Breathing in the Spanish — come learn with us

It has been three days since the Mamamade sale and I am only just now feeling a little more able to write smart sentences.

The gypsy-like life of putting show booths together, meeting people, getting feedback, meeting one more Cuban in Middle Tennessee, is an exhausting thrill. In many ways, I wish we could do these fairs and festivals every weekend. They energize at the same time that they kick one in the behind.

Fortunately, there has been help on the home front. The Abuelitos, rock stars of the grandparenting world, are here to hold the fort, not to mention to videotape and cheer every move La Nena makes.

Two nights ago, she entertained us by dancing “ballet” after dinner, though I don’t think she’s ever seen ballet beyond the Angelina Ballerina cartoon. Her grandfather taped it all. She also got her grandmother to hula hoop and share her chocolate ice cream bars.

And, as is the trend when they are here, the “espanish” is on fire. Full on sentences in correct tenses. Makes me realize, yet again, just how simple language learning is when it’s just part of the air you breathe.

And, that brings me to this.

There’s an intensive language learning camp in Nashville this summer. They’re teaching five languages, including Spanish, Chinese and Arabic. They welcome folks from out of town and they welcome multi-generational family units to come and learn together. Visitors can stay at the awesome and beautiful and inexpensive Scarritt-Bennett Center. A few people I know are teaching and/or volunteering, so I am passing the word. The technique looks fun and brilliant.

Maria and I will be there. Breathing in deeply.