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Lila Downs, is there a book about this woman?
I was in Dallas three years ago when, Sandra, a friend of the family and wonderful supporter of my music planted the seed. “You HAVE to check out Lila Downs!” I didn’t think much of it at the time, but the name resurfaced when I saw her album, La Cantina, when visiting my friend andRead more..
My birthday wish… (a wink wink nudge nudge)
(A belated post from May 24, 2011)… So, today is my birthday (May 24, that is . It’s also Maria Auxiliadora day. She’s the patroness of the Salesian community, with whom Jodi and I lived and worked in El Salvador for 8 months. Living in a Salesian community and having the same birthday as MariaRead more..
Feed My People
I been feeling a bit down these days – not sure what the deal is, but I think I’m drowning in my own muck. So, last night I made me a PBJ, tossed some quick Quaker Oats in a tupperware and set my alarm for 4:30a.m. At the sound of the iPhone, I rolled myselfRead more..
MLK-inspired thoughts on social justice
On MLK day yesterday, I had to run to Houston and back. The travel time allowed for some great conversation about social justice, assimilation and other thoughts on the Latino community. We heard snippets of Martin Luther King’s Address at the March on Washington (aka. the “I Have A Dream Speech”), which was given AugustRead more..
Where is Gina “Chancleta” Chavez?
drumroll, please… I am… back in Austin! That’s right, peeps, I am back in the steaming ATX and flopping around like a fish outa water. I’m sorry for being incomunicado about my return home, but I snuck out of El Salvador a little early in order to carry out a birthday surprise and had toRead more..
Mes de María = flowers and fiestas
Just a quick note to say howdy from this tiny fruit- and flower-filled country. It’s May, which means flowers are in bloom on bushes, trees, shrubs and even in little girls’ hands. They are amazingly adept at creating the most intricate paper flowers here, it’s incredible. Everyday the “stage” in the gym is adorned withRead more..
Praying for Sor Rosita
Please keep our beloved Sor Rosita in your prayers. At 3:50 pm today she had a brain hemorrhage that left her blind and mute. She is currently in the hospital and we’re all scared and praying that God hold her in comfort. Sor Rosita is the dueña of our amazingly delicious panadería and our on-siteRead more..
the runner i never wanted to be
Ok, so maybe “jogger” is a better word. In any case, I’ve always hated, and I mean loathed running. In middle school I was on the track team (probably because I had no choice) and since I was one of the slowest creatures on the turf, they put me in the least popular races whereRead more..
Yodi Becks, ¿donde fuiste?
So here I am. Alone again. Well, not quite all by myself. I do have dozens of hungry zancudos (aka mosquitoes) buzzing around me, but something tells me it isn’t my wit they’re hungry for. I’ve armed myself with this small yellow tennis-raquet-looking thing that electrifies them to death, mwah ha ha. So, as youRead more..
Will Gina stay in El Salvador?
Howdy there! Well, if the title caught your attention, then I’ll get straight to the point. Gory details aside, basically after weeks and weeks and WEEKS of prayerful deliberation on whether to leave here in June (our original leave date) or to try and raise funds and see the girls through October (the end ofRead more..