Essays & Blogs

            Daniel Alegría still thinks of himself as a Sandinista, “a Sandinista, no Orteguista.” He looks pretty much the same as he did when I first met him at Comedor Sara in January, 1984 where he spent his evenings drinking beer and talking politics with the internacionalistas who gathered there in the evenings. The big question in those days, was when, or if the US would invade the country, and Daniel, who worked as Sandinista National

 

 

About a year ago I joined this group called the Laundry List. Laundry List advocates for people hanging out their laundry. I dig it big time. There are some amazing stats on what would happen if everyone stopped using their drying machines. There would be some serious immediate reductions of greenhouse emissions if everyone took up this habit…along with the personal sense of well-being that comes with spending quality time with your laundry and the great outdoors (indoor hanging and using racks can be satisfying too).

I’ve been trying to look into people’s faces lately while remembering that everyone has a history. Everyone is in this same huge ship called humanity. I’m an elementary school teacher, and the blessed summer has given me time to reflect, something I often neglect in the rush and pressure of the school year. Tomorrow I return to school with the kids and I want to remember this reflection when I look at them and their parents. I want to take the time to hear them and let them be heard by others in my class. I