Oblivious Me
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I am a
marked woman. Last week I announced to my little world that I am studying
Spanish, obviously a language tagged as subversive. When next I arrive in
Havre, I’m likely to be met on the train by armed Border Patrol, cuffed, and dragged
into the slammer.
Oh, woe is
me. I followed the Havre news story (also in the international news, by the way)
about the two young women apprehended for speaking Spanish in the convenience
store. I know that Spanish-speaking women are dangerous. I should have thought.
Oh, man, the
story of my life. “I should have thought.” Not me. I’m oblivious. I blurt out
whatever is on my mind.
It’s too
late now. The die is cast. I’ve crossed the Rubicon. So I’ll continue forward,
see where this path leads. Might be cold baloney sandwiches for breakfast,
lunch and dinner in the iron bar hotel?
When I say
“too late”, in the night I wake up from dreams with Spanish phrases in my head.
I’m determined. I may never speak fluent Spanish but my Spanglish gets better
every day.
My latest
language hang-up is “me gusta” which means “I like”. This phrase is common, one
I already knew. Yesterday I discovered there is “a mi me gusta” which also
means “I like”. I learned this version is sometimes used for extra emphasis and
sometimes “just because”.
What’s that
mean? “Just because”? How am I supposed to know the difference? I’m serious. I
want to know why.
And that—the
need to know why—is a big determinate to my lack of language skills. I want to
know why. And there is no why. Different languages developed in different times
and places. There may be no why or reason or logical relationship between
languages. Relax and accept. Easy to say. Relajar y aceptar.
The answer
to most of my problems my whole life long: relax and accept.
Meanwhile,
the sun is shining and my latest project is my “Mask Factory”.
One of the
things I most like about being in Mexico is that nothing is thrown away. When
an items is broken, it is either fixed or a different use if found for it. Like
in olden days.
Recently I
gathered a bunch of scraps from a basket in my bodega. Tore apart a couple
pillow covers I no longer use. Sat with my seam ripper and dismantled a couple
blouses that were faded, but fine when used for lining. Bought several meters
of quarter-inch elastic.
Just like
that, I had a production line set up for my one-woman mask factory. My face
masks are very simple in construction, easily sewn together, washable and
durable. I began making masks for myself with nary a thought for others.
“Hey,
Sondrita, nice mask. Where’d you get it?”
“Ah, would
you like a couple?”
That’s how
it all began. Then I said to self, “Christmas is a coming soon. No tengo los
regalos este ano para mis amigos.” I don’t have gifts to give but I can make
masks and share the work of my hands.
I don’t
consider the masks to be real Christmas gifts. After all, they are made with
scraps and used materials. I’m glad to share something so useful and easy for
me to make.
My friends
and I now have the best dressed faces in Etzatlan, in English, in Spanish, in
Spanglish.
Sondra
Ashton
Looking out
my back door
December 17,
2020
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