You are renting the second floor of a modest Victorian house in the New York suburbs.
Your husband is a full-time medical student that is now in his last year and has rotations in the hospital. You have to stay at home with two little ones. The oldest is almost 2 years old and the younger one is 3 months old. You feel so lucky to find a place that comes with furniture. By that I mean you have to pay the family before you for these treasures: a chair, a couch, a lamp, a dining room, and two mattresses. There had been two med families before you, and they are the ones that hauled all these treasures from the street or from a secondhand place. By the time you take possession of this is more like fourth hand 😊 But the most important asset is a TV!
As poor students living with student’ loans, you only have one old car that your husband takes to get to school. You can’t drive him anyways though because you don’t have a valid USA driver's license yet. You are in the process of getting permanent residence in the USA, and then you can apply for the precious driver’s license.
So, what do you do all day long with two little ones at home? You watch T.V. but not just any T.V. you watch PBS tv. Since you have no cable and have no budget for that, a pair of rabbit ears will do the trick.

I discovered the world of the Public Broadcasting Service back in 2002 when I immigrated to the USA. That was the best treasure I was able to get in that rental.
I can feel the excitement just by listening to the opening song of “Between the Lions.”
“Hey now, hey wow, here’s how, come and read, between the lions, come on, come in, begin the world awaits……”
My morning routine was to get up, make sure the girls were fine, take a quick shower, and get dressed. Then the little ones were up, so it was showtime! Check diapers and change them. Nurse the baby, get the air out, put her in the baby carrier and bring her to the kitchen and prepare breakfast for the toddler and for me.
After breakfast it was reading time and then it was my favorite part of the day: watching PBS. They had many shows in the morning, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Teletubbies, Dragon Tales, Caillou, Plaza Sesamo, and I’m sure I am missing others, but my favorite was Between the Lions.
I was able to sit down and learn like a little kid. I was learning how to spell, how to pronounce a word, how to read a difficult word, how to find the root of the word, how to sound the long vowels, and the short vowels. Sure, I had English classes in Mexico, and I had read textbooks in English while in college, but I still had to improve my conversational skills. I dare say that my pronunciation really improved by watching this cute show. I do still have the accent though 😉
After watching some PBS shows, I took the girls to the park in our neighborhood and played until it was time for lunch and then naptime. While they napped, I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and tried to catch up with other things.

​Those were long days for a young mother with little ones. A mother that didn’t know anyone yet and was alone with no family close by. Nevertheless, my world was a little better every morning when I was able to watch the PBS educational shows that not only helped me to not feel so isolated but also were designed to teach me something. As an immigrant, this was like a window into American culture and education. It was my window to the outside world somehow.
We moved to PA so my hubby could start his residency and as soon as I could, I got my driver’s license and found the closest public library where my girls and I got our first library card. I also donated to my local PBS station. To this day I have also donated to my local NPR. (national public radio). Both entities have been of significant impact for me. I feel both organizations connect me to the basics of American society in some ways. It helps me to keep myself informed, and in the day, it helped me to keep my sanity.

To support your local PBS station, visit:
https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/support-pbs/

More than ever we the people, citizens, residents and everyone who can is welcome to help. You never know who you are helping and what a difference you are making in the life of others. I know it has made a difference in mine.
Today in honor of Memorial Day, watch the National Memorial Day Concert 2025 on PBS
National Memorial Day Concert 2025

Images: PBS

​¿Nuevas tradiciones o Conservar tradiciones?
¿Desde que llegaste a Estados Unidos has adoptado nuevas tradiciones? ¿Has creado nuevas?  ¿O has tratado de conservar tradiciones de tu país, pero te has tenido que adaptarte a las circunstancias?
Para mí, he creado nuevas tradiciones y he tratado de conservar algunas tradiciones basada en las circunstancias. Crecí en la ciudad de Guadalajara donde el clima es seco y cálido. La temporada de Navidad era una de mis favoritas porque mi Mamá preparaba ponche con manzanas, tamarindo, tejocotes, manzanas, guayabas, caña de azúcar, canela y piloncillo. ¡Le quedaba delicioso! Mi parte favorita era cuando le llamaba por teléfono a mi tía Rosy para invitarla a platicar y a tomarse un ponchecito calientito. Mi tía vivía en la misma colonia sólo a una cuadra de distancia y llegaba caminando. Era algo tan sencillo, pero ver a mi tía y a mis primos traía una alegría especial y era una parte importante de mis celebraciones Decembrinas.
Ahora que vivo en Estados Unidos, yo utilizo la flor de Jamaica en lugar de tamarindo porque no siempre he podido encontrar tamarindo en los lugares donde he vivido y definitivamente no es fácil encontrar cañas, pero con el piloncillo me doy por bien servida. Mi tía sigue viviendo en Guadalajara, pero desafortunadamente hemos perdido comunicación. Cuando hago ponche es sólo para mi familia y no tengo familiares cerca. Donde vivo el clima durante el invierno trae una combinación de nieve, hielo, o simplemente está frío, entonces prefiero quedarme en casa y no salir a menos que sea súper necesario.
Una tradición que empecé con mi familia aquí en Estados Unidos es la decoración de casas de jengibre. Creo empezó por necesidad de mantener a mis hijas pequeñas entretenidas en algo que ellas podían en casa cuando los parques estaban llenos de nieve o hacía mucho frío para salir. Todo comenzó al organizar una reunión en mi departamento donde invité a otras madres con hijos pequeños igual que yo. Compré paquetes de que traían todo lo necesario para crear y decorar tu casita de Jengibre: Las paredes, el techo, la base, el glaseado, y por supuesto los dulces. Era divertido ver cómo los pequeñitos de divertían tratando de decorar sus casas y obviamente comerse parte de los dulces, que por cierto cuando vienen en caja están súper duros y viejos, pero al final es sólo para decoración.
Los años han pasado y esa tradición que comenzó por necesidad de tener a mis hijas ocupadas durante los largos días de invierno en Pensilvania, continuó cuando nació mi hijo durante los años que vivimos en Iowa y Utah.
Esa es una tradición que, aunque no es original de México, y nunca existió en mi familia cuando yo era niña, pude crear con mi propia familia y ha creado ahora recuerdos agradables y nos ha dado la oportunidad de conocer a otras personas.
De acuerdo con Wikipedia, “la tradición de hacer casas de pan de jengibre decoradas comenzó en Alemania a principios del siglo XIX. Según algunos investigadores, las primeras casas de pan de jengibre fueron inspiradas por el famoso cuento de Hansel y Gretel, en el que los dos niños abandonados en el bosque encontraron una casa comestible hecha de pan con adornos de azúcar. Después de que este libro fuera publicado, los panaderos alemanes comenzaron a hornear pasteles basándose en la casa descrita en el cuento. Estos pasteles eran especialmente populares durante la Navidad, tradición que luego llegaría a Estados Unidos de Norteamérica”.  
Han pasado ya quince años y nuestra tradición sencilla de comprar una caja con todos los elementos para crear una casita de jengibre ha formado parte nuestra vida aquí en Estados Unidos. Debo aclarar que no todos los años llevamos a cabo esta actividad, pero ha sido algo que has estado presente en nuestras celebraciones decembrinas.
Este año tuve la oportunidad de ir a una reunión donde la anfitriona crea por lo menos 80 casas hechas con Graham crackers y hace su propio glaseado royal que es excelente para pegar dulces, bombones, y demás elementos. Es una tradición que ella y su familia han creado desde hace muchos años, pero en su caso, esta familia invita a vecinos, amistades, familiares y la reunión es una oportunidad para no sólo crear una casita de dulce, sino para reconectar y socializar o para conocer a nuevas personas. La casa de jengibre es el pretexto, y realmente lo valioso es el tiempo que se pasa con amistades y seres queridos.
Gracias a esta invitación mis hijos pudieron crear sus casas con dulces frescos, glaseado casero, y pudieron crear nuevas memorias esta Navidad.
¿Qué tradiciones has creado al vivir en Estados Unidos? ¿Qué tradiciones ya no has continuado? Creo lo más importante es que las tradiciones que lleves a cabo tengan un significado para ti y para tu familia, que les ayude a crear espacios donde puedan platicar y compartir tiempo juntos.
Te invito a que puedas continuar con tradiciones que has tenido creciendo en tu país o que puedas adaptarlas en tu nuevo país. Te invito a que compartas parte de tus tradiciones, porque eso te hará conocer a otras personas y es una oportunidad para que te conozcan a ti y a tu familia.
Y si no quieres invitar a nadie, es totalmente entendible, a veces lo mejores momentos se viven sólo en familia y podemos aprender a disfrutar con nuestros seres queridos, especialmente cuando todavía están pequeñitos.
¡Felices fiestas y te deseo lo mejor para el 2025!  

