Today is the fifth of May, and when I Googled this two separate topics arose. First, let me tell you about one I never ever heard of before. Lets say, I was not taught about all the women who were so important in history. Have you ever heard of Nellie Bly, an American journalist? Good if you have, but somehow, I missed that lady information. Most likely because more recently in the 1990’s significant women’s contributions have been heralded. Great! I was just a bit late and already out of school.
Nelly Bly, or Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman was an investigative journalist born on May 5th, 1864. Besides being a journalist who went around the world, she took on a secretive assignment and faked being insane for ten days, exposing the criteria for the mental wards of yesteryear. Changes and money poured in to revise these mental health wards for women. Later she married a man 42 years older and inherited his factory when he died. She became an industrialist and inventor by remaking or reinventing a milk container. She holds two patents. Nelly, her name she used to write for the papers, died January 27th, 1922 at the age of 57. I’m impressed there were leaders, women all along that were equivalent to male counterparts, maybe just fewer of them as children kept them busy.
Nellie Bly or Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman has a stamp!
And now for the margaritas and celebrations with flags of Mexico! Do you know the truth about Cinco de Mayo? Mexico defeated France, yes, in the battle of Puebla. Mexico’s real Independence Day is September 16th. Spain, Great Britain and France all invaded Mexico but the 1st two pulled out, and so when the small Mexican army defeated the larger French one in the town of Puebla, it became notable indeed on May 5th 1862.
Traditionally, in America it was a big deal out west, and gradually became known throughout America for pride in their home country. Marketing certainly has much to do with this Spring drinking holiday. Is it due to margaritas or beer, possibly the tacos, nachos, burritos or even the mariachi bands?
Whatever … it is festive! Shall I mention Taco Bell and how many times have you made a run for the border? Don’t forget the guacamole.
Before I get down to the serious information about Mexico, I’m serving you up two recipes that sound good, not tried by me as I just discovered them. Let me know. Here ya go:
Frozen Lemon-Berry Margaritas Recipe … You’ll need 4 lime wedges, 2 Tbs. coarse sugar, 2/3 cup thawed lemonade concentrate, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 2 cups ice cubes, 2 packages frozen sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 Tbsp sugar, plus 1/2 cup tequila or more to taste. (My own idea would be fresh fruit could substitute). Use lime to go round the rims, then dip into coarse sugar, set aside. Blend lemonade, raspberries and leave seeds in bottom, discard seeds. Return mixture to blender and add ice, strawberries, blueberries, sugar and tequila. Then pour and serve. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Homemade Guacamole … You’ll need 3 medium avocados, peeled, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 2 Tbsp lime juice, pinch salt. Mash avocados, add onion, cilantro and lime, salt, too. Serve.
The Mexican flag is a tricolor flag with green, white and red. The coat of arms is in the center which is based upon an Aztec symbol for Mexico City, previously Tenochtitian. There is an eagle with a serpent on top of the prickly pear cactus. In addition, the cactus sits on a rock out over a lake. Legend has it the gods told them to build a city where they could see this.
The Mexican flag is similar to the Italian flag, and one can also see that eagles were an important symbol in Mexico as well as America.
Mexico has such a diverse ecosystem with beaches, rainforests, deserts, coral reefs, mountains and don’t forget the tequila! In my own family three of us have either been married there or honey mooned in Mexico. My parents went to Acapulco years ago (I’ve seen the video!) and my husband and I set down in Cancun for fun and sun. Finally, seven years ago my sister and her husband married in Riviera Maya, near Cancun in a little chapel out by the sea. I wrote a book about that. See here.
By Kim Troike
Opinion-Ed
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