Photos Pasadena Daughter: Children of Merwyn McKay Bergquist

L-r: Merwyn and her mother Blanche

In an earlier blog I mentioned that I'm working on a Power Point Presentation about my mother-in-law, Merwyn McKay Bergquist, who passed away last February 8, 2017.

I'm sharing pictures of her as a young mother and of her six children. She had her twins in 1942, and her youngest child in 1964.  (In 1942, World War II was going on; in 1964, the Civil Rights Movement was happening.)

Pasadena Daughter: Merwyn McKay Bergquist

Merwyn Joyce McKay, when she was around 20 years old

Dear Readers,

I have a lot of catching up to do, but on top of my to-do-list is to prepare a Power Point presentation about my mother-in-law, Merwyn Joyce McKay Bergquist, who passed away last Feb. 8, 2017. She was 92 years old and had been in good health -- driving still --- until around six months before she died. She had colon cancer, underwent an operation, but unfortunately did not rally. I mention this to encourage all to have a colonoscopy when recommended by doctors, and even to ask for one if you have a family history of this disease.

Merwyn and older sister, Eileen Lorraine, with their father Lawrence Charles McKay

I loved my mother-in-law.  When I first met her, I was around 22 years old and she was 44. Looking back I realize she was a young woman, with a husband and six children, a very busy person, who was involved with her church and community.

Brainard Kenya Safari Video

For a little break, watch this Kenya Safari video which we made last 2010.

It's still very cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTt_5vtZfVg


tags: safari, Kenya, Africa, vacation, holiday, wildlife

Cebu theater: Kuhit by Students of Cebu Normal University

Some students of Cebu Normal University informed me of their theater project involving my short story "Flip Gothic."  Here is their publicity poster.

“Love is just a word until someone comes along to give it meaning.”  Watch Mindy turn Paolo Coelho’s  words into a conflict on stage as Cebu Normal University’s Drama Society and E-lite Society in cooperation with the English Studies and Other Languages Department, and the MUGNA Creative Writing Center  present  “KUHIT,” a deconstruction of Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard’s “Flip Gothic.”   February 27 and 28 at Tandang Sora Hall.

#CebuLitFest: Book launch Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Magdalena (update)

   

Top photos: l-r: Terry Manguerra, Maribel Paraz, Hendri Go, Cecilia Brainard, Danton Remoto, Cecilia Brainard

The book launch of the Philippine edition of my novel Magdalena at the Parkmall yesterday was wonderful. The event took place outdoors and we were blessed with pleasant cool weather.,  Hendri Go and other members of his Cebu Literary Festival had an elaborate setup of the stage -- they are professional theater folks. Hendri programmed the launch which included readings from Magdalena and the delayed (but forthcoming) The Newspaper Widow novel.

Cebu Literature: Book Launch of Cecilia Brainard's novel Magdalena

The Freeman, Sunstar, and Philippine Star ran stories about the book launch of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's novel, Magdalena, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, at 5 p.m. at Park Mall, Mandaue Cebu, (near Choobi Choobi). There will be readings from Magdalena and Bainard's forthcoming novel, The Newspaper Widow. There will also be an Open Mic reading that evening.

See you there!

Cebu Book Launch and Readings of Cecilia Brainard's Magdalena (novel)

Finally I have in my hands copies of my novel, Magdalena, (University of Santo Tomas publishing house, Email ustph.info@gmail.com or call 4061611, ask for Paul, Val, or Carlo).

CEBU Booklaunch and Readings from this and my forthcoming novel, The Newspaper Widow is on Saturday, 5 p.m., February 11, 2017, Park Mall central park (near Choobi Choobi) sponsored by Cebu Literary Festival. There will be musical presentations too. See you there!

C

Note that the American edition of Magdalena is available from Amazon.com.

This is all for now. Wifi continues to be slow, but I'm able to post in Face Book, so do check "Cecilia Brainard" in FB.