Since you arrived in the United States, have you adopted new traditions? Have you created new ones?  Or have you tried to preserve traditions from your country, but have you had to adapt to the circumstances?
For me, I have created new traditions and tried to preserve some traditions based on circumstances. I grew up in the city of Guadalajara where the climate is dry and warm. The Christmas season was one of my favorites because my Mom prepared punch with apples, tamarind, tejocotes, apples, guavas, sugar cane, cinnamon and piloncillo. It was delicious! My favorite part was when I called my aunt Rosy on the phone to invite her to talk and have a warm punch. My aunt lived in the same neighborhood just a block away and walked there. It was such a simple thing, but seeing my aunt and cousins brought a special joy and was an important part of my December celebrations. 
Now that I live in the United States, I use hibiscus instead of tamarind because I haven't always been able to find tamarind in the places where I've lived and it's definitely not easy to find sugar canes, but with piloncillo I consider myself well served. My aunt still lives in Guadalajara, but unfortunately we have lost communication. When I make punch it's just for my family and I don't have family around. Where I live the weather during the winter brings a combination of snow, ice, or just cold, so I prefer to stay at home and not go out unless it's super necessary. 
A tradition that I started with my family here in the United States is the decoration of gingerbread houses. I think it started out of a need to keep my young daughters entertained in something they could at home when the parks were full of snow or it was too cold to go outside. It all started when I organized a meeting in my apartment where I invited other mothers with young children just like me. I bought packs that brought everything I needed to create and decorate your gingerbread house: the walls, the ceiling, the base, the icing, and of course the candy. It was fun to see how the little ones had fun trying to decorate their houses and obviously eat part of the sweets, which by the way when they come in a box are super hard and old, but in the end it is only for decoration.
The years have passed and that tradition that began out of necessity to keep my daughters busy during the long winter days in Pennsylvania, continued when my son was born during the years we lived in Iowa and Utah. 
That's a tradition that, although it's not original to Mexico, and never existed in my family when I was a child, I was able to create with my own family and it's created enjoyable memories now and given us the opportunity to meet other people. 
According to Wikipedia, "the tradition of making decorated gingerbread houses began in Germany in the early 19th century. According to some researchers, the first gingerbread houses were inspired by the famous tale of 'Hansel and Gretel', in which the two children abandoned in the woods found an edible house made of bread with sugar ornaments. After this book was published, German bakers began baking cakes based on the house described in the tale. These cakes were especially popular during Christmas, a tradition that would later reach the United States of America."  
Fifteen years have passed and our simple tradition of buying a box with all the elements to create a gingerbread house has been part of our life here in the United States. I must say that not every year we have this activity, but it has been a part of our lives all these years during the Christmas season.
This year I had the opportunity to go to a party where the hostess created at least 80 houses made out of Graham crackers and makes her own royal icing that is excellent for sticking candy, chocolates, and other things. It is a tradition that she and her family have created for many years, but in her case, this family invites neighbors, friends, family and the meeting is an opportunity to not only create a candy house, but to reconnect and socialize or to meet new people. The gingerbread house is the excuse, and what is really valuable is the time spent with friends and loved ones. 
Thanks to this invitation, my children were able to create their homes with fresh candy, homemade icing, and they were able to create new memories this Christmas. 
What traditions have you created by living in the United States? What traditions have you not continued anymore? I think the most important thing is that the traditions you carry out have a meaning for you and your family, that helps you create spaces where you can talk and share time together. 
I invite you to continue with traditions that you have had growing up in your country or that you can adapt them to in your new country. I invite you to share part of your traditions, because that will make you meet other people and it is an opportunity for them to get to know you and your family. 
And if you don't want to invite anyone, it's totally understandable, sometimes the best moments are lived only as a family and we can learn to enjoy with our loved ones, especially when they are still young. 
Happy holidays and I wish you the best for 2025!  

