Eleven years ago on a sunny May day, I was helping my drama students with their last run-through before their final performance for drama class. The room was buzzing with energy and excitement and the stage was being set.  But Miss Lucy, who hates to miss anything, had other plans.  My water broke during class so I called Big Man who was conveniently on an OB rotation at the time.  I barely got the words "My water broke" out before I heard ...

Sorrow founds it's way along the banks of the Mississippi.  A friendly, light-hearted, talented young man, the son of a well-known, well-liked, vibrant couple took his own life and every parent I know has been rendered speechless.

The culture wars are back. Truthfully, they never really went away but as Tea Party Republicans swept into state and federal legislatures in 2010 the presumption by the mainstream press had been that they would ignore cultural issues like abortion or civil rights and focus on the economy.

Big Man is worried about what to get me for Mother's Day. I don't like plants because with them comes yet one more thing to keep alive.  Books are as essential to my life as food so there is a steady supply of those. And yet I kind of get a bit nauseous when I read or hear from other mom's that all they want from Mother's Day is to be with their family.

Folk Rock Singer Songwriter Corey Koehler (aka me) has released an environmental song in his song-per-month campaign. The song is titled “Frac Sand Blues.” The song is an attempt to raise awareness about the controversial practices of Frac Sand Mining and Natural Gas Fracking.

Monday: a light workload Tuesday: a day to relax Wednesday: salsa dancing, sharing space Thursday: scattered storms across the sky, like smudged pastels or dripping watercolors Friday: a moped ride at dusk through my sleepy town for ice cream Saturday: spending two and a half hours looking for this supermoon, and not seeing it, but consciously seeing the day pass into night Sunday: freshly squeezed orange juice

Most times when I write, I have an idea I am attempting to work through. But lately, there is so much swirling around in my brain that I don't even know where to start.  Here are just a few things that have been on my mind:

Day 1: chipirón ships lining the horizon – it’s low tide with calm waters Day 2: patches of sun,  like showers of gold Day 3: full-scale group art projects, made just for fun Day 4: morning conversations with las lechugas Day 5: merluza con salsa verde y patatas – how my cooking habits have changed Day 6:  The Flysch of Zumaia Day 7: Euskadi music and dance    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjxu63_korrontzi-oinkari-dantza-taldea-... - — -

 I looked the other way once. 

There is so much to say about being a student in one of Verdiano's workshops. I'm not going to write about it this morning, mainly because I don't have the time to do it justice... So here's the photos from the end of the day yesterday: