The book that chronicles the biography of the
Daimiel-born doctor Gaspar Fisac Orovio (Daimiel, 1859-1937), originally
published in Spain under the title “Médico, periodista y poeta” (Doctor,
Journalist, and Poet), has now been translated into English as “Kisses are
tears”, a title referencing one of his most memorable poems. This book is not merely the biography of this
multifaceted doctor—a true visionary ahead of his time—nor solely that of his
brother Deogracias (a pharmacist, politician, and journalist). Rather, it
provides a well-documented overview of what medicine and pharmacy were like in
19th-century rural society. For this reason, its translation into English will
make the historical and social knowledge of that era accessible to
English-speaking audiences. This represents a significant temporal and
geographical leap, one well-deserved by a figure whose life and work continue
to astonish. Both titles, “Médico, periodista y poeta” (Spanish
edition) and “Kisses are tears” (English edition), are available on Amazon in
eBook and print formats.
A well-documented exploration of Medicine, Pharmacy,
and rural society in the 19th century through two biographies that should not
be forgotten: “Kisses are tears”: https://a.co/d/eCok2Y0
Every time I return to the city where I grew up, where
I spent my childhood and much of my youth, I’m amazed by the unusual
discoveries I make about this place—details that no one loudly proclaims but
that truly deserve widespread attention in the media. One of these hidden gems worth highlighting and
sharing with the world is this: the largest puzzle in the world (certified by
Guinness at the time) is located in Daimiel (Ciudad Real, Spain). This remarkable puzzle consists of 24,000 pieces and
measures 4.28 meters long by 1.57 meters high. Its assembly required the
dedication and patience of 150 young people who pieced it together over 39 days
(from July 1 to August 8, 2008). It is now on display at the Centro del Agua, a
building designed by architect Miguel Fisac. Titled Life, the Great Challenge, the puzzle was
created by New Zealand artist Royce B. McClure, who infused it with a vibrant
mix of variety, color, motion, beauty, and drama—but above all, life. His goal
was for the joy of assembling it to match the delight he felt while designing
it. In essence, it’s a unique celebration of life, and it can only be admired
in Daimiel (and now, through this blog as well). While it’s true that other puzzles have since
surpassed this record, what makes this one special is that it remains preserved
and can still be seen and enjoyed by anyone visiting Daimiel.
An enthralling
story of love, friendship and honor in the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago) “Life debt”: https://a.co/d/hono34C
Since I first heard its name, Whimbrel (Numenius
phaeopus), I felt a special affection for this charadriiform bird from the
Scolopacidae family; its name is original, fun, endearing, different… perhaps
like me, and that’s why I often gave myself that name and came to identify with
it. It’s a small bird (40 centimeters in length and 80 in wingspan; weighing
about 430 grams), just as I’m small too and no less important for it. It’s a great traveler (I also love to travel a lot)
and shows a special preference for Nordic countries (my favorites too), where
it usually spends the summer season (May to August) and breeds, laying four
eggs (they beat me there because I only had three kids, not four). Incubation
lasts 35 to 40 days, and since it’s not sexist (neither am I), male and female
take turns in this task. Their love for freedom and independence is so deep
(just like mine) that the chicks leave the nest a few days after hatching and
can fly within 40 days. Its presence doesn’t go unnoticed. Whimbrels are the
largest waders in European fauna. Their plumage isn’t very striking, but they
have a distinctive feature that makes them unmistakable: their long, curved
beak, which seems disproportionate for such a small head. They undertake long migrations to spend the winter in
West Africa and—occasionally—some stop to rest at the Tablas de Daimiel
National Park (exactly where I grew up). It feeds on crustaceans, mollusks,
worms, insects, and fruits (our food tastes do differ). The curve of its beak
adapts perfectly to the shape of crab burrows: it extracts the crab, washes it
if muddy (I’m very clean too), and sometimes breaks its claws and legs before
swallowing to avoid choking. It’s known by many varied names: German: Regenbrachvogel Czech: Koliha malá Danish: Småspove (Lille Regnspove) Daimieleño: Vicente Fisac Slovak: Mali skurh Spanish:
Zarapito trinador Estonian:
Väikekoovitaja ehk Finnish: Pikkukuovi French: Courlis corlieu Dutch: Regenwulp Hungarian: Kis póling English: Whimbrel Icelandic: Spói Italian:
Chiurlo piccolo Norwegian:
Småspove Polish:
Kulik mniejszy Portuguese:
Maçarico-galego Romanian: Fliaun pitschen Swedish: Småspov So now you know: The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is
an endearing and very peculiar bird, just like me.
An enthralling story of love, friendship and honor in
the Olympic Games (2,600 years ago) “Life debt”: https://a.co/d/hono34C
A brief reflection for today... Today, I share an excerpt from a fascinating book. I
could have chosen any other passage, as there’s plenty to pick from in this
work. Here it is for you to ponder: “Many mystics from various religions have been
persecuted by their respective churches, as the mystic establishes direct
contact with God without the need for priests or intermediaries, thereby
challenging the authority of the religious institution. In some cases, they
were even sentenced to death and executed, as happened with Joan of Arc, who
was burned at the stake and, five hundred years later, canonized by the same
Roman Church that had condemned her. This saint exemplifies the variability of
the concept of truth—or rather, the influence that society and historical
context exert on what is deemed true at a given time.” (Francisco J. Rubia, "The brain deceives us) P.S.: The image accompanying this text does not move.
It’s our brain that deceives us, making us perceive a nonexistent motion.
A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical
industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred
Nobel... “From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca”: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI
Which situation describes you: do you work to live, or
do you live to work? Do you go to a job each day that doesn’t quite fulfill you
but pays the bills, or is your true passion your work, occupying your every
thought? Many people, likely the majority, see their job as a
mere tool to earn money, enabling the life they want outside of it. They dread
Mondays and eagerly await Fridays to enjoy the weekend. They constantly check
the clock, counting down the minutes until they can leave the office. They do
their tasks as best they can, not out of passion, but to keep the job that
provides the income they need for their personal life. And when the workday
ends, they rush out, relieved and happy, to enjoy their free time, family, or hobbies. On the other hand, some have the opposite outlook. For
them, work is an obsession and their main goal in life: to climb the
professional ladder. They aim to impress their bosses, stand out in their
workplace, and gain recognition for their efforts. They never skimp on hours;
while others head home, they stay late, tirelessly proving their worth. They
even bring work home, as the line between office and personal life blurs—their
entire existence revolves around work, with the sole aim of advancing their
career. Which of these two groups do you belong to? Or is
there a third group? Yes, there is, and I hope you’re part of it. This third group consists of those who work in what
they truly love. They chose a career that ignited their passion and found a job
that aligns with it. Day to day, they perform tasks they enjoy and excel at.
They go to work with a smile, knowing they’ll enjoy what they do, which
fulfills them both personally and professionally while also providing a salary
for a rich personal life. They don’t obsess over the clock to leave early, nor
do they stay late without reason; they simply finish their tasks and go home.
On weekends, they happily enjoy their free time and family, and though they
might occasionally bring work home, it’s not out of obligation or to impress
anyone—it’s because they enjoy it. These people neither work to live nor live
to work: they live and enjoy their personal and professional lives equally. I’ll ask again: which group do you belong to? My
sincerest wish is that you’re part of this third group.
A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical
industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred
Nobel... “From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca”: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI
