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Bodega Botanica Tales Monthly Newsletter

I write about the supernatural, the unexpected and the phenomenal. My stories are inspired by the bilingual, multicultural world that shaped me. I'm the author of the Bodega Botanica Tales series, an adult coming-of age six-part novella series; I host a short story podcast by the same name. This newsletter is about my personal questions and insights to this unpredictable, complicated and magical world, one Spanish word at a time. I'd be honored and grateful if you signed up.

Image of a Sunset along a lake
Featured Post

Has Hope Failed You?

Volume 2; Issue 11, August 2026 Hola! Ever feel hopeless? I have. This past month, after completing my responsibilities, I still had set-backs in my health, my artistic projects and even my personal life. This got me thinking. What's left after hope fails? Hope is wanting something, and that something is an outcome that, in my opinion, is usually self-serving. Common examples include, "I hope it doesn't rain for my event," "I hope my team wins, and "I hope my loved-one gets better, because I...

The writer, Maria Rodriguez Bross, fighting with a robot

Volume 2; Issue 10, July 2026 Hola! Have you ever been scared by the actions of people? I have. This past month, a stranger called me an offensive name because I drove slowly, a neighbor honked at me during my leisurely walk, a friend became angry when I asked a question, and a family member used the word "demonic" to describe my actions (the latter confirms mutual fear). In our 24-7 media driven world, you can experience people shouting their grievances and worries while arguing and debating...

A silver watch showing time

Volume 2; Issue 9; June 2026 Hola! Do you wish for more time? I do. This past month, I took time to celebrate a birthday and graduation, cheer at a dance recital, and even pay my respects at a funeral. Yet, I still hoped I could declutter my closet, accompany a friend to an event, and get more writing done, but I had, well, no time. This got me thinking. Does time demand our respect? Basic human needs, like sleeping, eating, and moving requires time. If we fail to take the time to do these...

Coins (Change) in a plastic bottle

Volume 2; Issue 8, May 2026 Hola! Can you keep up with all the change? I can't. This past month, I dedicated hours to learning software, only to discover a better version existed and no longer relevant to my project. My health shifted just as I was feeling stronger. And the weather unexpectedly turned cold just as I was getting used to the warmer days. And even positive change, like getting new opportunities, felt impossible to maintain. This got me thinking. Why is change so hard? Change by...

Photo of Eye is watching you

Volume 2; Issue 7; April 2026 Hola! Do you ever feel like somebody's watching you? I do. This past month, I've been watched, mostly through online, virtual and in-person events. I admit it's mostly of my own making and a bit intimidating. But then there's the new reality of being watched, like my Alexa app waiting to be summoned, scam e-mails that know too much, something popping up on social media related to a recent conversation, or an AI suggesting proposed language at the beginning of my...

Make you own Luck

Volume 2; Issue 6; March 2026 Hola! Are you lucky? I am. This past month, I avoided traffic that would've made me late, received a package earlier than expected and was gifted a hotel upgrade. Yet, luck hasn't always been on my side. This got me thinking. Is luck an illusion? I'm not referring to a magical force, but rather a human concept. Did we create luck only to make ourselves feel better about our unique situations, shortcomings, personal choices or even our failures? The truth is that...