Maria Rodriguez Bross is an author and playwright delving into the fictional world of all things bodegas, botanicas and creative tales of the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. Stay tuned Brujas!
Fulana Says "No"!
Volume 1; Issue 5: February 2025Hola! Do you say "yes" a lot? I do. In this ongoing month, synonymous with love, I said "yes"- from taking a vacation to tackling work projects, from pursuing my hobbies to running errands, from replying to simple texts to managing an ever-growing "to do" list, and as always, I made saying "yes" to family and friends my top priority. This got me thinking. Although I pride myself in my tendency to say "yes, it's not always the right answer for myself or others. I've come to accept that the world will continue without my presence, opinions, or input, and that's perfectly okay- even somewhat re-assuring. I think it's true that, sometimes, we must say "no" in order to say "yes" to something else. Whether we like it or not, both choices are constantly at play. But how do we know which to choose? For me, it's about love for myself and others. Saying "no" can be a powerful act of love: it's about truly being present for others rather than treating them as just another task or taking a stand even if it's against a family member or a dear friend. Most of all, saying "no" can serve as a personal declaration of how we expect to be treated. Read "Bodega News", to find out some things I said "yes" to- and "no" to- this month, and keep reading if you want to know who's "fulana". Bodega News:
Spanish Word Translation: FulanaWhen I was a kid, I heard many family members and neighbors talk about "Fulana". For years, I thought she was a real person. It turns out that the literal translation of "fulana" is a woman (fulano, masculine form) who's actual name is unknown, unimportant or deliberately omitted. Yikes! That's tough- like who cares about fulana? The word can sometimes carry a dismissive or vague tone depending on context. Since February is the month of love, let's take a break from gossiping about "fulana"- after all, we don't truly know her or the challenges she's facing. Until next month... Stay tuned brujas! Other Magical Tales You Might Like:
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Bodega Botanica Tales
Maria Rodriguez Bross is an author and playwright delving into the fictional world of all things bodegas, botanicas and creative tales of the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. Stay tuned Brujas!
Volume 2: Issue 2; November 2025 Hola, Do you like FREE? I do. If you think you don't, let me ask you this: Have you ever read something on the internet without paying a fee? Ever buy one, get one free? Ever ask someone to do you a favor? Then you, my dear reader, have partaken in FREE. This got me thinking. From what I've observed throughout my life, nothing is free, even love. This I've come to learn from being a caregiver, where I often put my wants on hold for the ones I love the most....
Volume 2; Issue 1, October 2025 Hola! Do you believe in second chances? I do. Recently, I've had opportunities that felt less than I hoped for, but turned out to be something entirely different and even better. This got me asking questions. Have you ever made a mistake that turned out to be a good thing? Ever buy a used item that was ultimately useful? Ever been forgiven for a situation that made you cringe? Ever recover from an illness to only feel healthier than ever? If so, you've been...
Volume 1; Issue 10: August 2025 Hola! Do you ever vent? I do. This past month, I vented about everyone and I mean literally everyone in my life. (I apologize to those reading this who perhaps may wonder if I'm talking about them). Anyway, I have to admit that after I vent, I feel terrible; it literally sucks the energy out of me. This got me thinking. Am I inadvertently spreading "bonchinche (gossip)" about, well, myself? Let me explain. When I vent, I'm literally talking out loud about my...