John McCain, Zonian

John McCain’s Wikipedia entry is already updated to reflect his passing. He was born August, 29, 1936 in the Panama Canal Zone (Coco Solo, on the Atlantic side). So in addition to being an Arizonan, he was a Zonian by birth. What I appreciated the most about him in recent years was his courageous pushback… Continue reading John McCain, Zonian

Brigida’s Love Story

My grandmother, Brigida Adamas Rosas de Quintero, with Mom and Uncle Lucho. In mid-1930s Panama City, República de Panamá. The family lived for awhile on Avenida Central. Brigida was a matriarch, a strong-willed woman from Tolé - in Panama's highland province of Chiriquí (i.e., the boonies). She was from a poor peasant family. Her biological… Continue reading Brigida’s Love Story

Father Rutledge

Remembering a conversation I had in the 3rd grade with Father Rutledge at St. Mary's school in Balboa, Panama. Father Rutledge embodied Santa Claus for me - a rotund man, with rosy cheeks, white beard, twinkling eyes and a jolly disposition. I had just completed Confession and received my "four 'Hail Marys' and three 'Our… Continue reading Father Rutledge