Maria Rodriguez Bross is an author and playwright delving into the fictional world of all things bodegas, botanicas and creative tales of the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. Stay tuned Brujas!
Welcome to the Bodega Botanica! Volume 1, Issue 1: October 2024
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Hola! Do you believe in signs? I do. As I’ve prepared to launch this very first issue, I’ve been telling many of my friends and family that I've had a shift in my life. Like the moon cycles, I'm in a new phase. I've had more time to pause, reflect, and discover. This process has been an invitation to dig deeper and reconnect with parts of myself that, in the busyness of life, went overlooked. On my recent visit to Spain, I came across an old business sign that read La "Bodega" Bohemia. Many people don't know that I'm secretly fascinated by bodegas (now they know), and the bodegas in Spain seem to serve wine- how nice. I marveled at the old building, its structure and the sign so much that I literally stopped in my tracks to take a selfie. Anyone who knows me understands that I'm terrible at taking selfies, but I thought this one (pictured below) was pretty good. (Okay, maybe I still haven’t quite figured it out, lol.) Here's the thing. Signs, besides being literal markers, can be hints pointing us towards our goals and reminders of where we’ve been. In an unpredictable and overwhelming world, it’s easy to feel lost or confused, but every once in a while, a brief interaction with a person, a fleeting visual image, or a literal sign can let us know whether we are on the right path. What signs have you noticed in your personal life lately? E-mail me at mariarbross@bodegabotanicatales.com or message me on Instagram @bodegabotanicatales. Also be sure to check out my latest blogpost- click button below. My Blogpost: Click on Button
Spanish Word of the Month:Bruja - The literal English translation is "Witch", but I'd like to add that this word has carried a negative connotation. In this newsletter, I'm reclaiming "bruja", reshaping its meaning, and redefining it as a term of endearment. Words evolve, and it’s time we give this one a fresh, positive spin. So in honor of this Halloween, join me in transforming it into something empowering and warm, something that brings us together rather than tearing us apart. Let’s make it a Spanish word of connection and respect. So with that sentiment... Until next month...Stay tuned Brujas! Other Magical Tales You Might Like: |
Bodega Botanica Tales
Maria Rodriguez Bross is an author and playwright delving into the fictional world of all things bodegas, botanicas and creative tales of the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. Stay tuned Brujas!
Volume 1; Issue 9: July 2025 Hola, Do you ever cry? I do. This past month, I've been wanting to cry. Yes, you read that correctly; I wanted to, but I'm having a hard time of it, especially as I get older. You see, I used to cry all the time, not only when I was sad, but when I was scared, stressed, and even happy. This got me thinking. Whenever I had a good cry, I was able to sort out my thoughts about the emotion I was experiencing and that gave me clarity and peace. In other words, the...
Volume 1; Issue 8: June 2025 Hola, Do you ever celebrate when you're stressed out? I do. Recently I've had a lot of celebrations and it got me thinking about all the times I celebrated when things weren't so great. I believe I do this to give myself a break from the grief, the struggle and the confusion. The truth is that good and bad things are always happening simultaneously. This is what makes life so complicated and difficult. One of my default ways to celebrate is to write, and in doing...
Volume 1; Issue 7: May 2025 "Mal de Ojo" Drawing Ever blame superstition on something that's a mere coincidence? I have. This month, I've had so many coincidences that I can't help but be a bit superstitious about it. Even though I know my luck won't change by relying on superstitious phrases like "knock on wood" or "never put a purse on the floor", coincidences are sometimes hard to accept as just random events. This got me thinking about why I'm sometimes superstitious in the first place....