at work, with someone who is important in our lives. Although we search for the solution, nothing seems to come. In our dreams, however, we could find the best way to solve these situations.
Someone told me that he could hardly remember anything he dreamt. But then there are people like me who recall almost everything they dream. My dreams are often connected with my daily reality, looking for work, searching for the best school for my son.
I am pretty certain our mind is connected with our fears, hopes and troubles in a direct way, through the world of dreams.

Greeting from Valencia, home of the Paella! YUM!

Here is an informal to a friend from Sergio. Here is my question: did he really go to Valencia or not? You decide!






Dear Frank,

I’m writing to you from Valencia! Yes, you’ve read well. After two weeks searching some places to visit at Easter, I found Valencia.
At first, I thought that it might be boring, but then, when I read about the cultural landmarks that Valencia offers, I couldn’t bear to stay in Las Palmas any longer. So, I went to the first travel agency I could find and bought a ticket.

When I arrived in Valencia, it was amazing, I could hardly believe it! It was so warm and sunny and then the friendly people and the charming buildings and points of interest like the Serranos Towers (pictured), it was great. I met a lot of locals and of course lots of beautiful girls! You cannot imagine what a wonderful atmosphere there is here.

Well, I must go to eat paella now!
Write soon,

Sergio NI 1B

STRONG MEDICINE discussed by Nancy

(Our NI 1B class has just read the short novel Strong Medicine by Richard MacAndrew. This story has a close link to the pharmaceutical industry. The class was asked to discuss this link. Nancy from Venezuela wrote an interesting essay.)
In this book we learn about alternative ways to treat certain diseases. There have been many developments in the drugs industry. The drugs that are given to people with Parkinson´s Disease are getting better all the time.
However Western Medicine can not really do much for people who suffer with this terrible disease. The pharmaceutical industry has a number of different drugs they can give people. The drugs can help the patient, but only for a few years. After that, the drugs stop working and the patient´s condition will be the same as before.
Besides, drug companies are spending millions of dollars trying t find a way to help people with Parkinson´s Disease.
In our novel, Deborah Spencer an American doctor specializing in Chinese medicine was writing a book about a new way of helping people who have Parkinson´s Disease. In fact, she could make them better, completely better, without using drugs. This way of looking at the disease is completely new and different.
The story left me wondering what would have happened if she had survived.

David Hockney and the Rube (by Delmar Lemming)

When I was 16, I had a chance to go to Boston and spend the weekend at my Aunt Pinky’s house in Brighton. It was the dead of winter and I planned to attend a Celtics game in North Station on Saturday night. On Saturday morning, however, a friend and I were kicking around downtown Boston and decided to visit a real honest-to-goodness art museum. Being from sports-minded Turners Falls and not terribly worldly wise in the ways of culture, I gamely ventured into those hallowed halls of marble and majesty. I did not really have a clue of what to look for. An imposing attendant in a sports coat met me at the door and I made a ridiculous request that only a mill-town teenager could muster. “Excuse me,” I said. “Could you point me in the direction of the best painter you’ve got here?!” I did not want to waste my time with the second-rate stuff. Can you imagine! Well, this ardent culture vulture surely spotted the rube but did not let on. He answered me with a wink, “Oh you want David Hockney, his work is that way.” With that he pointed in the direction of the Hockney section.
Well, I was impressed with the sunny California gardens, the stucco and the fine trimmed lawns which I would later learn were made of painted concrete. Ten years later, I was living in the north of England in Bradford, West Yorkshire. In the quaint little town of Thornton on the road to Halifax, I actually was introduced to David Hockney’s mother. We were on a way to a CND benefit where I would be singing. Anyway it was a gloomy day and there was no sunny joy in sight. I thought of Mrs Hockney's wonderful California scapes in his adopted home far abroad. I learned that, in fact, David Hockney came from a small mill town background too.
Another lifetime later, this past February, I ventured into Chicago’s Art Institute and met up with Hockney’s wonderful work again. I felt like I was in the company of an old friend! I love this attached painting. The man's diffidence, the woman's wise gaze. Oh David Hockney, thank you for the light!
(Delmar Lemming)

Contrasting City and Country Life: A Great Essay!

(Jesus B, our science teacher from Marzagan, was asked to compare and contrast city life with country living. He fashioned a very nice essay!)

