San Miguel de Allende

This few days in San Miguel de Allende have been a perfect blend of learning and teaching. First up, the 11^th annual San Miguel de Allende Writer’s Conference and Literary Festival was a terrific mix of excellent faculty, stimulating keynotes, and interactive writing practice. Lessons learned about: Powerful storytelling (verbs, verbs, verbs), compelling writing (ending each paragraph with the reader wanting to know, what’s next?), and seamless narrative (the reader wants surprises, but not unbelievable ones). All are course- and life-lessons for my students (yes, even those in ENVS 319!).

Gail Sheehy, author of 17 best-selling books

Second, I have had the opportunity (in one day) to visit Mexico City’s museums and palaces – treasure trove of histories of Mesoamerican culture, the legacy of colonialism, and independent polities today. This was followed by a brief tour to Guanojuato, the area referred to as the birthplace of the early Mexican revolution.

Third, this was an important reconnaissance for the “Geographies of Hope” program March 19-26. What follows are images of lodging, excursions, setting, and foods – to whet the appetite of the travel- and information-hungry students who will be joining me on this adventure.

Candlemas, Candeleria, Imbolc, Persephone, Groundhog Day -- February 2

February 2 is the first day of spring in many traditions! I celebrated this year by attending a very beautiful service in Everson, WA -- where candles were display. Typically, this was the time of year when people melted down old and odd bits of candle to make new candles -- my children did this when they were younger. Here, a picture of hundreds of beautiful candles made by a friend to mark this first day of spring, and, a year full of light.

For me, I celebrated with thoughts of good cheese -- here, an unveiling of a new work. New-old, if you consider the age of the molds.

 Delicious! (underneath the rind, of course)