Showing me around her meticulously organized and overflowing art studio, I have a hard time keeping up with Xima Lee Hulings. Amidst pens and paints and textiles and even a blow torch, she talks about her life and paintings and projects in her rapid-fire, exuberant way. Inspiring and educational, she motivates me to make a mess and create something. Because, as Xima laughs out loud and says, “Life is an
I recently accompanied a friend to the hospital for a routine, albeit still unsettling, outpatient procedure. Sitting in the waiting area, I noticed a gentleman staff member, dressed in scrubs, who escorted patients to their assigned medical spaces. As he greeted and directed a constant flow of patients, I continued to watch and listen to him. He captured my attention by being an exception. In this world of instant gratification
I have talked about my mid-life move to Nashville – no friends or family here, kids grown and gone. Arriving in town, I read everything I could get my hands on about happenings in our new city. I was searching for ways to meet people and create a sense of belonging. Now it is two years later – Mary Hance willingly agrees to meet with me, and I feel like
On a gloomy Monday in October, this Nashville treasure is teeming with activity. Despite the misty morning, a crew works to put finishing touches on transforming this 55-acre botanical garden into a magical, holiday wonderland. As we stroll around the Cheekwood estate and grounds, built with the Maxwell House coffee fortune, Jade Roser gives me a behind-the-scenes look into how Holiday Lights comes together. With his easy going, infectious enthusiasm,
The sergeant-in-command directs me to the room where roll call is beginning. Reminiscent of police tv shows, the two sergeants discuss the priorities for the day to the 30 or so police officers gathered. A murder suspect was apprehended overnight, so locating him is no longer a high priority item for these day shift officers. As I sit at my table and look around at the quiet and
If at first you don’t succeed…Tim Halperin’s first American Idol tryout was a bust. A few years later, he borrowed a buddy’s laptop, pulled up a seat, and sang a cappella for a webcam audition. This time around, he ended up in Los Angeles on a wild, musical ride. As we discuss Tim’s 2011 American Idol adventure, his strong faith is evident. A finalist during season 10, Tim truly believes
As I meet with people, I continue to hear the same message over and over. To expand personally, we must seek challenges and bring novelty into our lives. Making an effort to learn and do new things enriches our world and creates excitement. Always willing to explore new territory, Charles Curtis stumbled upon an engaging and lucrative career because he gave something different a try. About 50 years ago,
I became of age in a Heineken, Budweiser, Michelob world – and Coors, brewed with “Rocky Mountain spring water,” was something a little more special. Admittedly, ordering a beer used to be a simple task. Nowadays, deciphering choices in the craft beer world can be complicated and overwhelming. Lager, ale, IPA, hops, barley, amber, abv, malt, mash – I just want something I actually like to drink. In a city
We downsized considerably when making the move from Houston to Nashville two years ago. Sorting through piles and years of stuff, we mainly boxed up only those things we truly loved. Not only is it emotionally hard to part with your belongings, it can be physically difficult as well. We had a tough time finding organizations and people willing to inherit all the beautiful, in our opinion, things we chose
We sit in her backyard on this lovely, balmy September day in Dallas, Texas. As I eagerly devour her beautifully presented creation that is my lunch, we talk about how much The Defined Dish has grown since it began, basically, at the start of this year. Alex Snodgrass is the perfect example of finding what you love to do and turning it into a livelihood. With a huge smile,
