Welcome Spring ~ Bienvenida la Primavera

Welcome Spring with Haiku  

Spring and Easter are associated with new beginnings, rebirth, growth and life. The days are longer, the earth is blooming, and everything awakens. 

In 2020, spring equinox (also called the March equinox or vernal equinox) falls on Friday, March 20. This event marks the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the South Hemisphere.

The word equinox comes from the Latin words for “equal night”—aequus (equal) and nox (night). On the equinox, the length of day and night is nearly equal in all parts of the world. With the equinox, enjoy the increasing sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later sunsets.

#GivingTheGiftofPoetry

~Flowers Bloom~
Blossom hue flowers

Sing, shine, smell, smooth and flavor

Spring is welcoming!

~Spring Wind~

Cold, balmy, warm, hot

Is Spring forthcoming your way?

Tell me silly earth!

~Blue Sky~

In the deep blue sky
Colorful birds fly and sing

Making earth happy

(Haiku@2016 by Maritza M. Mejia)
For more Poems visit: www.luzdelmes.com

La Primavera y La Pascua están asociados con renacimiento, nuevos comienzos, crecimiento y vida. Los días son más largos, la tierra florece y todo despierta.

En el 2020, el equinócio de primavera (también llamado equinócio de marzo o equinócio vernal) cae el viernes 20 de marzo. Este evento marca el primer día astronómico de primavera en el hemisferio norte y otoño en el hemisferio sur.

La palabra equinoccio proviene de las palabras latinas para "igual noche": equus (igual) y nox (noche). En el equinoccio, la duración del día y la noche es casi igual en todas las partes del mundo. Con el equinócio, disfrute de las horas de luz solar cada vez mayores, con amaneceres más tempranos y puestas de sol posteriores.

Poemas GRATIS en: http://www.luzdelmes.com/ldm.php?ldm=poems

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

St. Joseph ~ San José

Each year on March 19th, many families prepare a table or altar in honor of Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of the poor. My Italian friends prepare a table with a well decorated fine linens, flowers and decorative breads. My favorites  pastries are the orange-cranberry scones.

This year, the world is facing an unexpected Pandemic virus. Pope Francis invited us to pray the Rosary today. Let's join them and pray to St. Joseph for protection.
#StayHome 🏡#LuzDelMes✨

Why is Saint Joseph the patron Saint of the poor? 

We know little about Saint Joseph, but his humble carpenter remains us  of poor salary and humble life. (Matthew 13:55).

Who is St. Joseph? 
Everything we know about Saint Joseph comes from the Bible. He was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus. Despite his humble work, Joseph came from a royal lineage from David, the greatest king of Israel (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38).
The circumstances of Joseph's death are not known, but it is likely that he died before Jesus’ ministry began and before Jesus’ Crucifixion (John 19:26-27).

What is the meaning of St. Joseph's Table?
This day parishes observe the three practice of Lent: pray, fast, and alms-giving by preparing a simple meal and the money raised is given to the poor. 

St. Joseph's Day Activities

1.    Listen the video: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4

2.    Make Sugar Cookies and cut them into the shape of St. Joseph symbols: a lily, a hammer or carpenter square. https://www.whitelily.com/recipes/traditional-sugar-cookies-3894

3.    St. Joseph’s Lily Sandwiches :http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2008/03/lily-sandwiches.html

4.    Saint’s Joseph Prayer’s Tools. http://luzdelmes.blogspot.com/2016/02/saint-josephs-day-celebrate-traditions.html

                 Happy Saint Joseph’s Day!                      

St. Joseph's Coloring Page - Hoja de Colorear:

http://www.catholicplayground.com/st-joseph-coloring-page-march-19th/

Himno a san José | Música Católica | Canción a san José

Novena a San José  

https://www.aciprensa.com/recursos/novena-a-san-jose-1981/

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

St. Patrick's Day ~ San Patricio

Each year on March 17th, many people dress green in honor of Saint Patrick.” It is a day to celebrate Irish Traditions. 

Why is Saint Patrick the patron Saint of Ireland? 

Patrick was a Christian missionary, but he was not actually Irish. He is recognized for converted Ireland to Christianity in the AD 400s.
What is the meaning of St. Patrick Day?
What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival. Irish culture or not, people celebrate with parades, special foods and wear green.
Who is St. Patrick?
Patrick was born around 375 A.D. in Britain. His Roman parents were Calpurnius and Conchess in charge of the colonies. They were wealthy. Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. Years later, he escaped and went back to Britain. 
In his own land, he became a priest and soon a well-know bishop. Patrick had several dreams about the suffering of the Irish people and returned to save them. There are several legends about what happened with Saint Patrick in Ireland. The most prominent claiming he met the chieftain of one of the druid tribes, who tried to kill him, but he was able to convert the chieftain and preach the Gospel throughout Ireland. He often used shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity: One Shamrock, but three leaves. As it is : One God in  THREE PERSONS (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. )

St. Patrick’s Day Activities

Schools, churches and Irish families celebrate it differently. Some options to have fun on this day are:
1. Listen to this video 👉

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

2.  To learn more about their Irish heritage, read Irish folk and fairy tales: 
Visit: http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/fairytales/fr/irishfairytales.htm

3.   Saint Patrick's Eggs and Pancakes:

http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-shamrock-eggs-and-fruit.html

4. St. Patrick Coloring Page:

  http://www.catholicplayground.com/saint-patrick-coloring-page-march-17th/

                                                    

    Irish Blessing

¿Quién es San Patricio?

