Saturday morning at 12:01 a.m., my (invisible) plane touched down in Nashville and America/Americana Day III began. Cava is always involved with America Day celebrations (see America Day I and America Day II), and a cork soon popped at the apartment; Stewart, John, Ben, Michael, and I toasted to the revelries ahead: Then, there was [...]

In the American South, a bowl of collards = money in the new year. Here’s to a prosperous 2009: Recipe: (for a houseful of people) Add four tablespoons olive oil or 2 pieces of bacon, diced to a large pot over medium. Heat 3 minutes. Add 1/2 small onion, diced, cook 3 min; add 5 [...]

Yesterday morning, seemingly out of nowhere, rain began drumming on the magic cottage and the light began to shift. Just back from traveling, I looked in the mirror and thought about what I wanted to happen before the end of the day: And then I walked out front, started my car for the first time [...]

The wild winds of Tropical Storm Fay are whipping around the magic cottage today. So we’re making my favorite breakfast food, pancakes, with crispy edges: Recipe: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt. Stir. Crack one egg in middle, add 1 cup buttermilk. Stir. Drop 1/8th cup circles in pan with [...]

In recognition of Captain America’s return to Charlottesville, we deemed this past Saturday America Day II: Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through. Like last year’s first America Day, we determined to spend the day doing very American things; this time, relating to music. (Follow the rest of the adventure after the jump–)