Almost a month ago, I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Rebecca from Fake Flamenco. The plan was to visit Madison, Wisconsin, meet Rebecca and her family, and check out the Gleam night exhibit at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which Rebecca had written about and recommended. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the exhibit due to … Continue reading Blogging Milestone: Meeting in Person
Rockin’ Thursday XXXVI
Today, I’m going with a rock ballad because sometimes you need to take things slow. U2, an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976, released their song "With or Without You" in 1987. The song became their first number-one hit in both the United States and Canada. About the song, Bono said that "the … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXXVI
Book Review: A Call to Action
Last month, I finished reading A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power by former President Jimmy Carter. It was definitely an interesting book, and it was good to read some of his views. The opening of the introduction delineates the purpose of the book. The first sentence reads, “All the elements in this … Continue reading Book Review: A Call to Action
My Basement Garden
I think I mentioned in the past that one of my post-retirement hobbies is working on my basement garden. Why a basement garden? Because I live in planting zone 5b, and I want to grow herbs, fruits (yes, tomatoes are technically fruits), and some vegetables year-round. Today, I’d like to give you a quick tour … Continue reading My Basement Garden
International Day of the Girl Child
Today is the International Day of the Girl Child, established on December 19, 2011, by the United Nations to recognize girls' rights, address the challenges they face, and promote their empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.1 On October 9, 2024, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released a report on sexual … Continue reading International Day of the Girl Child
Rockin’ Thursday XXXV
Today, I’m bringing you The Pretenders, a British-American rock band formed in March 1978. The band's biggest hit in the United States is “Back on the Chain Gang”, released in 1982 and reaching the #5 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. The song was written by American-British musician Chrissie Hynde and was recorded after … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXXV
A Reflection on Family Trauma
I have been debating for months—well, struggling is probably a better word—about writing this piece. It’s one of those things where writing in a journal isn’t enough, and I feel that what’s in my mind needs to be set free. I’ve written many times about family struggles while growing up and the absence of a … Continue reading A Reflection on Family Trauma
The Old Tree
Today, as part of our series featuring poems by Pedro Rodríguez Miranda, my grandfather-in-law, we turn our attention to the third poem, The Old Tree, from the book section titled Love Poems in Old Age. This poem beautifully captures the fragility of life and the grace of aging and decline. El Arbol ViejoSobre la espina dorsal del … Continue reading The Old Tree
Rockin’ Thursday XXXIV
Today, it feels like a Fleetwood Mac kind of day. I’m bringing you "The Chain," a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, released on their 1977 album Rumours. While reading about this song, I found this interesting bit of information: "'The Chain' was created from a combination of several previously rejected materials, including solo … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday XXXIV
Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate
Over the weekend, I read You Will Not Have My Hate, a memoir by Antoine Leiris. The book, translated from French by Sam Taylor, was recommended by the Secret Library Book Blog, and it’s the most emotional book I have read so far in my life. Knowing the background of the events that led to … Continue reading Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 