Online Status

Por Alice_Campos |

Hopefully, some of you have heard of Victor Villasenor, the writer who was
nominated for a Pulitzer two times. He wrote Rain of Gold, Burro Genius, and
many other critically acclaimed books. He writes about his family's
experiences in Mexico as well as in the U.S. In his books, he often mentions
that his family came from Los Altos. In fact, one book, Wild Steps of Heaven,
is about the family's experiences there. I was very curious where in Los Altos
they were from and wrote to his website. Surprisingly, his sister wrote back
to me and said they were from Arandas. She mentioned that the people there are
known for being great horsemen and for having really good teeth! Any
Villasenors from Arandas out there?

I was just looking at Victor Villasenor's website and saw that he posted that
Rain of Gold is going to be a miniseries on HBO and should air in 2012. He also
said a Mexican television station wants to air it on the 100th anniversary of
the Mexican Revolution. Also, just a reminder to those interested in Victor's
books that Wild Steps of Heaven is the one about his father's family who was
from Arandas.

http://victorvillasenor.com/blog/

I agree with Ricardo.....

Juan Rulfo is a definite read for those interested. I really enjoyed the short
stories in his book El Llano en llamas. I believe there are 17 short stories
in this book. When I did a little research on him a few years ago I realized
that Juan Rulfo is most likely related to my wife via his maternal
grandmother. Apulco, Jalisco is a small town and was most likely a quite a bit
smaller in the early 1900s. Today I noticed that more Jalisco records are
available online including Apulco, so I'll try to see how my wife and he are
related.

Saludos,
Juan Aguayo

------ Original Message ------
Received: 02:51 PM PDT, 07/19/2011
From: "Rick Rodriguez"
To:
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Hi Alice,

I definitely need to read his books! The style I'm referring to is kind of
Juan Rulfo's style, fun, it’s narrative, entertaining, descriptive so you
don't want to put down the book until you finish reading it.

R. Rodríguez

Rick,

I know for certain Rain of Gold is published in Spanish because I have a copy of
Lluvia de Oro, but I don't know about his other books. Also, Victor seems very
proud of his Los Altos roots, so it seems fitting that Los Altos recognizes him.
He said in one of his recent books, Crazy Loco Love, that everybody he ever met
with the last name Villasenor turned out to be his relative. Also, what is this
Alteno writing style you are referring to?

Thanks,

Alice

Hello Alice,
Just wondering if you've ever met Victor Villasenor. 

--- On Fri, 7/15/11, alice wissing wrote:

From: alice wissing
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 10:54 PM

Rick,

I know for certain Rain of Gold is published in Spanish because I have a copy of
Lluvia de Oro, but I don't know about his other books. Also, Victor seems very
proud of his Los Altos roots, so it seems fitting that Los Altos recognizes him.
He said in one of his recent books, Crazy Loco Love, that everybody he ever met
with the last name Villasenor turned out to be his relative. Also, what is this
Alteno writing style you are referring to? 

Thanks,

Alice

I, too had already begun my family interviews and genealogy when I
discovered *Rain of Gold* in the early 90s. At my recommendation, many of my
extended family also read it and loved it. It took years for them to stop
asking me, "When are you going to write our story?" (Okay, maybe I never
actually told them I wouldn't. Who knows? Isn't that a secret dream of
many of us? Not for publication, but for our family?)

Raquel H. Ruiz

Daniel,

I'm so glad to hear that somebody out there has read a Victor Villasenor Book!
Everybody from Los Altos should be so proud that such a gifted writer has
ancestry from there. It was his father Juan Salvador Villasenor who was born
there but left during the Revolution (like many of our grandparents did). At the
beginning of Rain of Gold, also known as Lluvia de Oro, there is a family tree
that identifies Juan Salvador's parents as Juan Villasenor and Margarita. Many
other children of the couple are listed as well: Jose, Alejo, Luisa, Emilia,
Lucha, Domingo and "otros siete hijos que sobreviven" (whatever that means). We
need to do the math and figure out approximately when these people would have
been born and then review the records for Arandas. I'm going to guess that Juan
Salvador (Victor's dad) was born around 1890.

