Silver Threads & Golden Needles: I Fell In Love With a Girl From San Luis

By Vivián F. Montoya

A look into the history of the Montoya family, the humor that makes us laugh, and the LOVE that connects us.

This book will appeal directly to the Montoya, Medina, Manzanares, Vigil, Hayes, and Romero families of the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, and to their extended families. It will also appeal to a broader audience for it's unique look into the history, people, and culture of El Valle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483541648

Book preview

1992

INTRODUCTION:

The Writing of This Book

The idea for this book was in limbo for many years. Finally, when the time was right, in the summer of 2009, written notes were started on idle time. The opportunity to talk with many of the family members was right. Many encouraged me to put it down on paper. My plan was to write this book in three ongoing stories or snapshots: First, the family history; Second a little humor in our lives; and Third, Songs-which show my love for my wife. A short ongoing tale of how I fell in love with a girl from San Luis.

It will be written in an unusual manner-starting with today’s history of each member of our immediate family-moving backward in time with excerpts of all family members. The history will continue moving back in time until the earliest Montoya known on record. It will be extremely expanded since the family goes in many directions. The extensions will be of the family birthdays and will be a great reference for close family members.

Since Humor is a big part of our lives, I have included little jokes, sayings, or short stories which we are all part of or have heard while socializing. Some may laugh, while others may not understand, but if it hits in the laugh portion of your life, laugh with me.

The third part of the book is an ongoing love story showing my love moving forward in time to the present for my wife of forty years through music or songs titles you may recall and songs that my wife enjoys. I hope that I do it justice and hope you enjoy the various titles and short notes after. Some of the titles, I have taken the liberty to adjust to fit the circumstance. (Example: Living On Manassa Time-instead of Living on Tulsa Time.) If you are reading this book and you are not of the San Luis Valley, you may find it boring in parts, but I have tried to write to show my family exactly where they came from and why they act the way they do. Hopefully, anyone who reads this book will learn something, laugh here and there, and experience the love of my life.

At this point, I would like to introduce the newest member to our immediate family, Salviano Thomas Montoya-born on June 5, 2009. I would like to dedicate this book to all the members of my immediate family: Wife- Anselma Montoya, Sons-Daymn Montoya, Nicholas Montoya, and Brandon Montoya, Grandchildren- Brennen Montoya, Brittanie Montoya, Mychael Trujillo Montoya, Damian Trujillo Montoya, and newborn Salviano Montoya.

Each decade is discussed and as the book travels backward in time the decades turn to centuries and finally just plain early notes. The various topics and items discussed will hopefully peak your interest and I truly hope you will enjoy.

One additional note-I would hope that after I am long gone, someone in the family would continue to expand and write on future generations and accomplishments.

BEYOND 2010 FUTURE GENERATIONS

TO BE WRITTEN:

It is hoped that any one of my future generations would pick up from where this book stopped and continue to write. The objective of this book was for my family to know exactly where they came from and what it is that makes us act and do the things that we do. Our culture is very important and our pride has always been a part of us for generations. If you enjoy this book, hug the person you love and make every day, every hour, and every second the best part of your day.

HUMOR:

A grandfather and his grandson were going to the city with his wife for the very first time. They had lived in a rural area and were not familiar with modem technology as we know it. They walked into this high rise building and were near a door that would open and close when someone pushed a button. An old lady pressed the button and walked in. The man and grandson watched while his wife was out and about. The door opened and out walked a beautiful young woman. The grandfather was so excited that he told his grandson, Hurry, go find my wife!

SONGS: Buenos Dias Paloma Blanca - Hoy te vengo a saludar.

This Is Dedicated To The One I Love - Anselma (Medina) Montoya.

My love story begins with a twinkle-in-my-eye. I spotted her from across the room and I was spell bound by her beauty. My heart skipped several beats and jumped right out of my chest. I had to sit down just to catch my breath. This young lady did not know it yet, but she would be a major part of my life.

Anselma Montoya 1994

A NEW MILLENNIUM (2000 - 2010)

Notes on the Decade:

There has been a great deal of changes in our family since we moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. My wife started the decade working for Hewlett Packard-Agilent and later took a retirement offer after eighteen years of service. She then decided to seek employment with Sanmina-SCI where she worked for approximately four and a half years. She gave up her job to join her husband, Vivián, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Vivián finished thirteen years of teaching at Holmes Middle School in 2004. He continued teaching an additional year after his retirement of thirty-four years. This year was his transitional year and he was eager to do something else. He applied for a position at Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada after learning that a person could retire from there after only five years of teaching. He was interviewed at Stapleton International Airport located in Denver, Colorado. This was April 25, 2005. By June15, 2005, the family accepted the job and was moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Since Clark County Schools was in need of teachers of Spanish language background, math teachers, and teachers with experience, this was the right time for Vivián. His first job was a two year stint at Von Tobel Middle School. This was a tough assignment, but all went well. He remembers how the students, many of them gang members, would tag (paint the school, books, or anything they could) the school almost on a daily basis. The school was 87% Mexican or Mexican decent. The students would refer to Mr. Montoya as Mr. or Senor. They took a liking to him so he did not have as much trouble as many of the other teachers.

