We woke up in Nashville this morning. Frankie was purring on the bed. I guess he is getting used to the traveling life, but I'm not sure I am.

Two days of hurtling through the desert at 75 miles an hour with trucks all around us had me in permanent white-knuckle mode; then when the speed limit eased off to a relatively sane 70 around Arkansas a couple of days ago, it seemed as if the other drivers started getting more aggressive. We've already been nearly run off the highway.  

I'm looking forward to living on the Vineyard, where no speed limit is higher than 45 and no road has more than one lane in each direction!

It was great seeing Sylvia Giannitrapani and Bryan Owings last night at their home in east Nashville, especially since we missed them on their annual Bay Area trip when Bryan played Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in October.

Sylvia is one of my greatest friends from the music business and now is loving her second career, in real estate. Look her up if you're seeking a home or pied-a-terre in Music City. 

Bryan is an incredible drummer who performs and records with folks like Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement and Buddy Miller. He had a gig at the Station Inn, but we were able to see him for a few minutes before he headed off for sound check.

And what did they have hanging in their kitchen but a Rancho Gordo calendar! Turns out I "turned them on to beans" with RG's incredible legumes on one of their HSB trips.

That was cool, but also gave me a pang of longing for my Napa homies, of whom RG's Steve Sando is Amigo Numero Uno.

I miss you guys!

Love, 

Louisa

Earlier posts:

Vineyard to Vineyard: Away We Go

Vineyard to Vineyard: Bad Cocktails in Barstow