Providence, RI. January, 2013

RISD business. Get it? This exhibit at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum was great, filled with signs made of marker on cardboard, blurring the lines between privileged and less so. You can just about read some of the signs behind the window. For more, google "Alejandro Diaz artist" or click here.

Barcelona. November, 2012

Nick had asked me to bring home some pimentón from Spain. No problem. This stand in Barcelona’s fabled market, La Boqueria, had plenty. And so many kinds, that I had to ask (repeatedly) to make sure I bought the right stuff. Sweet and hot, both smoked. I also got some for myself, which I have been using in every chili, curry, stew and soup I’ve made all year. It adds such a lovely smoky enhancement to them all. And even though I was only in Barcelona for a few hours on our next trip, La Boqueria and this stall are always definite stops. (I hope the lovely, patient lady from Ecuador is still working there.)

Watertown, MA. July, 2013

Weeds anyone? This summer’s weather has alternated between rain and high heat and humidity, making yard work almost impossible. The weather has also delivered a perfect combination to encourage the proliferation of weeds, allowing the few tomato, parsley and bush bean plants in my raised bed to be infiltrated by many, many unwelcome and thirsty neighbors. What a mess! Today, with relatively cooler and drier weather, I managed to do the first of many (alas) weedings. Onward. [Actually, I found an easier, softer way. Click here.]

Watertown, MA. July, 2013

Working the steps. After years of climbing a flight of distressed wooded stairs to my front door (careful paintings did little to mask their lack of integrity), I’ve followed the example of the third little pig and upgraded to a brick-and-granite solution. Interesting to watch the progress, especially as I had no idea how involved and precise this construction would be.

Tucson. May, 2005

Ruby is the alpha dog these days in the home of Simon and David. In spite of the fact that they now have two stronger and more active whippets. Alas, Ruby is an old dog, much thinner now than she was. But possessed of every ounce of dignity that she has always had. She sleeps with Weasel, her Siamese consort, and would have it no other way. [Update: Sadly, she is no longer with us, no longer sleeps with Weasel...but maintained her dignity until the very end.]

Tucson. November, 2014

On the Sunday after All Souls Day (November 2), Tucson unleashes its annual All Souls Procession. Snaking its was through the city after dark, accompanied by the sounds of mariachi, thousands of living souls pay homage to thousands of dead ones, parading with photos of their lost loved ones. Some dress in costumes. Many paint their faces to resemble the famous Mexican Day of the Dead skulls. The parade winds up at a stage set up in a huge field where videos of beating hearts, acrobats suspended from cranes, fire jugglers, Aztec dancers, singers, you name it perform this spectacular finale. At the close, a huge geodesic urn, filled with paper prayers and the names of the dead collected from the crowd, is ignited. No wonder it’s the city’s largest and most popular festival of the year. (To see the finale from the 2006 procession, click here.)

Tucson. November, 2014

One of the things that makes me the happiest is realizing that I have truly wonderful friends. And I love it when I can introduce them to each other. For instance, here. Christian (right) was in Tucson to run a half-marathon. And I was also in this great city, visiting my friends Simon and David, and eating every bit of Mexican food that wasn’t nailed down. So naturally I wanted them to meet. And they did, and they hit it off easily. Of course. Here they are in S&D’s garden, poolside, at sunset. See how everyone is smiling?