Here in the U.S., May is the month for college and high school graduations.
It’s a time for celebration and recognition. All the hard work has paid off and as some greeting cards say, “The tassel was worth the hassle.”  I am sure there are many people who are happy including parents, grandparents, other family members, professors, friends, classmates, and many others. The process of learning requires to have the desire, the curiosity, and to put in the work and effort to obtain new skills and knowledge. One place that comes to my mind where anyone can start their journey of learning is the public library, to be more specific, Story time or Toddler tales as some places call it.

Yes, your local public library is the best place to take your little kids and introduce them to the world of books, where they can start their love for learning.

Coming from Mexico, I honestly didn’t have the experience of going to public libraries. Yes, I went to school, and I got free textbooks from the government. If you go to a private school, you need to buy extra books. I still remember going to the bookstore with my parents to find specific textbooks for some classes. Even though I come from a family where my dad is an engineer and my mother is a nurse, I cannot remember them taking me to any public library for story time. They did send me to the best schools they could afford, and sometimes I went to public schools too with my siblings, but I was never exposed to books to read just for fun, it was always books to study. After I graduated from college, I took a long break and read nothing. In my mind I related books with school and homework, and I didn’t see them as fun. How sad is that?
When I moved to the USA, my first experience with a public library was in Williamsport, PA. Someone recommended me to explore the local library and to take my little girls to “Story Time.” I asked if I had to pay money, and they said no. “Really!? Oh wow! Ok, I’ll see what this is all about.”
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The James V. Brown library was my first experience with public libraries and the one where my girls got their first library cards. I got one for me too! When they told me that our library cards gave us access to books, I again asked if I had to pay something. They said no, but I had to return the books on time to not pay late fees. “We can get books for free. Are you for real?” 
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See, for many of you who have been born in this country, you might take for granted these amazing public spaces, you might not, but for me, it was like going into an amazing world. I loved taking my girls to story time, because as a little girl I never had that experience! I was learning with them many new things like spelling, vocabulary, sounds, grammar, and it gave me time to sit down and enjoy the process of learning in a fun and inviting way. The librarians and the coordinators always gave me printed calendars and they showed me how to make a reservation for the different sessions.

There was one event where the author came and not only read her book, but she gave copies for free to each child that came! This author was Lindsay Barrett George. Her book “Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse” was used as part of the activities the kids and adults did that morning.

As I kept going back to the library, my favorite section was always the kid’s section, not only because my kids wanted to get books for their age, but also because I was enjoying reading the picture books myself! I was learning new vocabulary, expressions, and with pictures it was even better. Many years have passed since that experience of taking my toddlers to story time, because we moved to Iowa, and then Utah. The first thing I always did was to find the local public library. I am grateful to these libraries for providing a safe, inviting, and wonderful place to learn.
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​When I published my book, I promised myself that I wanted to give back to the community and so far, I have donated my book to some public libraries. But the one that has a special place in my heart is the one in Williamsport. 
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Last April 30th, I went back as an author, and I was able to read my book in English and Spanish to the little kids and give them a free copy of my book. Thanks to Nicole Rader, the Programming & Youth Services Director, we had a fun session with music, games, and crafts. And thanks to Emma Klopp, the Development and Marketing Assistant, we had great pictures and videos of that event.
As I was being introduced and I was looking at those little kids, I couldn’t help thinking about how the journey of loving books and learning began for my girls in that place. I told my audience that just like them, my girls were their age, but now they are college graduates!  
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My oldest daughter graduated from the University of Utah last May 2023, and my younger daughter just graduated this May 2024 from Utah State University. I am so proud of them; I am grateful for my husband that began reading to them when they were babies. I am grateful for my parents that came all the way from Mexico to be at their graduations. I invite you to support your local public library, especially the programs for children. You never know how that will impact their lives and yours as well.