Vivián then transferred to Fertitta Middle School which was only one mile from his home. He had traveled twenty-one miles each way to his previous job. Fertitta was completely different from Von Tobel. It consisted of 40% Asian, 40% White, 10% Black, and 10% Hispanic (Mexican, Spanish, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Panamanian, and others from South American countries.) These students actually did their work! Super Change!

HUMOR:

When traveling on vacation, we stopped and used the restrooms at a gas station. After hours of waiting, I finally asked, what took you so long? Nothing, why? Then I noticed a sign on the restroom door. It said, Clean Restroom. So I figured she must have cleaned the restroom.

SONG: You’re Still The One - Celebrating forty years of marriage.

I fell in love with a young girl who was at the peak of her young life. She was a sight to behold. I could not take my eyes off her. She had those beautiful green eyes with a light complexion and long flowing light brown hair. She was five feet tall and walked with such grace. She was my girl.

Anselma Montoya pointing to one of the Stations of the Cross

Anselma Montoya pointing to one of the Stations of the Cross

2000-2010

What lies ahead we do not know, but the economic boom definitely did not last. The 9-11 terrorist attack on New York hurt every state including Colorado. Just go gas up at the pump and see the difference from just ten years ago. The carelessness of human beings has caused disasters of many types including wild forest fires which have cost millions of dollars to fight and in damage.

The passing of the law No Child Left Behind has backfired and left many districts handicapped or unable to meet many of the standards. Mining and other pillars of the economic growth have shown a decline.

On a good note, after forty years of court battles, 77,000 acres of the Taylor Ranch in the San Luis Valley was re-opened to the descendants of the original Hispanic settlers. This decision affected members of our family; Charles and Kathleen Maestas, sister and brother-in-law on my wife side of the family.

Gambling has become a part of the state and tourism still draws a variety of people to our state. Politics has come to the fore front for Hispanics with both Ken Salazar and John Salazar simultaneously serving in Congress.

The growth of professional sports has been an economic boom for the state of Colorado. Teams like the Denver Broncos, Denver Rockies, and others have slowly grown in an upward trend. There has been a gain in fans and support of their franchises.

HUMOR:

My sister is not quite five feet tall. (On Heels)-Just kidding. While she was visiting Japan, she was walking on flats, mind you, and could see the top of the heads of many of the Japanese people. My, are you tall!

SONG: Once In Every Life - Someone comes around and you came into my life.

Like the song says, once in a life time an arrow hits your heart and it is embedded there forever. Anselma Medina at the time was young and energetic. She had this positive energy which encompassed me when she smiled. When those cupids hit you with those arrows it sure does feel good. Thank you God for sending such a super woman my way.

Vivián Montoya Family Portrait:

First Row: Mychael Montoya, Brandon Montoya, Damian Montoya.

Second Row: Brennen Montoya, Brittanie Montoya, Nicholas Montoya, Anselma Montoya (holding) Salviano Montoya, Daymn Montoya, Vivián Montoya.

Montoya Family Portrait -Our Three Sons:

Nicholas Marcus Montoya, Brandon Kelly Montoya, Anselma Juanita (Medina) Montoya, Daymn Gabriel Montoya, Vivián Fermin Montoya

ANSELMA JUANITA (MEDINA) MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Anselma is currently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has lived there with her husband, Vivián, for the past four years. She worked for Red Rock Casinos and currently is enjoying home life by entertaining company from back home, Colorado. She does have a job. I like to call it bingo. She does better than me working at times. She loves angels. She is one. There are thirty-five different angels throughout our home. I know you like angels but….!

Before leaving to Las Vegas, Nevada, Anselma worked for SanminaSCI as an Operator Specialist. She enjoyed her work but gave it up to go with her husband on a five-year vacation. Anselma is a very personable person. Quickly she made hundreds of new friends in her new residence, Las Vegas, Nevada.

She will never be alone for she has that ability to be a magnet for people. From out of nowhere strangers talk to her like they have known her all their lives. Her luck does not hurt either. Every time she wins, people come over to congratulate her and thus more friends evolve. The friends from church are many and very close.