In Victor's books (particularly Wild Steps of Heaven), he often refers to his
dad as having an evil Spanish father who was fair (I think he described him as a
redhead) and pampered. He married an India, who Victor held in the highest
regard as being very wise and spiritual. He claims she was responsible for the
family's survival during the Revolution. It has been a while since I've read the
books and hope I'm remembering everything correctly.

Here is contact information which I copied from Victor's website - his sister is
named Linda and she answers all of his e-mail: linda@victorvillasenor.com.

Alice

Alice,

We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor Villaseñor
as one of ours. I would like to bring him up in my next Los Altos
Chroniclers reunion later this month and see if we can recognize him not
only regionally but all over Jalisco and Mexico. Are his books available in
Spanish also? I bet he inherited the alteño "picardía" writing style.

I am also planning to start a Los Altos de Jalisco website
(www.losaltosdejalisco.mx) where I can add his biography, publications,
recognitions and many more of his important achievements so people here in
Los Altos can know what he's accomplished.

Anyone else know about other accomplished persons with Alteño roots in their
ancestry?

R. Rodríguez

-----Mensaje original-----
De: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
[mailto:research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org] En nombre de alice
wissing
Enviado el: jueves, 14 de julio de 2011 7:23 PM
Para: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Asunto: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Daniel,

I'm so glad to hear that somebody out there has read a Victor Villasenor
Book!
Everybody from Los Altos should be so proud that such a gifted writer has
ancestry from there. It was his father Juan Salvador Villasenor who was born
there but left during the Revolution (like many of our grandparents did). At
the beginning of Rain of Gold, also known as Lluvia de Oro, there is a
family tree that identifies Juan Salvador's parents as Juan Villasenor and
Margarita. Many other children of the couple are listed as well: Jose,
Alejo, Luisa, Emilia, Lucha, Domingo and "otros siete hijos que sobreviven"
(whatever that means). We need to do the math and figure out approximately
when these people would have been born and then review the records for
Arandas. I'm going to guess that Juan Salvador (Victor's dad) was born
around 1890.

In Victor's books (particularly Wild Steps of Heaven), he often refers to
his dad as having an evil Spanish father who was fair (I think he described
him as a
redhead) and pampered. He married an India, who Victor held in the highest
regard as being very wise and spiritual. He claims she was responsible for
the family's survival during the Revolution. It has been a while since I've
read the books and hope I'm remembering everything correctly.

Here is contact information which I copied from Victor's website - his
sister is named Linda and she answers all of his e-mail:
linda@victorvillasenor.com.

Alice

Rick,
 
Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also, he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message, especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 
I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
 
Steve in NC

--- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:

From: Rick Rodriguez
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM

Alice,

We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor Villaseñor
as one of ours. I would like to bring him up in my next Los Altos
Chroniclers reunion later this month and see if we can recognize him not
only regionally but all over Jalisco and Mexico. Are his books available in
Spanish also? I bet he inherited the alteño "picardía" writing style.

I am also planning to start a Los Altos de Jalisco website
(www.losaltosdejalisco.mx) where I can add his biography, publications,
recognitions and many more of his important achievements so people here in
Los Altos can know what he's accomplished.

Anyone else know about other accomplished persons with Alteño roots in their
ancestry?

