BARRIO BLUES AND OTHER TOTALLY TRUE STORIES

Un Blog de Writing Musings

  • Home
  • Mi Biografía
  • Books
  • Un Blog de Writing Musings
  • Author Interviews
    • Eric Allen Yankee
    • Mehreen Ahmed
    • Steve Carr
    • Martin Eastland
    • P.S. Malcolm
    • P.C. Darkcliff
  • Announcements
  • The Harvested Draft
  • Poetry
  • Barrio Blues Press
  • Useful Bits
  • Contact

17/1/2017

A Lovely Day Filled with Drama and Poetry

4 Comments

Read Now
 
PictureThat bird is about the poem I pasted below. I did feel a little like that after our ordeal.
Today was the first day of the semester at the college where I work.  Everything was going great, when I got a text message from my husband, “Can you borrow $100 from someone?”  I knew something was up because we had paid all our big bills, so I called my husband after I was finished teaching.

He informed me that he and the baby were stranded in the church parking lot.  The van had broken down and needed a fan belt or some belt.  Then, I asked my closest friends, and luckily one came through.  She even gave me a ride, and when we got there, the tow truck had arrived.  That in itself was a whopping $95 dollars.  Aaron left to the car dealership, and my friend and I took the kids. 

I had already picked up my son at school and then got my daughter, before he left.  We went to eat Linner (Lunch-Dinner).  I figured Aaron hadn’t fed the baby a full lunch and Antonio pecked at his school lunch, as usual.  Linner was awesome, and my generous friend bought it, which consisted of a range of food from hamburgers to spaghetti.  We had a marvelous time and went home.

When my husband was on his way, he told us that when he got to the shop, all the mechanics inspected the vehicle.  The head mechanic was shaking his head and presented Aaron with a sizable quote.

            He said with a heavy sigh, “You are our favorite family, so. . .we’re going to have your van fixed right away.”  They fixed it in 30 minutes, and even gave my husband quite the discount. 

All that drama ended in a miracle. 

Let’s just say that this weekend, those working class brothers are getting a large pot of my homemade mole and possibly a large stack of flour tortillas.  I am grateful to them and grateful that my family is safe. 

Today, I also finished a funny poem based on real life events.  It is mostly funny, but it took a dark turn.  I hope to write poetry more often because I want to rekindle that gift and frankly, not lose it.  I still have an ear and appreciation for poetry, and sometimes I get into that mode.  Poets who write often know what I'm talking about.  The music seeps into your thoughts, and the itch to write poemas is coming back, sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic. 

Enjoy it and laugh or at least chuckle.  Don’t be like my tough students. 
 

Share

4 Comments
Aaron
17/1/2017 07:27:42 pm

Am I a Miracle Fan or Miracle Follower of Humanity? Today was a lesson of having gratefulness for both. Acting like a fan would only get us through the first half of our day. The Follower is an example where humanity showers "goodness" into our lives. This evening we are together, grateful, and happy. No ginormous miracle is too large to believe in.

Reply
Jesu Estrada
17/1/2017 07:36:21 pm

I think we need more Followers to help out humanity. Ginormous miracles, well, they are rare for a reason, but the small miracles anyone can do. In this day and age, we need more goodness.

Reply
Margie McGowan link
18/1/2017 07:13:40 pm

Hi Jesu!
I wish you a very Happy New Year, despite car troubles and keeping up with a young family, full-time college instruction and making Mole for the guys at the car repair shop that took care of the van for you and Aaron.
My best to Aaron, Antonio and your youngest member. I apologize that I don't know her or her name. It would be wonderful to get together with you and family.
Dante and I spend most weekend evenings with my grandson, Macklin, who you met at Linda's house during the 1600 campaign.
Macklin is now four and attends Pre-K/childcare weekdays so I can continue working at my college in the 'burbs.
Warm regards to all, stay in touch!

Reply
Jesu Estrada
19/1/2017 04:19:05 pm

Margie! So wonderful to hear from you! I would love to get together and catch up. We just moved, and are unpacking. Send me your email, so I can give you my number. Keep in touch and keep visiting my site!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Details

    RSS Feed

    Dr. Jesú Estrada,
    Pen Name: 
    María J. Estrada
    Chicago, IL

    You can also follow me on Twitter @drmariajestrada. I give away a book to celebrate every 1,000 followers.

    Subscribe to my YouTube channel, Radical Books and Politics, where I gift original work to my subscribers, every 50 to 100 subscribers. 

    *********************
    MARIA J. ESTRADA is an English college professor of Composition, Literature, and her favorite, Creative Writing. She grew up in the desert outside of Yuma, Arizona in the real Barrio de Los Locos, a barrio comprised of new Mexican immigrants and first-generation Chicanos. Drawing from this setting and experiences, she writes like a loca every minute she can—all while magically balancing her work and family obligations. She lives in Chicago’s south side with her wonderfully supportive husband, two remarkable children, and two mischievous cats.

    Archives

    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from shixart1985, Phuketian.S, yourbestdigs, yourbestdigs, Brett Jordan
  • Home
  • Mi Biografía
  • Books
  • Un Blog de Writing Musings
  • Author Interviews
    • Eric Allen Yankee
    • Mehreen Ahmed
    • Steve Carr
    • Martin Eastland
    • P.S. Malcolm
    • P.C. Darkcliff
  • Announcements
  • The Harvested Draft
  • Poetry
  • Barrio Blues Press
  • Useful Bits
  • Contact