​En este día en que celebramos oficialmente el Día Internacional de la Mujer, no les daré una lista de mujeres que han tenido influencia en el mundo en los campos de la ciencia, las finanzas, el deporte o la política.
En cambio, quiero que pienses en lo que llamamos "mujeres comunes", sí, la mujer que es tu cajera en tu supermercado local o en la gran tienda. La mujer que conduce esa furgoneta que trae tus paquetes que compraste en linea. Las mujeres que trabajan largas horas en fábricas o almacenes donde se fabrican o envasan muchos de los productos que utilizamos. Las mujeres que limpian aeropuertos, centros comerciales y muchos otros edificios públicos o privados. Las mujeres que conducen los autobuses escolares, las señoras que trabajan en los comedores de las escuelas públicas o privadas asegurándose de que nuestros hijos tengan comida. Las mujeres que trabajan en los campos donde obtenemos nuestras frutas y verduras.
¿Y tus vecinas? Esa señora que sale todos los días a pasear con su perro, o con sus hijos o nietos. ¿Qué pasa con las damas de su iglesia o congregación local? La que siempre está ayudando de una manera silenciosa dando de su tiempo alimentando a los demás, ofreciéndose como voluntaria durante horas, días, y si haces un recuento, ella ha estado haciendo eso durante años.
¿Nos tomamos el tiempo para detenernos y reflexionar sobre la influencia positiva que estas "mujeres comunes" tienen en nuestra sociedad? Y para ser claros, no hay mujeres ordinarias, somos extraordinarias a nuestra manera, bajo nuestras circunstancias y haciendo lo mejor en nuestras diversas etapas de la vida.
No hay nada de malo en reconocer a las mujeres en las áreas que mencioné al principio, porque han hecho cosas increíbles para muchas. Pero ¿podemos también tomarnos el tiempo y ver lo que una madre que se queda en casa hace todos los días por su familia? Esa mujer que ahora también tiene que cuidar de padres ancianos, o de hijos con discapacidades que necesitaran atención de por vida. Desde la madre que vive en un barrio agradable y tranquilo, hasta la mujer que tiene que vivir en un campo de refugiados. A la mujer que tiene una educación que le permite mantener a su familia, a la mujer que lo ha perdido todo debido a la guerra y ahora tiene que encontrar la manera de sobrevivir cada día.
Hoy, al celebrar y reconocer el Día Internacional de la Mujer, no olvidemos que hay muchas mujeres que todavía viven en la opresión, en el miedo, en la guerra, en la pobreza, en un estado constante de crisis. Todavía tenemos mucho que aprender los unos de los otros y apoyarnos mutuamente.
Cada mujer fue alguna vez una niña, una niña con sueños, una niña que reía y quería crecer y cumplir cualquier sueño que tuviera. En esta era digital en la que podemos usar las redes sociales para saber lo que está sucediendo en otras partes del mundo, no nos olvidemos de nuestras mujeres más cercanas en nuestras comunidades. Recordemos a las mujeres jóvenes en nuestras comunidades, en nuestros sitios de adoración, y en nuestras actividades. Ellas son las que continuaran este legado de inclusión, amor, respeto y agradecimiento.
Todos queremos ser amados, incluidos, aceptados y sentir que marcamos la diferencia. ¿Podemos vernos? ¿Puedo verlos? ¿Te puedo ver? ¿Me ves? Gracias por las mujeres increíbles en mi vida, por las mujeres que me abrieron el camino para que pudiera estar aquí, por las mujeres que hacen cosas increíbles y hacen que mi vida sea mejor de muchas maneras todos los días.