R. Rodríguez

-----Mensaje original-----
De: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
[mailto:research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org] En nombre de alice
wissing
Enviado el: jueves, 14 de julio de 2011 7:23 PM
Para: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Asunto: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Daniel,

I'm so glad to hear that somebody out there has read a Victor Villasenor
Book!
Everybody from Los Altos should be so proud that such a gifted writer has
ancestry from there. It was his father Juan Salvador Villasenor who was born
there but left during the Revolution (like many of our grandparents did). At
the beginning of Rain of Gold, also known as Lluvia de Oro, there is a
family tree that identifies Juan Salvador's parents as Juan Villasenor and
Margarita. Many other children of the couple are listed as well: Jose,
Alejo, Luisa, Emilia, Lucha, Domingo and "otros siete hijos que sobreviven"
(whatever that means). We need to do the math and figure out approximately
when these people would have been born and then review the records for
Arandas. I'm going to guess that Juan Salvador (Victor's dad) was born
around 1890.

In Victor's books (particularly Wild Steps of Heaven), he often refers to
his dad as having an evil Spanish father who was fair (I think he described
him as a
redhead) and pampered. He married an India, who Victor held in the highest
regard as being very wise and spiritual. He claims she was responsible for
the family's survival during the Revolution. It has been a while since I've
read the books and hope I'm remembering everything correctly.

Here is contact information which I copied from Victor's website - his
sister is named Linda and she answers all of his e-mail:
linda@victorvillasenor.com.

Alice

Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.

--- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:

From: Steve Apodaca
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM

Rick,
 
Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also, he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message, especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 
I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
 
Steve in NC

--- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:

From: Rick Rodriguez
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM

Alice,

We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor Villaseñor
as one of ours. I would like to bring him up in my next Los Altos
Chroniclers reunion later this month and see if we can recognize him not
only regionally but all over Jalisco and Mexico. Are his books available in
Spanish also? I bet he inherited the alteño "picardía" writing style.

I am also planning to start a Los Altos de Jalisco website
(www.losaltosdejalisco.mx) where I can add his biography, publications,
recognitions and many more of his important achievements so people here in
Los Altos can know what he's accomplished.

Anyone else know about other accomplished persons with Alteño roots in their
ancestry?

R. Rodríguez

-----Mensaje original-----
De: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
[mailto:research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org] En nombre de alice
wissing
Enviado el: jueves, 14 de julio de 2011 7:23 PM
Para: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Asunto: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Daniel,

I'm so glad to hear that somebody out there has read a Victor Villasenor
Book!
Everybody from Los Altos should be so proud that such a gifted writer has
ancestry from there. It was his father Juan Salvador Villasenor who was born
there but left during the Revolution (like many of our grandparents did). At
the beginning of Rain of Gold, also known as Lluvia de Oro, there is a
family tree that identifies Juan Salvador's parents as Juan Villasenor and
Margarita. Many other children of the couple are listed as well: Jose,
Alejo, Luisa, Emilia, Lucha, Domingo and "otros siete hijos que sobreviven"
(whatever that means). We need to do the math and figure out approximately
when these people would have been born and then review the records for
Arandas. I'm going to guess that Juan Salvador (Victor's dad) was born
around 1890.

In Victor's books (particularly Wild Steps of Heaven), he often refers to
his dad as having an evil Spanish father who was fair (I think he described
him as a
redhead) and pampered. He married an India, who Victor held in the highest
regard as being very wise and spiritual. He claims she was responsible for
the family's survival during the Revolution. It has been a while since I've
read the books and hope I'm remembering everything correctly.

Here is contact information which I copied from Victor's website - his
sister is named Linda and she answers all of his e-mail:
linda@victorvillasenor.com.

Alice

Here is another entry from the book .

Noviembre 7 de 1795- Don Jose Dionisio Barbosa, de 28 anos, espanol, origianrio y vecino del Valle de San Mateo del Pilon, y residente de esteValle del Guaxuco, hijo legitimo de don Jose Manuel Barbosa, difunto y de dona Maria Manuela Villareal, de aquella vecindad, con dona Maria Guadalupe de la Garza, de 18 anos, espanola, originaria y vecina de este Valle, hija legitima de Francisco de la Garza y de dona Juana Josepha de la Garza, de esta vecindad.

Thats it for now , I searched the whole book and only found the two that I sent .

