In Spanish and especially in the Mexican vernacular, there is a saying that goes: "And what I have danced, who can take it away from me." It means what I have done, what I have achieved and all the fun I have received through the years. So much happens in a lifetime. As I have reached the age of eighty-seven, surely I have accumulated a wagon full of memories from experiences, adventures and observations. I have also a big load of lessons learned. This book encompasses the stories that started in the growing years, the youth and the grown-up ones. It contains accomplishments and failures; laughter and tears. During a lifetime the mind absorbs avidly, like a dry sponge, and then it is time to tell. During that period I have adopted a philosophy which was acquired by reading and studying both the great philosophers and the not so learned home-grown ones who just by living made their own, strictly from experience. In this book I talk about Family who helped me become who I am-the ups, the downs. Then I write about my enchantment with Baja, acquired through thirty years of traveling by boat, by small airplane and by truck. It is about the land and its people; about the Sea which can be sometimes an angel or a devil. The chapter about Boating reflects the normal learning curve and eventually the mastering of a small boat in the Sea of Cortez and in the Southern California coast. Dancing has been an integral part of my life, learning at an early age and the reason of my happiness, when I met my wife of forty-five years at a dance. She changed and improved my life. Together with her we boated and flew airplanes for many years, covering most of the United States, Mexico and parts of Canada. As we grew older we traded wings for wheels in a Recreational Vehicle, RV for short, following our curiosity and spirit of adventure. In Lessons Learned I enumerate many of the ones we both learned, the easy or the hard way. A man has to have love for his country and in Letters to the Editor I tried to convey my admiration for this country and my dismay and dislike for politicians in general. Finally in Home Grown Philosophy I invite the readers to reflect on the plethora of observations from a person that has had a long and fulfilled life.
About the Author: Danny Motola began writing short stories, letters and bits of philosophy years ago, just for fun. He still does. He began his life in Mexico, and lived there for twenty-seven years. At age thirteen he came to the U.S. and fell in love. After a couple of years in college he had to return to Mexico; his family needed him. He took over his father's dress manufacturing business then opened a lamp manufacturing company and a ceramic plant with one hundred workers. At age thirty-seven he returned to the U.S. and became an American citizen. From there he became a manufacture's representative for many lamp and lighting fixture factories. He then joined his wife in real estate and together they formed their own company. Finally retired at the age of seventy-five he and his wife spend their time between Washington and Arizona, kayaking, and writing-of course. He has written three mystery novels in his McGraw/O'Grady PI series and has co-authored a biography with his wife also an author. Learn more about his published writings on their web page www.TylerMallone.com or you can find all of his novels in trade book or e-reader format at most online retailers.