On this day when we officially celebrate International Women’s Day, I won’t give you a list of women that had had influence in the world in the fields of science, finance, arts, sports, or politics.
Instead, I want you to think of what we call “ordinary women,” yes, the woman that is your cashier register at your local grocery store, or the big store. The woman that drives that van that brings your online shopping packages. The women that work long hours in factories or warehouses where many of the products we use are being made or packed. The women that clean airports, shopping malls, and many other public or private buildings. The women that drive the school buses, the ladies that work at the public or private school cafeterias making sure that our children have food. The women that work in the fields where we get our fruits and vegetables.
What about your neighbors? That lady that goes every day for walks with her dog, or her children or grandchildren. What about the ladies in your local church or congregation? The one that is always helping in a quiet way by giving of her time by feeding others, volunteering for hours, days, and if you make a recount, she has been doing that for years.
Do we take the time to stop and ponder the positive influence these ‘ordinary women’ have in our society? And to be clear, there are no ordinary women, we are extraordinary in our own way, under our circumstances and doing the best in our various stages in life.
Nothing wrong with recognizing the women in the areas I mentioned at the beginning, because they have made amazing things for many. But can we also take the time and see what a stay at home mom does every day for her family? The women that are taking care of aging parents or have a child that will need them for life. From the mother who is living in a nice quiet neighborhood, to the woman that must live in a refugee camp. To the woman that has an education that allows her to provide for her family, to the woman that has lost everything due to war and now has to figure out how to just survive every day.
Today as we celebrate and recognize International Women’s Day, let’s not forget that there are many women that still live in oppression, in fear, in war, in poverty, in a constant state of crisis. We still have so much to learn from each other and support each other.
Each woman was once a little girl, a girl with dreams, a girl that laughed and wanted to grow up and accomplish whatever dreams she had. In this digital era where we can use social media to know of what’s happening in other parts of the world, let’s not forget about our closest women in our communities. Let’s remember our young women in our communities, in our church congregations, in our activities. They are the ones that will keep this legacy of inclusion, love, respect, and a grateful heart.
We all want to be loved, included, accepted, and feel that we can make a difference every day. Can we see each other? Can I see them? Can I see you? Can you see me? Thank you for the amazing women in my life, for the women that paved the way so I could be here, for the women that do amazing ‘ordinary’ things and make my life better in many ways every day.

​When I was a little girl, I loved going to the little store that was just around the corner. If you grew up in Mexico, you know what I am talking about: “La tiendita de la esquina.” My mom used to send me and my brothers to get fresh corn tortillas to the “tortilleria” and if we had any money left, we could stop at Don Pepe’s store. His little store had all the candy we liked, especially candy with chili, spicy chips, sodas, gum, and all kinds of junk food! He had good things too, but for us little kids going to his store meant getting all the candy we could afford!
I moved to the USA in my late twenties, and ever since, I am always on the look for Mexican Markets. Usually, you can find Mexican markets in the big cities in the USA, but when you are in Northeast Pennsylvania, where most of the population is from the Dominican Republic, all you find are “bodegas” with a lot of “Goya” brand products I don’t use. I have very good friends from that country, and I learned that they hardly eat spicy food, so when I went to a ‘bodega,’ I couldn’t find my candy with chili.
A former coworker of my husband told me about this Mexican grocery store, and I went to visit right away! The store is cozy, clean, organized and has all the candy with chili I like! They even have a small bakery section, Mexican sodas, spicy chips, and many more Mexican brands. I talked to the owner of “Espinoza’s Deli & Grocery” and he told me he has been open for the last seven years. Say what!? I have lived in the area for the last three years and I have only found this store. But better late than never.
Something that it’s truly amazing for me is that no matter where you go in the USA, but especially if you live in a small town, you can always somehow find a Mexican entrepreneur that has a restaurant or a grocery store. To them I want to sa​y: “Thank you.” I invite you to say thank you and support these entrepreneurs that work hard every day to bring a little piece of Mexico to your table.
p.s. I am not getting paid to recommend this store, I just like to share information for others to have.