Take care,
Welester

maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.

it never hurts to ask.

joseph

======================

Joseph Puentes
NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
Genealogy)

francisco sevilla wrote:
> Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
>
> --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
>
> From: Steve Apodaca
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
>
> Rick,
>
> Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
>
> I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
>
> Steve in NC
>
> --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
>
>
> From: Rick Rodriguez
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
>
>
> Alice,
>
> We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
Villaseñor
> as one of ours.

Whe is the "next NR S. California get together"?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Puentes
Sender: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:36:33
To:
Reply-to: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.

it never hurts to ask.

joseph

======================

Joseph Puentes
NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
Genealogy)

francisco sevilla wrote:
> Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
>
> --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
>
> From: Steve Apodaca
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
>
> Rick,
>
> Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
>
> I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
>
> Steve in NC
>
> --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
>
>
> From: Rick Rodriguez
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
>
>
> Alice,
>
> We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
Villaseñor
> as one of ours.

That would be a neat idea, even if I cannot personally  attend....I just got 4 of his books, and started Rain of Gold.  I am so excited..i t's taking me back in time...to 1917- 1920 which  is when our G randfather, Cristino,  came to the US, during the time of the revolution.  Both he and his brother Jose arrived with their wives and children.    Maybe Victor  Villasenor  would consider this invitation.  It would be wonderful for everyone who could attend . 

I must tell you that I married into this Mexican family.....and that was many years ago....in the 1960's.  For me when we went to visit my French grandmother every Sunday, we would sit in a parlor and listen to the clock tick for hours, all dressed up in our Sunday best for Mass and starving, because w e had  fasted for communicon.   It was excrutiating as we "paid our respects".   We were six children and we didn't even get a glass of water, some mints though.  I had to go ask my father "when" we would be going and would it be "soon".  Being the oldest that was my job each Sunday....b ut my Mexican family taught us how a family should be....with their "a brazos" coming and going each time we met, and such  delicious food!   The first time I did the same to my father.....he had a worried look on his face...and said "W hy are you giving me a hug, will I not see you again?"   I told him it was only a sign of love.....after that it has been a part of our family "tradition" and was carried into the homes of all our friends too.     

U ntil a few years ago (when I moved), I belonged to a Catholic parish where most of the parish members were  Mexican, and they had a Spanish Mass.  I loved the music, so   I joined the choir, because oh I love to sing, and I sang my heart out, doing solos even...and when you sing for some reason, you don't seem to  have an accent...but I do not speak Spanish....I understand some and speak a little, but that is not exactly the same thing, as most of you know .  O ne day I asked one of the other choir members to translate the words as we sang....well, that nearly did me in.   Each song   was more beautiful than the one before it.  Something that  had only been  beautiful sounds to me, had meaning.  As I learned  each and every word and what they meant ,  it  became more and more difficult to sing. The passion and the meaning of each  left me totally speechless, and after awhile I could not sing at all.    I had nothing but  tears rolling down my cheeks.   I told them no more....they must not tell me the meaning of a  single lyric,  because I would not be able to sing....everyone laughed that day....  and gave me another "a brazo".   

Nancy Casillas

Saint Clair, Michigan

----- Original Message -----

From: "Joseph Puentes"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:36:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.

it never hurts to ask.

joseph

======================

Joseph Puentes
NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
Genealogy)

francisco sevilla wrote:
 > Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
 >
 > --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
 >
 > From: Steve Apodaca
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
 >
 > Rick,
 >
 > Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 >
 > I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
 >
 > Steve in NC
 >
 > --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
 >
 >
 > From: Rick Rodriguez
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
 >
 >
 > Alice,
 >
 > We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
Villaseñor
 > as one of ours.

Nancy,
 
What a heart warming story, thanks for sharing it with us.
 
