Sarah Respall Roja, who I will call SRR, is the adult daughter of one of my online author friends, the Cuban writer, Marié Rojas Tamayo. I’ve known Marié, or MRT as I like to call her, for a few years now. MRT is a Cuban writer of speculative fiction in the same mystical vein as Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel Garcia Márquez. I came to know her on X before my account was hijacked, but now interact with her regularly on FB. https://www.facebook.com/marie.rojastamayo
MRT’s many books can be found here:
Now, in another of my many nods to Hemingway, I wanted MRT’s most prominent book, Laurel y orégano – the story of an intense conversation that occurs among God, the Devil and Death, during which no one dies – to be represented on the MOS literary Bookshelf, even if it is only published in her native Spanish language. But getting the copy inscribed was a little tricky, given that we could not figure out how to get it back and forth to Cuba without it disappearing.
So, we managed a work around, which is described in the inner cover of her book, which appears as a photo in an earlier blog:
https://thewisenovelist.com/writing-may-be-lonely-but-you-are-never-alone/
Anyway, MRT often heralded her daughter’s amazing artwork, and incorporated it into her own books. So, when I saw that SRR had finally published some of her art in a children’s coloring book, I had to buy a copy for my grans, who love to color. Here’s one of the many pages.
And here’s one of the grans, Savanna (yes, from The Claire Saga), with the coloring book.
My money is on Stella (yes, also from the books) to steal that before the day is over.
The best part is that each colorable page is a one sided stand alone, which means that the pages can be removed and shared among many children, or removed and placed upon the wall or refrigerator as a proud representation of a child’s coloring skills. And the drawings are adorable.
Have I mentioned I love dragons?!
Anyway, congratulations SRR on publishing your coloring book. I strongly recommend that any of my fine, five readers that have children or grandchildren, pick up a copy to share the love.
And if any of those fine, five readers also read Spanish, I also recommend they check out MRT’s amazing work.
MRT and SRR, if I ever make it to Cuba, we must go to El Floridita for a drink – agua mineral y lima para mí – https://www.barfloridita.com/
Speaking of Hemingway, the feral Casa Claire Cats continue to thrive with regular meals and mystical protection in the Jack The Spruce Grotto.
And while I’m on the Hemingway subject, I must make a special mention of my dear friend and inner circle reader, Anna Hillman, (also appears as a college counselor in FJM) who has in the past taken each of my books to 907 Whitehead Street where they can absorb Hemingway’s Key West mojo.
Anna – wearing an absolutely fabulous dress – has now completed The Claire Saga circuit.
Thank you Anna. You rock.
In kitties and novels I remain a long stride behind Papa H, but I am closing rapidly in pure quality of literary relationships when it comes to having friends like the Cuban authors MRT and SRR, and on the domestic front, Anna H.
Well, it’s Wednesday, hump day, but before I fully engage let me take a moment to wish my older sister, Veronica a/k/a Ronni (and in The Claire Saga, “Bonnie”) a Happy Birthday. Much love.
You fine, five readers, strap on those skates and attack the hill. Wave at Friday in the distance, because it is always waiting there to ease you into your next exciting weekend.
But don’t forget to take care of business. We need to keep this country humming right along.
And no matter what else we get up to today, let us make it a great one.
5 Responses
¡Muy, been, Tomás!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Tom!
Muchas gracias por todo el apoyo, de parte mía y de mi mamá. 😊✨
“Thank you very much for all the support, from me and my mother.”
Con gusto!
It was my pleasure! Sorry it took so long.