Posts by Shawn LaTorre
Las Golondrinas/ The Swallows
Swallows have been said to be a symbol of endurance, renewal, and loyalty. Footfalls to the Alamo includes a song, La Golondrina, with words that reflect a bird “being tossed about by the wind’” while longing for its homeland yet traveling on. Swallow pairs mate for life and sometimes return to familiar breeding areas. “These…
Read MoreAn Invitation to Word Wrangler Book Festival
I’m super excited that my book, Footfalls to the Alamo was selected to be a part of the Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival! This year, the festival runs September 27th through September 28th at the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center in one of my favorite small towns: Giddings, Texas! Seventy three authors submitted applications,…
Read MoreAn Honor and a Blessing
Dear friends, It is my honor to have been selected for “In the Spotlight” this month by PublishPros. Yes, this publication is a dream come true for me, but it never would have happened without the support of PublishPros–Rich C. and Mary H. These two are in the business of taking manuscripts for edit, working…
Read MoreBeautiful Morning at the Twig!
On Saturday, May 4th, I set up a table at the Twig Bookshop in the Pearl District of one of my favorite cities: San Antonio, the Alamo City. Sprinkles of rain fell intermittently, but the awning protected all. This was Farmer’s Market morning, a weekly event that transforms the entire Pearl area (former home of…
Read MoreBacterial Warriors: Ancient Residents, Both Good and Bad
(Bacteria under the microscope. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock) “Viruses are stealthy predators; they cause infections by entering and multiplying inside the host’s healthy cells. Bacteria are warriors; they are single cells that can survive on their own, inside or outside the body. In the 1800’s it was difficult to know what caused a person’s illness…
Read MoreAssassins That Span the Ages: Bacteria and Viruses
(A virus takes up residence in a healthy cell. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.) Imagine that you are a settler in San Antonio of the 1800’s. You and your family have just constructed a jacál, a hut, as your new residence, much like those constructed by María Andrea Castañon and her family. The jacál, with…
Read MoreContest: Thirteen Day Count Down to the Battle at the Alamo
Dear Follower, For something historical and commemorative, I will be gifting two copies of my book, Footfalls to the Alamo, along with a set of four specially made drink coasters in a drawing. I will pull 2 names out of a hat of those who answer the most questions correctly and thoroughly…
Read MoreJacales in Mexico and South Texas
Jacal, pronounced [ha kol], is a word adapted from Nahatl, language of the ancient Aztecs who ruled Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries before being conquered by the Spanish. In Nahuatl, the word is “xacalli,” with xah- meaning “adobe” and -calli meaning “house.” Most jacales were literally huts of various sizes and construction. Jacales…
Read MoreSmall Book Group Discussions
I’ve been meeting with small book groups to read and discuss Footfalls to the Alamo since last December. I can’t tell you how inspiring it is to meet with people who enjoy reading about Texas history as much as I do. It’s certainly complicated! At a recent book talk, one woman said something like, “This…
Read MoreSeñora Candelaria’s Dog—An Ancient, Loving Breed
[SHOW LO EETZ CUINT LEE], this ancient breed of Mexican Hairless dog is highly intelligent, calm, loyal, and loving. Señora Candelaria actually owned this type of dog. Its name is derived from the Nahuatl language. Somewhere a picture of Señora holding this sweet dog on her lap surfaces from time to time. In Footfalls to…
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