Missing the Alameda Vintage Flea

Although I’ve been back in the SF Bay every other week this month, I haven’t been able to time it with the Alameda Vintage Flea Market. That’s by far the thing I miss most on the West Coast (although my wallet seems better for the distance!) I just got two pieces of email that tugged … Continue reading →

Oxford, Mississippi is the epitome of chic magnolia

Reasons for another roadtrip to Oxford: all of the shops and sights in this NY Times online article. http://nymag.com/travel/weekends/oxfordmiss/

The California Mission Trail: San Fernando Rey de Espana

California’s Missions were treasures I didn’t anticipate loving as much as I do.They were an added bonus of living and working in the Golden State. But I’m a collector, and of course I love to collect experiences as much as things. Tell me there’s a “passport” or checklist to follow in order to see all … Continue reading →

In search of… A Chair

I’m on a hunt for the perfect chair. Mom needs to replace the faded old thing she sits in quite a bit now that she’s retired. She likes wingbacks, solid colors, a washable slipcover in a sturdy fabric would be great in this high-use situation. Price should be $500 or less.  Here is a sampling … Continue reading →

Pilgrimage to Junk Gypsy World Headquarters

 I had budgeted to seriously shop here, although anything I bought had to fit in my suitcase! I really coveted these boots (and they were even in the SALE section!) but they weren’t my size. Instead I bought two t-shirts, two pair of fab earrings, a tote bag, and many stickers. I think I showed … Continue reading →

De La Renta collection at George W. Bush Library

I love summer vacations! I’ve been fortunate to take several small vacations in Summer 2014, to fabulous southern cities to see and do things I’ve been longing to see and do for a while. Mom and I have Presidential Library Passports, and on a recent trip to Texas, we were able to visit all three … Continue reading →

Painting of Mt. Diablo, CA

I saw this painting at the PG&E training center in San Ramon last Saturday. I wish I could tell you the artist’s name. But those golden hills, dry and brushy, are iconic of what one sees outside the cities by the bay. So different from MY valley, the perpetually lush Green Hills of Nashville.

New Year’s Resolution: Write more! Walk more!

  My resolutions for 2014 are simple: post more frequently here, and walk more (especially long distance!) to prepare for a bucket list item: a pilgrimage trek across Spain to Santiago de Compostella. Have you seen the Emilio Estevez-directed, Martin Sheen-starring movie “The Way”? It’s a must-see. My dad did the walk about 6 years … Continue reading →

America’s Mood Map: Where do You Belong?

A friend of mine from grad school (we have actual degrees in Southern Studies! So cool, so interesting, so region-fantastic!) shared this link from Time Magazine. It’s a study of U.S. citizens’ personalities, how we rate ourselves on openness, agreeableness (didn’t know that was a word?!) and such.  The researcher found three distinct regions or … Continue reading →

All Dogs Go to Heaven

I drafted this post three months ago, when I was home in Nashville, preparing to do a terrible thing.  Only now has the grief subsided enough to post it. I’ve felt all of the stages of grief over and over again since July. Now, perhaps, I’m reaching stage five, acceptance. But mostly I have lingered … Continue reading →