William L. Spence

1 week ago | lmtribune.com | William L. Spence

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Oaxaca, Mexico, is free, involves lots of mezcal, possibly a few turkeys — and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the United States. Of course, I haven’t attended many weddings, so maybe I’ve just been missing out. All I know is, the public processions that take place outside the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, a few blocks north of Oaxaca’s main town square, are incredibly fun. They almost made me want to get married myself.

3 weeks ago | dnews.com | William L. Spence

I’d never heard of “alebrijes” before visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, this spring, but you can’t spend more than a day there without seeing them on display. Pronounced “ah-leh-BREE-hehs,” the colorful woodcarvings are a fairly recent addition to Oaxaca’s long tradition of folk art. Farmers and shepherds from the small villages surrounding Oaxaca began selling carved, painted figures in the local markets in the 1950s.

Dec 18, 2024 | inland360.com | William L. Spence

There’s something about cold weather and the holidays that makes baking bread such a delight. Or so I’m told. I’ve never actually baked a traditional loaf of yeast bread myself. No wheat, rye or flaxseed breads. No garlic bread. Not even any dinner rolls. I love eating the stuff, but making it from scratch always seemed too intimidating. I just saw one online recipe, for example, that had step-by-step instructions — with “pictures and plenty of helpful tips” — for making a basic wheat bread.

Mar 7, 2024 | lmtribune.com | William L. Spence

Efforts to correct a long-running disconnect between assessed property values and market prices in Whitman County could start hitting homeowners in their pocketbooks this week. Property owners on the south side of Pullman will be the first to feel the effects. However, the issue will likely affect landowners throughout the county over the next few years. “This won’t be a quick correction,” said Whitman County Assessor Wraylee Flodin.

Dec 20, 2023 | lmtribune.com | William L. Spence

I ate a cake the other day. I probably should have stopped after the first half, but it was a small cake — only about the size of a loaf of bread — so there didn’t seem to be much point. I tell myself that a lot at this time of year: Why resist temptation today if I’m just going to eat the other half tomorrow?