Alicia,
San Jose, Ca

From: "nancasillas@comcast.net"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

That would be a neat idea, even if I cannot personally  attend....I just got 4 of his books, and started Rain of Gold.  I am so excited..i t's taking me back in time...to 1917- 1920 which  is when our G randfather, Cristino,  came to the US, during the time of the revolution.  Both he and his brother Jose arrived with their wives and children.    Maybe Victor  Villasenor  would consider this invitation.  It would be wonderful for everyone who could attend . 

I must tell you that I married into this Mexican family.....and that was many years ago....in the 1960's.  For me when we went to visit my French grandmother every Sunday, we would sit in a parlor and listen to the clock tick for hours, all dressed up in our Sunday best for Mass and starving, because w e had  fasted for communicon.   It was excrutiating as we "paid our respects".   We were six children and we didn't even get a glass of water, some mints though.  I had to go ask my father "when" we would be going and would it be "soon".  Being the oldest that was my job each Sunday....b ut my Mexican family taught us how a family should be....with their "a brazos" coming and going each time we met, and such  delicious food!   The first time I did the same to my father.....he had a worried look on his face...and said "W hy are you giving me a hug, will I not see you again?"   I told him it was only a sign of love.....after that it has been a
part of our family "tradition" and was carried into the homes of all our friends too.     

U ntil a few years ago (when I moved), I belonged to a Catholic parish where most of the parish members were  Mexican, and they had a Spanish Mass.  I loved the music, so   I joined the choir, because oh I love to sing, and I sang my heart out, doing solos even...and when you sing for some reason, you don't seem to  have an accent...but I do not speak Spanish....I understand some and speak a little, but that is not exactly the same thing, as most of you know .  O ne day I asked one of the other choir members to translate the words as we sang....well, that nearly did me in.   Each song   was more beautiful than the one before it.  Something that  had only been  beautiful sounds to me, had meaning.  As I learned  each and every word and what they meant ,  it  became more and more difficult to sing. The passion and the meaning of each  left me totally speechless, and after awhile I could not sing at all.    I had nothing but  tears
rolling down my cheeks.   I told them no more....they must not tell me the meaning of a  single lyric,  because I would not be able to sing....everyone laughed that day....  and gave me another "a brazo".   

Nancy Casillas

Saint Clair, Michigan

----- Original Message -----

From: "Joseph Puentes"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:36:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.

it never hurts to ask.

joseph

======================

Joseph Puentes
NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
Genealogy)

francisco sevilla wrote:
 > Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
 >
 > --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
 >
 > From: Steve Apodaca
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
 >
 > Rick,
 >
 > Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 >
 > I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
 >
 > Steve in NC
 >
 > --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
 >
 >
 > From: Rick Rodriguez
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
 >
 >
 > Alice,
 >
 > We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
Villaseñor
 > as one of ours.

Umm you are welcome...and you would not believe how such a simple thing as a hug on greeting has become a part now of most American US families...and friends.  I see it often now.    I assure you this was not a habit 50 years ago.  I attribute it completely to the Mexican influence here in our culture, and their love of family. 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alicia Carrillo"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 5:10:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Nancy,
 
What a heart warming story, thanks for sharing it with us.
 
Alicia,
San Jose, Ca

From: "nancasillas@comcast.net"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

That would be a neat idea, even if I cannot personally  attend....I just got 4 of his books, and started Rain of Gold.  I am so excited..i t's taking me back in time...to 1917- 1920 which  is when our G randfather, Cristino,  came to the US, during the time of the revolution.  Both he and his brother Jose arrived with their wives and children.    Maybe Victor  Villasenor  would consider this invitation.  It would be wonderful for everyone who could attend . 