​Cuando era niña, me encantaba ir a la pequeña tienda que estaba a la vuelta de la esquina. Si creciste en México, sabes de lo que hablo: "La tiendita de la esquina". Mi mamá nos mandaba a mí y a mis hermanos a comprar tortillas de maíz frescas a la tortillería y si nos quedaba algo de dinero, podíamos pasar a la tienda de Don Pepe. Su pequeña tienda tenía todos los dulces que nos gustaban, especialmente dulces con chile, papas con chile, refrescos, chicles y todo tipo de comida chatarra. También tenía cosas buenas, pero para nosotros, los niños pequeños, ir a su tienda significaba comprar todos los dulces que podíamos pagar.
Me mudé a los Estados Unidos hace más de veinte años y, desde entonces, siempre estoy buscando mercados mexicanos. Por lo general, puedes encontrar mercados mexicanos en las grandes ciudades, pero cuando estás en el noreste de Pensilvania, donde la mayoría de la población es de la República Dominicana, todo lo que encuentras son "bodegas" con muchos productos de la marca "Goya" que no uso. Por cierto, tengo muy buenos amigos de ese país, y aprendí que casi no comen comida picante, así que cuando fui a una bodega, no pude encontrar mis dulces con chile.
Una antigua compañera de trabajo de mi esposo me habló de esta tienda de comestibles mexicana, ¡y fui a visitarla de inmediato! La tienda es acogedora, limpia, organizada y tiene todos los dulces con chile que me gustan! Incluso tienen una pequeña sección de panadería, refrescos mexicanos, papas fritas picantes y muchas más marcas mexicanas. Hablé con el dueño de "Espinoza's Deli & Grocery" y me dijo que ha estado abierto durante los últimos siete años. ¿Cómo es posible? He vivido en la zona durante los últimos tres años y apenas encontré esta tienda la semana pasada.  Pero más vale tarde que nunca.
Algo que es realmente sorprendente para mí es que no importa a dónde vayas en los Estados Unidos, pero especialmente si vives en un pueblo pequeño, siempre puedes encontrar de alguna manera un emprendedor (a) mexicano (a) que tenga un restaurante o una tienda de comestibles. A ellos quiero decirles: "Gracias". Te invito a que digas gracias y apoyes a estos emprendedores que trabajan duro todos los días para llevar un pedacito de México a tu mesa.
p.d. No me pagan por recomendar esta tienda, solo me gusta compartir información para que otros la tengan.

​¿Estás listo para decir adiós al verano? ¿Tenías una lista de actividades que pudiste completar?
Todavía recuerdo cuando mis hijos eran pequeños y estaban emocionados de participar en el programa de lectura de verano. Debo decir que el sistema de bibliotecas públicas en nuestra área fue increíble.  Viví en Utah durante diez años y la Biblioteca del Condado de Salt Lake tiene muchas bibliotecas en su sistema. Tienen un buen programa de lectura y, en el día, cuando tenía niños pequeños, era muy divertido ir y apuntarme a sus actividades de verano. 
Si no pudo ir a su biblioteca pública este verano, porque se estaba divirtiendo en la playa, la piscina, visitando a la familia o simplemente disfrutando de su tiempo de otras maneras, nunca es demasiado tarde para ir. Aunque el primer lunes de septiembre es el último día del verano, eso no significa que no puede seguir encontrando nuevos libros y actividades en su biblioteca local.
Si todavía tiene niños pequeños en casa, vaya a su biblioteca pública y vea todas las actividades divertidas que tienen disponibles. Tienen tiempo de cuentos generalmente en otoño e invierno, algunas bibliotecas tienen “La Hora del cuento para niños pequeños” y otras tienen “La hora del cuento para niños en edad de preescolar”.  También hay programas para niños y jóvenes en grados 6 a 12 que tienen actividades divertidas. Si le gusta aprender nuevos idiomas, pídale a su bibliotecario local libros bilingües, ya sea en español, francés, inglés o cualquier otro idioma que desee aprender o que desee que su hijo aprenda. Presente a su hijo pequeño un nuevo vocabulario, viaje con su imaginación a nuevos lugares y ciudades, y vea cuántas palabras nuevas pueden aprender juntos. 
Los días serán más cortos y fríos y esa es la excusa perfecta para encontrar un buen libro, una cobija suave y un espacio acogedor para leer.