Summer Sounds and Welcome Back
Have you heard the NPR series on Summer Sounds?
Lawnmowers, beans in buckets, bull frogs.
I love that series as much as I do Story Corps. Delicious.
In my back woods, the summer sound is frogs in the pond. I have no idea what kind of frogs they are, but they’ve been with us for a few months, many hatching from tadpoles.
They are loud and likely too loud for anyone who isn’t used to them, but if they weren’t there, I would miss them. They are my sound of summer.
When I take the dog out for his last walk in the evening now, the breeze is warm, the fireflies are dancing in the darkness, and the frogs are calling.
It is an instant pick-up after a long day of work and kid and rush. My few minutes of just being quiet and listening.
I know I have been gone from here too long. I know there is nary a soul checking in, but that’s been OK. It has given me the space to think about where I want this site to go. How much time I want to dedicate to it, why I should even do so when uploading a quick comment or photo to Facebook is so easy and so private.
Yes, I think Facebook killed my blog.
There is a safety there because I know those folks. I don’t know the googler from Indonesia. You know?
And Maria is halfway to 8 now. Telling stories about her, about her path to bilingualism and biculturalism was great fun when she was 3, but I am much more careful about sharing her in a blog. So, she won’t be making too many appearances here.
So what is left then if not the mommying stories?
I feel like I have some of those to share from my perspective. Like how a non-Latina friend wants me to write a parenting manual titled: “No es No es No es No! Parenting a lo Mami” or the complicated choices about schooling or the continued struggle to achieve bilingualism.
But, I also live in a wonderful city and beautiful state that I’d like to share more about. The undiscovered spots, the thick culture of music, the growing up of a city that 20-years-ago seemed so behind.
This past month marked the 20th year of my arrival. I was 23. And though cliche as it seems to say, it seems like yesterday. There are a lot of good experiences packed in there, strong friendships created and a passion for a place I thought I’d inhabit for just a couple of years.
I thought about writing more about running a business (The Pollitos) and the business of blogging (The Tiki Tiki) pero no se. There is so much good stuff out there already, that we’ll see. Maybe it’ll be more about the food we grow, new Latin-inspired vegetarian recipes, a little bit Vlogging tips. A part of me is way too fascinated with the process of aging, so don’t be shocked if you find me writing about my new gray hairs and my chicken-skin neck. Plus, I have promised myself a bikini body by 45 (that’s 13 months away), so perhaps my sweat will inspire posts. (Here’s a business of blogging post: Full-time Blogging makes you Gordita. The End.)
I guess where we go depends on who finally lands here, who returns.
When I launched Bilingual in the Boonies in 2006, it was very much about raising a bilingual kid. The readers, mostly, came for that. (And some who just googled “Latin ass.”) I had great fun, and after more than a decade of having editors, it was like riding with no hands.
So now I am dipping my toe in again because while I write weekly at the Tiki Tiki, and work there daily, it is a space akin to a cocktail party. This is my house and there are things we say in our own house that we don’t say at the party.
And, truth is, though I have not known exactly what to say all these past months, I miss having people over.
Carrie, you are an amazing writer! Whatever the subject, your thoughts are worth sharing. <3
Dulce, thank you! High praise coming from you. And, so glad you came to visit!
I remember that Bilingual in the Boonies was one of the first blogs I found back in 2007 when I was searching for Latina blogs. Welcome back to one of your first loves!
Thank you! Glad we share a long history, Joscelyn!
Carrie! Love your blog/s. You write as you speak, and I find both interesting and hilarious. Look forward to following along with you online and hopefully in person down the road. Be well!
Aquacate, thank you for visiting my little corner.
It was wonderful to meet you in person this week. And, I too, look forward to mas hangeando.
Welcome back! So happy to see you here. I could listen to you talk about blades of grass, so whatever you decide, count me in.
Blades of Grass? I may hold you to that just to see what happens!
xo Nashville friend.
Yay!!! I’m so happy you are back. Now, less “feisbuc” and more “booniebuc”!!
Asi mismo es, Maria Amelia! Pero siempre mucho tiki tiki!
Welcome back, Carrie! I’ve been following you over at Tiki Tiki but it’s good to see you back in the boonies!
Natalie, thank you for hanging out here too!
Will gladly share more boonies!
Gurrrl, you know I love coming by your house.
Maybe we should coffee talk Skype? Si? From your casa and mine?
Love you, love your blog–basically, just a big steamy pile of LOVE coming your way from Brentwood!
I imagine that steamy pile of love all perfumed and perfectly made up, and dragging the coolest little carry-on bag ever!
Muah to you.
Must see you soon!
Welcome back!! I missed “the boonies” as Joscelyn mentioned, your blog was one of the first I started reading.
You have so much to say and you say it very well, so really the topic doesn’t matter, just one request, more vlogs!!! you are fantastic, amazing, funny in camera, love it!!
Abrazos
I will do more vlogs if you promise to do more vlogs…Que dices.
xo
Love your voice, your writing, your time of reflection, and always the possibility of reinvention — for all of us. Adelante…
Aurelia, thank you.
I have enjoyed getting to know you and your work in our little circle and glad we can connect in yet another place.
Reinvention for sure!
You are such a wonderful writer! your stories are a joy to read!!
