My mother just left. She’s back in Miami, 900 miles away, and I am never sure when she’s coming back. I never know when my parents are coming back. I also never know how long they are staying when they are here — a Cuban thing, perhaps, that confounds non-Latino, American friends. “How long are […]

I used to know where all the hot new Nashville restaurants were. It was the double bonus of sitting near the newspaper’s food critic, gossip columnist and music writers. Those people know everything. These days I am more suburban soccer mom than reporter-on-the-spot and I don’t get out much to places when they make the […]

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 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, […]

Fabulous Shoe by Secret-Agent-Mama Shoes are very important at a blog conference. Fabulous shoes. Women blog about their shoes, and post photos, even before they arrive. And, then they compliment and photograph each others shoes. A lot. One person admired the awesome boots I was wearing. I got them at a sample sale held by […]

Given that you all allowed me to muck the blog up with information about Nashville’s English-Only challenge this past month, I think it’s valuable to offer this follow-up: The financial disclosure is out and 90% of the money that funded the effort to shut down translations in Nashville’s government came from an out-of-state group. “Nashville […]

You can imagine how good I feel. I’ll leave it at that. A couple of news links here and here. “About 10 percent of Nashville’s nearly 600,000 people speak a language other than English in their homes, according to census data. The city is 5 percent Hispanic and home to the nation’s largest Kurdish community and refugees from Southeast […]

Inauguration Concert, Washington, D.C. credit, Michael Foley It is a sad irony, to me, that as Americans of all ages and creeds celebrate the inauguration of a President who promises to unite us, Nashville prepares to vote on a measure that seeks to divide. Give me the crowd above over the crowd hiding in the […]