hootenannie

My friend Matt is in his second year at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, and the other day, he emailed me saying, “I miss Seattle more and more. Yet, sadly, it’s becoming more of a memory than an old reality.” What an unfortunate truth – and one that has been sneaking into my own…

Last week, I did something that I am not proud of. I went somewhere that I try to avoid at all costs – except, of course, LOW COST. Where else am I going to get my toiletries and gum (and wire, as it were) at a fraction of the price? But if there ever comes…

Yesterday, I was this close to writing about Twitter, and calling it “N is for NOBODY CARES.” But I figured that all of you Tweety Birds would be hurt. And when I’m honest, isn’t this blog just one big, festering, narcissistic Twit? Or whatever. So instead of ranting about our culture’s obsession with broadcasting the…

Last week, the stars aligned. First, my friend Debbie dropped me an email, seemingly out of the blue, asking me if I read any Annie Dillard. My reaction: does Rick Astley shake his groove thang? Annie Dillard is breathtaking – one of my favorite writers. Her “Living Like Weasels” makes me want to throw a…

It is 2003. I am at a Seattle coffee shop with the two boys I used to nanny for, then 3 and 5; I am ordering them hot chocolates. We find a Magic 8 ball by the cash register. Annie: Oh, you guys! Check this out – you shake it and ask it a question,…

When I moved to Nashville, I had two goals: to play at the Bluebird Café, and to run a half-marathon. Let me say it again: SQUEEEEEEE! But the running thing is still… how should I say… in process. I hate to run. The other night, I tried to go running, but called it quits after…

My little sister Sarah came to visit this weekend. Isn’t she beautiful? She is all good things: sunshine and light and compassion and loyalty. Where I am sardonic and blunt, she is genuine and measured. Where I am an eye roll, she is a kind word. Where I am a sneer, she is a laugh….

(A word of caution: Prepare yourself not for art, or beauty, or wisdom, or humor, or insight… but simply for an explosion of my heart.) Remember this mysterious, ambiguous entry? I received an email this morning: Annie, Congratulations! You’ve passed our audition process… And on June 21, 2009, I’ll be fulfilling one of my biggest…

In general, I am not a forgetful person. I remember important dates, items on my grocery list, and words both tender and toxic. It’s a rare occurrence for me to miss an appointment due to negligence. I can hear a song one time, and be able to sing back the chorus word-for-word. I don’t need…

My friend Carly has a fabulous food blog aptly titled Fabulously Classic. She is my dream wife, coming up with all sorts of delicious concoctions to feed her husband Ben. Recently, she posted a recipe for pumpkin bars, and since it’s fall and I have A NEW MIXER, I thought I would bake a batch…