I must tell you that I married into this Mexican family.....and that was many years ago....in the 1960's.  For me when we went to visit my French grandmother every Sunday, we would sit in a parlor and listen to the clock tick for hours, all dressed up in our Sunday best for Mass and starving, because w e had  fasted for communicon.   It was excrutiating as we "paid our respects".   We were six children and we didn't even get a glass of water, some mints though.  I had to go ask my father "when" we would be going and would it be "soon".  Being the oldest that was my job each Sunday....b ut my Mexican family taught us how a family should be....with their "a brazos" coming and going each time we met, and such  delicious food!   The first time I did the same to my father.....he had a worried look on his face...and said "W hy are you giving me a hug, will I not see you again?"   I told him it was only a sign of love.....after that it has been a
 part of our family "tradition" and was carried into the homes of all our friends too.     

U ntil a few years ago (when I moved), I belonged to a Catholic parish where most of the parish members were  Mexican, and they had a Spanish Mass.  I loved the music, so   I joined the choir, because oh I love to sing, and I sang my heart out, doing solos even...and when you sing for some reason, you don't seem to  have an accent...but I do not speak Spanish....I understand some and speak a little, but that is not exactly the same thing, as most of you know .  O ne day I asked one of the other choir members to translate the words as we sang....well, that nearly did me in.   Each song   was more beautiful than the one before it.  Something that  had only been  beautiful sounds to me, had meaning.  As I learned  each and every word and what they meant ,  it  became more and more difficult to sing. The passion and the meaning of each  left me totally speechless, and after awhile I could not sing at all.    I had nothing but  tears
 rolling down my cheeks.   I told them no more....they must not tell me the meaning of a  single lyric,  because I would not be able to sing....everyone laughed that day....  and gave me another "a brazo".   

Nancy Casillas

Saint Clair, Michigan

----- Original Message -----

From: "Joseph Puentes"
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:36:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.

it never hurts to ask.

joseph

======================

Joseph Puentes
NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
Genealogy)

francisco sevilla wrote:
 > Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
 >
 > --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
 >
 > From: Steve Apodaca
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
 >
 > Rick,
 >
 > Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 >
 > I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
 >
 > Steve in NC
 >
 > --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
 >
 >
 > From: Rick Rodriguez
 > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
 > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
 > Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
 >
 >
 > Alice,
 >
 > We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
Villaseñor
 > as one of ours.

Yes, we did not see white men in America embracing each other until President Clinton started it. For some reason, after that it took off, also the high fives and other types of handshakes borrowed from other cultures. What I don't see yet is the kisses on the cheeks between men like you see in France and the Arab countries. I was astounded when President Bush kissed some Arab princes, but I have not seen him kiss any other men here.

