I’ve been looking at photos of rocks for some healing and solace.

Rocks have been known throughout history for their healing properties, their ability to enhance desirable traits and more. For me, rocks are comforting, and as I have discovered, there are other folks that feel this way as well.

Davis Mountains, a pile of rocks.

The rock photo above was taken at the top of the Davis mountains. As you can see, this pile of rocks is a calling card for the hikers that made it to the summit of this peak. I imagined, while gazing at the panoramic view around them, what each person was thinking, “How this planet leaves one breathless with its beauty? How many people, how many rocks are there in this pile? Will I ever make it back down this hill without passing out? The questions are limitless.

Rocks of Peace.

This photo was also taken on a hike while discovering another rock pile of significance. Also, collected at the top of a mountain peak, it is clear what the author was intending. How many people contributed to this one is unknown, but what is comforting about these rock piles is that they tend to last to many many years, and grow.

But even so, rocks do change, just slowly. And that can be the difficulty in life as well.

I must remember  that what is and what will be.

Today is what is; the ability to sing and dance, the freedom to walk in the sunshine today, the freedom to make choices. In other places in the world, this does not exist. Rocks help me remember.

Beyond that, I need to look to myself to do more.

The thrust of these blogs are about music, but every once in a while, there are hard places. You can get held up by what is versus how you want things to be. This is where rocks come in, and where you can see there is always an overlap between music and just about anything.

And to end this, post, since I am a musician, here is more about Rock n Roll, from Elvis.

There are many beautiful mothers and daughters in the world. Here is a photo of a tamalada a mi casa.

If you’ve never sung a bolero in your life, or if you’ve sung a million, we will be honoring all mothers with song, flowers and sweets at a Mother’s Day concert at Esquina Tango!

When: May 13, 4:30-6 p.m.  (Doors open at 4)

Where: 209 Pedernales, Esquina Tango

Tickets: $10, general, $7 for small children and senior citizens.

More info RSVP on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/353220048071515/

Or visit Esquina Tango’s website: http://www.esquinatangoaustin.com/index.php/social-events/leticia-rogriguez

Hope to see you all there. And Happy Mother’s Day from Austin, Tx!

A garage sale was something my mom could really appreciate!

After looking intently for a very, very long time for the perfect gift to give my mom, I found it! There it was, a gold lamé shirt on black, snazzy, metallic and grand. Très élégant!

I carefully doled out my coins and purchased something that I knew would be treasured for years to come. I took it home, carefully wrapped it and said a prayer that my mom would really like it.

Today I spoke to her over the phone about her recollection of it. Unbelievable, she can’t remember it! Hah!

But for the life of me, just giving the shirt was a Mother’s Day gift for both of us. It taught me the joy of giving.

Do you have a favorite Mother’s Day gift to your Mom? I’d like to hear about it!

Me and mom.

She always took care of all the kids in our family.

My mom with her grandson, David Evan.

I’ll be playing on Mother’s Day, and thinking of you Mom. Te quiero mucho.

She is still a party girl. (Mom with my sister, Carla.)

My mother is a deep part of my heart. Because of her, Mother’s Day is special to me. I’m playing a special Mother’s Day event at Esquina Tango, next week on Mother’s Day. Please check it out. http://www.esquinatangoaustin.com/index.php/social-events/leticia-rogriguez

I will be singing boleros to and with all the moms, for many of them know these boleros by heart! Song sheets will also be provided. Family and friends; It’s a mother’s dream concert!

Tequila Sunrise

Once upon a time I went on a yearly trip to Central Mexico.

I would travel to the center of the center of Mexico, where history was made and time stands still, more or less; San Miguel de Allende. It is in this town that Padre Hidalgo joined forces with General Ignacio de Allende to overturn Spanish rule, and  gain Mexico’s independence from Spain, September 16, 1810.

But wait I am digressing, what I really wanted to write about was tequila and adventure. And while this story is about both, it is in the past. Let’s talk about the future.

My favorite pastime is to partake of cultural traditions that are unknown to me.

A secondary favorite is to go on hiking adventures. The adventure has certain parameters, one being that I must be unfamiliar with the territory, get lost, be challenged, then hopefully come out unscathed. If I’m very lucky, I can enjoy both of these experiences at the same time.

This is why walking into the tequila store in San Miguel de Allende was a great adventure. While I traveled through life thinking that all tequila was equal, one trip to a tequila store put me on the right path. Tequila was the first distilled drink made in North America, in the early 1500s, under the Spanish influence. It must have no less than 51 percent Weber blue agave, but can have up to 100 percent. The higher the agave percentage, the better the tequila.

The visit to the store gave me a chance not only to practice Spanish and learn more details about the process of tequila making, but allow me to look at what interested me even more; tequila bottles. Tequila bottles are often handmade, and are expressive of a culture of pride, excellent craftsmanship and ofttimes, humor. Savor the experience.

I will be playing at Azul Tequila on Saturday, April 28, 7-9 con sabor. Come, have some tequila and a bit of adventure with me.

Joe’s Shows!

Come sit under the star’s and dine next to Connie’s garden with Leticia Rodriguez, Paul Matthews and friends.  We’ll be playing at Joe’s Place, Friday, April 20, 7:30-10 p.m., 1814 Martin Luther King Blvd, corner of Chicon and MLK. Family friendly, dog friendly and fun!

Leticia Rodriguez and Mauricio Callejas bring Latin music to Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market, this Saturday, April 21 from 10:30-12 (next to Tony Burger Center). Mauricio to be releasing his newest CD, Helado Pop, next week. Come and see a preview while shopping for scrumptious organics!

Be sure to stop by and say hi. Hope to see y’all there!

Enjoying this soulful song! My niece, Carrie Rodriguez, is playing at the Paramount Stateside this Saturday. 8 pm.

My family rocks!

Some nights are intoxicating. So are certain songs. I was very tipsy on March 17, on life.

Players Nick Litterski, Glenn Schuetz, Steve Vidal, Jake Sherman and me. Next show on April 20. http://leticiarodriguezperforms.com/calendar/

Sassy Latin singer pierces hearts. BOleros, mambOs, cha cha, sOnes y más. Bilingual and brilliant music, designed for creating a memorable evening. Vale!  

Saturday, March 17, 7-9, Azul Tequila

4211 So Lamar, #A2. ATX.