Random cheering, honking, camel: Tunis on Halloween

Tunis today. We walked around till we were almost dead. The sun is so intense, even in autumn! It was 4:00 before we could eat lunch, but when we did… Ravioli Dello Chef for me, Carbonara for Ramon (ever the traditionalist). And a gorgeous salad shared. Hon hon...
It’s National Novel Writing Month again!

It’s National Novel Writing Month again!

Calling all creative minds… Let’s novel! National Novel Writing Month is about to begin. This annual event pits you against your inner editor (troublesome fellow: more on him below) to write 50,000 words – the equivalent of a novella – in one month. Millions...
Now in French!

Now in French!

I tried writing a note to a friend in ze French language. Ouch. We’ve been studying for months and still, the basic conversations with the front desk at our hotel, or answering people’s questions about Catalunya, are so awkward and clumsy I want to press...
One night in Tunis

One night in Tunis

We made it to Tunis. It’s lovely. The weather is divine. Ramon’s job looks great, and I can work at his office for now. There’s wifi to spare and a cute coffee shop out front, run by a fellow who teases us about our French. But try to get a taxi...
And counting. A short short story (Ten seconds short)

And counting. A short short story (Ten seconds short)

T-minus ten and counting. A spectrum – red, yellow and green – illuminates. A traffic rainbow that means turbines are operational. A buzzer squeals overhead: propulsion jets are ignited, pushing 100,000 pounds per square inch against the launch pad. A faint, buffered...