By Bill Wilson
"Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder." -Rumi
Words have always been important to me and being a journalist they are my tools. One of those tools is the dictionary and especially the printed (last press run for print) 23-volume Oxford English Dictionary (OED) which is considered the definitive record of the English language, featuring 600,000 words, 3 million quotations, and over 1000 years of English language use accumulated.
Growing up around word and creative people, reading was one of my first passions.
I started writing in high school as a sports stringer. Eventually I yielded a job as a copy boy at The Philadelphia Inquirer and then went onto journalism school.
Throughout the years as an editor I collected style books, dictionaries, and usage guides. One Christmas the OED was given as a joint Christmas present to my wife and I. Lugging one volume of the OED requires two hands (about 7 pounds) but the entire collection is in San Miguel de Allende with us today – a hefty treasure. And hopefully, our 23 volumes will make it to our fabulous Bibliotheca Pública, when we pass on.
BITS AND PIECES
Fun Facts
The first printing press in North America was established in present-day Mexico City in 1539 by publisher Juan Cromberger. It wasn’t until in 1638 that the first printing press in the British colonies arrived in Massachusetts from England.
The Golden Eagle is Mexico’s national bird. This eagle soars all over the continental U.S and even up to Canada, but south of the border the majestic bird has a special significance. It’s Mexico’s national animal, and even has a place on the country’s coat of arms. However, you won’t spot it in much of the country, as populations only tend to get as far south as Guadalajara.
Holiday Cheer at EdCamino
EdCamino, a small free afterschool tutoring program located in Colonia Independencia, has a busy schedule this Christmas season. The organization was founded in 2014 by an individual living in the colonia. It helps 30 children a day, aged 5 through 12, Monday through Friday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
In addition to its annual holiday party there is an intercambio for all the children and the city donates gifts for each child and all of the mothers provide food for the celebration. A pastorela (traditional Mexican theater performance that chronicles the journeys of shepherds visiting Jesus) will be presented to the general public. The pastorela incudes all of the current students and tutors. The participants rehearse for weeks. The free event is held at Angela Peralta on January 2nd at 7:00pm. Sonia Ariazas, the director, has been with the program since inception. To volunteer and donate contact Shannon Shaffer, Volunteer Coordinator at 415 167 0088.
Weather or Whether
The Winter Solstice, December 21, is the shortest day and the start of Winter. Here in San Miguel check the schedule with our botanical garden and our pyramid for special celebrations. Our November was mild with our high temperature at 92 0F (33.3 0C) and a low of 39 0F (3.8 0C). Average temp 65 0F (18.33 0C).
You Don’t Say (Dichos)
"Perro que no anda no encuentra hueso." A dog that does not go out does not find the bone.
"El que tiene tienda que la atienda, o si no que la venda." Who has a store tends to it. If not, they sell it.
"El que no enseña, no vende." If you don’t show, you don’t sell.
Hasta el próximo mes!
Ideas and story submissions? insiderwriterswriters@gmail.com
Bill Wilson has been a journalist for more than 50 years from an editor and reporter from the United Nations to Cub Scout news. He’s also known as “The Weather Dude” and is a ham radio operator. wmhwilson.home@gmail.com
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