Visiting the family in Colorado Springs during the summer months when her husband is not teaching is something that she looks forward to each and every year. She no longer has a house in Colorado, so she doesn’t mind renting an apartment for two months because it gives her a chance to visit everyone and still have a place to relax and do other activities.

How blessed are we, Anselma would say. I love my kids and grandchildren. It was so hard to go back to Vegas once in Colorado. Go play basketball with the boys. Go swimming with the family. Maybe that way you will lose some weight! Anselma would tell me. It worked!

HUMOR:

Ma’am I can see you through the mirror

"Sister! Pompa! Sister! Pompa!

Halloween in Manassa - Houses are like one on each comer of every block. So for Halloween kids would go trick-o-treat once, twice, maybe three times at the same residence. (Just change costumes several times and there we go!)

SONG: Pure Love - Baby it’s you and me.

My heart would always skip several beats when she walked toward me. She was so beautiful and I was but an ugly young man with little self-esteem. She had stolen my heart and she didn’t even know. I was so extremely happy when she said Hi. If you knew me, you would have noticed that I must have turned twenty shades of red. Hi….. I think I said. Any way the wheels started turning and the engine was running.

DAYMN GABRIEL MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Daymn Montoya has been employed with Cerner Corporation. This Corporation is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. He has had the opportunity to work out of Denver, Colorado. But, he travels for work anywhere in the country, one week at home and one week on the road. He has traveled to many places like Calgary, Canada, Baltimore, Maryland, New York City, New York and on and on. He teaches various aspects of setting up hospital labs.

Daymn graduated from the University of Colorado and has made a living for himself in the medical field. Daymn is very talented in many fields and surprised us when he made his career choice. Art, Music, and Theatre were part of his life in high school. He gets all this talent from his mom, maybe not the Art part. Daymn’s strength in character and his wanting of perfection come from his ancestors and his culture.

HUMOR:

The Running of the Bulls - At a young age, seven, Vivián was playing in a corral at the T-Bone Ranch located in southern Colorado near the northern New Mexico border. This ranch is between Lobatos, Colorado and Cenicero as it was once called. All of a sudden he heard this noise close behind him. It was the snort of a raging bull. Turning around and seeing the Hugh red mean eyes, he took off running and the bull followed very fast. He noticed a window on the red barn next to the corral. The window had four small windows and the bottom right was broken or missing. He jumped and somehow made it through this small opening. The opening was six by eight inches and had a few pieces of broken glass still attached to its sides. He flew like someone was lifting him through the air and he landed inside the barn on a sheep pen which nearly dislocated his shoulder. He was safe and out of danger. Whew! Another close call!

SONG: There Is No Getting Over Me - Just fill your heart and mind with all the love I have to give.

Adams State College EI Parnaso Club -was the setting and I was but a young man looking for something to do with my free time. In walked a young lady with several other girls. I couldn’t take my eyes off her but I tried not to look so conspicuous. She stood talking to most of the girls and did not notice me on the other side of the room. Her smile and her beauty were so overwhelming that I had to talk to her. It was early in the afternoon and the students were continuing to fill the hall where the first practice session was going to be held.

NICHOLAS MARCUS MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Nikk, as he likes to be called, has been employed by Micro Metals and is currently living in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He lives with his son Brennen Montoya and daughter Brittanie Montoya. He was also employed briefly with an Immigration employer.

The early part of 2000-2005, Nikk worked with District # 11 Schools as head of maintenance. He moved up quickly and was an excellent employee for the school district. Nicholas is an extremely hard worker and always does the best he can to complete a job. He can’t do enough for the job or for that matter anyone who asks for a favor. This is one of the attributes of our culture.

HUMOR:

We like-it-it! Do you like-it-it?

SONG: Ain’t That Love - It’s the way I feel about you.

As I made a conversation with the other Adams State students our eyes suddenly met for a quick second. My blood pressure zoomed and I looked at something else so I did not seem so over obvious of my zeal. I looked down and pretended to be busy doing something else. That first look was enough to start the fire burning. It burns, burns, burns even to this very second.

BRANDON KELLY MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Brandon Montoya is living in Colorado Springs, Colorado with newborn son Salviano Thomas Montoya. Brandon also has his two older boys over on weekends. Mychael Montoya and Damian Montoya live with their mother Stephanie Trujillo. Brandon works for an independent employer laying carpet and flooring.

Prior to this job, Brandon worked at Flextech applying labels on various products. He would set up and print on many types of bottles and products. He eventually moved on to other types of work.

Brandon is my sensitive son and he does have a quick temper. These are all factors of his background. His abilities are many. I feel he could be anything that he puts his mind to. Once he finds his niche, watch out there is no stopping him. He will give the shirt off his back to anyone in need which is an attribute of our past descendants.

HUMOR:

Lawrence did it! Mychael did it! Who did it?

SONG: Stand By My Woman Man - That’s me and there is no reason to worry.

The EI Parnaso Group was getting ready to practice several dances and I was lucky enough to somehow pair up with a girl close to Anselma. That was good enough for now, even though my heart was aching to dance with that one girl- Anselma. My heart skipped several beats every time we came within each other’s vision or the dance required changing partners or patterns. My steps were somewhat mixed but I tried to hide my poor dancing ability.

VIVIÁN FERMIN MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Vivián Montoya retired from Colorado Springs School District #11 in the 2004-2005 school year. He worked at Holmes Middle School at the time of his retirement. (Total years of teaching were -thirty-five.) He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada immediately that summer of 2005. He made a commitment of five years and will be vested within that time and can retire under a different system.

HUMOR:

When I was hired at Fertitta Middle School the principal, Mrs. LaMonica, asked me if I could think outside the box. I said, sure, but my speech and language sometimes get in the way of my explanations. The principal said, I will ask you three questions:

First: Can you equal nine without using numbers?

Vivián: Sure

Principal: How does that equal nine?

Vivián: Tree plus tree plus tree equals nine.

Principal: OK now I will ask you the second question.

Without using numbers can you equal ninety-nine?

Vivián: Sure,

Principal: How does that equal ninety-nine?

Vivián: If you make a smudge on each tree it equals ninety-nine.

Principal: I don’t get it?

Vivián: Dirty tree plus dirty tree plus dirty tree equals ninety-nine.

Principal: Good, now if you can answer this third question the job is yours. Can you equal one hundred without using numbers?

Vivián: Sure

Principal: I can’t see how that equals one hundred.

Vivián: You see a puppy came around and made poop under each tree.

Principal: I still don’t get it.

Vivián: Dirty tree and a turd plus dirty tree and a turd plus dirty tree and a turd equals one hundred.

SONG: De Rodillas Te Pido - Will you marry me again?

Too many songs and dances later, Anselma finally became my partner. It was like someone up there knew what I was thinking. My hands were kind of wet, so I had to regroup in a hurry. My skin was red, but I had to regroup in a hurry. My hair was a mess, but I had to regroup in a hurry. My speech was gone, but I had to regroup in a hurry. You know the scenario. I took her soft hand and asked her if she had danced with the group before?

ELOISA (PEREA) (ROMERO) MONTOYA (2000-2010)

Eloisa lived alone in Manassa, Colorado until her death at the age of 87 in 2009. She died at her home with several of her sons and daughters at her side. An obituary of her life is included in this writing.

Eloisa’s sons and daughters by Nicolas Montoya:

Prax Montoya - Pueblo, Colorado

Denise Montoya - Denver, Colorado

Celeste (Montoya) Salazar - Romeo, Colorado

Natalie Montoya - (deceased) - drowning accident at two and a half years old.

Eloisa’s sons and daughter by Alexandrino Romero:

Alex Romero - Farmington, New Mexico

Alphonso Romero - Manassa, Colorado

Mary (Romero) (Valdez) Martinez - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albert Romero - Denver, Colorado

Steve Romero - Denver, Colorado

Amar Romero - Albuquerque, New Mexico

HUMOR:

Orale Bato! The bats come around every hour? No, it means hello.

SONG: Andale - We keep on rolling!

She replied with a yes and I have danced in the group for a while. Very sheepishly, I asked her if she would mind teaching me a few of the steps. She was good! I had hoped that I had not over stepped my advances with her. She was so nice and just being near her made me feel so good. I told her that I had belonged to EI Parnaso Club before I left to do my student teaching at Los Alamos, New Mexico in the fall. She said, then you must just about be finished with school?"

Vivián F. Montoya: In the Military, Germany 1970

June 5, 2009

Dearest Family,

I wrote this Eulogy to express my gratitude for all that Grandma Toya gave me and to share the impact she had on my life. I know she meant the same, and more, to all of you. After I delivered the Eulogy the night of the Rosary I was struck by the family and friends who said that I had captured her essence. I hope, at least in a small way, that I was able to do that for you. That is my gift to Grandma and my gift to you.

Your mother, my grandmother, cannot be replaced, but through our continued expressions of love, her memory will not fade and all that she taught us will not be in vain. Through us, she will live on.

I love you,

Michele Valdez

Eulogy for Eloisa Montoya

May 28, 2009

My name is Michele Valdez. I am Eloisa Montoya’s oldest grandchild. I am honored to speak on her behalf.

Years ago I went through an antique phase. On one visit to see my grandmother I dragged her out to the garage to see if she had any antiques. She complained that that there was only