Hola <<First Name>>,
In full disclosure, the groundhogs saw their shadows and winter continues. In the north, we still wear layers, do the waddle-walk, shovel, put another log on, and, for fun, snowshoe, cross-country ski, and skate. If you are the indoor type, there are quilts, hot drinks (often with a dash of fortifying liquors), and hobbies. I’m thinking knitting, which soon covers and warms your lap, doing puzzles, making crafts, or baking, which is a clever way to further heat the house.
In the countryside, wild turkeys and tame deer have moved toward human abodes in search of sunflower seeds and the occasional cup of corn. By this time of year, I soften to these woodland neighbors as temperatures dip to the way-below-zeros. I enjoy watching turkeys balancing on one leg. I still call out when the pileated woodpecker lands on top of the suet pole. I put my money on the red squirrel when sparring with the much larger grays. The grays also lose to the turkeys. Such is my home entertainment center in the woods.
Ah, but to the south, an entertainment sensation began spreading through the lands in November 2021. One Tuesday, instead of meeting to speak Spanish at our weekly Mesa, Pat and I adventured off to see a movie. It was, after all, a story-line situated in Colombia, included scatterings of Spanish, and was filled with “I-can’t-sit-still” Latino tunes. Surely, it would be a good substitute for our Spanish time together.
We joined a dozen others in our hometown theater and waited to see what this Disney animated flick would bring.
Encanto, a production I doubted would get more than mild attention in a world of super heroes, murder mysteries, and terrorizing romances, burst onto the screen in a cascade of colors, chattering children, jungle animals, and miracles. How wrong I was about its future popularity. I floated out of the theater sighing. I, who rarely rereads a book or revisits a movie, was already envisioning watching it with family.
I thought my gushing recommendations made me a trend setter, but no, it was soon among the top ten movies with award winning songs.
We Don’t Talk about Bruno, went to number one.
Encanto, more than a fantasia, became a depiction of an inclusive world with underlying meanings. (
Click to read my latest blog post dedicated to Encanto.)
With that, I invite you to add some great tunes, an integrated community working together, and the discovery that (spoiler alert) – everyone has a special gift – into your life this winter. It will warm you right up!
Diviértense – Enjoy!
Feliz Año Nuevo,
Profe Jan(et)