Emilie

> Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:09 +0000
> From: nancasillas@comcast.net
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
>
> Umm you are welcome...and you would not believe how such a simple thing as a hug on greeting has become a part now of most American US families...and friends. I see it often now. I assure you this was not a habit 50 years ago. I attribute it completely to the Mexican influence here in our culture, and their love of family.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alicia Carrillo"
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 5:10:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
>
> Nancy,
>
> What a heart warming story, thanks for sharing it with us.
>
> Alicia,
> San Jose, Ca
>
> From: "nancasillas@comcast.net"
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 5:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
>
>
>
> That would be a neat idea, even if I cannot personally attend....I just got 4 of his books, and started Rain of Gold. I am so excited..i t's taking me back in time...to 1917- 1920 which is when our G randfather, Cristino, came to the US, during the time of the revolution. Both he and his brother Jose arrived with their wives and children. Maybe Victor Villasenor would consider this invitation. It would be wonderful for everyone who could attend .
>
> I must tell you that I married into this Mexican family.....and that was many years ago....in the 1960's. For me when we went to visit my French grandmother every Sunday, we would sit in a parlor and listen to the clock tick for hours, all dressed up in our Sunday best for Mass and starving, because w e had fasted for communicon. It was excrutiating as we "paid our respects". We were six children and we didn't even get a glass of water, some mints though. I had to go ask my father "when" we would be going and would it be "soon". Being the oldest that was my job each Sunday....b ut my Mexican family taught us how a family should be....with their "a brazos" coming and going each time we met, and such delicious food! The first time I did the same to my father.....he had a worried look on his face...and said "W hy are you giving me a hug, will I not see you again?" I told him it was only a sign of love.....after that it has been a
> part of our family "tradition" and was carried into the homes of all our friends too.
>
> U ntil a few years ago (when I moved), I belonged to a Catholic parish where most of the parish members were Mexican, and they had a Spanish Mass. I loved the music, so I joined the choir, because oh I love to sing, and I sang my heart out, doing solos even...and when you sing for some reason, you don't seem to have an accent...but I do not speak Spanish....I understand some and speak a little, but that is not exactly the same thing, as most of you know . O ne day I asked one of the other choir members to translate the words as we sang....well, that nearly did me in. Each song was more beautiful than the one before it. Something that had only been beautiful sounds to me, had meaning. As I learned each and every word and what they meant , it became more and more difficult to sing. The passion and the meaning of each left me totally speechless, and after awhile I could not sing at all. I had nothing but tears
> rolling down my cheeks. I told them no more....they must not tell me the meaning of a single lyric, because I would not be able to sing....everyone laughed that day.... and gave me another "a brazo".
>
> Nancy Casillas
>
> Saint Clair, Michigan
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>
> From: "Joseph Puentes"
> To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 8:36:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
>
> maybe someone can contact him and see if he would like an "honorary"
> membership in the NR group. . .which by the way would include a
> invitation to speak at the next NR S.California get together.
>
> it never hurts to ask.
>
>
> joseph
>
> ======================
>
> Joseph Puentes
> NoMeat@h2opodcast.com
> http://h2opodcast.com/vsse.html (Vegan Environmental Solutions Podcast)
> http://h2opodcast.com (Environmental Podcast)
> http://h2opodcast.blogspot.com (Blog for above)
> http://PleaseListenToYourMom.com (Women's Peace Podcast)
> http://NuestraFamiliaUnida.com (Latin American History Podcast)
> http://nuestrosranchos.org (Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Aguascalientes
> Genealogy)
>
>
>
> francisco sevilla wrote:
> > Victor Villaseno resides in Oceanseide California and he has a
> Thanksgiving dinner open to all his friends.
> >
> > --- On Fri, 7/15/11, Steve Apodaca wrote:
> >
> > From: Steve Apodaca
> > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> > Date: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:37 PM
> >
> > Rick,
> >
> > Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor
> Villasenor that are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos
> Salvajes del Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking
> Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas, Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also,
> he has written several bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of
> them to read with my 3 year old daughter, and I really like the message,
> especially in one titled The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
> >
> > I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with
> passion about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy
> before I read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even
> more motivated to learn about my own ancestors.
> >
> > Steve in NC
> >
> > --- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:
> >
> >
> > From: Rick Rodriguez
> > Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
> > To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
> > Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM
> >
> >
> > Alice,
> >
> > We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor
> Villaseñor
> > as one of ours.
>
>

Steve,

Thanks for the info. I've already talked about Victor Villaseñor to some
people in charge from the Departement of Culture from some municipalities.
I will be pushing and reminding them to include his books in their next
workshops. All I need now is to find where to buy the books and pick them up
on my next trip I make to the US, hopefully very soon.

Thanks again,

Ricardo Rodriguez Camarena

-----Mensaje original-----
De: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
[mailto:research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org] En nombre de Steve
Apodaca
Enviado el: viernes, 15 de julio de 2011 11:37 PM
Para: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Asunto: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Rick,
 
Besides Rain of gold/Lluvia de Oro, other books from Victor Villasenor that
are translated in Spanish are Wild Steps of Heaven/Pasos Salvajes del
Paraiso, Thirteen Senses/Trece Sentidos, Walking Stars/Estrellas Peregrinas,
Burro Genius/Burro Genio, Macho/Macho. Also, he has written several
bilingual children's books. I ordered a couple of them to read with my 3
year old daughter, and I really like the message, especially in one titled
The Stranger and the Red Rooster.
 
