Spanish Trash

A nice, English-speaking representative came to our door a few weeks ago to explain the system: The magnetic key is to keep folks from using the compost container as a trash can.

Leslie H ColeJuly 3, 2015Artika, Spain, TrashComment

Pamplona Fashion

Pamplona might be better known for the running of the bulls, but its fashion is also first rate.

Leslie H ColeJune 30, 2015Comment

Stilton to Cervantes

The Royal Spanish Academy is charged with overseeing the Spanish language. Its original aim was to make sure Spanish speakers will always be able to read Cervantes.

Leslie H ColeJune 26, 2015Comment

Nuevo Artika

The columns are part of a small plaza in the newly constructed Pamplona neighborhood of Nuevo Artika where I lived for 8 months in 2015.

Leslie H ColeJune 23, 2015Pamplona, HomeComment

Next Time, I Dance

I order a small beer and we find an empty table, the only one left in the room, right by the door. I sit with my back to looking eyes. Santy says the bar is run by Bolivians.

Spain, 2018Leslie H ColeJune 19, 2015Pamplona, Music, StoriesComment

River Dance

A river runs through Pamplona, the city where I spent 8 months in 2015.

Leslie H ColeJune 16, 2015Comment

Only in Spain

I passed a coiffed woman in a fur coat and heels, shopping bag clutched like a trophy with a long, slender animal leg sticking out the end of it, hoof still attached.

motherfailLeslie H ColeJune 12, 2015Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona, SpainComment

Doubt

I didn’t find any manuscripts in my father’s apartment during those last days he spent in a hospital bed.

HomeLeslie H ColeJune 5, 2015Family, WritingComment

The Cheese Grater

People in Pamplona call the Corte Ingles department store building El rallador, or the cheese grater.

Spain, motherfailLeslie H ColeJune 2, 2015Pamplona, El Rallador, ArchitectureComment

Weavers

She could size up her audience in seconds. A precocious and beautiful youngest child, she owned every room she walked into, and I was an eager listener.

motherfailLeslie H ColeMay 29, 2015Mothers, Family, Weaving, Stories, WritingComment

Red Wall at Night

In the early morning hours, the only interior light visible from our Pamplona balcony is this intriguing red wall in the darkness.

Leslie H ColeMay 26, 2015Comment

Inside My Pre-teen’s Magical World

I got a view inside my youngest daughter’s digital bedroom and found a magical world documenting the angst, pain, joy, and silliness that are puberty.

motherfailLeslie H ColeMay 22, 2015Daughter, Family, Parenting, Pre-teen, SelfiesComment

Finding the Way

The Camino de Santiago is marked with the yellow arrow across the many routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

motherfail, 2013Leslie H ColeMay 19, 2015Camino, The Way, Camino de Santiago, Shell, Yellow ArrowComment

Shoes Waiting for Feet

My favorite image from the hot summer months in Madrid 2014. Where have those shoes been? Where are they going?

motherfailLeslie H ColeMay 12, 2015feet, shoesComment

Not Your Mother's Blog

I’m not one for iconic celebrations, and Mother’s Day is too much like painting a target on my torso and asking my family and friends to take aim. Instead, I think I’ll start a blog.

motherfailLeslie H ColeMay 10, 2015Motherfail, Parenting, Mother's Day, Cooking, SpainComment