Both living in the city and living in the country have their own advantages and disadvantages. Today most people in industrialized countries live in the city, where they have found work, home and services, education, medicine, shops and entertainment.
But when the cities grow, more and more disadvantages become apparent. For example, noise, air pollution, stress and crime can force city dwellers to move to residential areas which mushroomed in the end of the last century. These residential zones provided a country substitute in a way. So living in the city has become a difficult thing today.
In fact, I live in a residential area on the outskirts of Las Palmas, but I would certainly prefer to live in the country. Why would I like it? Perhaps the first and most important reason is that I grew up on a farm in San Mateo. My childhood was very happy there even though we were very poor. I knew all the neighbours and met with my friends everyday to play in the fields or in the ravines. Today in the cities young people do not know the neighbors in their own building.
Another important advantage involves environmental quality. In the country, there is more fresh air, flowers and trees, animals and peace which are all very important to me. (by Jesus B NI 2B)

Cristina’s Big Decision: It Took Some Courage!

(Editor's note: When everything seemed lost, Cristina and her husband made a decision that changed their life--for the better!)

Life is sometimes very difficult but even more so when we have to make a big decision. Our choice might alter the course of our whole future life.
Actually that is what happened to me seventeen years ago. My husband and I worked in the same country. Suddenly business started to go very badly and our manager decided to close the firm. As you can imagine, we felt utterly lost. We had a five-month-old baby and our life had changed so quickly. In other words, everything seemed hopeless.
Just as suddenly, an idea came to us. My husband suggested that we start our own company. At first I looked at him in astonishment. He went on to say that we had some savings and as we knew the business, it was worth a try. The very next day we drew up the papers to launch our own packing company.
Today our firm is still going. It took a little courage but thanks to that decision, we were able to go on with our lives. Cristina NI 2B

NI 1B Nancy's First Family Skiing Adventure

Dear mother
How are you? I am writing this at Madrid’s Barajas International Airport while we are waiting for the flight to Gran Canaria. We enjoyed our skiing trip to Jaca in Huesca, a very wonderful place.
When we arrived at the hotel it was snowing so our two daughters were happy because had never touched snow before.
The first day all our family started learning to ski. However, it was awful at first because I fell many times. Also our girls were crying because their equipment was very heavy for them. but eventually we all got into it. What a thrill to feel the snow on our faces as we were skiing down those icy slopes. On the last day of the mini vacation, our daughters made a snow man which they decorated with a top hat and scarf.
I hope this message finds you in good health.
Lots of love
Nancy

JOB OFFERS!!!!

Here is an interesting (fictitious) job offer from Yurena who is from the Port of Mogan in the south of the island. Maybe you are interested!


Our company seeks a....FISHERMAN or FISHERWOMAN. The successful candidate may be either male or female as gender is not an issue! We are looking for someone between 18 and 55 years of age. No previous experience in the fishing trade is necessary. The candidate must not take drugs, be fit and also a good swimmer. He or she needs to obey the fishing laws and recognize marine fauna.

Lorena's Life as a Fly!

My life as a Fly (by Lorena in NI1B)

Hi! I’m a funny fly and I love living in the kitchen because here I can steal lots of food! Also I can hear all the family conversations and watch TV while they are cooking.
Today was a very strange day. The family (“my” family) is travelling to the Caribbean and I had nothing to eat! So, I decided to fly off and find some food, but… where?
While I was thinking, I heard a dog bark. It was Glamour, that stupid dog. Really we never have gotten along, because dogs think they are the humans' best friend. In my opinion, flies are a truly great animal. We don’t eat much, we make little noise and we are very independent. I watched Glamour and sniffed the air. I recognized her food, near the garden door. I smiled and waited a few minutes for the dog was vague, then I flew very quickly and reached my food.
“Great! Meat!” I thought landing on it.
Suddenly I felt a terrible sense. On my back was Glamour, growling, surely furious because I was stealing her food. I was frightened, so I escaped as fast as my wings could fly!
“AH!” I landed on a plate after crashing into something. I opened my eyes and…
“Ohhhh! CHEESE!” Yeah, I had crashed into an amazing cheese on the kitchen table. This was better than the stupid dog food!

EVERYTHING WAS A DREAM by CARMEN NI1B

Can you imagine what it would like to be a fly on your kitchen ceiling? Carmen, our wonderful student from Teror, used a lot of imagination for this tale!

