Month: March 2011

After I write this post, I will go up to my cutting garden where I planted my older bulbs and pick an armload of tulips to arrange for the house. I’ll stop for a minute to look at the clouds over the mountain ranges, the sun setting over the foothills to the west.

Still, I might be thinking about Vivienne and Lili, imagining one of them at a window like this one on the right, but not quite, because Vivienne’s house is a bit more crumbling, its stucco a faded rose color and there are the cracks, the patina of age. And besides, Vivienne’s house only exists in my imagination and now, well, in yours.

There are several ways to listen to this story. You can take some time out—each episode runs about 35 minutes— sit by your computer or lie on your sofa, or you can download this onto any mp3 player—an iPhone, an iPod— and listen on your car radio or while you’re walking the dog. I preview each . . .

Diego Rivera PaintingIt’s a Thursday night after a couple of really terrifying weeks. I can’t even believe what the Japanese people have to face. Other than sending money to the Red Cross, I don’t know what to do.

If, like me, you feel the need for a little escape from real life, here’s what you can do. (Well, after you figure out the best way YOU can help Japan.)

Start chilling a martini glass in the fridge for your margarita.

Here’s one of my favorite recipes, so . . .

Cathedral in MoreliaNext week I will complete one of my New Year’s Resolutions — to self-publish my novel Palace of the Blue Butterfly.

You know, chicas, I always thought I’d forever be the one to play by the rules and stick with the traditional, accepted route: write queries, wait, get an agent, wait, etc.. And then, I reached a certain age — Ladies, can I hear an AMEN!?! — when playing by the rules didn’t interest me so much. Look, I figure everything I have in life comes from the fact that . . .

Quetzalpapalotl designDave and I are taking off for a week to see our beautiful daughter in Santa Fe! An added plus: my friend Frances is coming up from old Mexico, and she’s bringing my business cards for Palace of the Blue Butterfly.

The talented Mexico City graphic artist Daniela Garces made them for me. She knew instantly what I wanted—a section of the Mural of Tlalocan that shows the Rain God Tlaloc’s wife. Her name — Quetzalpapalotl — translates into Blue Butterfly.

Notice how the artist etched Tlalocan into the right hand side of the card? Pretty cool . . .

Big Mac in a FieldOkay, I admit it. I’m longing for spring. I want to look out my kitchen window and see the bush lupine blooming by the fountain.But as it is we’ve had snow, and while it is really beautiful, I want to feel that first balmy spring breeze, pick daffodils for the table and start planning the vegetable garden. Sigh…

And I want to see my steer Big Mac hoof deep in high, green grass. Isn’t he sweet? He’s kind of like a house cat only 1000 pounds heavier . . .