The word essential is rattling around in my brain these days. On one hand, I’m prioritizing essential groceries; on the other hand, the Safer at Home order is enumerating essential services that can still operate in Nashville during this two-week lockdown to flatten the curve. Coffee, dark chocolate and toilet paper comprise one list, while health … Continue reading This Time is of the Essential
When I was growing up in Nashville, there was an iconic anti-littering commercial featuring an unsavory motorist chucking garbage out of a jalopy and a song about "Tennessee Trash" playing in the background. In today's inclusive world, I don't suspect you could air a public service announcement equating a human to trash--even as double-entendre. Even … Continue reading A Little on the Trashy Side
A few months ago, I visited my former TCATN construction school classmate Maher Farag on the job at 1220 Exhibits in Nashville. A brilliant cabinetmaker, Maher was hard at work building exhibits for a museum that was opening in the spring. Mum was the word, so, as much as I wanted to brag on Maher, … Continue reading TCATN Grad Helps Build Equal Justice Initiative Museum
When we were talking about torque wrenches in plumbing class today, I must have had a blank look on my face that betrayed my total lack of familiarity with the topic, because something prompted our instructor to ask if I had ever changed a tire. I had to confess that I had not. And with … Continue reading No More Tired Excuses
After a two-week break between trimesters, construction school ginned up again with a bumper crop of new students. I remember back in 2016, when I was a new student, nervous about whether I had the cool overalls and tape measure and whether the other kids would make fun of me. A year later, I've traded … Continue reading A Screwy Back-to-School Story
Someone recently asked if I had ever heard of Houzz.com, and all I could think was, "Do you mean the online rabbit hole where I chase my growing fascination for urban poultry into an infinite universe of lavish and lovely chicken coops?" Yes, I have heard of Houzz. An online platform for home improvement and design, … Continue reading Houzz Warming in Nashville
Build Me Up, Buttercup 