EVERYTHING WAS A DREAM by CARMEN NI1B
I often have strange dreams but this time I dreamed that I was a fly looking for something to eat. I was lost because the other flies had fled from the spiders that were in the house.
After flying by around the house for an hour, I managed to reach the kitchen and I thought that perhaps I would find something to eat and luckily I found some leftover food on the table. For a fly this was a feast. While I was eating so placidly an enormous hand appeared which seemed to have very bad intentions, I began to fly around the kitchen, trying to escape from those hands that would not stop following me.
I was so exhausted that I landed on the kitchen ceiling to recover my breath. But I wasn´t doing anything bad, I only was eating leftover food that was on the table, I did not touch any fruit nor bread.
Nevertheless the hands continued to rush towards me and now one of them had an object that produced airflows, I was so scared that I couldn’t fly. Luckily, one of the flies of the group returned and she distracted those hands that wanted to end my life and I could escape through the kitchen window. Uf! By the skin of my teeth, - my companion said and we returned to the rest of the group.
I woke up from the dream and I reflected on the fact that although flies are very annoying, they are also living beings.

Sophie's Dad in His Penguin Suit by Carla NI 2B

It was a hot summer day. Sophie was at her home in the north of Africa, thinking of her father the fisherman who had gone to sea. Suddenly she heard a noise outside the room. She stood up and went to the living room where a great light was shining from the old grandfather clock on the wall. She opened the door and to her great surprise she found she was on a big cruise liner. From the ship's deck, she could take in all the stars in the sky and heard a voice calling her to dinner in the great dining room. She had never seen a place like this, it was like some gracious, luxurious hotel. Again, to her astonishment, she was dressed like a princess. Everyone stood up for the captain to enter the dining room but the man in the penguin suit (tuxedo) was her dad. After their lovely meal, he took her around the boat. Then they ventured out onto the deck where they could survey the white coast and hundreds of penguins. It was like a dream.

A Visit to Granny's House

I remember when I was a child every time I went to my granny’s big old house I noticed she had a grandfather clock in the drawing room and when it was striking the hours, you could hear the sound from almost everywhere in the house. Not to mention at night, if it stroke one that was not too bad but the striking of twelve created a real racket! Surely you got woken up.
Perhaps due to be awaken at night because of the clock, I used to stay by the window trying to find the moon and the stars in the dark night. When it was full moon you did not need to light either the room or the garden to see clearly.
But what really fascinated me in that house was the silver cutlery: the ancient spoons, knives and forks. My mother told me once that women in this family have been inheriting it (mother to daughter) from the seventeenth century up to now. Nowadays the cutlery belongs to my sister since my mother died a few years ago.
Miguel Angel NI-2B

Beacon Hill in Snow (David Shea)

On our last morning in Boston, before flying that very Tuesday afternoon to Chicago, we had a rare opportunity to visit the Massachusetts State House, the seat of government for my home state. I had ventured over to Beacon Hill at the break of dawn and spoke to a guard who gave us permission to visit before the official tours started at 10.
We set off at 9 and trudged the three blocks in a flurry of snow. The city took on that silent magic of whiteness muffling every corner. It was magic although as the frosting of snow grew deeper, we needed to walk with care to keep our feet.
Once inside those hallowed halls, the security people made us feel very welcome. They explained to us about the workings of the government as we toured both chambers and also gaped at the dome. It was an unforgettable experience.

A Trip of a Lifetime (David Shea, EOI Teacher)

Well we made it to the USA! Although many people warned us that the weather and cold would be too much for us, we made a once in a lifetime trip to Boston and Chicago. We even managed to make it to Turners Falls, Massachusetts for Valentine's Day so that my dear mom, Blanche Patricia Shea could meet my boss, Don Rafael Gutierrez Cabrera.
It was an amazing adventure which included lots of snowy, icy, chilly weather, but we managed fine. Before I provide my account of the trip, I would like to thank my mother for reserving us the room at the French King Restaurant and to Rafa for making it all possible and for believing in our students. I want to thank my family and friends for turning out for lunch and to my little sister Vicky, her husband Matt and their beautiful daughter Julie for taking us around downtown Turners (see photo below). I also want to thank all the students who made the trip special, especially Arminda, Jose Luis, Cayetana, Ana, Braulio, Paula (the timplista), Carola, Jesus, Teresa and Juan Pedro for your patience and perserverance. It was great to travel with you and learn about my native land, as academic tourists!
(the top photo is a group shot in downtown Turners Falls, while the other is of my mother, Rafa and me)