Ode to Latinoamerica

Calle 13 is my new favorite band. They are witty, political, sometimes raunchy, often funny, and the music rocks the house down (up and side ways too).

I've traveled from Juarez to Chile and almost every country in between (me falta Colombia y las Guyanas solamente)...so I love a band that tips their hat to the richness, unity and diversity in one song. Reggaeton, cumbia, cancion de protesta...they cover a lot of ground. This song's expansive beauty...the sounds and the words...gives me chills, just like the beloved tierra donde vivimos. I had the honor of visiting Susana Baca at her home in Lima...she's one of the voices that gives me chills in the chorus.

I've got to see their documentary about their travels through the Americas....

Puerta to the heart of America

Came upon this rich radio program that shows that NPR can be cooler, browner, and younger than I realized. Who knew? Clearly not me.

Some of the musicians I knew about and loved, some are new to me. All display the dazzling crazy diversity of America (i.e. the bigger version that starts with Chile and ends hmmm...in Arizona?) Music, for me, is the audible heart of a pueblo. Fado, cumbia, blues. It reflects who we are, and it is universal.

If you want to listen to music you'll never hear on the radio, practice your Spanish or just get down, click on this!

Favorite song

What is not to love? Joyful lyrics, melodic perfection, a perfect coming together of Europe and Africa, and dancing that brims with happiness.

fyi - I am also totally crushed out on Patrick de Bana, the guy dancer. Those eyes, that smile, those pecs.

That time of the year

I'm one of those folks who love Christmas.  The music, the lights, the trees, the nativity scenes, Posadas, the food, Santa, the scriptures....it just makes me hum with this happy expectant vibe.
I have a stash of Christmas music that I'm already playing to put me in the mood.

I'm planning our Christmas activities and outings already ( tree chopping, light viewing and gift making), gathering some new cookie recipes, and just getting tickled it is that time of the year.

I'm going to try to make advent more a focus that we usually do, and here is a web site that will help.  

What I'm reading

I just finished this remarkable book about a book that weaves in themes that are painfully relevant.  Book burning, religious intolerance, torture.  People of the Book is one heck of read, and coming after walking through buildings and plazas where the Inquisition took place....very tangible.