An Exploration of Curiosities
Brandon Kinder’s two albums are part of my “pandemic” playlist. Last year I asked Brandon to perform where I live, in Wiesbaden. He said if I found a venue he would add Wiesbaden to his European tour. I did. And Brandon was true to …
Cemeteries train the eye to glance downward. As if the thought of death weren’t somber enough, most are flat and grey. The only breath of life – the occasional wilting flowers that rest beside headstones. If you have the opportunity to visit the cemetery, Père Lachaise in Paris, you’ll …
I’m fascinated by individuals who make waiting tables their profession. My forearms have balanced trays. My fingers have pulled tap handles. And once-upon-a-time, I served cocktails and peanuts at 32,000 feet. The service industry is physically and mentally demanding, which is why a few months …
Fifteen years ago I attended a luncheon and met a delightful woman, Penny McConnell (former owner of Penny’s Pastries in Austin, Texas). Ms. McConnell gifted me a treasure, her famous butter cookie recipe. This paper relic, stained from use, has claimed a permanent spot among …
(Originally written in February, 2015.) Showing up at the Moody Theater in Austin, I was the demographic: middle-class female, 30-60, chasing a raspy masculine voice known only through airwaves. When my husband surprised me with tickets to see Bob Schneider for Valentine’s, I was thrilled! But the real …
Scattered below, in no certain order, are observations I’ve made since moving to the land of lederhosen and schnitzel. If you have opinions you’d like to share, please leave a comment below… When greeting a couple, German men often extend their hand to the woman …
How did I find myself weeping on a church pew at a memorial service of a woman I didn’t know? By chance. The day my 4th grade daughter made the choir team, she was also asked to perform in a memorial service for the …
Grandma’s house during winter was filled with the scent of citrus and baked bread. Surrounding her home were acres of fertile land. You name it, she could grow it. Next to her house was a concrete storm cellar where glass jars filled with bounties from …
Balancing two trays of lunch specials on my forearm, it was impossible to avoid the Alan Rickman glare of distaste on Mr. Z’s pale face as I approached he and his wife’s table. As I set down their lunch fare, he grabbed my arm, “My …
