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5 years have passed.

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H (40) Joaquin Uriel "Jack" Castañeda (starletinwaiting)
W (37) Constance Phoebe "Connie" Skinner (Laura B.)

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S (12) Boaz Emmanuel "Bo" Castañeda (RowenaRavenclaw)
D (9) Salomé Deborah "Sally" Castañeda (molly)
S (6) Ezekiel Hosea "Zeke" Castañeda (Wordsmith)

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D (2)

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FN: an Old Testament name with a positive meaning
MN: a Spanish name with a meaning related to the sky or the stars (inspiration: https://www.behindthename.com/names/gender/feminine/usage/spanish/tag/sky)
LN: Castañeda

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D (0)

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FN: Spanish form of a New Testament name
MN: after Jack's mestiza mother - a short (4 letters or less) Spanish name
LN: Castañeda

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The Castañeda ranch has expanded slightly, now supporting a small herd of cattle and a few acres of crops. In 1861, Jack became indirectly involved in the growing tensions surrounding the Civil War. Though California is far from the battlegrounds, the political divide between pro-Union and pro-Confederacy settlers has created new pressures. Jack's mestizo heritage and landownership have drawn suspicion from pro-Confederacy locals, who see him as an outsider and potential threat.

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Connie's school has flourished, evolving into a respected institution in the area. In 1862, she secured additional funding from an abolitionist society, allowing her to hire another teacher and expand the curriculum. She now teaches over 30 children, including several from formerly enslaved families who have made their way to California.

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The school’s success, however, has brought renewed hostility. In 1860, a group of pro-slavery sympathizers vandalized the school again, accusing Connie of spreading radical ideas. She stood her ground, rallying her supporters to repair the damage and expanding the schoolhouse in defiance of her detractors.

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At 12, Bo is becoming a thoughtful and capable young man. He spends much of his time working alongside Jack on the ranch, learning the ins and outs of cattle care, irrigation, and negotiation

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Sally is a whirlwind of energy and curiosity. At 9, she's already showing a fierce independence and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. She loves attending her mother’s school, where she excels in reading and writing but often exhausts her teachers with endless questions. She dreams of becoming a teacher herself.

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At 6, Zeke is happiest when following his older siblings around or helping Jack with small tasks on the ranch. He's particularly fond of animals, often sneaking scraps to the ranch dogs or befriending the chickens.

Hosea, Connie's father has taken on more responsibilities around the ranch, helping Jack manage the growing workload while Deborah, her mother, continues to assist at the school.

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Two more daughters daughters were born in recent years. The elder, born in the autumn of 1861, has a sunny disposition and a love for animals, often toddling after the ranch dogs or trying to cuddle the chickens. She's particularly attached to Sally, who has taken it upon herself to teach her little sister how to read despite her young age. The newest addition to the family was born in the spring of 1863.

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masculine list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/191050/124079
feminine list: https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/191050/124080