A lifetime of encounters with Spain.
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Dec 20th, 2011
The essence of the holidays is the celebration of loving relationships, especially within the family. It is the time for children with their joy and enthusiasm and their sense of wonder. What fun it is to be with them as they open their presents with such gusto! It is not the gifts so much as [...]
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Oct 10th, 2011
Pork and ham are the foundation of Spain’s cuisine, and in many ways its culture. Visit any supermarket (worth its snout) and you will see dozens of jamones hanging from the rafters – and that means hoof and all. Anywhere you visit in this large country, whether it be in the mountains, on the high [...]
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Reflections on Spain on Dec 23rd, 2010
Last month I attended my grandchildren’s primary school for the Veteran’s Day exercise. Seated before me on the floor were a couple of hundred boys and girls happily chattering with one another, surrounded by us veterans: largely fathers and grandfathers who lined the gymnasium walls. On the stage, the fifth grade chorus presented a program [...]
Posted in Amigos, Corners of Spain, Fairs, Feasts and Fiestas, Migas, Reflections on Spain, Tesoros, Un Sabor de España on Sep 15th, 2010
This book is a collection of some of the most interesting essays on this blog, which I have extensively edited, and included many pictures.
Posted in Reflections on Spain on Nov 15th, 2004
We do not need to drive very far to return to the natural way of doing things – it seems to be at the very heart of Spain. I know it is easy to become sentimental about the olden days, and forget about the farmer who had no labor-saving devices to spare his aching back. Nevertheless the traditional worker’s self respect depended on the quality of his labor. He took personal pride in what he produced with his hands.
