Victory, Our Community Celebrates

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This Independence Day celebration will certainly be sweeter for the residents of our little town, Chatham, VA, and also our neighbors throughout Pittsylvania County. Our hearts rejoice as one as we realized that as a community, we have defeated a proposed power plant and data center of enormous proportions. I am sharing this article found on SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) which highlights our fight and victory as a community, and also their valuable research about the great environmental and health damage that such proposal would have caused, not only to our community but to extended areas, as far as North Carolina. You can find the article here .

As AI continues to grow and develop, the need for data centers will increase, and small rural communities will be targeted. It is up to the residents of these communities to weigh the pros and cons of these proposed projects, and the benefits, if any, and make their voices heard, whether they welcome this industry with open arms or not. It is important for leaders of a community to listen to the residents and place these issues on a balance, for a just and satisfactory resolution.

I hope you enjoy reading the SELC’s article referred above.

Connecting with History and My Roots

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Legends that bring you back (Photo by M.A.D.)

I am currently reading this book of Puerto Rican legends by Dr. Cayetano Coll Y Toste, a well-known historical figure in the Island. It was a gift from my aunt, and it is in the Spanish language, which helps me reconnect and brush up (it is easy to forget particular words, an accent, or the placement of a punctuation mark, when one has been immersed on another language, as primary for many years.) as well. The book is a compilation by his son Cayetano Coll Cuchi, with notations throughout. The book starts with a detailed biography and is followed by short legends rich in history and cultural influences, as well as the values during that time that permeate the pages throughout.

Dr. Cayetano Coll Y Toste was a medical doctor, historian, writer, and political figure. He was born in 1850 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and died in 1930 in Madrid, Spain. He also held many other civil and governmental positions in the Island and throughout the transitional time when Puerto Rico became part of the United States as a result of the Spanish-American war (1897). His love of country and dedication to the culture and history of Puerto Rico are very apparent through this collection of legends.

If you are fluent in the language and want to learn a bit more about the history and values of the Island at the time, through these legends that reflect the atmosphere back then, which was a mixture of Spanish culture (Spain) and the American influences that came after, this is a great read. Through the pages, you become immerse in those times. Puerto Rican culture is very rich and complex due to the many influences, not only political but also, of the many worldwide cultures that blended in during those times, from discovery through colonization and beyond. It is why Puerto Ricans are so diverse. I am enjoying this book very much and this one is a keeper in my personal collection.

On Creativity and Stereotypes

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Must every criminal or drug lord last name be Diaz on TV shows? I am truly tired of it. Writers please, if you are creating a Hispanic/Latino character, there are more last names other than that one, I assure you. Show a little more creativity, please? Examples of these shows are Law and Order, The Closer, Major Crimes …

Why is this so bad? We learn in many ways, but one of these is by repetition and association. When we hear something over and over, we make a mental association, negative or positive, whether we realize it or not. Stereotypes have existed for as long as we have, I guess. Society has accepted many of these and therefore, help perpetuate these stereotypes. As writers, we owe to ourselves to put out our best work and not perpetuate many of these stereotypes. Sometimes, that will mean going against the grain or mainstream, but most of the time, it is taking the care and time to educate ourselves as much as we can on a topic, subject, culture … We can only do our best, and laziness falls short of it.

Yes, my last name is Diaz, and I assure you that I am not a criminal, I don’t use or deal drugs, and I won’t harm you in any way. So fellow writers, let our creativity shine, and let us break the chains that held our pen captive for so long.

Lost and Found

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Photo by M.A.D.

She stared at me, her semblance a bit familiar. She seemed a bit tired, a gaze serious enough for me to notice her. Her features spoke to me of olden days, her faint smile, of recognition. A kin allure of something once shared. I studied her face. She glanced back, truth or dare. Not until I journeyed deep into her eyes, did I truly see the woman in the mirror.

Trail Bling

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The Mr. decided to do a little garden project on the side by using parts from a damaged string of solar lights. He recycled the bulbs and made some wire hooks. (Photo by M.A.D.)
He hung the colorful bulbs along the trail in our property. It is a little colorful surprise to be found. (Photo by M.A.D.)
I was very pleased with this magical bling. (Photo by M.A.D.)

Ten Things I Would Tell My Young Self if I Could Go Back in Time

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“Enjoy a plate of homemade cookies from time to time.” Photo by M.A.D.

Rainy days make good thoughts. Sometimes, I go back in time and observe the younger version of me, through my memories. I can truly detach and see her with kinder eyes, every step, dreams, goals … through good times, not so good times, and even scary times. In times of wisdom, confusion, loss, fear, naiveté, and even doubt, of happiness and growth … In moments of pure bliss and in times of desperation but always striving for more. Then I think, if I could only go back and tell her; hence, the title of this blogpost. Although there is much more that I would tell her, here are ten things (me-truths) I would definitely tell her (in no particular chronological order).

You are never too little or too much; God made you with value for Him.

Life is not a race against time; it is a celebration of time, slow down a bit.

What you truly think of yourself is more important than what other people think of you; really, it is.

It is perfectly ok not to achieve the ideal of perfection because it is a lie.

Most so-called experts make it up as they go.

One day, you too will be old, in the blink of an eye.

Evil-intentioned people do exist in real life.

Religion is man-made, but Jesus is not.

Never hand off your agency to another; never!

God will never abandon you, no matter what.

What would you tell a younger version of you?

Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse Garden

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Following up on the previous blogpost about sprucing up the front entrance. Although there is much more we would like to do with the entrance area as far as adding more color with plantings, it has proven to be a bit challenging due to being a shaded area; however, we have managed to transform it from a messy and unruly, full of weeds area, to a rest area with a little bench, a few plantings and garden decor, as well as solar lights. It has taken some time and effort, but I am loving the result so far. One thing that I needed to add to this area was a sign with the name of our home, Black Crow Cottage. My husband recycled and repainted an old metal sign that I thought had no more life to it, and I was able to use it in a new way. I am so glad he did. It adds charm and sweetness to the entrance.

Black Crow Cottage was named after the many crows that live and nest here. I love them. Photo by M.A.D.

The front area of the property was covered in tall grass and some overgrown bushes intertwined that we had to remove. I was able to plant some free trees from The Arbor Day Foundation and after a few years they have grown well and are beautiful. To get the trees, I sent a small donation, and they sent me 10 dormant trees suitable for my area. Here is their website – Arbor Day Foundation. When I first saw the dormant trees, I did not know what to expect, and I thought these were dead sticks. After reading the instructions, I learned that these sticks were actually dormant trees that would come to life when planted properly. I planted them and watered them for the first two years, and they are lovely now. Of the five planted, I only lost one, the Dogwood tree. I gave five to my sister, which she planted in her previous home. The Crape Myrtle was the first one to bloom and the fastest to grow. The other grew at a slower pace, but steady. This year, the Hawthorn bloomed for the first time, and so did the Redbud tree. The Lilac bush has not bloom yet, but I read that it might take 5-6 years for it to bloom. Here is a picture of these lovely trees.

From left to right: Hawthorn, Lilac, and Crape Myrtle. The tiny tree closest to the red-light post is a small Christmas tree that I planted last Christmas. (Photo by M.A.D.)
This lovely Redbud surprised me this year by blooming allover before putting out its leaves. Photo by M.A.D.

For those new to this website, here is a picture of the front entrance area when we first bought the place.

This was the front entrance before, when we first saw the place. The driveway was completely covered. It was a real mess that required vision, and the grass was very tall, up to my hips. (Photo by M.A.D.)

I wish to be able to see these trees when they become majestic and full grown. It will take years, but I am willing to wait. I hope you enjoyed this update.

Family Greed

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As a writer, I like to explore all kinds of topics for future works. Greed is a common theme found in many novels. Family greed reaches another level and depth. I once heard someone say that money reveals what is already in your heart and amplifies who you already are. I think that is true. I have seen families “change” once there is an inheritance pending. People will do many unexpected things for money; however, this behavior is not created by money, only revealed. Whether backstabbing, stealing, lies, and even murder, it all originates from a greedy heart. The generous and kind person will continue to be such and able to bless others in new ways.

Family dynamics are complex by nature. There are no perfect families, but family greed revealed by money will change the most “perfect” of families, and once someone’s true character has been revealed it is hard to see them in another light. As writers, when approaching the topic of family greed, we might consider all the layers and choose to unravel many via different characters or focus on just one being amplified by one character. Family greed is a very deep and interesting topic with great possibility.

Certainly, no greed here. He first took her to eat at the birdfeeder, and later, he flew her to the birdbath for a little drink. Wining and dining his love.

Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse – The Front Entrance Area

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There are a few farmhouse projects that have been on hold, but we managed to complete one, sprucing up and beautifying a bit the front entrance to the property. This area used to be overgrown grass and weeds. Although we want to continue improving it by adding a few more plants, we will have to select plantings that do well in the shade. So far, the ones we selected have been thriving. It is a challenge to add color to this area because most flowering plants like the sun.

My husband built a simple bench with recycled wood, and we added a few plants around it that will continue to grow. A few recycled tiles were placed in front of it. We added mulch and a few solar lights, stones, and garden decor. We also added a solar light post. (Photo by M.A.D.)
The view from the opposite side. We used logs from the fallen pine trees to delineate the area and keep the leaves from blowing all over the place.

I am very happy with how the garden has been growing and developing over the past few years. It keeps growing stronger and seems to be established. Here is a picture of a lovely floral arrangement I made from its offerings. Eventually, I would like to develop a small rose garden.

Roses from the garden (photo by M.A.D.)

Nature heals the soul. Even the simple things in nature bring joy and peace in our hearts.

Photo by M.A.D.

Hope you enjoyed reading about this latest project.

Love and Light

An Update to the Proposed Power Plant/Data Center (Balico)

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Photo by M.A.D.

I feel I owe an update to a previous blogpost (Never Faithless) written on November 21, 2024. As I wrote before, my neighborhood was recently challenged by a proposal by Balico, LLC. to build a mega compound of data centers and a large power plant, that would have engulfed an entire community and caused irreparable damage, in my opinion (please, visit previous post for the details). After much opposition by local and county residents (and tons of prayers), Balico decided to withdraw its modified project, thus resulting on a denial of rezoning by the Board of Supervisors, and after the Planning Board did not recommend the project.

Now, Balico is considering other development options on 750 acres of land. The company has expressed the desire to utilize such land for the future construction of a very large housing development project. Assuming the use of the 750 acres, current zoning would allow two dwellings per acre (1500 dwellings). In my opinion, each dwelling can house more than one person, of course, and I think that this number of dwellings would more than double, possible triple or quadruple, the population of our small town, which as of the latest 2020 Census has around 1232 people. With a small population, our town lacks the infrastructure to accumulate such an influx of people; we simply don’t have the resources. It would add a strain in our country roads, schools, mail delivery system, water consumption, and much more. Small towns grow slowly into smaller cities and so on, not overnight.

I see a company that does not care at all for the footprint that it leaves behind but cares only about fast profit without regard of how it is made. Although Balico is in the early stages of exploring other development options for the land, and it has not rendered any concrete plans as of now, one thing is very clear, Balico does not understand us, our values, our way of life.