I Wore Flowers in My Hair; They Made Me Sneeze
Growing up, I always suspected I was born about thirty years too late. I imagined I would have been a wonderful flower child; barefoot, braless and sticking daisies in the barrels of rifles. Now that I’m grown up, I hate going without shoes, and my post-nursing breasts demand a brassiere. As if that weren’t enough … Read more
Especially for National Association of REALTORS Mid-Year Meeting Attendees
Last year, I put together a set of tips for those traveling to our glorious nation’s capital, which I emailed to all of the Washington REALTOR members who planned on attending. I received many grateful responses, so I thought I’d reprise that same information here, where it can live forever (and you can’t delete it … Read more
Ugly American: The Gonzo Mama in Japan
A light dusting of snow covered us as we made the five-minute walk from Tokyo Station to our hotel. At the entrance, I stooped down to put something in the small trash bin near the door. The debris fell out of my hand and I crouched low, picking it up. I didn’t crouch alone. The … Read more
Kobe: How Do People In Japan Stay So Slim?
There’s food everywhere you turn. You can’t walk twenty paces in any direction without arriving at a bento vendor or a vending machine. On the JR (Japan Rail) trains, quiet girls with ready smiles push carts stuffed with snacks and beer down the aisles. Business meetings often seem to be centered around the activities of … Read more
Tokyo Breakfast
I had no problem finding seemingly vegan food at our hotel’s breakfast buffet. Photo (clockwise, from top left): miso soup, fresh pineapple and kiwi, coffee (thank God), roasted potatoes with carrot and squash, rice, an assortment of Japanese pickled things including lotus root Mr. Wright and I are going to tidy up our room and … Read more
4AM in Tokyo
Our sleep routine is all fouled up. We arrived at our Tokyo hotel early in the evening, took showers, made some "instant" peanut sesame noodles in the teapot and planned to find a place to have a drink. Instead, we fell dead asleep, wet hair and all. We both woke up at 4am, thirsty. I … Read more
More Evidence for My Insanity Plea: Premonitions
Look, I’m not saying I’m clairvoyant or anything. What I am saying is that sometimes I have dreams, and they come true. My grandmother was known to read tea leaves and, by all accounts, was quite accurate. Most of the time, I don’t actually remember the particulars of a “seeing” dream until I’m in the … Read more
There is No Japanese Word for “Vegan”
Mr. Wright and I have been collecting every bit of information we can find about Japan, in preparation for our trip this month. We’ve Googled; we’ve Wikipediaed; we’ve talked to friends who lived in or traveled to Japan. A study guide we found advises we will be expected to remove our shoes and wear slippers … Read more
Christmas in Montana
We’re doing Christmas this year at my sister-in-law’s home in the Yaak Valley of Montana. Christmas in Montana was supposed to happen last year, but a sudden blizzard prevented most of the family from making the trip. The Lord blessed us with good roads this year, so we were able to spend Christmas here: … Read more
The Best Thing About Being a Blogger is…
… the amazing people I get to meet. When I found myself planning to be in San Diego, California for the National Association of REALTORS conference I sent a tweet to Opus_6, an amazingly strong conservative blogger (who does her thing here), telling her that I was going to be hosting an 80s party for … Read more
Fillies ROCK!
The Gonzo Mama is reporting live from the Preakness, where Rachel Alexandra just became the first filly to win since 1924. I say, “About time!” I never doubted you for a moment, Rachel. Way to show the boys the way it’s done!
Bad Gratitude Monday (Don’t Jump!)
Bad Gratitude Monday comes this week from Washington, D.C. during our annual trip for the National Association of REALTORS Mid-Year meeting! I have a lot to be grateful for today! 1. Our plane landed safely!2.Our suite is beautiful!3. I know I’ve finally arrived as a print columnist, because my editor called today to inform me … Read more
Confidential to National Association of REALTORS Mid-Year Meeting Attendees
Last year, I put together a set of tips for those traveling to our glorious nation’s capital, which I emailed to all of the Washington REALTOR members who planned on attending. I received many grateful responses, so I thought I’d reprise that same information here, where it can live forever (and you can’t delete it … Read more
Bad Gratitude Monday
I’m a little late posting my Bad Gratitude Monday (which I’ve decided to make a weekly event, except during weeks when I forget) today… Those of you who subscribe by email won’t get it until Tuesday. So? Sue me.So… without further ado, here is my list of things I’m grateful for today: Tomorrow is Cinco … Read more