I've met Victor Villasenor on two ocassions and he really talks with passion
about his family history. I had already started on my genealogy before I
read Rain of Gold, but after reading this book, I felt even more motivated
to learn about my own ancestors.
 
Steve in NC

--- On Thu, 7/14/11, Rick Rodriguez wrote:

From: Rick Rodriguez
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011, 9:15 PM

Alice,

We are very proud here in Los Altos to be able to brag Don Victor Villaseñor
as one of ours. I would like to bring him up in my next Los Altos
Chroniclers reunion later this month and see if we can recognize him not
only regionally but all over Jalisco and Mexico. Are his books available in
Spanish also? I bet he inherited the alteño "picardía" writing style.

I am also planning to start a Los Altos de Jalisco website
(www.losaltosdejalisco.mx) where I can add his biography, publications,
recognitions and many more of his important achievements so people here in
Los Altos can know what he's accomplished.

Anyone else know about other accomplished persons with Alteño roots in their
ancestry?

R. Rodríguez

-----Mensaje original-----
De: research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
[mailto:research-bounces@lists.nuestrosranchos.org] En nombre de alice
wissing Enviado el: jueves, 14 de julio de 2011 7:23 PM
Para: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Asunto: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Author Victor Villasenor is From Arandas

Daniel,

I'm so glad to hear that somebody out there has read a Victor Villasenor
Book!
Everybody from Los Altos should be so proud that such a gifted writer has
ancestry from there. It was his father Juan Salvador Villasenor who was born
there but left during the Revolution (like many of our grandparents did). At
the beginning of Rain of Gold, also known as Lluvia de Oro, there is a
family tree that identifies Juan Salvador's parents as Juan Villasenor and
Margarita. Many other children of the couple are listed as well: Jose,
Alejo, Luisa, Emilia, Lucha, Domingo and "otros siete hijos que sobreviven"
(whatever that means). We need to do the math and figure out approximately
when these people would have been born and then review the records for
Arandas. I'm going to guess that Juan Salvador (Victor's dad) was born
around 1890.

In Victor's books (particularly Wild Steps of Heaven), he often refers to
his dad as having an evil Spanish father who was fair (I think he described
him as a
redhead) and pampered. He married an India, who Victor held in the highest
regard as being very wise and spiritual. He claims she was responsible for
the family's survival during the Revolution. It has been a while since I've
read the books and hope I'm remembering everything correctly.

Here is contact information which I copied from Victor's website - his
sister is named Linda and she answers all of his e-mail:
linda@victorvillasenor.com.

Alice

Estimado Ricardo,

Desciendo de una hermana Antonio el Amo de Aceves y Casillas Cabrera. Felipa Catarina era hija de Juan
Francisco de Aceves y Antonia de Casillas y Cabrera. Felipa casó el 17 de febrero de 1773 en San Francisco
de Asís, Tepatitlán con José Ignacio Gómez Hurtado de Mendoza. Tuvieron entre otros a mi quinta bisabuela
María Josefa Gómez Hurtado de Mendoza quien casó a José Rosalino Leonel de Cervantes quienes tuvieron a
Maria de Jesús Leonel de Cervantes. Esta casó a Jose Manuel de Aceves y tuvieron a Filomena de Aceves quien
casó a José Antonio Rubio de Zepeda estos tuvieron Atilana Rubio de Zepeda abuela de abuelo paterno.
Probable ya tienes bastante informacion sobre el Amo Aceves, ya que desciendes de el segun mi entendimiento.

Daniel Méndez Camino

Hi Alice,

I have always wondered the connection between Victor Villasenor and Los Altos de Jalisco. I will
admit I only have read Rain of Gold, very good read. Also, in spanish Lluvia de Oro. I would
love to research his ancestry. How could I contact his sister. It is very probable that he
comes from the Villasenor-Cervantes family, but one would have to research it.

Daniel Méndez Camino

Genealogy Research