Zeid's Mysteries

The Homerun Kid

By Cayuro Jonronero, translated by Oscar Blas Fernandez Mesa

Published by Absolutely Amazing Books

Everyone knows Ernest Hemingway as the Nobel Prize winning writer. Many know him as the adventurer. Others may know him as a womanizer. But very few know him as a caring father and a man who loved children and made sure many poor Cuban children learn sports and valuable life lessons.

This book is a series of vignettes telling about Cuba in the 1940s and how Hemingway changed the lives of the poor children in his neighborhood. Hemingway moved into a fancy house and his two sons would visit him during the summer. To ensure they had playmates, Hemingway formed a baseball team.

The stories are told by one of the children about how Hemingway formed the team, made sure they had the proper equipment, and taught them how to play the game. But Hemingway’s guidance didn’t end with baseball. He took the children to a sports club patronized by foreigners. The children got to play against other teams, and were treated to Coca-Cola, candy, and cookies. But more importantly, Hemingway taught the children valuable life lessons such as taking care of the trees in the neighborhood and standing up for themselves when being bullied. Hemingway’s house became a second home to the children.

These stories show the warmth and humanity of the Cuban people. Although these events took place more than seventy years ago, they will make you want to visit Cuba. This book is truly a wonderful window into the lives of the Cuban people at that time and today. More importantly, they show a very warm and loving side of a great writer.

 

Already vs. All Ready

Source: www.grammar-monster.com

            There are several words in English which give us trouble because they sound the same but have different meanings. The words already and all ready are excellent examples. Please note that I often use other internet sources for references. I include them to give readers an additional source for grammar questions I don’t answer.

Already is an adverb meaning prior to a specified or implied time, which could be now.

Examples:        When they pulled the shark up in the net, it was already dead.

                        The flowers are already blooming.

                        I have already finished my homework.

All Ready is a term meaning everything is completely prepared.

Examples:        Jillian is all ready for the presentation.

                        Wehave everything. We are all ready to start decorating for the party.