Jenny, thank you! And your recipes are a joy tambien!
Love seeing you back here in this space. Your space. You are a great writer!
Also? “Full-time Blogging makes you Gordita. The End.”
Hilarious.
I have actually worn a bikini top (ok with a black skirted bikini bottom but a bikini no less) in public this summer. I have been sitting on a crazy exercise ball for months at work…a neon obnoxious ass green…and doing 100 to 150 crunches daily. And by GOD it is working! I hate every second of it, though. My goal was to be in a bikini at 40 and I’m nearly 42 so I guess better late than never. I just ignore the rampant spider veins.
You give me hope, you give me hope! Wanna Beach Body with me? LOL
I want a photo of your abs too.
Thank you for the support on the blog, too…I need it. Not sure how I will keep it up…or the weight loss, for that matter…it won’t be doing 100 crunches!
xoxoxoxoxo
Like old times, amiga…like old times.
xoxoxox
welcome back. long before we “met” in our group and our campaign, I had visited all of your blogs, namely this one and sent an email… I was tickled and more amazed there was a cubanita living in TN. How random, I thought. But it seems to fit you well and gives being cuban a new dimension and appreciation. we truly are all over! And, I agree with you. Blogging full-time will make you gordita. Now go run! :) Or have some damn cocktails.
I am so sad I didn’t get to know you way back then before you got famous! LOL
xo
Cant wait to read your stories here!
I don’t write about the pepa much, but we get into it a bit!
LOL
You’re so funny, Carrie! Glad to see you’re writing here again :)
you beat me to it :)
certainly feels like coming back home and I’ve missed you here.
besos Y abrazos!!
Gracias, my amiga who inspires…
This is my first visit to the boonies. I’ve been to the tiki tiki several times…. always happy to feast my eyes on something NEW! Can’t wait to read on!
Welcome, welcome to Tennessee! Come back soon, ya here!
I am new(er) to blogging but in my exploration of finding blogs with a latina voice I stumbled onto yours. Unfortunately, it was right around the time you began your “sabattical.” I did find you again at TikiTiki and I am glad I did. I am happy to see you here again. And about the blogging turning you into gordita? That is the truth. My bathing suit will probably stay put away in a drawer this summer. :(
Diana, I love your site. Keep at it!
And thank you for visiting me here.
Awesome! Welcome back, and you best believe that F/B cannot kill a well written blog. Heck, mine isn’t all that well written, and I’m still around!
Mack, gracias!
From your lips to God’s ears, right?
It is hard to stay away forever…it’s good to have a personal space.
Hope we get to meet sometime!
Carrie
Hace tiempo que no nos vemos por aqui, amiga. Que bien verte otra vez.
Shall we dive back in to (personal) blogging togethah?
Hugs from moi.
Too much time! So much time you up and had a baby!!!
Congratulations!
And yes, I will dive in if you do.
You are a great writer….Love reading what you write.
Peace!
I just moved to Nashville and stumbled upon your blog. I had a Cuban mother who did NOT teach me Spanish so I applaud your desire to make your daughter bilingual.
Long story but I have really struggled with this subject for years and finally decided to learn Spanish at age 50. In Nashville, I am not sure where to plug in. I found the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute online and am going to try classes there this fall.
I just ret’d from a trip to Cuba with my mother’s brother and her first cousin, Chachita. (My mother passed away in 06) Cuba was wonderful and awful, beautiful and ugly, charming and alarming. I met many Cuban relatives but was so frustrated because I could barely speak Spanish.
I subscribed to your blog.
Thanks,
Elaine VanCleave
Elaine, mucho gusto!
Welcome to Nashville.
Thank you for hanging out and leaving a message.
Please contact me via the blog: carrie at bilingualintheboonies dot com so I can put you in touch with the rest of the tribe!
I love visiting your casita! It was the first Casita Bloggera that I ever visited. Nice to see you here again.
lisarenata´s last essay ..wearable art ♥ usando arte
Thank you, Lisa!
I am so glad to know you…here and there, at your casa.
I don’t know how I ended up here, but I did!! I love your writing, and I am inspired by you to create a blog! I do feel the same way you did (with respect to your feelings of no one following your blog). I feel that I have this fear of having a blog, and well, not wanting people to read it because I feel shy/embarrassed, or having people read it and not think it’s interesting…(I think it’s more the latter, which is something that I just need to deal with.) Actually I am attempting to raise my children to bilingual(multilingual) too, and I am always inspired by other people who do it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts to a complete stranger!
Jenny, the blog world is a little magical and knew discoveries are fabulous and inspiring, aren’t they.
I didn’t tell anyone for a long time that I had started the blog. It allowed me the space to write for writings sake and to enjoy the freedom.
There is definitely a desire to be found, to be known, to be accepted, and yes, loved.
But, in the end, a blog is about you and your complete and total ability to express yourself in any way you like — from the words to images to the template to the customization.
There is great freedom and joy in it when you don’t get too wrapped up in Others. (We talk a lot about that at conferences…)
If you go for it, let me know.
Best of luck.
And glad you stumbled here.
Carrie,
I am so glad to see you are back, even though I am a few months behind. You are an awesome writer. Can’t wait to read more!
Love you in Tampa!