So, I have been playing hookie un poco. It’s why there hasn’t been much action around here. Around mid-day — when I already have put in at least six hours at the computer — I think about all that I still could do, and I say: “Pal’ carajo.” I head to the pool. The water [...]

I spent the day yesterday driving around Nashville, pointing out places of historic interest, like the Parthenon. Places of fame and notoriety: Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Places of cool and quirky: I Dream of Weenie. With me was an awesome Cubanita from Miami who is planning to move to Nashville with her husband and 3-year-old son. [...]

Some women inspire poetry, music, the construction of temples. War, even. Me? I inspire the creation of … headphones. And,  not even totally me. My kid and her cabeza. I just happened to be there. See these headphones by Griffin Technology? Well, a few weeks ago, I got a complimentary set because, well, my friend [...]

Plug and suggestion for Nashvillians looking for an easy, festive, sweet, fun birthday party… Maria celebrated her 6th Birthday at the Nashville Farmer’s Market, a truly wonderful place that reflects the diversity and spirit of this city. A good friend owns Fleur de Lis Flavors, a New Orleans-style snowball and treat shop in the market, [...]

We took to the woods yesterday. Maria, the cat, the guineas and me. I brought the Flip and as you will see by her expression at the end, she was not happy about my messing with the spiritual experience she was having. The song she is singing is a Taize meditation song, Veni Sancte Spiritus, [...]

This is usually my season of bitching. It starts the minute the thermometer begins to regularly dip below 65. It has been raining a lot here, so the bitching started earlier than usual. “You’re cold? Why?” my husband asks. What do you mean, why? I just am. He’s never cold. He has Pioneer blood. Me, [...]

Look what I found while shopping for green face paint and pink sparkly false eyelashes? A Southern Girl wig. Right next to the mullet wig. After I stopped laughing, I thought hey now, I’m a Southern Girl and I am raising a Southern Girl. We’re much classier down here these days, let me tell you. [...]

Little more than a week ago, I was washing the breakfast dishes and looking out the kitchen window toward the Guinea coop. I saw a very large, furry creature and wondered what a strange-looking raccoon was doing out at dawn. Then, it looked more like a large cat and then my city brain registered that [...]

down the hill It has been raining here since Thursday. Buckets, Torrents, End of Days-kind-of-rain. But, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Good for the earth, good for napping and good for lazy Sunday walks in your own backyard. Allow me to share some of my Zen with you, some of why despite the fact [...]

There are some wonderful things about living in The South — magnolias, croaking frogs and green hills. And, “Thank You” cards. People still send them regularly and oh happy me, look at the one I just got: “Grasias Pel Webos!” Which translates from a 5-year-old’s phonetics to “Gracias por los huevos.” (Thanks for the eggs) [...]