Until this weekend, my spring had been enchanted. The dog and I have been strolling the woods for the necessary breaks, and though dreaded at the night hour, the early morning walks have given me a chance to watch the trees leaf and the wildflowers bloom. I have cursed the ticks, but have drunk in [...]

I am truly wondering why some parents would choose not to diapers their babies, and instead “intuit” when their tiny infants need to eliminate. I have been chasing the new puppy, Buddy, around for five days now, making sure he makes it to the wee wee pads. A whole lot of intuiting going on here, [...]

In the last days of 1989, when I was 22, I wrote a newspaper story quoting experts predicting the trends for the 1990s. Good-bye greedy and mean 1980s, the experts said. Hello, kindness toward man and old person. Ha! What the hell do experts know? And, certainly, those shoulder-pad, big-hair wearing experts of 1989 did not know [...]

We had a dinner party for 10 adults and 8 children. Among us: A vegetarian who eats fish. A vegetarian who does not eat fish. A man who cannot eat dairy. A man allergic to meat. A woman allergic to corn. A child who is allergic to nuts. A child who was once allergic to [...]

So, a week or so ago, Maria was hanging in the living room with her father. She asked him for the jar of buttons I keep for her crafts. This is what she came up with while he dozed. Lovely, si? Wishing you joy, creativity, love and prosperity and fun this Season and in the [...]

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, [...]