Patrick nació alrededor del 375 D.C. en Gran Bretaña. Sus padres romanos, Calpurnius y Conchess , estaban a cargo de las colonias. Ellos eran ricos y su hijo, Patricio, fue secuestrado y llevado a Irlanda. Años más tarde, escapó y volvió a Gran Bretaña.  En su tierra, se convirtió en un sacerdote y luego en un conocido obispo. Patricio tenía varios sueños sobre el sufrimiento del pueblo irlandés y volvió a socorrerlos. Hay varias leyendas sobre lo que sucedió con San Patricio en Irlanda. La historia más destacada es cuando se encontró con el cacique de una de las tribus de los druidas, quien trató de matarlo, pero él fue capaz de convertir al cacique y predicar el Evangelio a lo largo de Irlanda. San Patricio utilizaba el trébol para explicar el significado de la Santísima Trinidad (padre, hijo y Espíritu Santo). Tres en Uno.

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards

International Women's Day ~ Día Internacional de la Mujer

March 8^th is International Women's Day. A day that means different things. For some, it's a day to celebrate, for others it's a call to action born of activism for the struggle for equality. No matter the objective, International Women's Day is the perfect moment to recognize and value the effort of women in society, family, church and work.

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wicGPpsG9Q&sns=

My favorite reading for Women's Day is For the Right to Learn: Malala Yousafzai’s Story written by Rebecca Langston-George and illustrated by Janna Bock. The words and illustrations work together in harmony to tell the story of a young teenage girl whose courage has become legendary. 

“One Child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. ” 

-Malala Yousafzai-

Happy International Women’s Day!

Día Internacional de la Mujer

El 8 de marzo es el Día Internacional de la mujer. Un día que significa cosas diferentes. Para algunos, es un día para celebrar, para otros es un llamado a la acción que nace del activismo por la lucha por la igualdad. No importa el objetivo, el día internacional de la mujer es el momento perfecto para reconocer y valorar el esfuerzo de las mujeres en la sociedad, familia, iglesia y trabajo. 

Celebro el día de la Mujer con LuzDelMes

El libro recomendado para éste día es la Historia de Gabriela Mistral (Inglés-Español)  (Vicuña, Chile, 7 de abril de 1889 - Nueva York, Estados Unidos, 10 de enero de 1957). Escritora y premio Nobel de Literatura en 1945.

¡Feliz Día Internacional de la Mujer!

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

World Writers Day

Tribute to Haiga & Haiku

Illustrations have been a great way of communication between people for many ages. For Haikuist is an honor to have an artists turn their words into Haiga. A milenial technique to retell the poem adding a unique creative power with arts.

The beginning of March is filled with bright holidays, World Writers Day has been celebrated annually on March 3er since 1986, when it was established by the International Congress of PEN Club. 

Today’s inspiring collection by Professor Masashi Nakamura and collaborators around the world is devoted to the theme of creative illustrations for a variety of stories.
                  Happy Writer World Day!

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

Foreign Language Week - Semana del Idioma extranjero

What is Foreign Language Week?

National Foreign Language Week was inaugurated in the Spring of 1957 by Sister Eloise Therese, the National President of Alpha Mu Gamma from 1956 to 1960. It is celebrated from March 1st to March 7th, 2020.

March is dedicated to Foreign Language Month. 

Sister Eloise realized that such a week had never been officially celebrated in the United States as a whole, although foreign language had receive recognition by different educational institutions at various periods of the academic year.

For more information visit: 

https://www.amgnational.org/national-foreign-language-week.html

Presentando la Trilogía LuzDelMes

¿Qué es la semana de la lengua extranjera? La Semana Nacional de la Lengua Extranjera fue inaugurada en la primavera de 1957 por la hermana Eloise Therese, presidenta nacional de Alpha Mu Gamma de 1956 a 1960. Se celebra del Primero de Marzo al 7, 2020.

El mes del idioma extranjero es Marzo.

La hermana Eloise  se dio cuenta que nunca se había celebrado oficialmente una semana así en todo el territorio de los Estados Unidos, aunque la lengua extranjera había recibido el reconocimiento de diferentes instituciones educativas en diversos períodos académicos.

Para mayor información visitar: 

https://www.amgnational.org/national-foreign-language-week.html

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards, Author’s Talk

Welcome March - Bienvenido Marzo

Reflections by Maritza Martínez Mejía

March is here and spring season near with beautiful flowers, but intense showers. Along with my Christians friends, we are preparing for Easter with the Lenten Season. This time is the opportunity to renew our faith by giving, praying and fasting. Never is too late to celebrate a special and blessed Holy Week.
I wish you all a productive Lent and a Happy Spring!

                         Courtesy www.google.com

---

Marzo está aquí y la primavera se acerca con sus bellas flores, pero intensas lluvias. Junto con mis amigos/as Cristianos/as es otra historia; nos estamos preparando para la Pascua con el tiempo de Cuaresma. Este tiempo es una oportunidad para renovar nuestra fe a través del dar, orar y ayunar. Nunca es tarde para celebrar una especial y bendecida Semana Santa.
¡Les deseo a todos/as una productiva Cuaresma y una Alegre Primavera!

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member: FWA, SFWA, SCBWI, Board of Advisors MCBD, Delegado ANLMI
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Received Crystal Apple, VCB Poetry, Latino Book Awards.