During this time my father was in a labor camp, for the crime of wanting to leave the country. Alone, and with few provisions, as my mother struggled to care for us, she was struck with inspiration. One day she went out to the back patio to do the wash and saw a cute little frog sitting by the door to the kitchen. My mother has always liked frogs, and this little frog by the kitchen door gave her an idea...
My father and I were very close, but I did not always get along with my mother, so even though she was a marvelous cook, I had never been interested in learning her cooking secrets. However, after my father’s death, I witnessed my mother’s severe deterioration and overwhelming sadness. Looking for a way to engage her, I had the idea to ask her to teach me how to cook like her...
A great many of the delicious foods that came out of Mamina’s kitchen began with a sofrito. It is the seasoning base for many Cuban dishes. Sofrito is sauted onions, peppers, garlic and sometimes tomatoes....
I got to spend a little time with my niece, Catalina, and her beautiful daughter Ella. She is adorable and so much fun! I sang and talked to her in Spanish and we played some of Mamina's games. She reminds me so much of my sister Nina (her grandmother). Here is a picture of Nina as a baby. They look alike, don't they?
Nina
I'm 7 years older than Nina, and have fond memories of playing with her as a child, dressing her up like my very own live doll, putting on shows when she was a little older. Playing with Ella was like going back in time to those days of playing with my little sister! This is another game I learned from my mother. It's like "This little piggy went to market…". You say the verse as you touch or wiggle the child's fingers or toes. There are several versions out there, here is my mother's version: ESTE SE ENCONTRO UN HUEVITO Este se encontró un huevito, este lo llevó a la casa, este lo cocinó, este le echó la sal, y el pícaro gordito se lo comió! TRANSLATION: This one found a little egg, this one took it home, this one cooked it, this one put salt on it, and the little chubby rascal ate it! Thank you Catalina, for letting me play with Ella and for the video and photo.
Mamina loved when her daughters sang her songs and games with her grandchildren. Now we sing them with OUR grandchildren, her great-grandchildren. I picture her smiling as we do so. I believe she is happy that we remember and are keeping the traditions going. Here is a favorite of the little ones. It is done by placing the child on your lap, facing you. The rhyme is said as you lower the child back, away from you (while holding on to their hands or arms or even supporting their head, depending on the child's age). Then you pull the child towards you. The leaning back and forth is like a seasaw, or wood sawing motion. ASERRIN ASERRAN Aserrin, Aserran Los Maderos de San Juan Los de Juan piden pan Los de Pedro piden queso Los de Enrique, alfeñique riqui, riqui, riqui…. TRANSLATION: Sawdust, sawing wood The woodworks of St. John Those who are John's ask for bread Those of Peter ask for cheese Those of Henry, little sugar figurines (the riqui, riqui is the sound you make as you tickle them) Here is a short video, so you can see it done. My little grandson, Link, loves Aserrin, Aserran! Towards the end we are playing another game, TOPI, TOPI, TOPI TO. No translation, just sounds as you touch heads together.
I searched on line and found a different, rather gruesome version of Aserrin, Aserran. I think children's songs and fairy tales have been used to express things that could not be openly spoken of. I don't know if there really are different versions of Aserrin, Aserran, or if Mamina sanitized it for her children's sake. Either way, this is my mother's version. Anyone else remember it this way?
I have mentioned before that my mother loved children. She doted on her daughters, her nephews and nieces and most of all her grandchildren. She played many games, and sang many songs to them. I also sing her songs and play the same games with my grandchildren.
The other day I was playing with one of my grandchildren. The child was on my lap and I was clapping his little hands together when a little rhyme my mother used to sing came into my mind. I had forgotten all about it, yet there it was. It was as if Mamina were whispering in my ear!
You can tell from the words used, that it is a very old song:
PALMITAS
Palmitas de manteca, para Papa que da pesetas,
Palmitas de cebada, para Mama que no da nada,
Palmitas y palmones, para la Abuela (o abuelo) que da doblones
You can substitue other names for Papa, Mama y Abuela. Maybe it is "Tia que da pesetas"
TRANSLATION
Palmitas: the palms of the hands are "palmas", "palmitas" makes it a diminutive. Clapping small hands together, or little hand claps.
Little hand claps made of butter, for Father who gives money Little hand claps of barley, for Mother who gives nothing (*) Little hand claps and big hand claps for Grandfather who gives doubloons (or gold coins)
(*) How preposterous to say that "Mother gives nothing"! Children's songs are crazy sometimes.
Here is a short video, with my sweet little granddaughter.
