Jenny Shank

3 weeks ago | americamagazine.org | Jenny Shank

A street in Antigua, Guatemala (iStock)In Jared Lemus’s robust, melancholy debut short story collection Guatemalan Rhapsody, the narrator of the story “Heart Sleeves” is in a representative predicament: going nowhere fast. He’s stuck, having lost his job at a pizza place for smoking weed and remaining defiant when a customer falsely accuses him of pocketing her change. “Back in Guatemala, where my parents are,” he confesses, “people had also treated me like that.

2 months ago | theemancipator.org | Jenny Shank

Jennifer Neal began packing moving boxes early in her life when her father’s career ambitions prompted repeated relocations across the U.S. “Approximately every three years,” Neal writes, “I could become someone else.” After college, Neal taught English in Japan, and while there, she began to envision her adulthood as an expatriate.

Dec 26, 2024 | traveler.marriott.com | Jenny Shank

Do you crank up the radio when you’re driving? Sing in the shower? Whistle a tune while chopping vegetables? If so, it sounds like you prefer life with a soundtrack — and the places you visit should celebrate your groove. Whether you like classical operas and concertos, rock anthems, R&B crooners, country twang or another genre, you’ll find much to love at these hotels that embrace music culture. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Nov 18, 2024 | jennyshank.substack.com | Jenny Shank

National Bison Day is observed the first Saturday in November, but here at the Tumbleweed we celebrate Bison Month. Not only is the bison our national mammal, but a certain bison is one of my favorite neighbors: Ralphie VI. Ralphie VI, nicknamed Ember, is the current mascot for the University of Colorado. Her job is to charge out of her trailer before football games and run a lap as the team takes the field. As you can tell by her name, there have been several prior Ralphies.

Oct 16, 2024 | jennyshank.substack.com | Jenny Shank

Can you believe the Tumbleweed is about to roll through its third Halloween? Founding Tumbleheads know this of course—that is, the three members of my family whose emails I signed up for the newsletter without their consent. My son still hasn’t figured it out. “Why am I getting this?” he asks every few months. I just chortle. He’s blocked me on every social media account, but he can’t stop the Tumbleweed! (Though you can, dear readers. Just click the unsubscribe button.